Best Suburbs on the Gold Coast

If you’re thinking about moving to Australia, you might want to consider shifting to the Gold Coast.

With plenty of sun, culture and attractions all year round, it’s no surprise why many Kiwis are choosing to make the move. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for young job seekers who want to start their education and career in a bustling environment.

Before you pack up your bags and book in your international moving team, however, you’ll need to decide where exactly you want to live in the GC.

There’s a lot to consider – lifestyle, educational opportunities, local attractions, cost-of-living, and rent, of course. We’ve put together this helpful guide to make sure you can choose the suburb that’s best for you and your goals!

Have a think about what you value in a suburb so you know what you’re looking for, the read on to learn more about the best places to live in the Gold Coast, Australia.

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Southport – inner-city living

If you’re looking to study on the Gold Coast, it makes sense to move to Southport. One of the most active inner-city suburbs in the area, Southport has a lot to offer for students and job seekers.

Southport is home to Griffith University, CQ University, and TAFE, some of the most highly accredited and popular universities in Queensland, Australia, and the world.

Griffith University ranks 19th in the QS Australian Universities World Rankings and in the top 2% of universities worldwide.

Central Queensland University, or CQ University, is also in the top 2% of universities worldwide, and close to many Southport shops.

TAFE offers a wide variety of short courses, allowing students to access the career path they want.

Southport is also known for its bright and busy culture. It’s close to Australia Fair (a major shopping and cinema complex), easy-to-access public transport, and many different cafes.

Southport also overlooks Southport Spit – ‘The Spit’ to locals. The Spit is home to Main Beach, a wide variety of restaurants, and the popular Sea World marine theme park.

Southport also has a wide variety of parks and beaches, so you can take a break and go for a swim or have a picnic with your friends.

When you’re done relaxing, head down to Surfers Paradise; famous for its buzzing nightlife and tourist attractions such as Infinity Attraction, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, and Slingshot & Vomatron Fun Park.

The cost of living in Southport is fairly reasonable, particularly for students. Mostly filled with independent youths, the average cost of rent is $420 per week for units. Southport is also close to many student villages, with share houses costing around $150 a week for a room rental.

Robina – peaceful suburban living

With a nice balance of peaceful suburban living and exhilarating entertainment, Robina is a great choice for those wanting to live somewhere that offers variety.

A flourishing suburban area, Robina is one of the newer residential areas of the Gold Coast. But that doesn’t mean a lack of affordable living or attractions.

Robina is known for being one of the Gold Coast’s capitals for sports. The Cbus Super Stadium is home to the National Rugby League’s (NRL) Gold Coast Titans. As such, the stadium hosts a number of rugby league games for those wanting some thrills and spills after a long day.

Robina also offers, not one, but three different golf courses, so dust off those clubs and get swinging.

Those wanting to do a little shopping will have their needs fulfilled at Robina Town Centre. Gold Coast’s second-largest shopping centre, Robina Town Centre has over 400 fashion and homewares stores, spacious dining areas and a fully digital cinema complex.

If you’re looking to increase your fitness, there are a number of different parks for you to jog in or practise yoga. Robina is also close to Mermaid Beach and Miami Beach, so you won’t miss out on the Gold Coast surf.

Dog owners can exercise their pups at Robina Parkway Dog Park. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with watching along the fences if you’re without a dog, but want to see some adorable pooches!

Students have easy access to Bond University, which on the edge of Lake Oor. Bond University is Australia’s first private university and is considered to be one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Students at Bond University have easy access to on-campus accommodation or student villages in Varsity Lakes.

Rent in Robina sits around $530-$580 per week. This makes it helpful for those looking for work in Brisbane, as Robina Train Station has services to Brisbane in 90 minutes.

Burleigh Heads – culture and lifestyle

If you’re looking for somewhere that has plenty of things to do, but also allows you to relax, consider moving to Burleigh Heads. South of the city centre, Burleigh Heads has all the culture of the Gold Coast without the large crowds.

