Hi guys. Sydneysider here with a family with lots of young kids.
Recently took the family up to Queensland (Labrador and Southport) for a holiday and we all absolutely loved it.
After considering it we are looking at potentially moving up there in the next year or two. Unfortunately while I earn a decent amount now we have lots of debt and don't own our home.
What are your thoughts on moving to Labrador/Southport? Are technical/Managerial jobs really as hard to get as I am reading?
Thanks all!
I think your being overly dramatic. The M1 is usually fine. Leaving 5:45-6am it's an hour run to Brisbane and vice versa. You have to have Google maps running constantly thou to help you avoid build up.
From northern gold coast is around $75 weekly for train fare which I think is fairly reasonable. People keep saying the train ride is soul sucking, but obviously these people don't know how to read a book or listen to music. All the trains are new thanks to the comm games.
Overcrowding never really been an issue. What time do you go to work??
Gold Coast is bogan az brah
First thing is to tell your family about moving .
Now get your finances into order if you had a accident, lost your job you would be destroyed .
Move into a 1br unit if you are really serious , don't say you can't because if you lose your job you will be moving into a one bedroom unit.
Do a Budget and become a manager, you need 12 months (savings)to support your family,
Go where the job is - most likely Brisbane. Yeah, it’s a bit culture-less , but it’s pretty good for families. The M1 commute is terrible though, but probably not as bad as Sydney. Rents in Bris are fairly reasonable at the moment.
If in the GC, don’t go near Nerang.
I'd personally go to Brisbane to get a job there, ideally that company might have a GC office you can work out of.
I wouldn't move anywhere unless you had at least 12-18months of savings or a job…
Does your wife/partner work? What do they do?
Unfortunately while I earn a decent amount now we have lots of debt and don't own our home.
So debt from credit cards or student loans?
You're probably best off finding a job, negotiating a relocation package, YOU moving there, hopefully work will put you up for a month or so while you find a house, get settled. Then come back, pack up your Sydney house and move the partner and kids.
Credit cards. My HECS is fully paid off but the wife has some of hers left, but she hasn't worked for a few years now (we have four little kids!).
Only move if you can get a job FIRST.
I’m currently relaxing up here in Broadbeach so know how good it is but every time I come here it’s always full of backpackers, transient population and grown men selling kebabs, ice cream or waiting on tables.
Also property market is a grave yard for investors. So don’t buy, rent up here. DON’T SELL YOUR SYDNEY HOME, you’ll never be able to buy back in.
doesn't own a home in Sydney.
Yep :(
What do you mean by ‘grace taro for investors?’ there’s a few ways I could interpret this..
We moved to GC from Sydney about 10 months ago. I'll share some thoughts and sorry if some double up.
We were house shopping at Labrador as it's changing a lot since zoned a special development region. Chirn Park area has hipster cafes etc now and can be great. There are still dodgy pockets but improving. It got pumped up by Comm Games a lot so might keep growing, or plateau. We didn't like the inflated prices on properties we saw so changed target (to disappointment of in-laws who live in Runaway Bay)
My wife got a work transfer to airport but is low paid and now 4 months pregnant. I was always hired by corporates and there are ~none here. Statistically it has one of highest rates of entrepreneurship in country but mostly as everyone starts a little business, usually all with a yellow pages category.
I'm struggling for work so plan to commute (finishing our big house renovation project first). I'm not alone, as there's lots of people I met who fly in/out. I can work 3 days in Sydney and make enough to have a 4 day weekend with family. Brisbane commute is a killer but many do that too. Brisbane salaries maybe 30%-40% lower than equivalent in Sydney. Sometimes the M1 is a car park. Weirdly Sydney can be quicker if you fly in and out.
We bought in Burleigh Heads and got a great deal. Much nicer in southern suburbs so do try driving around before deciding. Lots of locals insist its only worth living south of broadbeach. I don't agree but do like it here. Lifestyle is definitely better than Woolloomooloo. Stay away from Surfers and Broadbeach. Tourist trash /traps
Housing is cheaper and better but lots of interstate competition for good rentals. Growth in housing much slower than Sydney. Food and costs are similar, but coffee costs more. Stats say it's around 23% cheaper cost of living than Sydney, I think I read that online. I'm doing lots more mileage on my car but easier life. Plenty to do here for leisure. Finding a $100k+ job is very uncommon. I did Uber driving for a few months to learn the area but made no profit.
Happy to any specific questions you might have. AMA
Thanks so much mate. I think I will take you up on that offer, let me get back to you!
Gold Coast, the result of white flight as the premeditated "demographic changes" slowly take our cities away from us.
sad but true …
please don’t come to Gold coast ….we have enough people here….FULL
Haha stop making it so damn desirable over there then!
