Aussielover

Hi all,

We're a retired couple in our early fifties, still fit and young at heart, and we came to Australia looking to find our place to grow old in. We moved to Adelaide from Scotland about 10 months ago, and we've settled quite well here. However, we're not really 'feeling' Adelaide as a forever home after a much colder than expected winter, and we don't see the property market here as being particularly attractive. Added to this, we have a grand-child due in Brisbane in February, which is pulling us towards perhaps moving to the Gold Coast or around Brisbane when our lease is up here in March, so we can be closer to family.

So next Tuesday we're going to the Gold Coast for 5 days on a recce, and I'd be grateful for any suggestions as to where we should focus. We were there in August briefly and looked around Pacific Pines, Coomera Waters, Helensvale etc, but it really was a whistle-stop tour, so hard to form any solid opinion.

We're fortunate in that we have no work requirements, no dependents, no particular ties to Adelaide, lovely though it is. We'd maybe like to build our own place, but we're concerned about finding ourselves 'alone' on some dormitory estate, or having to "drive miles for a pint of milk" as we grow older. Ideally we'd like to live somewhere with an open aspect, a big enough plot to have a garden and pool, not too far from shops and infrastructure, and some kind of community feel if possible - so we're not asking for much! We'd really appreciate it if anyone would like to share their thoughts on suitable places on the Gold Coast for us.

PS: I know this is a 'how long is a piece of string' question, but any and all help will be appreciated.

GarryP

Three things to consider:

1. Brisbane gets hot and humid, with thunderstorms etc. - you are exchanging Adelaide in the winter for that.
2. Gold Coast is Benidorm-like
3. Have you thought north of Brisbane, Sunshine coast way?

rammygirl

I do know what you mean. Our ideal would be Brisbane/Sunshine Coast in the winter and Adelaide Hills in the summer, we do fly North for as much as we can in the winter.
I love being in Adelaide for the festival season though!

Aussielover

Thanks for your reply GarryP,

Between 2006-2011 we had a holiday home in Noosa, where we'd spend 6 weeks a year over Xmas, so we do realise the trade we'll be making regarding the humidity in Queensland - nowhere is perfect unfortunately! We bought it with the idea of retiring there in 2025 or something, but I (perhaps a bit hastily..) sold it because Noosa was, frankly... a bit boring! I was in my early 40's then and just couldn't see the attraction, although we made some great friends there, and I've wondered if we should try again.

I do know what you mean about the 'Benidorm' aspect - sorry if that sounds snobby on our part. We probably wouldn't have considered it 6 months ago In light of that, but when we stopped to consider it - it's close to Brisbane, it seems to have more 'life' than the Sunshine coast, and there's a lot of infrastructure, which might suit us as we grow older.

Hope that fills out the picture.

Aussielover

Hi rammygirl,

I do feel a bit bad 'dissing' Adelaide because it really is a fabulous place to live in many respects. We've found the climate mostly perfect - today it's blue skies, low 20's, a lovely cooling breeze; even when it's 35C, we find it feels more like 28C because the air is so dry. But the continuous cold between June and September just set off my partner's arthritis - much like the cold did in the UK! Also, if it wasn't the expected grandchild in Queensland we would probably have stayed and been very happy...

Also, the beaches here are just beautiful, we've found the city is very liveable and easy to get around, and it mostly feels very orderly and quite prosperous actually. My issue with the property here is really because everything is being subdivided to the nth degree, and frankly 300m2 is not enough for the pool and garden I was hoping for.

astera

I visited Adelaide around March/April and I couldn't shake off the feeling that it felt like I was somewhere in Canada in the Pacific Northwest. Just a gut feeling I guess after living in Washington State and being up in Vancouver often...

Anyway, when I compared the climate data with the Gold Coast I was quite surprised: Adelaide has colder winters (no surprise here...) but also hotter summers (bummer yet again!). IMO you'd be getting a huge "upgrade" pretty much all year round by moving to the Gold Coast!

