Hello All,

Am planning a move to Qld in Jan to be with my Aussie Fiance, by then he will be my hubby. His family are from the Gold Coast and we have been deciding if Gold Coast or Brisbane would be the best place for us. I know that Ashmore on the GC, where he currently lives is not for me. Too quiet! I am a city girl, born and bred in London and used to the buzz, frantic pace of life and convenience of a large city, as well as having a great job in education. I know it won't be the same way of life in Brisbane, but I was hoping to find a suburb that would offer some of the vibe and convenience I am looking for. We have a 7 yr old daughter and I hope to start her off in a good Catholic School, which will hopefully be central to the community and our family and help me to make friends etc with other local families. I would ideally like to be able to walk around my local area and wander to the coffee shops on the high st (does it exist in Bris??), library etc. Local transport options would be great as I don't like the idea of driving everywhere. I have been looking up Bulimba, Hawthorne, Balmoral. Any comments about either area? Also, how affordable are houses?

Am I way off the mark or is there somewhere vaguely resembling my ideal in either Brisbane or The Gold Coast??

Please help!

Jo

 

Hi Ashmore is pretty busy, my only concern is that the other areas you mention, although nice places will suit you even less. From what you have written i would say stick around surfers, you wont anywhere busier than there that has high street cafes.
Cal x

 

Hi Cal,
Thanks for response. So Ashmore is considered busy? The only busy bit of Ashmore seemed to be Ashmore plaza, but there was no good transport links etc. Do you know about the Catholic schools around Surfers? I quite liked the feel of Chevron Island and Sorrento area. Do you know anywhere in Brisbane that is like either area?

I have so many questions, but you seem an expert!

Thanks
Jo

 

LOL. I'm far from an expert but i will do my best to help.

This is a link of ALL Gold Coast schools that may help you -
Gold Coast Schools and Education on the Gold Coast Australia

You wont find anywhere around Brisbane that is like Chevron Island,not with hustle and bustle anyway. Public Transport is hit and miss in lots of areas. If you really need it i would have a look at Varsity Lakes and Robina as all transport links are there, bus, train etc. Varsity Lakes has a good school to, but im not sure if its Catholic.

The best thing you could do would be to drive around the Gold Coast and the areas of Brisbane that interest you, seeing the places in person at different times of day is really the best way to see if an area is for you.
Good Luck with everything

Cal x

 

Hello Joey!

My wife and I live in Bulimba and its great. There are loads of coffee shops, restaurants and places to hang out on Oxford Street, which is lovely. Its the closest thing you'll get to a more European setting.

Hawthorne is great as well, quieter than Bulimba, but only 5 minutes away from Oxford St. Balmoral is also a good option, close by and the house prices are lower. If you like the area morningside / balmoral are well worth a look for slightly cheaper prices, although still relatively expensive. Come on down and have a look - any of the places are really only a few minutes from Oxford Street, so I wouldn't worry too much about where you are, as long as you are happy to use the bus service or a car.

The CityCat is a good service and runs regularly over to New Farm which is quite happening if you like the City - it then hops on down to the CBD. The buses are good as well and run regularly into town.

We prefer living in Brisbane to the Gold Coast from what we've seen of it on the weekends!

Regarding driving - its very easy around Bulimba / Hawthorne / Balmoral etc - the roads are quite quiet. Its busier on the North Side in terms of traffic volume. Its also a good place to live to easily get out to the gold coast as the motorway connects nearby.

Hope this helps - let us know if you have any more questions

JP