Moving across the ditch is an enduring tradition for New Zealanders, and direct flights to the Gold Coast from Auckland take less than four hours. So, if you are taking the plunge, moving to Gold Coast cities, suburbs and beachfronts gives you the peace of mind of an easy trip home should the need arise.
There is lots of media attention on this topic at the moment, and some fairly obvious points are consistently highlighted regarding the benefits of moving to the Gold Coast. These include better wages, weather, and world-class beaches. But is it all it’s cracked up to be?
Today, we are going to explore the truth of some of these rumours, and we will deliver a few tips for Aucklanders starting fresh on the Gold Coast.
Relocate to the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is on the east coast of Queensland, quite close to the NSW border. It’s a hop, skip and a jump to Brisbane. In fact, the Gold Coast sprawls all the way in that direction and joins up to make it part of the greater Brisbane region. This is indeed a rich, creative and cultural area with a booming tourism industry running alongside strong economic development in construction, retail, technology and comms, education, the sports and gaming industries and film and television production.
Are wages better on the Gold Coast?
This is a big drawcard, but is it true? A recent cost of living calculation by Livingcost.org puts the average after-tax take home at $376 more per month – that’s quite significant. Alongside this, the cost of living estimate for a family comes in at around $350 cheaper per month – so that’s a clear indication that the rumours are true.
Living Cost Estimates of Gold Coast
| Average After-Tax Take Home | $376 more per month |
| Cost of Living Estimate (Family) | $350 cheaper per month |
Is the weather better on the Gold Coast?
Short answer: yes! The average temperature in this subtropical region is between between 12.5 – 21.5° in the dead of winter and a pleasant 21 – 28.4°C in summer. While it can get quite wet in the warmer months, the tropical storms usually don’t last long, and the humidity is offset by lovely sea breezes.
Tips for Aucklanders Moving to Gold Coast Regions
If you are moving with your family, you will need to think ahead about schools, and anyone who is shifting to a new country will need to consider things like the property market, proximity to essential services, ongoing medical care and the ability to connect with new people so that your social life doesn’t suffer when you make your big move.
Moving to Gold Coast suburbs from Auckland might feel like a shift to a permanent holiday, but there may be a few things you haven’t considered.
Buying Property on the Gold Coast
For families or couples who are looking at moving to the Gold Coast for the glitzy beach lifestyle, you might want to start by looking at properties in the Surfers Paradise, Southport, and Clear Island Waters areas. For the more budget-conscious, the further back you go from the beach, the lower the prices get. Hollywell, Paradise Point, Labrador and Runaway Bay are great residential northern suburbs that offer a more affordable option for Aucklanders making the move as buyers.
Renting Property on the Gold Coast
If you are looking to relocate to Gold Coast living as a renter, you might want to get yourself a short-term rental before you arrive so you can spend some time exploring the area. If you want to wait to look for work until you get there, this gives you a chance to secure a job and then look for something close to your place of work. Rents vary across the Gold Coast, but in the less touristy areas, you can expect to pay around 50 dollars a month less than Auckland for one person and about $70 p/m less for a family.
Tips to Relocate Hassle-Free
Moving anywhere can be stressful, and an international move can feel overwhelming. Alongside a new job and a new home, you may need to settle kids into school, and you will need to connect with new people in your neighbourhood and build up a new social life.
When it comes to the move itself we have a few tips to make it easier for you to arrive feeling fresh and organised.
1. Planning & Preparation
You need to have a clear plan of action and it pays to have professional movers to support and guide you through the process of shifting your whole life from Auckland to the Gold Coast. You will need to make packing lists, lay out a schedule and establish good communication with a moving company that has lots of experience with international moving procedures.
2. Reach Out
Before you make the move across the ditch, join some Facebook groups in the areas you are looking at moving to. Reach out to local community groups and ask around family and friends for connections they may have to people already living on the coast. Take a look online to get an idea of the types of houses and apartments people are buying or renting and browse newspapers to understand the prevailing culture.
3. Sign Up
If you have already secured a home to move to, you should try to get your utilities hooked up before your arrival. Look into power and internet providers, do some research about rates and water charges, and make sure you get the quality connections you need for work if you are working from home. You may be able to sign up for a Metro card online, and you can certainly check out transport lines and schedules – this will be especially helpful for getting around if you have a job lined up before you go.
4. Get Insured
Alongside shifting your medical, life, home, and contents insurance to an Australian provider, you must make sure you have comprehensive moving insurance. A smart approach is to overlap your service in both locations, so wherever you are, you are covered.
Use The Moving Company to Relocate to Gold Coast Living
If you take all our tips into account, you may feel a little less overwhelmed. For a smooth, streamlined experience, our biggest tip is to use The Moving Company for your relocation to the Gold Coast. We have been in the business of moving Kiwis for 37 years, and we have thousands of success stories from during this time.
If you want to access a complete moving service, including packing, pet moving and cleaning your Auckland property when you exit – we can help.
If you’re an Aucklander ready to embark on a new chapter of your life on the sunny shores of the Gold Coast, Australia, congratulations on your decision. We would love to be of assistance!
