Rubbish, you are showing your ignorance. Moes problem isn't inbreeding, it probably has the most genetically diverse population in the country because everyone is spreading it around.

OK I'll chime in FWIW...

Almost impossible for anyone to reply to a thread like this without displaying a bias but here goes...

Can only offer opinions on two aussies cities for you - Melbourne and Sydney.

Melbourne weather isn't as bad as it's reputation would suggest - however - you need to get good at riding in drizzle on a LOT of days. One other poster raised the old "it rains more in Sydney than Melb" chestnut which is statistically true but it rains on way less days in Sydney than Melb. When it rains it really rains...you don't get days/weeks on end of drizzle like Melb. Conversely of course - in Sydney get used to riding in really heavy rain - it'l trap you at some point.

Drivers are generally much more forgiving than Sydney but for an experienced cyclist who can ride defensively Sydney drivers aren't really a problem. FWIW I was knocked off twice in years of Melb riding (cars clipping my bars) and haven't yet been knocked by a Sydney driver.

Cycling infrastructure is definately better in Melb. Most Sydney "cycle paths" are no more than a shared parking lane with a line on the road. I'm only s visitor to Melb now but every time I go there I'm struck by how much better the cycle lanes are..

My 0.02 worth hope it helps!

If you move to Perth from elsewhere (i did in 1998) you are amazed by how intolerant some drivers are. Most of them are fine, but the morons make up for it with their behaviour. Lowered Commodores with tinted windows usually. Tradesmens utes or vans. Cab drivers who resemble pregnant whales - not their fault they have huge bellies, they sit all day and have a horrible job, when they finish driving they must be so drained they just wanna sleep.

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"...too old to be riding a bike..." my former workmates used to say. Screw them. I don't judge people for their lack of interest in exercise. So don't judge me.

Thanks people for all the thoughts on Aussie places to live.
We're still thinking about moving but it would be a really big effort and seeing as I have more work already this year than last year things are actually looking better for us financially (strange huh in the Recession).

I read in the news paper yesterday that on average there are 1000 people a day going to Aus from NZ(there are of course people coming back too). Many of them are recent immigrants here anyway who seem to treat NZ as a transit stop on the way to Aus.
Last year I think there were 44 000 people moved to Aus for short (long holiday?) term or long term and 13 000 came back to stay.

Kind of agree even I'm in Sydney, but we're improving

Inner suburbs in Sydney have some very nice flat roads. But yeah basically anywhere in Sydney!

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http://www.easyauctionz.com.au Easyauctionz Cycling Apparel - New Stock!

NEWCASTLE is great, Great people, great roads, great clubs and I dont even live there anymore, gee I think I might move back...lol

I think NZ's loss of its citizens stems largely from industrial relations laws that were introduced a few years back, according to a fella I used to work with.

From some of the posts you've received I wouldn't blame you if you just stayed put in the US!

My 2 cents worth; check out some of the larger regional towns in Victoria and NSW like a lot of the others here have suggested. I lived in Sydney for 25 years and cycled extensively, I'm now in Wagga Wagga NSW and my quality of life has improved drastically (*hint hint*- go country and don't look back) The traffic and chaos just ain't worth it for me.

Cheers

You're in Wagga? Then I guess I'll see you at the Glenfield Maccas Saturday night for Tony's Mt Ventoux stage! Wear a red carnation so I recognise you - you'll know me, I'll be the only Pom.

I'm not doing the Quinty race but I hope to be at the swap meet before the TV extravaganza.

Hint to everybody - the bike scene in Wagga is vibrant!