This means you can enjoy strolling through picturesque parks or catching some waves in peace. Breathe in the fresh air of Burleigh Head National Park, Burleigh Beach, Tallebudgera Creek, and a wide range of other parks and beaches.

There are also plenty of exciting attractions that will pique your interest. Food lovers will be living in paradise with a wide variety of cafes and restaurants, including Burleigh Brewing Co and plenty of cafes with fresh acai bowls.

Fill up your shopping bags and attend the regular Sunday Village Markets, Arts and Craft on the Coast, Saturday’s Burleigh Markets, and the BBQ Bazaar night markets. Burleigh Heads also has Stockland Burleigh Heads Shopping Centre with plenty of shops and supermarkets.

For young families, Burleigh Heads has a wide variety of public and private schools. Tertiary students can attend the local ACE Community Colleges or head up to Bond University in Robina. Burleigh Heads is also popular for young students looking for accommodation.

The average price for a rental unit is $450 per week, however, there are also plenty of shared accommodation options available to make the cost of living cheaper.

Labrador – affordable living (plus water parks!)

Labrador is one of the most popular suburbs on the Gold Coast, with affordable living, plenty of attractions and a great climate.

Labrador is suitable for students, job seekers and families. It’s just a few kilometres north of Southport, close to both Griffith University and Australia Fair Shopping Centre. Labrador is also a short drive from the popular Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Dreamworld, and White Water World theme parks.

In Labrador itself, there is plenty on offer that will keep you entertained without any lavish costs. You will have a choice of many delicious dining options that won’t have you digging around the pantry for dinner.

Labrador also has many parks and paths that will allow you to take a walk and soak up the sunshine. Stroll along Len Fox Park for stunning views of the Coral Sea. If you have a dog who also needs the exercise, take your pup to the appropriately named Labrador Fenced Agility Dog Park.

If you want some more fun, head down to Broadwater Parklands for attractions such as The Big Wedgie, The Rockpools, and Broadwater Parklands. These sites are popular among locals and tourists with plenty of pools, beaches and parks for you to enjoy with your friends and family.

One of the reasons Labrador is popular is its great living options. A primarily suburban area, Labrador has many beach-style homes and townhouses available.

It’s also one of the cheaper areas to live in the Gold Coast, with rental costs averaging around $420 per week for houses, and units around $385 per week. This makes Labrador a suitable place to live for young individuals looking for work or study.

Broadbeach Waters – life on the beach

Broadbeach Waters is similar to Surfers Paradise in that it’s full of sun, surf, sand and fun. However, Broadbeach Waters also offers a quiet environment for those looking to be nearby, but not necessarily live a loud and busy city life.

Trendy and modern, Broadbeach Waters offers some of Australia’s most stylish retail and dining complexes. Pacific Fair is Queensland’s largest and most popular shopping centre. With more than 400 luxury stores, casual and premium dining options, a play centre for kids, and a state-of-the-art cinema complex, it’ll be impossible to be bored.

For those looking for a little more glitz and glamour, Broadbeach Waters is also home to The Star Gold Coast, featuring a 24-hour casino, bars, restaurants and live shows.

If you’re wanting to go for a swim, head over to Broadbeach and swim in the waters of this iconic beach that’s right next to the CBD. There is also a local surf school if you want to hang 5 and catch some waves.

Broadbeach Waters is associated with its iconic canal suburbs. Choose right and you’ll enjoy beautiful sights of the man-made canals of the Nerang River right outside your window. There are also some areas on the canals if you want to enjoy a good spot of fishing.

With rental costs beginning from $170 for private rooms or $440 per week for units, you’ll be able to have a work/life or a study/life balance without worrying about your budget.

Broadbeach Waters is also a few kilometres north of Bond University’s Robina campus, so you can easily attend your course while also being close to the city life. You can also relax with the many recreational activities that will let you live in tranquillity.

Planning a move to the Gold Coast, contact Ausmove today for a free moving quote!

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