Looking for a beachside location to call home without sacrificing the conveniences of city living?
Looking for a beachside location to call home without sacrificing the conveniences of city living? Wollongong may be the location for you. Here we run through 8 reasons to live and work in Wollongong, NSW.
If you’re after somewhere picturesque, Wollongong can’t be beaten. Its location on the coast, and between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, offers breathtaking views. It’s also awash with beaches including Coledale Beach, Thirroul, Stanwell Park Beach, and of course, Wollongong City Beach.
Wollongong’s location offers a range of recreational activities that would be particularly attractive to someone who has an active lifestyle. Enjoy surfing, swimming, hiking, and cycling. As a bonus, the weather is mild, usually between 10 and 25°C year-round, perfect for any high-energy activities. You’re also guaranteed a cool breeze, which is welcome on a hot summer’s day.
In the current market, the cost of living is a concern for everyone. Relocating to Wollongong offers opportunities to significantly cut down on your outgoings. On average, the cost of living in Wollongong is 37 per cent lower than in Sydney. Housing is almost 40 per cent cheaper than in Sydney and food, transportation and entertainment are also considerably cheaper.
Particularly important to young families, Wollongong offers bang for your buck when you’re looking to buy or rent a home. Homes on offer are generally on decent-sized blocks. Another plus is that you won’t need to look as far west from the city centre to find a good-sized block in your budget as you otherwise would need to in more populous locations like Sydney.
Education, healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing are just some of the industries that have a strong presence in the region. Amongst local businesses, there are outstanding retention rates and premium CBD office developments. All signs point to a thriving local economy and happy workplaces.
Ranked #186 in the world’s top universities, the University of Wollongong (UOW) is a very attractive prospect for any families with children nearing university age. It is particularly renowned for its regional research (#22 in the world) as well as their publications that are continually in the top 10 per cent most cited. It’s no wonder that having such a strong university in Wollongong also provides a pipeline of job-ready UOW graduates, supporting the thriving local economy.
If you’re not a resident of Australia and are interested in getting a visa, living regionally in a place like Wollongong can make your pursuit a little easier. There are a host of regional work visas available –and it’s a quicker process for regional businesses to sponsor. There is also a second Temporary Graduate Visa (TGV) available to those who graduate from a regional university.
If you do think that a metro location like Sydney has any facilities that you might miss, you’re well connected to visit in no time. Jump on a train and you’ll be in Sydney in 1 to 1.5 hours.
Wollongong is home to our second office. If you are looking for opportunities specific to the region, reach out to our Regional Recruitment Manager, Melanie Silburn.
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