It might seem very tempting to live somewhere rural and quiet, but will it suit your nature? If you’re used to being in the centre of everything you might find you become restless very quickly. Similarly, if you are used to peace and quiet, moving to a busy city might turn out to be a huge mistake. Luckily, whether you want to live somewhere quiet and secluded or busy and well populated, Australia is a country that offers something for everyone.
The Gold Coast area
A major tourist hotspot with a balmy, sub-tropical climate, the Gold Coast is situated on the east coast of Australia, south of Brisbane, in south-east Queensland. The area arguably has everything – it is a modern high-rise city edged by beaches and surrounded by mountains and national parks.
The suburb known as Surfers Paradise is the place to be for entertainment and leisure, and the high-rise buildings of the city centre can be seen from the beach, the two environments merging seamlessly. Surfers Paradise beach is reckoned to be one of the best in the country, and the so-called “Gold Coast Nightlife Precinct” has the reputation of being the premiere Australian destination for a night out. There are also many shopping centres to choose from, incorporating a wide variety of designer outlets.
Housing in the Gold Coast
Current property prices in the Gold Coast are comparatively low, having not yet recovered from a price crash in the local property market in 2010. However, the market is currently buoyant and prices are expected to begin to increase steadily over the next few years.
The median house price in Gold Coast in 2017 is $600,000 – which equates to around £345,000. In addition, the Queensland government is currently offering a $15,000 Great Start Grant to anyone buying or building a new home in the state: check out the details here.
Life in the Gold Coast
The population of Gold Coast City has exploded in the last fifty years and it is now Australia’s sixth largest city. Around half a million people are permanent residents. The growth the region is still experiencing means that employment opportunities are plentiful, and the cost of living is lower than in Sydney, Adelaide and even nearby Brisbane.
Some ten million tourists visit the Gold Coast each year and tourism is both the major industry and a mainstay of the economy. The film and television industries also make good use of Gold Coast City; three-quarters of the films made in Queensland are shot there. Warner Brothers have studios in Gold Coast and, perhaps surprisingly, many Bollywood films are shot in the area. It is also the base for both the UK and German versions of I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!
With the Gold Coast being such a desirable tourist destination, the amenities are varied and plentiful – shops, restaurants, bars, museums, theme parks – they are all readily available. Of course, the downside to that is arguably that the city is always full of tourists!
Arranging your move
Our main article on moving to Australia is packed with information about everything you need to know and do to emigrate without drama. When you are organising transport of your possessions, you can use our online quote tool to compare instant quotes from reputable international removals companies.
Last reviewed March 2017