There is a lot more to discover in Australia than just the major cities! Newcastle, located only two hours from Sydney, is a lively harbourside city with all the local charm of a regional town.
To help you discover everything you need to know about moving to Newcastle, we spoke to Eparama, Tommy and Angela, international students currently studying at the University of Newcastle, to find out why they chose this cool, laidback city.
A relaxed but bustling atmosphere
Don’t let the slower pace of life outside of Australia’s major cities fool you—you’ll find plenty of culture and entertainment here! From live music to a colourful dining scene, Newcastle is as vibrant and exciting as it gets.
Tommy, a Bachelor of Business student, moved here from Vietnam. He found the city offers the perfect balance between chilled, laid-back vibes and cool urban energy.
“My favourite thing about living in Newcastle is how peaceful it is, but you can also do a lot of activities here,” he explains. “I love to hang out with friends, and Newcastle has a lot of excellent restaurants.”
Angela, who is currently pursuing a Master of Social Change and Development, states that the decision to move here from the Philippines has allowed her to appreciate the little things in life.
“I love the chit-chat while buying morning coffee, the wide variety of delicious and comforting food, the lively artwork around most streets, and the warmth and compassion of its people,” she shares.
The beautiful beaches
When daydreaming of their time down under, many international students might picture themselves walking barefoot on the beach with salty hair and sun-kissed skin, and perhaps they even imagine themselves catching a few waves.
That’s exactly how Bachelor of Computer Science student Eparama felt when he arrived. Hailing from the village of Nadoria in Fiji, he is no stranger to living in a tropical paradise, and he instantly fell in love with the city’s natural wonder.
“Newcastle has got my heart for so many reasons,” he says. “First off, the beaches are like something out of a dream. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the Bogey Hole. It’s basically a hidden gem waiting to be discovered!”
Tommy’s desire to live close to water was a key factor in his decision to move to Newcastle, adding, “I love beaches, so I was looking for somewhere I can quickly go for a swim!”
A city feel on a regional budget
If you’re still wondering, “Should I move to Newcastle?” you might be interested to know that Australia’s regional areas offer a much lower cost of living than big cities.
Capital cities tend to be overpopulated, which increases rental demand and can make it harder to find accommodation. This means rental prices in regional areas tend to be considerably lower than in capital cities, and Newcastle is no exception.
Another important factor for Tommy when it came to choosing a study destination was the cost of education, and the University of Newcastle offered reasonable fees compared to other institutions.
“Living and learning in a regional city is also helping me save some money, with everything being low-cost,” he says.
Our handy Cost of Living Calculator can help you compare how much you’ll spend in different parts of Australia on accommodation, transportation, entertainment and more.
The career potential
Some international students might worry about their chances of landing a job in a regional area. However, as a smaller regional city, Newcastle makes it easier for students to build their professional networks and connect with industry partners across various sectors. Newcastle stood out as a city that had all these things and more, which made it an easy choice.
Additionally, Newcastle has plenty of part-time work opportunities available while you study your degree.
When Eparama was researching study destinations in Australia, he took into account things like university rankings, the local job market, and the range of opportunities available for students and recent graduates.
“I wanted to land in a place where opportunities were ripe and ready to be plucked,” he explains.
Its proximity to Sydney
Living in the regions doesn’t mean you’ll be completely cut off from the rest of the country. With trains and buses operating daily services to Sydney, Newcastle’s close proximity to one of Australia’s largest cities was an important selling point for Angela.
“In many ways, Newcastle was and is the best of both worlds for me,” she asserts.
“I have relatives in Sydney, and I wanted to be relatively near. Newcastle afforded me that, but it also gave me enough distance to explore and discover things on my own.”
World-class education
Breathtaking beaches and a vibrant urban scene aren’t the only impressive things this city has to offer. The University of Newcastle is a highly esteemed educational institution, ranking within the top 200 universities in the world. It also sits among the top eight research universities in Australia, with 95 per cent of its research at or above world standard.
Tommy says, “When researching where to study, the most important thing for me to consider is making sure the university offers many course options, and that they also offer scholarships for international students. The University of Newcastle has created many opportunities for me to study and gain work experience.”
As for Angela, her biggest reason for moving to Newcastle was the excellent learning experience she would receive.
“I was interested in the research track record of the university, options for extra-curricular activities, and its overall culture,” she adds.
A great public transport system
For many international students, driving is not an option. Obtaining a driver’s licence and owning a car can be a costly endeavour, and it is not always worth the effort.
That’s why Newcastle, with its abundance of public transport options, is a great choice for students
“Living in Newcastle is so convenient,” Tommy explains. “You can catch the light rail in front of the University of Newcastle – if you study in the city campus – which takes you to the beach in under 15 minutes.”
It feels like home
Starting over in a new country is an experience like no other, but it can still be hard to be so far away. Angela and Eparama both say moving to Newcastle was the perfect choice, as it offered them adventure as well as a slice of home.
Angela expands, “As a big city girl back in the Philippines, I liked that Newcastle was metropolitan enough to feel familiar, but I loved that it was also laid back enough to feel intimate and comforting.”
Eparama agrees, adding, “Picture-perfect beaches, a melting pot of cultures… It felt like a slice of Fiji right here in Newcastle. So, naturally, I packed my bags and dove headfirst into this vibrant new world.”
