Any MN'ers on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane?

[yellowbrickroad]

We're hoping to emigrate within the next 18 months, can anyone tell me a bit about living on the Gold Coast and commuting to Brisbane as opposed to living and working in Brisbane?

Melbourne is our other potential destination but it totally depends on work. Any thoughts / insights would be great. We'll be moving with 2 Ds's aged (then) 4 & 9.

Anyone? :)

I moved from Sheffield to Australia 12 years ago. Now we live in Brisbane. I love it here. DCs are nearly 15 and 12. Gold Coast is about an hour or so away by good motorway but horrendously busy in peak traffic.

Brisbane is quite large and the river divides the city. North Brisbane is quite different from South.

We lived in Sydney and then Wollongong but have now settled in Brisbane. The climate is great: it is winter with clear sunny skies and a temp of 23!

I personally do not like the Gold Coast as it can be rather busy and flash. I live in one of the older suburbs in Brisbane which is near public transport (bus, train and ferry) and with very good state schools. The private vs state school is something that is quite an issue here. I choose state myself but then we do live in an affluent suburb with many academics which makes the local state attractive. High school starts at grade 8 here: child turning 12.

Ummm, I am just rambling here. If you want specific information, please ask. Happy to help.

Hello! Afraid I'm not going to be of much help as we've just arrived in Brisbane for the start of a 3 year stay. However, I'm feeling completely overwhelmed and got terribly excited to see a Brisbane thread, so I just had to jump in...

Like drfayray we're living in an older suburb of Brisbane, which seemed a good compromise between being in the middle of everything and having a bit more space and peace and quiet. Also, it reportedly has good state schools, although my DD is only 2.4, so don't have to worry about that just yet.

Good luck with your move and let me know if there is anything I can do to help in the way of information or first impressions...

And I'd also be interested in thoughts and suggestions on Brisbane. Just moved here from London for DH's job and have a DD and expecting DTs in March next year. I've left my career (tho hope to do some work from home), friends and support network back in the UK and am desperate to get connected in Brisbane.

I am from Brisbane but live in London but am heading back there for good later this year.

What kind of work will youa nd your DH be doing?

What kind of lifestyle do you want (bush, beach, city, suburbs)?

There is a big expat community on the north side of Brisbane.

The southside has gone to shit. I am a dyed in the wool southsider (big fake rivalry between the north and south) and I will be moving to the north side.

Gold coast is huge. It ranges from the city urban areas to the country side area where you can have a horse and a cow.
Commuting can be ok. Public transport is crap. Can take about an hour in the car from Southport to Brisbane on a so so day.

If you want to know anything else please ask. There are a few Brisbane people on here so maybe other will be along soon.

Just popping in to say, like the name HowsTheSerenity.

Going straight to the pool room

Tell him he's dreaming!

We're going to Bonnydoon!

Sorry, will stop hijacking thread with random quotes now.

I live in Brisbane - we moved here in 2008.

I agree with Drfayray. I dislike the Gold Coast - it's brash and too built up for my liking. There are some lovely beaches, but there is nothing down there that would entice me to take on the hell of the motorway twice a day (about an hour either way on a good day).

I also live Northside Brisbane in an old/established suburb. We are 4kms from the centre of town and I love it. Very central, great schools and of course easy peasy to and from work.

Brisbane has great proximity to the sublime Sunshine Coast. If I were to choose, I'd far rather commute from the Sunny Coast to town everyday. Personally, I wouldn't entertain the idea of commuting - public transport is sketchy and it would be impossible to manage the school run, so out of the question for us.

We are very happy living in town and getting away on weekends, an hour in either direction is plenty to get you to a beautiful beach.

Before we came to Australia we also had the choice of Melbourne and Brisbane. I found Melbourne to be very European, it's a beautiful city but it's not as laid back as Brissy. The weather can be bloody fickle too, it gets very cold in winter and can be stupidly hot in summer. Brisbane is horribly humid in the summer but this is more than made up for by the gorgeous winter/spring/autumn weather.

Hope this helps.

Hi all, thanks for all your replies. It's really good to hear what the commute would really be like. We haven't started the visa process yet as neither of our jobs are on the shortlist so we're going to see a migration office to see what the options are.

I'm in press & PR and have over 10 years experience and my DH is a Marketing Manager.

I have to say I think I prefer the sound of Brisbane. I'm looking for something a bit more laid back and love the thought of being so close to the East coast and all that it has to offer.

We'd both need to get jobs and by the time we'd be, realistically, looking to get over there my youngest DS would be in school.

In terms of lifestyle I love being near the water so would be looking to take advantage of heading to the beaches over the weekend. I don't want to be too rural, I like to be walking distance to things (in a town or a city) but also not slap bang in the centre and, of course, good schools are important.

I am really concerned we won't be able to get a visa though. I've done mock-applications online and got turned down and it's a pretty expensive prospect to shell out for a migration specialist. Has anyone else had any problems with visas?

nightmare. Public transport crap and usually overloaded. Roads can easily become congested.

There are so many nicer areas on the outskirts of the city that are fab places to live with a better commute.

A lot of ppl like living at the coast and commuting but the drive can be a nightmare with roadworks (big infrastructure works going on all over the place.)

Large british expat community about 5 minutes drive from where I live within easy commute of brisbane city and right on the highway to go north.

Gold coast is very flashy and touristy more so than areas of the sunshine coast. Bribie Island would be another option as is the bay area around Brisbane.