There’s a growing trend of expats relocating to Australia’s Gold Coast. Find out the great reasons for making the Gold Coast your new place to live.
If you’re contemplating a move to Australia and seeking an alternative to cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth, then the Gold Coast in Queensland deserves your attention. The very name of the Gold Coast evokes a sense of allure, hinting at its beautiful beaches and shimmering waters — and this image is quite accurate.
Renowned as one of Australia’s most picturesque regions, the Gold Coast is gaining popularity. If you’re thinking of relocating from the UK to Australia, now is the perfect time to explore this area.
While there are numerous reasons to settle on the Gold Coast, we’ve highlighted our top 13 for you to consider, and we encourage you to add to the list!
Contents
- 1. Modern economy and Australia’s leading digital surf city!
- 2. It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth
- 3. Its beaches are to die for
- 4. It’s bordered by World Heritage-listed rainforests
- 5. The perfect sunny subtropical climate
- 6. World-class theme parks!
- 7. Shopping experiences to rival any European city
- 8. Amazing and great value housing!
- 9. Australia’s most biologically diverse city
- 10. It’s one of the most desirable places in the world to live
- 11. Entertainment and events
- 12. Close to major cities
- 13. Friendly people
- Moving to the Gold Coast or Australia?
1. Modern economy and Australia’s leading digital surf city!
The Gold Coast is Australia’s 6th largest city, and with so much to offer, it’s no surprise it’s one of the fastest growing. As a result, there are plenty of employment and business opportunities for expats.
There is no better place to take advantage of the rise of the work-at-home culture than the Gold Coast. If you’re considering moving from the UK to the Gold Coast, now might be the time to put those feelers out for employment.
2. It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth
This is, for many, the most important of considerations when choosing a place in which to begin a new life. Waking up to blue skies will always make your day start on the right note, and the Gold Coast is certainly not short of those!
The scenery on the Gold Coast rivals some of the most famously stunning spots in the world, and the beaches are only the beginning
3. Its beaches are to die for
Most people think of Surfer’s Paradise when they think of the Gold Coast, and it can’t be denied that this glitzy seaside resort is an attraction for people of all ages and from all walks of life for good reason.
But for those not interested in shopping, dining, surfing and nightclubs, there’s an array of quietly idyllic beaches to choose from in less developed areas, such as Snapper Rocks, which plays host to the annual Quicksilver Pro Surfing Completion and the nearby Froggys Beach, a popular wedding destination.
Then, there are also some lively and cosmopolitan beaches, such as the award-winning Burleigh Heads, from which you can see the skyline of the Gold Coast, looming dramatically over the bright blue waters. When you choose to live on the Gold Coast, you’ll have access to 57km of stunning coastline to live the Australian dream
4. It’s bordered by World Heritage-listed rainforests
If you’re looking at moving to the Gold Coast to take advantage of a more outdoorsy lifestyle, you will definitely be interested in the epic rainforests the area boasts. Tamborine National Park is not too far from the metropolitan area, which offers eco-adventures, rainforest canopy discovery walks, and many educational opportunities that help conserve the area’s outstanding natural beauty and wealth of wildlife. In fact, the Gold Coast has over 21,000 hectares of exotic rainforest to explore.
5. The perfect sunny subtropical climate
This is a serious plus for anyone considering moving to Queensland. The Gold Coast is…well… it’s cosy all year round! Warm, wet winters and hot, humid summers make for an exceptional environment in which beautiful plants and trees thrive in the lush landscape and aching bones cease to ache.
It’s a popular destination with those over 60 due to the weather and especially good for anyone who isn’t fond of the drier conditions in the southern part of Australia. When you live on the Gold Coast, you’re guaranteed sunshine all year round!
6. World-class theme parks!
What good is all that stunning weather without a good selection of theme parks in which to enjoy it! When you’re tired of the beach (if that’s something you think might actually happen!) then you can head to any of these amazing theme parks.
- Dreamworld
- Sea World
- Warner Brothers Movie World
- White Water World
- Paradise Country
- Wet’n’Wild Water World
7. Shopping experiences to rival any European city
The Gold Coast is known as one of the best places to live in Australia with the shopping above and beyond many other Australian cities because it has always had to cater to its large tourist influx. This is, after all, the favoured place for Aussies to holiday and a large portion of European and American visitors head here. The city houses some of Australia’s largest duty-free outlets and shopping centres and a growing independent sector.
8. Amazing and great value housing!
Like any large metropolitan area, the housing on the Gold Coast varies in price, but there’s one thing for sure: you get a lot for your money, especially compared to other Australian cities.
Compared to British housing, Australian houses are generously sized and tend to have a laundry room and a separate kitchen or kitchen diner. On the Gold Coast, most houses are built with the weather in mind and will include a great outdoor area for eating or relaxing day and night.
Covered verandas are popular for obvious reasons, and with gardens being, on average, larger than those in the UK, you’ll still have tons of space for the kids to play outside because they don’t take up half the garden!
9. Australia’s most biologically diverse city
As if there weren’t enough curious creatures in Australia, most of them live on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. There are over 1,300 animal species here and 1,700 plant species. Good news for gardeners! You’ll see amazing birds of all colours, dramatic amphibians and insects galore on the Gold Coast. Even a simple walk turns into a nature trail very quickly as you begin to notice the vast array of animals, birds and insects around.
10. It’s one of the most desirable places in the world to live
The Gold Coast is considered one of the most desirable places in the world to live. Considerations included political, social, economic and environmental factors, personal safety and health.
11. Entertainment and events
The Gold Coast in Australia is celebrated for hosting a variety of festivals and events. One of the famous events include the Gold Coast 600, a major motorsport event, held annually a the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit. It’s a must visit if you are a racing fan.
12. Close to major cities
Living near Brisbane’s city center offers diverse career options in fields like tech, finance, healthcare, and education. Additionally, living on the Gold Coast provides convenient access to Sydney, with a quick flight time of about 1.5 to 2 hours. For a comprehensive understanding of life in Australia, including its advantages and disadvantages, be sure to check out our guide on the pros and cons of living in Australia.