While it may be Australia’s holiday capital, the Gold Coast isn’t just a great place to visit, it’s an even better place to live. With fantastic weather, beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and a booming dining scene it’s no wonder hundreds of Kiwis cross the ditch every year for a better life on the Gold Coast.
Whether you’re a university student wanting to study abroad, a young professional looking to further your career, a family looking for a different lifestyle, or a retiree looking to settle down in the sunny city you will find everything you need and more living in the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast is a coastal city situated on the southeast corner of Queensland, just south of the state’s capital Brisbane. It is Australia’s largest non-capital state where over 720,000 people call it home (7.95% of these people are Kiwis!)
What’s more, the Gold Coast has a sub-tropical climate meaning they have over 300 days of sunshine per year. With yearly temperatures averaging between 17 to 25 degrees, there is no need to pack your winter clothes when relocating to the Gold Coast.
If you’re planning on moving to Australia, here are six more reasons why you should choose the Gold Coast!
(1) It has some of the best beaches in the world!
No matter where you are on the Gold Coast you’re never far from the beach.
Surfers Paradise is the most popular beach on the Gold Coast, it’s a great place for swimming and is close to shops and cafes making it the perfect location for a fun day out.
Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, and Miami Beach are all ideal beaches for families. With smaller swells making them perfect swimming spots, they also have BBQ areas, picnic tables, and playgrounds to keep the little ones entertained all day long.
If you are a keen surfer after bigger swells, then Kirra Beach is the one for you, with decent waves all year round it is a surfing hotspot.
(2) Its central location!
Not only, is it not far from the beach – The Gold Coast is super central. No more than an hour’s drive from Brisbane and Bryon Bay you can pack up the car and head north for an adventure-packed 24 hours or south for a relaxing weekend escape.
What’s more, it’s only a one and half hour flight to Sydney and a two- and half-hour flight to Melbourne from The Gold Coast Airport.
Plus, if you are feeling a little homesick it’s only a three- and half-hour flight direct from The Gold Coast to Auckland, New Zealand – making it easier than ever to pop back across the ditch. If you’d prefer to fly direct to Wellington or Christchurch, the Brisbane Airport offers direct flights frequently.
(3) It’s affordable
It gets better… the Gold Coast is an extremely affordable city to live in! According to the Numbeo cost of living index, the cost of living in the Gold Coast is 2.36% lower than the cost of living in Auckland, New Zealand.
While rent is slightly higher than rent in New Zealand, due to the low cost of utilities, food, and transport it still works out as a more affordable location.
The average rent per month for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around $1,966 and $1,349 outside the city centre. While a three-bedroom apartment in the city averages $4,366 a month and $2,366 in the outer suburbs.
If you’re planning to retire in the coastal city, you will need $540,000 in savings according to Oasis Financial Planning. Popular suburbs with retirees include Coomera, due to the accessibility to goods and services, including medical facilities, shopping centres and the Coomera Golf Course and Hope Island due to its relaxed lifestyle which is especially popular with keen boaties and golfers.
For families the most popular suburbs include Robina due to plentiful work opportunities, first-rate private and public schools, large amounts of green space and its close proximity to the Gold Coast CBD and the beach. As well as Labrador, which is ranked as one of the best suburbs in the Gold Coast by locals with plenty of walking tracks, parks, education facilities, and shopping centres.
If you are a student, you’ll want to consider Southport in Main Beach, a busy inner-city suburb that is very popular with international students due to its close proximity to the universities and range of accommodation choices.
(4) It has world-class education and job opportunities
When choosing a school on the Gold Coast, you’re spoilt for choice. With over 150 private and public schools you will find the perfect education centre for your children.
One of the top private schools on the Gold Coast is Somerset College which goes from pre-school to year 12 – the final year of study in Australia. While Broadbeach State School is a highly ranked public school that teaches from year 1 to year 6.
Not only does the Gold Coast have world-class schools, but it also has three top universities including Griffith University, which is popular with students interested in medicine, dentistry, and healthcare and Bond University, which is ranked as one of Australia’s leading universities.
For those of you who are looking for a job on the Gold Coast, there are plenty of opportunities in the booming hospitality industry. Other popular sectors include construction, education, ICT, tourism, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare.
(5) You’ll never be bored!
If you don’t feel like a day at the beach, then not to worry, there is plenty more to do. With over 12 million tourists visiting the Gold Coast every year there are activities for everyone!
With yearly local passes available at Australia’s biggest theme parks, Dreamworld, Movie World, Wet n Wild, and White-Water World you and your family can enjoy a wide range of rides, shows, and attractions all year round!
If you’re not exhausted from your day out at parks, the nightlife in the Gold Coast is some of the best in Australia. Whether you’re wanting a drink after work with friends, a romantic dinner for two or to dance into the early hours of the morning, whatever you’re after you’ll find it on the Gold Coast.
Surfers Paradise is a popular spot known for its bars, clubs, and pubs – most famously the Ultra Lounge and Club which has an extensive cocktail menu. While, Broadbeach is known for its dining scene, restaurants wine bars, and live music. The Star, the Gold Coasts’ only casino is also located in Broadbeach.
If you’re in need of retail therapy, the Gold Coast is home to some of the biggest shopping centres in Australia, including premium shopping centre Pacific Fair which is especially popular with tourists.
(6) It has a diverse environment
Last but not least, the environment! The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most biodiverse regions, with over 57kms of magnificent coastline, hinterland ranges, 21,000kms of lush forest, and breath-taking rivers all within reach. Positioned between the Burleigh National Park and Lamington National Park, the Gold Coast is home to over 1,300 animal species and 1,700 plant species so you can expect to see a plethora of spectacular wildlife when living on the Gold Coast.
No matter whether you’re a university student, young couple, family, or retiree there is something for everyone in the Gold Coast, Australia!
If the Gold Coast is calling, then get in touch with us at The Moving Company for a free no-obligation quote. With over 35 years’ experience, we have helped countless Kiwis relocate to the Gold Coast, Australia every year. Get in touch today: 0800 668 464
