PaulandNic

"here" as in Australia, from my experience anyway.

I was out hooning last week, excellent sport I tell ya!

fish.01

Nah, must be you No where I have lived in Brisbane has had that problem. I wouldn't be surprised to see it in estates like Coomera though but that might just be my Brisbane bias showing... Coomera is a bit stuck out in the middle of Brisbane and the Gold Coast...kids must get bored

PaulandNic

You've telling me you don't hear this late at night?

fish.01

No, never. Did the estate agent tell you it's normal ?

moneypenny20

Never.

PaulandNic

I didn't speak to any estate agent ...

boxer1982

To be honest because of the nature of our move, me leaving the army, leaving uk for good, and selling all our stuff, I really need to rent somewhere for us to move into as soon as we get there, unless you know of any alternative options other than spending shed loads on hotels so we can have a look around first.....

moneypenny20

You're unlikely to find a rental that you are approved for inside 2/3 weeks. Most people take a short term holiday let when they first arrive. There's a holiday park at Mount Gravatt which could be your best bet as you're looking around that way. Just had a look, they used to be Big4 but are now Brisbane Gateway Resort. Then you just have to hit the ground running. You really don't want to sign up for a house for six months without checking out the neighbourhood for yourselves.

fish.01

FYI, that park is down in Rochedale. The one at Upper Mt Gravatt (well almost, just over the border in Eight Mile Plains) is Brisbane Holiday Village: http://www.brisbaneholidayvillage.com.au/

Good find MP, I didn't know brisbane gateway resort existed...

moneypenny20

Oops

lesleys

You actually have to apply for rentals here. The agent submits all the applications and your references to the landlord, then they decide who gets it, so you are unlikely to get anything other than a holiday let without being here. Most people rent a short-stay furnished house/unit/caravan for a few weeks whilst they get a long term let arranged. That will mean signing a 12 month lease (possibly 6 months, but unusual) so you need to find somewhere you won't want to move from after 3 months.
http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/

coldbeer

Agreed, we live on at Hope Island which is nice, also take a look at the nearby areas like Monteray Keys (we used to live there). You need to visit but there is a huge difference between some places, even if they seem fairly close together.

Something like this might suit you? http://www.realestate.com.au/propert...vale-408983487

Finding a rental is painful though and you can't really do it from overseas, it took us 6 weeks to find the right place when we first arrived a couple of years ago, as above you need all kinds of ID and references, for both of you even if you're married, then you apply and the owner picks the applicant they want, we had no problems doing a 6 month contract though.

mavine1

Took us 3 to 4 weeks to get a house. Lost 2 rentals in the process of not having OZ drivers licence, bank account, employment contract etc...ready. We live on the northern end of the gold coast and love it. Some areas have better reputations than others as with the UK. Depends what you are looking for. My husband works in Brisbane and get's the train from Helensvale every day. Also if you have school age children needing state school places then check out the schools before finding the house. Some are full and some have very small catchment areas. Some of the schools are very good some are shockingly bad. The GC is also very international. My english friend in Coomera lives in a street full of Mauri's. She is settled and happy, others would not like to live outside of their cultural comfort zone. You really need to book a short term let, get a hire car and get out and about. The Gold Coast Holiday Park is pretty nice.

boxer1982

Thanks a lot for your help, we've been talking and might be worth staying in a short term rental for a week or two until we find the area we want. Can anyone suggest any decent sites that have short term rentals around the GC? Many thanks again.

coldbeer

Its a major tourism location so hotels/apartments aplenty, if you really prefer a holiday home try stayz.com.au - I suggest 2 weeks would be very quick to fully check out all areas and agree a rental, especially if you're working too.

Very good, great value serviced apartments at the Meriton Southport - make sure you get a Broadwater view.