It's official: report shows Rocky is a top place to live
RACHEL Tellan's family doesn't need large theme parks to be happy - they just need to live in Rockhampton.
Rachel is a patriotic Rocky woman who moved to Brisbane in her early 20s, but moved back to her homeland about a year ago.
It is a move she hasn't regretted.
"It was the best move I have ever made," she said.
After spending 15 years in the state capital, she and her husband, along with their two children, decided to move to Rockhampton for a better life and better job prospects.
She said the laid-back lifestyle would explain why Rockhampton was among the top 20 most family-friendly cities in Australia.
Rockhampton out-classed Sydney, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast in the top 30 list of most family-friendly cities.
Rockhampton ranked number 19 on the list, ahead of Wollongong, Cairns and Coffs Harbour which ranked at number 30.
Rachel said while living in Brisbane, education and crime were among the most concerning things for her and the family.
"The crime rate was most concerning in Brisbane," she said.
"Rockhampton has changed so much in the past 10 years, with the likes of Stocklands making goods more accessible and it's great for the family.
"There are some things in Rockhampton that we are missing but if people stopped whinging about it and did something, it would be a better place."
Among Rachel's other top indicators, which made Rockhampton a drawcard, were the cost of living, beach location and monthly events around the city.
The cost to put her daughter, 3, and son, 1, into daycare was also cheaper than Brisbane, she said.
According to the inaugural Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Report, which ranks cities for their "family friendliness" - based on unemployment, income, connectivity, number of GPs, general health, crime, education, child care, housing and community - Launceston in Tasmania beats the pack as the best place to raise a family.
When it comes to child care, Canberra boasts the largest number of child care spots per infant based on the population of 0 to 4-year-olds, followed by Wollongong and Burnie in Tasmania.
The most crowded child-care centres were found in the Gold Coast, Ballarat and Latrobe.
Top 10 most family-friendly cities
1: Launceston (TAS)
2: Canberra (ACT)
3: Toowoomba (QLD)
4: Albury/Wodonga (VIC/NSW)
Equal 5: Adelaide (SA) and Perth (WA)
7: Hobart (RAS)
Equal 8: Darwin (NT) and Bunbury (WA)
10: Bundaberg (QLD)
