Hi there,

May I be the first to suggest Cairns, QLD as an option. I lived there for many years (even though I am 20), and I must say it is a very ideal place to raise a family.

1) Firstly, house prices are still relatively cheaper compared to the like of Brisbane. You would be able to get a 3/4 bedroom house for $300,000, however it would be hard now to get one by the beach as it has become very expensive. I used to live in Palm Cove which was named the Cleanest Beach in Australia for a few years and it is a great suburb.

You may be able to find a smaller house in Clifton Beach, Kewarra Beach, or Trinity Beach for your price.

2) Cairns has one university. James Cook University in Smithfield, which is only 5-10 minutes away from the beach suburbs. It is a fairly new university and offers an array of degree options.

3) Cairns International Airport is the sixth busiest in Australia. Qantas operates both domestic and international services. Australian Airlines operates international services to Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, and Japan. Cathay Pacific also flies a few times weekly to Hong Kong. Jetstar and Virgin Blue also fly regularly on domestic routes.

4) Cairns is in North Queensland and the temperature is always hot and humid. In summer, expect temps up in the mid 30's and/or rainy. Winter is slightly cooler, it gets up to around 28C max. But if you are wanting a warmer climate, then Cairns is the place to go.

5) There are plenty of schools in Cairns. If you are going to reside in the beaches and money isn't an issue, Trinity Anglican School in Kewarra Beach is a good private school up to year 7. Avoid Smithfield State High School. Trinity Beach Primary School and Caravonica Primary School are also good options near the beach suburbs.

In terms of high school, there is Trinity Anglican School in White Rock which caters for year 1-12 but is very far from the beaches, about 1 hour drive. Cairns State High School is also very strong in academics, sports, and especially music.

6) Although not as multicultural as Sydney or Melbourne, Cairns is one of the most multicultural smaller towns in Australia. There are often festivals and events to mark such occasions. Cairns has a large Aboriginal population. There are alot of European and Asian migrants.

7) If it's beaches you want, then Cairns has it. Along the coast, you will find some of the most beautiful and serene beaches in Australia, alot of the unpopulated. As I have said already, if you want beach, then you will want to live in the beaches. Namely, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, Clifton Beach and Palm Cove.

8) I think you would find Cairns a friendly place. It is a HUGE tourist destination especially for Asia so I guess they have to be friendly. Cairns offers such tourist attractions as the 'gateway' to the Great Barrier Reef, Skyrail, Kuranda Train, Port Douglas etc.

9) Cairns is relatively small, approx. 110,000 people and growing. I would say it is a great place for raising a family and/or settling down. I would not think one could live in Cairns forever. But that is just me.

If you want any more info, just ask!