Originally Posted by bensyd

How much do you want to spend on a house? I'd avoid Perth like the plague, but maybe check out the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast hinterland. The problem with Perth, aside from the scorching summers, is that even if you're close to the airport, the airport isn't close to anywhere else.

Have you sorted a visa? Self employed doesn't usually tick a box.

If you're interested in orchestral music then the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is regarded as the best in the country by a decent margin (even though Sydney is apparently a cultural wasteland!). There are plenty of areas of the arts where Sydney outscores Melbourne, but Melbourne has done a great job of promoting itself as the cultural capital.