So last month I decided to quit my dead-end job and move states for a fresh start. Had about five grand saved up – figured that was plenty to get settled, right? Yeah, famous last words. Let me walk you through this mess, step by painful step.
The Dumbass Decision Making Phase
First off, I just assumed Queensland would be way cheaper than Victoria. Sunshine, beaches, cheaper housing… what could go wrong? Didn’t even Google it. Just packed my crappy Corolla to the roof and pointed it north towards Brisbane like some budget-seeking missile.
Big mistake number one: Didn’t check the job market first. Rolled into Brissy feeling all optimistic, hit up job sites… crickets. Turns out everyone and their dog had the same brilliant idea after COVID. Found out Victoria had way more openings in my field – warehouse stuff. Whoops.
Budget? What Budget?
My “cushion” evaporated faster than beer on a hot day. Let me show you the murder math:
- Rent Shock: Scored a share house bunk bed spot. $380 a week! For a damn shoebox! Heard later I could’ve gotten a whole studio in regional Vic for $250.
- Fuel Nightmare: Drove everywhere those first weeks hunting gigs. Qld fuel prices sucked me drier than a desert. $2.30/L versus Vic’s $1.90 at the time. Car cried.
- Setup Costs: Didn’t think about bonds, kitchen gear, all that crap. Forked out $1200 just to exist indoors with plates. Melting plastic plates.
Two weeks in, I’m sweating harder than a snowman in the desert. $800 left. Panic station.
Scraping Bottom (& Finding Gold)
Started doing things I’d have laughed at before:
- Dumpster Diving (Kinda): Scouted Facebook groups for free stuff. Scored a bike, a fan, even a half-dead microwave. Rode everywhere after that. Legs hated me.
- Eating Like a Hobo: Lived on rice, beans, and marked-down bread. Found this cheap fruit market in West End. Bananas cheaper than Vic, gotta admit. Ate so many I nearly turned yellow.
- Free AC Strategy: Libraries and shopping centres became my daytime offices. Free wifi, free cold air. Saved me from Qld’s oven-like heat and my fan’s sad whirring.
The kicker? I finally scored a gig… in bloody Geelong, Victoria. After six weeks in Brisbane burning cash. Had to drive back south. The irony tasted worse than my discount beans.
What I Shoulda Done (Save Your Cash!)
- Job First, Move Second: Apply like crazy BEFORE you go. See where bites. Vic had way more options for me, hands down.
- Rent Research: Don’t assume sunshine = cheap. Check flatmates sites and gov bond boards hard. Regional Vic crushed Brissy on value.
- Drive Smarter: Big move? Price fuel stops online first. Pack snacks, water. Don’t wing it like I did.
- Hidden Money Pits: Factor in crap like bond (usually 4x rent!), basic household gear, utility connections. Add 30% to your “settling fund” for reality.
Looking back? Queensland wasn’t cheaper FOR ME. Not one damn bit. Might be cheaper for others depending on jobs and location, sure. But my take? If you’re tight on cash, Victoria – especially outside Melbs – gave way better bang for my busted buck. And research ain’t lazy… it’s survival.
