Moving to Oz alone, not sure where to live. Can any of you Ozzie's help me out?

I'm 18 and currently studying to be a dog trainer to support myself while I go to International Film College in Gold coast. I'm not sure exactly where I want to go after that, or if I want to stay. I'd like a roomy few acres to grow my own food and have enough running room for my dogs. I don't want to go all the way out into the outback and stay close enough to a city with a scene and good night life. Coming from Chicago, I'm sick of cold weather but at the same time I wouldn't enjoy living in the super hot tropics year round. I'd like to be around a city/town where the people are more on the pleasant side and somewhere where I could find a good job in my profession. I'm also not made of money so a place a little less pricey is a plus. Could anyone point me in some direction? I'm confused!