Speaking to SBS Urdu, Owais Khalid said that finding housing and employment were the biggest challenges he faced when relocating from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania.
Speaking to SBS, Owais Khalid, who relocated from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania, said that people moving from major cities to regional areas often face their biggest challenges in finding housing and employment. He said accommodation in regional areas is not readily available, and many newcomers rely on jobs such as driving for Uber to support themselves in the early days.
Khalid added that grocery shopping and access to halal meat can also be challenging, as Hobart has only a small number of such stores, most of which close by 6 or 7 pm. By contrast, essential items are often available late into the night in Sydney.
He said families planning to relocate should arrange at least a month's accommodation in advance, as it can take two to three months to secure a job. According to Khalid, local community WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages regularly share job opportunities, making them a valuable resource for new arrivals.
Khalid also said Hobart's climate is considerably colder than Sydney's and takes time to adjust to. However, he noted that Tasmania is becoming increasingly multicultural and that employment opportunities are continuing to improve.