Another GC local
1) Bikies: never had an issue and honestly hardly notice them since the new bikie laws. I think it’s one of those situations where if you don’t associate with them, then you have nothing to worry about.
2) Southport and Labrador: Lived in Southport for 7 years and have never had an issue. There are different pockets in Southport though (some parts of Southport have some of the most expensive property on the coast, a private school ect). I agree with other posters that around Centrelink and “northern Southport”’is probably the more dodgy area. In saying that, I think every year these suburbs are cleaning up a lot as the mean house value increases. Labrador was an issue 5 years ago. Wouldn’t say so now.
3) Jobs; can’t comment on this one. I work in health so fairly lucky in that respect l.
4) traffic; certainly worsening but I work early so avoid a lot of it. Living by the tram line helps.
5) culture: really improving over the past 4 year. If you want culture, live south of mermaid beach . Burleigh, Miami, palm beach, and Coolangatta are really booming with hipster cafes and more of that “Melbourne” scene.
6) Agree with above to avoid living in surfers paradise. Tourist trap and honestly way too noisy for me.
7) sport; not sure if you are into AFL or NRL, but you will find it hard to meet AFL fans here.
8) would I raise my kids here? Honestly I probably would. Lovely work life balance and plenty of sunshine to do sports. The only concern I would have is my kid turning into a surf Gromit and nightclubbing 24/7 haha.
Great feedback, really appreciate it champ.
I forgot to mention that one thing to consider is that if you move to Queensland, you'll be giving up daylight saving time. Be prepared for the sun to rise at 4am and set at 6.30pm in the peak of summer. Really no time for any leisure activities after work if you work the standard 9-5, especially if you're having to commute to Brisbane. Doesn't seem like a big deal but after having lived in NSW before, you'll really really miss it!
"Culture" on the Gold Coast is wasting your money on brunch and coffee at a stereotypical hipster cafe with a black and white logo that looks all the same as every other millennial start-up cafe. But that's no different to Sydney or Melbourne really.
The best asset of the Gold Coast is its proximity to beaches and nature. You can get from suburbs of the Gold Coast to pristine rainforest in less than 30 minutes. (Although it's under threat from the endless population growth and mass migration of Sydneysiders!)
The best asset of the Gold Coast is its proximity to beaches and nature.
100% agree with you.
But if you read the comments virtually NONE suggests or invites to live close by to the beach. Or in some rabbit warren lost in Binna Burra or the Hinterland.
And that is what is killing the Gold Coast lifestyle. A house and a job are the main considerations to migrate and settle, rather than the lifestyle associated to the Gold Coast.
ensanguined, I will be heading north, real north. Quality of life with a family is up north.
The easiest way to grow your money is to cut expenditure instead of earning more.
Remember when you earn more, you are taxed more on that pay increase as well.
If your pay drops after a move to a smaller city, your take-home income might actually be more per unit time spent outside of your house (assuming you manage to live closer).
Factor in the drop in housing costs, you're probably going to end up saving more and stressing less.
Get a job first though.
consider the many other towns/cities in the south east corner. coastal and especially inland, you'd be surprised at the quality of life and community spirit. consider Brisbane for tech/managerial work unless you are extremely lucky. Northern NSW is often our holiday destination and it might also be worth considering if you can find the work.
Holidaying somewhere and living somewhere long-term are to different things. Don't make decisions based on a week-long impression of a holiday there. (If that were the case, people would be flocking to Spain and Greece. Hint: That would be a terrible decision.)
You have debt, no house (or other major assets), lots of liabilities and expenses in terms of a family and kids? IF you do move, have a job lined-up before you do. Unless you work in hospitality, the Gold Coast isn't exactly a hub of business (and so jobs).
At the very least, do more research. And I mean actual research, not just opinions from people online. Once you have a job or job offers lined up - how much is rent up there? Childcare? Fuel costs? Other costs of living? Career opportunities? Potential support networks (friends, etc) for yourself and the missus? How are the schools? Public transport if you need it? Etc.
One thing you mention is risk from debt. You gotta factor in the risk of not moving from sydney, and the high cost of living compared to elsewhere.
Agreed on all points, thanks champ.
Thank OP, just in the right time I want to make a move. But my plan is moving to Brisbane from Sydney.
if you have the luxury to do so then do it, it's good for your mental health and trust me, no amount of money can treat mental illness..
I swear people only start new topics to be the centre of attention.
How so?
My father moved there in 1995. Took up management rights at an apartment building. You should look into that. You need some principal to get in but you would be the live in/work in manager and that would allow you to obtain a unit and a job in one. Food for thought.
Why not look at some of the big towns in North Queensland like Cairns or Townsville, beautiful weather, rents half what you're paying, plenty of work. Gold coast is pretty but it's not really family oriented. There's a lot of FIFO work from Cairns and Townsville to the mines (which are recuiting again btw) and it is excellent money.
