My Australia adventure began in 2020 when I immigrated here with my boyfriend, Gary. After 2 years living in Sydney, we packed our bags and moved to the Gold Coast.
We were both eager for a change of scenery and wanted a bigger apartment with more outdoor space. Unfortunately, the rental market in Sydney’s Northern Beaches was getting out of control, so we decided to spread our wings and head to sunny Queensland.
I’d never been to the Gold Coast before moving here, but I knew I’d love it because of the endless stretches of sand and famous surf breaks. We managed to secure a rental in Burleigh Heads and instantly fell in love with the area.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve spent the past few years living on the Gold Coast.
Life here is good – really good. But like anywhere, it’s not perfect. There’s been a huge wave of development and so many people relocating here that the lifestyle is changing.
So, if you’ve ever thought about moving here yourself, I thought I’d share my honest take on the pros and cons of living on the Gold Coast.
Pros of living on the Gold Coast
The beaches
The best thing about living on the Gold Coast is the stunning beaches.
From Burleigh Beach, Miami, Broadbeach, Currumbin, Palm Beach, and Kirra – the entire strip along the coast is stunning.
Plus, the coastal walkways connect everything, so you can walk or run for kilometres with the ocean at your side.
The weather
The weather is one of the biggest pros of living on the Gold Coast. Winters are my favourite – clear skies, no rain, and warm enough to swim.
Summers, on the other hand, are hot and humid, so brace yourself for sticky days and tropical storms.
The weekend getaways
One of the things I love most is how easy it is to escape and go on an adventure.
Within an hour, you’re in the Gold Coast hinterland, surrounded by waterfalls and rainforest trails.
We’ve done many day trips to Mt Tamborine, Scenic Rim, and Springbrook National Park. Byron Bay is also a short drive away.
And if you’re up for a longer trip or weekend getaway, Noosa or the wine region of Stanthorpe are within reach.
We’ve also camped on Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands – both perfect for 4WD adventures and easily accessible from the Gold Coast.
Here are all the weekend trips I did from the Gold Coast.
Travel connections
I’m a travel addict, and one of the biggest reasons I chose to move to the Gold Coast is how easy it is to get anywhere else in Australia – or even overseas.
With its recent upgrade, Gold Coast Airport now flies direct to New Zealand, Indonesia, and Singapore.
The domestic airport is always buzzing, offering plenty of flight options to destinations across Australia.
For anywhere else, Brisbane Airport is only an hour up the road. Between the two, you’re spoiled for choice.
Family Friendly
Gold Coast is amazing for families. Not only do you have the beach, but you have Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Paradise Country, as well as Australia’s best theme park, including Dreamworld, Sea World, and Wet ‘n Wild.
There are parks and playgrounds around every corner, along with plenty of community events to join in on.
Job Opportunities
Gold Coast is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia. This means more job opportunities across a variety of industries, including tech, health care, retail, and construction.
That said, salaries aren’t on par with Sydney, Brisbane, or Melbourne, and it might take you longer to find something suitable.
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Cons of living on the Gold Coast
It’s getting busy
We moved to the Gold Coast in 2022, and have noticed a massive shift in just a few years. Everyone is coming this side! And they want to live on the Gold Coast for the very same reason we did – the lifestyle.
While it’s starting to feel crowded in parts, it’s definitely not as hectic as Sydney or Brisbane. But it’s also not the sleepy surf town it used to be, so you’ll need to manage your expectations.
The population boom has definitely had some side effects, and I’ll go into those next.
The rental market
Finding a rental here is tough. The market is very competitive, and prices have surged.
What used to be $500 a week for a two-bedroom apartment near the beach is now pushing $900+.
It’s not only the price, but also the availability. Because competition is fierce, you’re usually up against dozens of other applicants. You need a strong rental application with a good rental history, contactable references, as well as a stable income source.
Even then, people have found it tough to find a place.
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Constant development
Cranes are everywhere. From skyscrapers to the tram line extension, the Gold Coast is in permanent construction mode.
This brings with it added noise and congestion, and there’s no sign of it stopping anytime soon.
Traffic
The traffic has increased substantially over the years. During the week, I generally keep to my Burleigh bubble, but even then, I’ve noticed way more cars on the road than when I first moved here.
At my previous job, I was commuting between Kingscliff and Bureligh once a week. This drive usually takes me 20 minutes, but if I were on the road during peak hours, it could easily stretch out to almost an hour.
It’s the same story with the Gold Coast to Brisbane run. The M1 is infamous for gridlock – locals even call it the “M1 Parking Lot” during peak times. Honestly, it’s not worth attempting the drive unless you can avoid rush hour.
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The train to Brisbane
Gary works remotely most of the time, but his head office is in Brisbane. On office days, he takes the train from Varsity Lakes Station to Brisbane. It’s not the quickest train and takes about 75 minutes to get to the city.
Initially, we thought this wouldn’t be a problem as he planned to work on the train. But he quickly discovered that the internet connection is terrible (even with a mobile hotspot). So, instead of getting work done on the commute, he has to leave home even earlier to make sure he’s set up in time for morning meetings.
Lastly, with the increase in commuters and the recent 50-cent fares, the trains are packed. This means he’s often had to stand for most of the journey.
No Daylight Savings
If you love long summer evenings (like I do), then this will affect you. Queensland doesn’t do daylight savings, which means in summer the sun’s up by 4:30 am and down by 6:30 pm.
Most locals are up early to make the most of it, but personally, I’d prefer those lighter evenings.
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Parking
On weekends, forget about beach parking. It’s hectic. Weekdays are much easier, so we’ve learned to adjust our schedule and enjoy the quieter times.
Is it worth living on the Gold Coast
We love the Gold Coast.
Having come from Sydney, the lifestyle here is far more relaxed, the people are friendly, and the traffic and crowds are nothing like you’ll find in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. If you’re relocating from one of these areas, you will love living on the Gold Coast.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely – but come with realistic expectations. There are a few cons that have affected us, including the commute to Brisbane and the constant construction.
Unfortunately, the Gold Coast is not the quiet coastal town it used to be, but if you’re after sunshine, surf, and a lifestyle built around the outdoors, it ticks a lot of boxes.
Here area a few of the adventures I’ve been on since living on the Gold Coast.
