Where is the best, aternative lifestyle area, that Australians can call home?

[Crop]

After many years living on a remote island, my family and I are considering moving back to the world, but have no idea where to go. I would like to pick your collective brains. I'm interested in ideas of good places for people a little different. We don't like cities but do like diversity. For us racial tolerance is essential. I know better than most that it does not matter how far you go, you can't get away from dickheads, but It would be good to keep them to a minimum. We are really after somewhere Australians can buy a few acres and live sustanably. I know Australians can buy land in Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. Is there any where else? Is there anyone on here from Malaysia? I would love to hear from some Kiwi's. I think their country may be embracing a better set of values. Where is the best Alternative lifestyle place in Australia?

[Halcyon Daze]

The best is also the most expensive. Could you live in a commune or out of a caravan?

 

You could go out west if you don't mind hot, dry, and freezing all within a 24hr period.

[Crop]

30 minutes ago, Halcyon Daze said:

The best is also the most expensive.

 

I don't think the best is necessarily the most expensive. I think many of the most expensive where the best, 30 or 40 years ago, back before they where taken over by the plastic people.

 

1 hour ago, Halcyon Daze said:

Could you live in a commune or out of a caravan?

 

I have lived in both communes and caravans. I personally love communes, while my partner doesn't dislike them, for her they would need to be a special place, with plenty of privacy incorparated in their design. Caravans are alright, if you have to. We lived on sail boats for a couple of years and absolutely loved it, especially the freedom and self-reliance paired with the old school sence of community among yachties. It's also pretty good waking up to a new bay each week. On the down side your garden gets very small.

 

1 hour ago, Halcyon Daze said:

 

You could go out west if you don't mind hot, dry, and freezing all within a 24hr period.

 

I lived in the desert for a bit when I was a young fella. I do get why some people love it, but I also really like shade and the colour green. That said if there is somewhere out that way worth checking out I'd like to hear about it.

[GypsyLee]

I can tell you where it’s not.. The Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne. I’ve been here my whole life and it was beautiful but now I just want to get away from it 

[Northerner]

It's cheap and cheerful up here in the Cassowary Coast region. Not the easiest place to find work, and muggy and hot AF for half the year. The astounding natural beauty and lifestyle is worth it for me and my clan.

 

I could earn twice as much doing what I do in a city, but money can't buy everything.

[Crop]

2 hours ago, GypsyLee said:

I can tell you where it’s not.. The Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne. I’ve been here my whole life and it was beautiful but now I just want to get away from it 

Yeah I got friends on Mornington that say the same thing. I believe the rant was something about narrow peninsula's narrowing peoples minds. The place looked alright to me from my short visit, that's why I'm looking for local knowledge. It's hard when it happens to somewhere you grew up. Still look on the bright side, it gives you great motivation to get out amongst the world. Life's not a spectator sport.

[Crop]

1 hour ago, Northerner said:

It's cheap and cheerful up here in the Cassowary Coast region. Not the easiest place to find work, and muggy and hot AF for half the year. The astounding natural beauty and lifestyle is worth it for me and my clan.

 

I could earn twice as much doing what I do in a city, but money can't buy everything.

Hi Northerner, I actually just returned from a very quick look down your way. It's certainly cheap and very beautiful but what are the people like? I suppose  for us, the question mark hanging over Queensland, is the racism thing. Queensland is notorious for a very good reason. To be fair it seems to get better the further north you go. It's good to know about the work, but I agree with your sentiments regarding money. I'm keen to hear more.

[Northerner]

3 minutes ago, Crop said:

Hi Northerner, I actually just returned from a very quick look down your way. It's certainly cheap and very beautiful but what are the people like? I suppose  for us, the question mark hanging over Queensland, is the racism thing. Queensland is notorious for a very good reason. To be fair it seems to get better the further north you go. It's good to know about the work, but I agree with your sentiments regarding money. I'm keen to hear more.

It's pretty laid back in this area. Lots of hippies and artists, people who just want to stay away from the rat race. I can't say I've noticed any racism, my kids have indigenous friends who come to play who seem pretty integrated into the community. There's plenty of Asians from both indo pacific areas and China who are integrated too, I work and socialise with many different people. Of course there are the bogan meatheads as well... but I don't tend to associate with these sort of minorities. It's a chill place.

I recommend it for a get away type life style. If you need shops and consumer variety it's really not the place for you, but if you want a different lifestyle that's more free than the shitties it's worth a look. Many city dwellers move here and then leave a year later... they don't really realise what it is, how hot and wet it can get, and that you need to really love nature for it to be worth it. They want their creature comfort and consumer choice. It's hard to know without staying here for a while what it really is. The honeymoon does end.

[Slocombe]

Canberra 

[Crop]

Hi Slocombe, that show used to crack me up, but thats not stoping your avatar from creeping me out.

6 hours ago, Slocombe said:

Canberra 

At first I thought you were joking (you did read the bit about not liking cities), but after looking on google earth, I realised, you might be on to something, there's lots and lots of sticks around Canberra. Can you be more specific, where and why? I know you can do better than relaxed dope laws. They are getting more relaxed every where. Besides what sort of person lets a silly law stop them from being themselves.

[Crop]

8 hours ago, Northerner said:

It's pretty laid back in this area. Lots of hippies and artists, people who just want to stay away from the rat race. I can't say I've noticed any racism, my kids have indigenous friends who come to play who seem pretty integrated into the community. There's plenty of Asians from both indo pacific areas and China who are integrated too, I work and socialise with many different people. Of course there are the bogan meatheads as well... but I don't tend to associate with these sort of minorities. It's a chill place.

I recommend it for a get away type life style. If you need shops and consumer variety it's really not the place for you, but if you want a different lifestyle that's more free than the shitties it's worth a look. Many city dwellers move here and then leave a year later... they don't really realise what it is, how hot and wet it can get, and that you need to really love nature for it to be worth it. They want their creature comfort and consumer choice. It's hard to know without staying here for a while what it really is. The honeymoon does end.

Thanks Northerner, really good info. I think I'm going to have to find the time to have a better look down your way. Does any one out there second the Cassowary Coast?

Edited October 26, 2017 by Crop
spelling.

[Slocombe]

On 26/10/2017 at 11:06 PM, Crop said:

Hi Slocombe, that show used to crack me up, but thats not stoping your avatar from creeping me out.

At first I thought you were joking (you did read the bit about not liking cities), but after looking on google earth, I realised, you might be on to something, there's lots and lots of sticks around Canberra. Can you be more specific, where and why? I know you can do better than relaxed dope laws. They are getting more relaxed every where. Besides what sort of person lets a silly law stop them from being themselves.

Haha. I was taking the piss, Canberra is an alternative lifestyle (in a sense) but exactly opposite to what OP is probably looking for.

 

Edit: that said, people have surprising hobbies and opinions but it's a small place where almost everyone puts in a huge effort to keep up appearances.

Edited October 29, 2017 by Slocombe
Clarification.

[Crop]

On 28/10/2017 at 7:52 PM, Slocombe said:

Haha. I was taking the piss, Canberra is an alternative lifestyle (in a sense) but exactly opposite to what OP is probably looking for.

 

Edit: that said, people have surprising hobbies and opinions but it's a small place where almost everyone puts in a huge effort to keep up appearances.

Love your edit, but I'm uncomfortable in places where you have to put your thongs on to go to the shop, so maybe Canberra is not for me.