You love it so much after holiday that you want to move there? Come on there are plenty of other nice options tbf. It's like you going overseas and you really loved the country so much you want to move there lol. Do your research about places before considering because GC is more catered for retired rich people.. It's not as easy as just saying lets move because holiday was lovely. Factor in everything and see if it's worth jumping cause you have family too.
Moving is going to get harder the older the kids get. If OP is sick of the rat race then he is right in having this dream. But you are right he really needs to do his research.
Sunshine Coast is for retired rich people. Gc for the younger crowds
Agreed, was hoping for the masses to confirm my thoughts which they pretty much have. Really want to make the move still, we all do, but the jobs…argh!
If you can handle it fifo work, I work in chinchilla live on the Gold Coast, good $$. 15 / 6 Roster.
If you can get a full time job with OIL / Gas a lot of guys here do 15 / 13 rosters. And live Gold Coast or Brisbane
Otherwise you have to work in Brisbane, I did for a year but prefer the trip out here than 3 hours a day in transit to work in Brisbane. But would need to have the Mrs happy with you working away,
Yep and a fair bit of FIFO work is going 6/6 which would be better for a family man.
Sorry, but what is FIFO work? I'm gonna Google that term! The Mrs would kill me if I stayed away too long haha, but if it's for the kids, she might agree.
In short- Mining
Iv lived on the goldy my hole life. Southern Gold Coast is where it’s at mate. Broad beach and down. I’m an electrician by trade so work is easier to get then other industry’s but I had to move to Brisbane to start my apprentichip. Lived there for 2 years. It’s an amazing city but I found myself going down to the goldy every weekend in summer so when I got the chance I moved back down. Bought a townhouse with the missus 1 year ago for $370k. 500 meters from the beach. Wouldn’t live anywhere else
How long is your commute atm? It depends on what you do, but the chances of getting a job on the Goldie aren't great, so you have to expect an hour in traffic each way minimum. Are you prepared for that?
Yes of course, I wouldn't mind the travel each way, sitting on my phone reading translated Chinese novels or playing Fire Emblem Heroes haha!
Moved to Upper Coomera in 2015. Parents bought an investment property in Labrador. Lived in Brisbane for twelve years. Gold Coast has a lot to offer and there are a lot of young families around. I think that there is a lowering of social standards. crime was a problem in our new suburb in Upper Coomera. There were 25 police officers allocated for a large population in 2016. This has gotten better in 2018. Labrador has more crime incidents than an average suburb but as long as you take precautions you should be okay. I think it will only get better with time and hopefully increased wealth will see a reduction in crime.
Moved from Sydney to Brisbane 2011 then Brisbane to Gold Coast 2013. Bought a house in Burleigh 2014. We find the 'walkability' in Burleigh very good, with shops, beach, cafes in walking distance, which I think is similar to the lifestyle we had in the inner west of Sydney (with beach as a bonus). However most of the Gold Coast is more set up for driving. Southport/Labrador is nice. There are rough pockets, but it lots of 'walkability'/proximity benefits too.
Most reasonably well paid jobs are with Council, Gold Coast Health or one of the unis (Bond, Griffith, Southern Cross). There's a small amount of other business/industry. Govie jobs are a good way to go if you can find one: https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au I would definitely recommend trying to secure a job before moving.
I have mostly worked locally but now do the commute up to Bris 1-2 days/week. I do find the commute painful. You have to leave between 5-6am or it takes 90mins (from the Burleigh). The problem with trains is that they don't necessarily go to where you work so there's often another connection at the other end that makes the train an unrealistic option.
Good luck with your decision.
Thanks heaps mate!
I live in Labrador with my partner in a duplex, and we love it. Cheap for what we needed (We paid approx 340k 1.5 years ago, probably closer to 400k now). I study and work part time, my partner is a nurse so its close to everything we need. Ultimately, you need to figure out what you need to be near, how comfortable you are with commuting etc.
Like all cities, there's good and bad parts, and its not just a whole suburb, you can have average streets in nice suburbs. I used to live in a nice part of Nerang, and it was a nice area that was pretty safe. I prefer labrador though, since I am a lot closer to where I need to be haha.
Mate that's great to hear. We stayed at Sandy Point Beach Resort for our holiday and loved the area!
nice post! would move to Brisbane or Gold coast if I can find a job.
Thanks mate. Same, same, same! Been looking at the jobs on offer and man, it's slim pickings for the higher paid roles!
Without moving all the way to QLD.
What about Central Coast?
I moved from Sydney to GC last year, and sadly I agree with all the above. Mass exodus moving north according to estate agents I've met