Welcome to Sunny Australia: Our Move to the Gold Coast
We have just moved to Australia, and it’s been a week since we arrived. In this blog post, we’ll provide a recap of why we moved and the various reasons for choosing this location. We’ll also share some background about us and show you around our local area as we get to know it better. So, let’s dive in!
Why We Chose the Gold Coast
There was quite a bit of deliberation on where to live in Australia. We considered Western Australia (WA) and Queensland. Queensland has always felt like home to us. After some thought, we decided that while we love WA, it’s a bit remote. Queensland, on the other hand, offers the entire East Coast, which we adore, and proximity to Northern New South Wales. Thus, we chose to move to the Gold Coast.
Familiar Yet New
We are somewhat familiar with the Gold Coast but have never lived here before. We have friends in the area, which is a big plus, and we really wanted to embrace the Australian lifestyle this time. We are literally a four-minute walk from the beach and are living in the South Gold Coast, in Palm Beach. It’s a pretty good location.
Our Background
If you’re new to this channel, my partner Charlotte and I used to live in Brisbane, which is just an hour and a half to two hours’ drive from here. That’s where we met and lived for quite a while on and off over the years. Moving back to Queensland, we felt a strong pull to Southeast Queensland and Brisbane, but we really wanted to live near the beach this time.
Charlotte’s Home Influence
Charlotte’s home in Cornwall has a similar vibe, with morning walks along the beach being a nostalgic experience. Over the past week, it’s been really nice to enjoy this lifestyle again. That’s why we chose to settle in South Gold Coast, near the beach.
Why Not Brisbane?
Brisbane is a lovely city, but despite looking like it’s on the coast on a map, it’s actually a bit of a drive to find a decent beach. It takes about an hour and a half to get from Brisbane City to where we are now. While we can still do trips there, we felt this location was perfect. We’re far enough from Surfers Paradise to avoid its craziness but close enough to see the cool skyline.
Proximity to Other Attractions
We are just 50 minutes from Byron Bay, which is fantastic for road trips. We also have the Hinterlands, waterfalls, and rainforests behind us in the Gold Coast. Brisbane is about two and a half hours away, and the Sunshine Coast is within reach as well. This makes it a great location for us.
Our Journey to Australia
Before moving here, we lived in New Zealand for six months. Corey is from New Zealand, and I’m from the UK. We met when I was on a working holiday visa years ago. I have a partner visa for Corey, which is a temporary visa that allows me to stay for five years each time I apply. I still have another year and a bit left on this visa, and then I will reapply for a new one. That’s how we can live in Australia.
New Visa Options
Australia has introduced new rules for New Zealanders. If we stay here for four years, Corey can apply for citizenship, which is awesome. When we lived here before, we didn’t have this path to citizenship. Now, it’s something we’re considering. There are many routes to come to Australia, including working holiday visas and sponsorship through work. Our situation is a bit unique due to Corey being a New Zealander, but we made the decision to return to Australia a few months ago.
Finding a Place to Live
We’ve only been here for less than a week, but we were pretty lucky to find an apartment before we even arrived. While still in New Zealand, we found a place in Palm Beach through Facebook groups. We did a Zoom call and applied. It’s not perfect, but the location is great. We have a six-month lease and will decide whether to extend or move elsewhere afterward.
Current Rental Market
Everyone we’ve spoken to says it’s difficult to find rentals, especially on the coast. There’s been a big boom since COVID-19, with many people moving here. We were lucky to find this place, which might be a sign it was meant to be. However, we’ve noticed the traffic along the Gold Coast Highway and the M1 is super busy due to ongoing road works. They’re trying to increase the infrastructure capacity for more people moving here, but for now, there’s traffic everywhere.
Adjusting to the Busy Lifestyle
When we first arrived, I was surprised by how busy it is. Coming from New Zealand, even in Wellington, the capital city, it felt quieter than here. I love that I can walk to the beach, shops, and cafes. It’s definitely busier, but we’ll see how we adjust to it. Overall, it’s a beautiful spot, and the Gold Coast is a holiday destination. Winter here feels like UK summertime, which is amazing.
Exploring the Gold Coast
We’ve only been here for a few days and want to explore and find our favorite cafes and coffee spots. Palm Beach is smaller and quieter than Burley, which we really like. We stayed in Burley for a few days and loved the vibe there. Today, we’re going to explore more of the Gold Coast as locals.
Local Beach and Amenities
The local beach here at Palm Beach is lovely, with apartment buildings going up. We have an older apartment just across the Gold Coast Highway, one street back from the beach. We’ve been walking along the beach every morning, which is a great way to start the day.
Exploring Burley
It’s just a 10-minute drive from Palm Beach to Burley. South Gold Coast has some really nice suburbs. Our choices included Burley, Palm Beach, and Coolangatta. We love the benefits of living in the Gold Coast while being away from the party vibe of North Gold Coast.
Challenges and Benefits
Finding parking can be challenging, but we eventually found a spot. The Gold Coast Highway is busy with construction, possibly extending the light rail. We found a cute café called Commune with parking at the back. The café culture here is amazing, and we love the morning culture. People are up early, enjoying the beach and boardwalks.
Cost of Living
We have a one-bedroom apartment one block from the beach, costing $620 a week. Beachfront apartments in Burley or Palm Beach are more expensive, around $750 to $1,000 for a one-bedroom. Our apartment is furnished, which is convenient. Overall, rental prices have increased, but the benefits of living here are worth it.
Comparing Costs
We’ve noticed that grocery and food costs are similar to New Zealand, but eating out is cheaper here. Australia has a reputation for being expensive, but living here with local wages makes it reasonable. Even on holiday, eating out is cheaper than in the UK. Grocery prices are similar to the UK, and there are cheaper stores like Aldi here.
Final Thoughts
If you have any questions about the Cost of Living or life in Australia, leave a comment below. We’re considering creating more lifestyle content and behind-the-scenes videos. We’ll continue making travel guides for nearby destinations like Byron Bay, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast. Let us know what you’d like to see from us.
Conclusion
Overall, our first impressions of the Gold Coast are positive. We love the morning culture and the beautiful weather. We’re happy to be here and excited to explore more of the Gold Coast. Thank you for reading, and if you want to see more of our life in Australia, make sure to subscribe to our channel. See you soon!
Bye for now!