The son of Australia’s first astronaut is one of many former Sydneysiders who made central Brisbane their new home.
Will Scully-Power is the son of Dr Paul Scully-Power: an Oceanographer who became the first Aussie in space when he flew on the sixth flight of the Challenger shuttle.
William and Tessa Scully-Power with their three kids: one of many families who decided to make the lifestyle move from Sydney to Brisbane. Picture: Steve Pohlner
After growing up with his father in the USA, the entrepreneur met his wife Tessa in Sydney – and after three years together in Bondi, decided to move to their Coorparoo home in 2018.
“We decided we needed more room,” Mr Scully-Power said. “It was the first house we looked at – we walked in, and I don’t think we were even upstairs before we were pretty much sold on it.”
New data from removalist company Find a Mover has found Brisbane’s hottest city pockets are being targeted by migrating homeowners from Sydney and Melbourne.
Mr Scully-Power is the son of Dr Paul Scully-Power, an oceanographer and the first Australian-born astronaut.
Mr Scully-Power grew up in the USA while his father trained with NASA, but he found Brisbane to be his family’s favourite climate. Picture: Space Industry Association of Australia/Martin Ollman
With 97,705 interstate arrivals in the last 12 months, suburbs by the city like West End and Newstead make up the top locations for the new residents.
With Coorparoo just 4km from the CBD, the Scully-Power couple found it the perfect locale for growing their family and business.
“When we moved here, we had no kids and a five-bedroom house with a pool,” Mr Scully-Power said. “What we bought the house for would probably be 10 times the value in Sydney – economically, it was just not comparable.”
The family moved into 22 Wellstead Ave, Coorparoo, finding the neighbourhood to be much more active and welcoming than at their last home in Bondi.
The house at 22 Wellstead Ave was purchased for $1.32m in 2018. When the family moved in, they discovered the street was home to a close-knit community, with a different neighbour hosting a Christmas party every year.
“We actually hosted it last year – it’s been really cool,” Mr Scully-Power said. “In many streets in Sydney, neighbours don’t even talk to each other. It’s complete opposite here.
“Every Sunday at about 4 o’clock, the street just lights up, and the kids come out to the road while the neighbours have a beer.”
While the Scully-Powers are leaving Australia for work, Brisbane has seen nearly 98,000 new arrivals from interstate in the past 12 months alone. Picture: Steve Pohlner
“Even if it was later, we still probably would have [moved] … we’ll probably come back to Brisbane.” Picture: Steve Pohlner
With the family moving overseas for work, the home is now up for sale with Place Bulimba.
Agent Pat Goldsworthy said while migration numbers were much higher during the Covid years, he still found his campaigns saw up to a quarter of interested buyers from other states.
“I think that the inner South-East pocket has become very, very popular,” he said. “We’re still seeing a lot of buyers from Sydney and Melbourne for the climate and lifestyle.
“To come out to these blue chip suburbs that have bigger blocks, flatter blocks, bigger yards … it’s just better value for money.”
Central Brisbane areas were found to be the biggest hubs for migrating Aussie homeowners, including suburbs such as West End and Newstead.
Mr Scully-Power said the family planned to return to Queensland, and likely would have moved to the Sunshine State no matter how the housing market was.
“I think we would have moved anyway, if we were still in Sydney,” he said. “We were fortuitous with the timing, but even if it was later we still probably would have.
“We’ll probably come back to Brisbane … everyone feels better in the sun.”
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