Christina Douglas

I have lived in Toowoomba for 8 years now and I'm very happy to call Toowoomba my home.

The traffic is generally kept at a minimum – there have been rumours of the traffic being terrible – but take Brisbane traffic for example, there are still as many idiots on the road, swerving into the wrong lane and parking at inappropriate places.
My partner and I have considered moving elsewhere at some point in our lives. After a holiday in Brisbane - I am pleased to say that I can't wait to get home to Toowoomba. I believe Toowoomba has the best of both worlds; we are a vast growing city with a small 20 minute drive to the beautiful country side, Preston peak wineries, Bunya Mountains, bed and breakfast getaways and surrounding country horse races. In the future I am looking to move to the outskirts of Toowoomba, as places like Highfeilds are also vastly growing, and the land/ scenic country land is wonderful – yet 5 minutes from the city! Currently I am living 5 minutes from the CBD in the Darling Heights area.

There are so many community offerings, established facilities, professional businesses, state and rural agriculture opportunities – all available from living in Toowoomba. I enjoy being so close to many recognised award winning restaurants, beautiful scenic lookouts at night time, gorgeous established gardens and parks (We are the garden city), antique stores and quiet cafes to have a squiz at on my time off with my family, friends and partner.

After attending two popular secondary state schools of Toowoomba, Harristown State High school and Toowoomba State High school Mt Lofty Campus, I am pleased to say that both schools offered diverse and engaging curriculums;

Both of the schools have a population of children in the 1500’s – this is large enough to have many different programs running – but it is small enough to have individual attention from the teachers during a class.

Harristown State High school is well known for their great sporting achievements and programs with Soccer, Basketball and Netball being a handful of their best, allowing opportunities for students to travel to Melbourne and Overseas. Rock Esteadford and dancing subjects are another top program that students enjoy to be apart of – again there are limitless opportunities for students after school that the dancing programs offer. So if your child is very sporty, athletic and fit, then Harristown School is a great reason to move to Toowoomba.

However, in saying that, I found to have preferred Toowoomba State High school as a school of my preference. I myself wasn’t a very sporty child – I would have much rather an English competition and a one-on-one academic experience. Toowoomba State High School dedicates their teaching to a more academic level, majoring in sciences, literature and music. I did in-fact graduate from Toowoomba State High School and found my secondary schooling experience to be remarkable – leading to many long life friendships and open doors after I had finished school.

The University of Southern Queensland was one of those open doors I had taken once I had graduated. I had studied a Bachelor of Nursing Degree for one year after I had finished school. I had loved every bit of my university experience! From when I first started – I was frightened out of my knee sockets – it was such a huge step I was taking into the real world. However, the university had partnered me with my very own student relationship officer who had answered all of my ‘first timers’ questions that I found to be a little less daunting and a big help. Because the university is built on a massive allotment – it was hard to navigate myself around all of the buildings, but there was always somebody willing to come up to me with a helping hand and offer their service. Toowoomba is a very cultural place and you will find at the university that half of the diverse cultures are all there! In saying that - it was a great experience and the people you find working with and speaking to are just wonderful.

Here I am now though; at QLD HOT PROPERTY one of Toowoomba’s substantial growing Real Estate Agencies. I had decided that nursing wasn’t the option for me and that Real Estate is to be the career path I wish to progress in. I have learnt so much more about the community, and learnt to appreciate more of what Toowoomba has to offer. I am pleased with how quiet, lovely and suitable Toowoomba is for my family, partner, his family and myself. I wouldn’t want to live any where else for the time being.