Toowoomba rates as one of Australia's most affordable

TOOWOOMBA single mother Amanda Leiper believes the cost of living is far more affordable in Toowoomba compared with other regions across the state.

Single mum Amanda Leiper says Toowoomba is an affordable place to live, Tuesday, October 23, 2012. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle. Picture: Kevin Farmer

TOOWOOMBA single mother Amanda Leiper believes the cost of living is far more affordable in Toowoomba compared with other regions across the state.

Earlier this week, the International Monetary Fund named Australia as the most expensive of the world's 20 largest economies - Japan, Canada, France and Italy rounded out the top five.

Ms Leiper, who moved to Toowoomba seven months ago, said it was the affordable living prices which enticed her to the Garden City.

"I have previously lived at the Gold Coast and Moranbah which were both extremely expensive," Ms Leiper said.

"I have found the cost of living in Toowoomba much cheaper. That was a big factor in my decision to move here.

"As a result I have definitely saved a lot more money by living in Toowoomba," she said.

Ms Leiper said she had noticed a large difference in the total cost of her weekly grocery bill since living in the Garden City.

"I would probably spend $100 to $150 per week on my grocery bill," she said.

"For similar items in Moranbah I was paying an additional $100 per week.

"It is definitely cheaper here."

Ms Leiper said Toowoomba was also an attractive place to live due to its housing affordability.

"I think Toowoomba is fortunate to an extent," she said.

"It has been a little immune from the rising costs of living.

"I have lived here previously and since returning I have noticed not a real lot has changed in relation to pricing."

The same IMF report further concluded that Australia is the third most expensive country to do business behind Norway and Switzerland.

The report found that since 2002 the dollar has turned Australia from a relatively low-wage, low-cost country to a high-income, high-cost one outpacing even Japan.

Originally published as Toowoomba rates as one of Australia's most affordable