As to areas to focus on it all depends on what you're looking for. Personally I'd look at Main Beach as you get the best of everything there - the peace and quiet of the area and yet so close to everything, be it Southport or Surfers Paradise or beyond. But here you are looking at apartments rather than houses, as the latter are nice and all but have no direct water access to take advantage of (which would be the primary reason to get a house in the GC).

If you are after a house I'd recommend looking slightly north of there at the Runaway Bay area, especially with the good value and water access (people even take their boats - even the tiny ones that youngsters take without supervision - to Runaway bay centre where they can dock, so everyone is welcome). Of course with a big budget you could look at Paradise Waters or Cronin Island, or even Sovereign Islands (huge budget here - but not worth it unless you like the secluded feel) or Sanctuary Cove (only if you GOLF!). Cotlew Street East is also a very nice area - and a hidden gem - when it comes to nice houses with water access (albeit you cannot have a boat there), as is the area east of there across Ferry Road towards the water.

Moving on to other areas and in the southerly direction, Broadbeach is very nice but you are looking mostly at apartments if you want to be close to the sea, though there are nice houses available inland. This is also where the Casino is (useful even if you don't play) as well as a great mall (Pacific Fair). Further south there is nothing interesting until you reach Burleigh Heads, which is quite trendy but peaceful, definitely a fine spot to be in along the Gold Coast, where the only drawback is the traffic as it lies between the airport and Surfers Paradise. The only place I would consider further south is Coolangatta, or maybe Robina if you want to live more inland but that would be more westerly and not further south.

Another interesting project, especially if you like the Mediterranean feel, is Emerald Lakes. But once again if you want to stay centrally-located and close to everything then you are probably looking at the Runaway Bay to Broadbeach area.

Overall the Gold Coast is a great place to live, there's always something going on, lots of interesting places within close proximity, etc. It has its own airport which is super-convenient, especially with a number of direct international routes (including Singapore) in addition to all the domestic ones, so you don't need to use Brisbane airport when heading to Asia/Europe. Add to that the great new tram link that goes all the way from Gold Coast University Hospital to Broadbeach (the casino there is a great place to watch live sports), and will soon be extended to reach Helensvale. Plus it's also a big medical hub which might matter later on in life.

rammygirl

What a great post. Might look at retirement up there myself!

Aussielover

Thanks for your post astera, that's a lot of good information - I'm glad you've found the 'good life' there.

I believe the weather's a bit more steady through the year than Adelaide - but perhaps more humid? Adelaide does seem to get overlooked as a serious option for emigration, but we've had a lovely time here, and can really see the appeal of the place -even though we're leaving, but for other reasons..! I think employment might be the issue for many, but that hasn't been an issue for us since we're retired.

Sadly our budget probably doesn't stretch to being too near the beach or having water access unfortunately. We have considered whether we'd make the trade of a house for an apartment, but I don't think we could really - we're too used to having a garden, no neighbours through a wall, etc.

Whilst I like the idea of livinging around Coolangatta, I've been thinking it might be somewhere like Coomera Waters, or perhaps inland a bit - Pacific Pines or Maudsland, anyone?! Also, I think Robina is in budget, so anyone with feedback on what life is like there would be appreciated!

I understand there's been huge development around Coomera/Pimpana, and its a bit worrying that the all houses might be owned by Sydney Property Investment Clubs; I can't seem to get the real story on these areas as I'm a bit late to the party here - and the Real Estate Agents don't give the most believable answers when asked for their opinions!

Oh, and we're flying in to Coolangatta - yes, it's great not having to go through Brisbane, as you say.

Still Game

Not all of GC is Benidorm like. Some parts, definitely. Not all.

Robina seemed nice to me when we visited friends a few times. Not too far away from the beach or anywhere really, nice housing (from my limited time there). Great shopping centre.

moneypenny20

No it isn't.