Moving to the Gold Coast?
This beautiful part of the sunshine state has quite a few draw cards. There’s the weather of course, which is great for retirees and young families alike, along with a more laid back, relaxed and casual vibe. Here are a few more reasons why more and more people are calling the Gold Coast home each year.
The Nature
It’s almost impossible to talk about the Gold Coast without mentioning its most famous attractions – the beaches. From tourist hotspots like Main Beach to local gems such as Echo Beach, the Gold Coast has you covered.
Stretching across 57km, the Gold Coast is one white sandy beach after another, with lots of famous surfing spots that draw enthusiasts from far and wide. Gold Coast beaches also play host to several different sport and recreational activities and major events, so there’s always something fun to do.
And while the beaches might steal most of the attention, the Gold Coast is also home to lots of national parks and bush walks that are pretty much as beautiful as it gets.
Burleigh National Park is a popular trekking spot that offers stunning views of Surfers Paradise and the Pacific Ocean. Or, step just outside the Gold Coast to explore the breathtaking Gondwana Rainforests, which contain the largest subtropical rainforests in the world.
The World-Class Education
The Gold Coast is home to several fantastic educational institutions. Griffith University ranks in the top 2% of universities worldwide, with a five-star rating for educational experience.
Bond University currently sits in the top 20 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Best Small Universities in the World and has more five-star ratings than any other university in Australia.
Southern Cross University is in the top 150 universities worldwide in the global Times Higher Education Young University Rankings and the QS World Rankings.
On top of universities, you’ll find several colleges and TAFE campuses on the Gold Coast offering courses in all kinds of areas, including cookery, hospitality, design, tourism, IT and more.
A large selection of highly regarded schools are also on offer, catering for children from pre-prep through to year 12.
The Employment Opportunities
While the Gold Coast is smaller than big capital cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, there are plenty of opportunities to secure work and build a career.
The health and medical industry is undergoing major employment growth and is currently the leading sector for the most available jobs. Other areas with high employment opportunities include information and communication technology, tourism, education, and hospitality.
The Affordability
Compared to living in a capital city, the Gold Coast can be an extremely affordable city to live in.
Housing affordability is the best it has been since the 1990’s, with price falls, wage growth and record low interest rates combining to boost the Gold Coast market’s affordability back to 1999 standards, according to the Housing Industry Association.
Combine this with cheap public transport and plenty of free and low-cost social activities, the Gold Coast can be a very budget-friendly choice.
The Access to Public Transport
The Gold Coast has a fantastic public transport system that makes getting around the city very easy. There’s no shortage of buses, trains, and trams to get you where you need to go, and the network usually runs on time. Plus, the public transport network can take you to several day-trip and overnight destinations outside the Gold Coast, including Brisbane.
The Cuisine
The Coast is a place where night bites, hatted restaurants, street-eats and breweries are all served with a side of alfresco. A place where five-star feasting means dusting the sand from your feet; where surfers swap their boards for a latte at sun-up and little ones break from beachside frolics to feast on epic spreads of fish and chips.
From Burleigh’s perennially popular rooftop bars to communal eateries in Palmy, fine dining at Sanctuary Cove to reinvented venues in Surfers, there is a renaissance stirring up the Gold Coast culinary scene. Vegan eateries sit alongside revamped rooftops and converted warehouses, and foodies mix money-can’t-buy views with iconic surf clubs, food trucks and local espresso haunts; and once the sun goes down, speakeasy vibes and cosy rum hideaways add another flavour to the scene.
The Endless Entertainment and Events
There’s always something happening on the Gold Coast.
The city offers the biggest collection of theme parks in the Southern Hemisphere including Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld, Wet‘n’Wild, and more.
You’ll find countless festivals celebrating food, film, music, culture, art, and everything in between. Some of the best events include the Gold Coast Film Festival, Sand Safari Arts Festival, Surfers Paradise LIVE, and Bleach* Festival.
The Home of the Arts (HOTA) is a cultural hub showcasing the latest movies, live concerts, exhibitions, and shows across all kinds of genres. Plus, there’s always events and activities taking place in parks, entertainment venues, beaches, and libraries across the city.
