HI we are a young family heading out to the sunshine coast in may, can anyone tell me the difference between the gold coast and sunshine?

Reference to my last thread, to go more in depth was that i wanted to know if there is much of a difference in house prices, jobs etc, seems alot of people choose the gold coast?

we spent alot of time on the sunshine coast in november and it is really beautiful - although i have not been to gold coast, from what i hear, its a bit more touristy and commercialised. Caloundra on the sunshine coast is very reasonable for house prices, the people there are very laid back and extreamly friendly, we are moving there jan 08 hopefully, just waiting for the big yes or no. Mooloolaba is a bit more younger and trendier with a great seafront full of cafe's resturants and shops. jobwise, it realy depends on what your trade is, i am a hairdresser and intend to do a few days in a shop and a few days at home, my hubby is a plasterer, builder, bricklayer etc he researched jobs for him and seem pretty confident he gonna get something. good luck xx

Hi Emmalina, we didnt see too much of Caloundra only drove through it so will be definatly checking it out,We didnt spend too long on the sunshine coast at all but felt it was the place for us! Im a beauty therapist and hubbys a diesel fitter and looks like there are jobs for him.

Good luck with everything x

Hi,
I've just looked on a realestate site and put a maximum price of $400.000, in Caloundra, Sunshine Coast. I am amazed how nice the houses in the search was and what seems like great value for money.
Is Sunshine Coast an established place or if not, is that why it seems quite cheap.
I'd appreciate any feedback on this part of Queensland.

Thanks

Steve.

Diesel fitter and hairdresser!! You will fly in!! See you in a couple of months!! The Sunshine coast is beautiful and is quiet compared to the Gold Coast. I love it here (have been her 4.5 months) precisely because it is a little bit quieter. If you like lots of shopping malls, loads of nightlife and choice then the SC probably isn't for you. However if you love world class beaches, exploring the hinterland, water sports, fishing, driving up the beach in 4x4, having a coffee and cake at the numerous beach side spots up the coast then you too will love it. (Could do this one the Gold Coast too so please nobody take offence) There is a lot to explore here and we keep finding more. You should also try further up the coast in Coolum, Peregian, Sunshine beach and the Noosa hineterland, there are some cracking places to live. I think you would probably be looking at $350-$400 per week for a nice house to rent and $450,000 - $500,000 for a nice house on the coast.

To be honest I have not spent much time down on the Gold Coast but am looking forward to exploring. I have seen some amazing beaches there, there is more shopping and the hinterland is supposed to be out of the world. With the theme parks down that way I guess the kids would never be bored! But then that is what the beach is for. As someone has already said it depends where you get work. It is a bit limited here on the SC and we have found that we have had to take a pay cut to live here, not sure if that would have been the same with the Gold Coast. Give both a look when you get over. One will feel right.

Quest apartments in Caloundra is a great place to stay while you are on the SC. We got an apartment (two bed, kitchen, balcony, pool etc) for $80 per night with parking. It was great for the two weeks while we found a rental and decided if we could find work on the SC.

If you do end up on the SC give us a shout and we will meet up. Good luck with it all.

sunshine

Caloundra is OK but you should also look at Mountain Creek (where we live) and Buderim.
For shopping you have the Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore which is like Lakeside (but smaller), also plenty of other shops around.

If you are looking for a short term rental then contact Cotton Tree Real Estate. They sorted us an apartment out for $350 per week on the seafront at Alexandra Headland.

Houses range from $350,000 (not so nice, no pool or air con) to $450,000 (nicer with pool and air con) and upwards from that.

Cheaper houses you will find will be quite old fashioned on smaller blocks maybe near the motorways. Also you will want a decent school as you have children, you may have to pay a bit more to get into a decent school zone.

We looked at the two, and also Cairns & Perth - finally decided Sunshine Coast had best of ALL worlds for what we wanted - reasonable homes, job prospects, climate, beaches etc. etc. We've bought at Peregian (between Coolum & Noosa) and looking forward to moving out within next couple of months..... (contract exchange on house permitting!!!!)

You'll find plenty of info on this site and Go Matilda forums too. Good luck whatever you decide, you'll LOVE it!

GC

Coolangatta, surf, indy, meter maids, Broadbeach, Surfers, canals, Yatla Pies, Visace Hotel, Sea World, Conrad Jupiters, O'reillys, Lamington NP, Dream World, Big Brother, Springbrook NP, Currumbin, Burleigh Heads, schoolies ...... (sorry, forget that last one)

we moved to caloundra last year and come back to uk!!!! bit too quiet for me im afraid. going to bounce over the water again this year to gold coast

It's all a question of what you want to do when you are there.

If one of your choices is to get in and out of Brisbane easily then the Sunshine coast is probably better.

If not, then the Gold Coast is also quite good and has some nice small towns.


Steve

Thanks for all your replies, can't wait to get out there now, we hope to see you all on the sunshine coast!

I would say it is easier and quicker to get to Brisbane from the Gold Coast. It's a bit of a trek from the Sunshine Coast (especially if you live in Maroocydore area)

With the exception of the meter maids many of those are good reasons NOT to move to the gold coast. The appeal of the tourist high rise tack wears off after while..nice to visit, crap to live in.

Sure the gold coast isnt all high rises and tourism (the hinterland is nice) but overall the sunshine coast is more relaxed and I'd suggest a much better place to live.

As to travel distances to the CBD its all about the same.