More downsizers are finding their retirement haven in Toowoomba, Queensland - the Darling Downs destination that’s abuzz on Downsizing.com.au right now.
It’s not hard to understand why, since Queensland’s largest inland city is close to the amenities of Brisbane and the Gold Coast but with the charm and lower cost of living of countryside life.
As you breathe in the sweet, clean air of Toowoomba you’ll discover farm fresh produce, friendly people and affordable real estate, which will leave you with much more cash in your pocket to explore the joys and wonders of Queensland.
Toowoomba is now one of the most searched locations on Downsizing.com.au.
Adding to its desirability, with the Olympic Games due in 2032, downsizing in Toowoomba is a sound investment with money going into infrastructure and business development as the world’s attention gradually shifts to Queensland.
Location, location…..
Known as the Garden City, Toowoomba (which is an indigenous word meaning either two springs or native melon, opinion is divided), is accessible for visiting family and friends.
It’s just 90 minutes or 130km west of Brisbane and has its own airport with direct services to Melbourne, Townsville, Darwin, Western Queensland and Sydney.
You can drive from Toowoomba to the Gold Coast in just over two hours.
The living Is easy In Toowoomba
Toowoomba is actually one of the coolest towns in Queensland at 691m above sea level, overlooking the Lockyer Valley, which is a storybook setting.
Winters are short and cold with temperatures averaging around 15 degrees Celsius, so you will still need your jumper and jacket but you can forget about the thermals.
The summer is long with average temperatures around 28 degrees. Of course, being sun smart is essential in Queensland, so you will be stepping out in hats, sunscreen and protective clothing.
Living it up
Toowoomba boasts a sophisticated dining and arts scene with a choice of many different cuisines including Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, Indian or Modern Australian.
There’s laneway cafe and arts precincts to rival Melbourne’s along with street art festivals and rooftop bars to take in the magnificent views.
And don’t forget traditional Queensland pub dining with its generous portions, honest flavours and super friendly service.
Revel in the great outdoors
Picnicking is taken seriously in Toowoomba with around 150 parks and nature reserves to choose, including a Japanese garden.
It’s also famous for its Festival of Flowers in September when the whole town’s population officially becomes flower children.
The events include a Home Gardens Competition and a glorious parade of flower-themed floats. Clearly, people in Toowoomba really know how to appreciate nature.
Getting out and about
Some of the best adventures are unplanned, so you may enjoy driving around the countryside at whim.
You’ll discover plenty of small farms, some selling their own produce and on the weekend, country markets with local arts and crafts to decorate your new home.
Shopping is taken seriously in Toowoomba
There was recently a $500m redevelopment of the city’s major retail centre where you’ll find all of your favourite brands in air-conditioned malls.
However, there’s excellent shopping strips in most areas with major supermarket chains and fashion stores. But wait a minute, relaxed dressing here is a way of life.
Taking really good care of yourself
Here’s an interesting fact, the healthcare industry is one of the biggest employers of the Toowoomba Region with around 15.9 per cent of the population working in this sector.
According to a recent TSBE (Toowoomba & Surat Basin Enterprise) Overview, there are more than 13,000 staff across the three major state-of-the-art hospitals and more than 700 health and wellbeing businesses.
This represents 15.9 per cent of all jobs in the Toowoomba Region.
Toowoomba also boasts medical training facilities, including the University of Queensland’s Rural Clinical School and the Queensland Rural Medical Education.
The hospitals and council are also driving the change to keep Toowoomba’s residents in tip-top shape with outdoor exercise and activities in many parks.
If it all sounds too good to be true, let’s take a look at the ups and downs of living in Toowoomba.
Pros
- A relaxed country lifestyle within reach of major cities
- An excellent cost of living where your dollar buys more
- Follow the sun with long, hot summers.
- Easy to get around with an excellent, inexpensive transport system
- Spectacular gardens, parks and waterways
Cons
- You need to be sun smart and have your skin checked regularly
- There’s a rainy season from December to March with February often the wettest month with 183.0 mm of precipitation.
- Native creatures including snakes enjoy Toowoomba life as well
See all the retirement living properties currently available in Toowoomba here
