Anyone thinking of/are in Coloundra?

Hammer · 20-09-2007, 10:10 PM

Hi, everyone,
hav'nt been on here a while, we seem so busy now. We got our visa granted in May and have just came back from a very expensive trip to Perth to validate them. We're going to Queensland next August (Can't come quick enough). Got to say did'nt fancy living in Perth, nice to visit, but could'nt live there, the work/housing routine was too much like Southeast England. I've had enough of that. Think it may be ideal for younger families/couples. We're in our mid forties and are taking 4 children that will be between 16 and 23 with us. I'm afraid we're in love with Queensland, which is probably why we were already bias when we went to Perth, still we had to look. It probably did'nt help dragging 4 helpless teenagers (if not statistically, definetely, mentally and physically) with us, we had to though. At least job done.
We are looking at moving to Coloundra and wondered if anyone else had thoughts on that. One of my Sons is going to Brissy Uni when we get there and we were hoping it would'nt be too long a journey for any of to get to work from Coloundra.
We toured down Queensland 4 years ago but did'nt actually go to Coloundra as we were in holiday mode. It's hard to explain what you want from a place as everyone has their own likes and dislikes. We were attracted to the buzz (perhaps because the tourism), of queensland, the culture, the diverse areas, but also of the friendliness of everyone. But there was still that opportunity of peaceful tranquility and remoteness should you need it.
This is something we did'nt feel in Perth, although we were in holiday mode there. Maybe it's us, maybe the reality is different when you live there. I don't know! No doubt we will find out, i know it also is important on how we live that life in what we'll find.
However, if there is anyone out there who has faintess idea what i'm waffling on about and and Knows the ares or wants to go to that area i would be well interested in thier views.
Regards Keith

batman · 21-09-2007, 11:55 AM

first of all may i start by saying i have never been to oz we will be validating in april next year and staying if our house sells in time.i looked at caloundra and really fancied it but i got told by an ex pat that it is considerded a retirement area but it does look beautiful,we have plumped to stoy as close to brisbane as what we can afford maybe a little east near a place called redland shire it seems to have good coastal areas and within easy driving to the city if need be we might even go west of brisbane who knows ,we will have a good nosey around next april all the best,

kdal · 21-09-2007, 12:36 PM

Hi Keith

Went to Coloundra in December last year, loved the place and would love to live there. I didnt think it was like a retirement place at all but like anything else it depends what you want. All I know is that it was very expensive some of the apartments going towards Noosa were $1m, but I suppose like anywhere else depends on what part your going to live in.
We were looking at this area but we are now thinking of moving closer to Brisbane because of work opportunities. I think Couloundra is about 1hr 30mins from Brisbane!! Not postive though someone else on here might be able to help on that if not ile ask the OH when he gets in as he drove and I fell asleep LOL

Good luck and hope someone can answer all your questions

Regards
Kim
p.s. Beaches were lovely there!

shanti · 21-09-2007, 12:47 PM

Hi Keith

We are going to Caloundra in 2 weeks time!! (all being well) only for REKI THOUGH! There's 4 of us, hubby who's 41, me who's nearly 40! and are two boys 11 and 14.

Staying at Kings beach and visiting close friends, one emigrated to Caloundra 2yrs ago and the other friend who left about 8 weeks ago... all with teanagers and small children... all loving it!!

Can't wait to get the feel of the place and to met up with our friends... oh is an accountant and going to met up with an recuirment agency see if there is work avaiable for him? look at schools and colleges for the boys... one who's sports mad and apparently they do sports everday at school there... not like here only twice week. We live on the Isle of Wight so beaches are a must for us... can't live without a beach near by! All year round weather...well sort of!

Hope your plans and dreams take off... will Auss be better place for kids to grow up... seeing as Great Britian doesn't look to good at the moment??
Good luck

kdal · 21-09-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanti

look at schools and colleges for the boys... one who's sports mad and apparently they do sports everday at school there... not like here only twice week. We live on the Isle of Wight so beaches are a must for us... can't live without a beach near by! All year round weather...well sort of!

Good luck

.......

Hiya, Your boys will love the trip. We were sitting on the beach at Noosa which is not too far from where you are going, so you must visit Noosa! Anyway the school buses turned up and the kids had their lessons at the beach, they all had surf boards and were running up and down the beach and then a teacher sat on a surf board in the sea, some distance out and the kids had to swim around the surf board and then run back along the beach! Well that did if for my to boys who are 13 and 15 they now cant wait to go. Just a matter of choosing the right school!
Out about 6pm the Dolphins come in to play so all in all a lovely day out and I would def recommend it.

Hope you enjoy your trip and keep us posted on your thoughts when you return

Regards

Billabong · 21-09-2007, 02:36 PM

Hi Keith
We also got our visa in May and are ‘validating’ in Oct.. five kids 7 to 17 so costing a fortune but looking forward to a great holiday…figured we’ll be in Oz next year so are having holiday in NZ and a week in Sydney to get the visas stamped.

Planning to move next summer when my daughter finishes a levels and have thought about caloundra and the area between there and noosa. The only thing that I’m unsure of is the amount of work available, although my wife is a nurse so should be ok. Daughter plans to go to Sydney uni.

We lived in Perth years ago and loved it… but we had no kids than and lived over the road from the beach… we’ve been back in ’99, 02 and 04 for visits and now I don’t think I could live in the suburbs, they seem to go on forever… the 2-bed townhouse we had in Scarboro is now half a million dollars.

The only other area I’ve considered are around Eaton Hill and Samford but this is only based on research, reading forums and the like and looking on realestate.com and it’s a way from the beach…. We have stayed on the sunshine coast though and thought it was great, but we were on holiday.

House prices seem to be too high for us in mooloolaba, we need five beds and a bit of a garden so will look inland a bit... caloundra seems more affordable maybe? and a friend tells me his 'friends friend' lives in Tewantin? and thinks it's great, we’ll have what the house in scarboro is worth to spend.

One website I found says 30% of people are over 60… compared to 16% in Brisbane… not sure if this qualifies it as a ‘retirement’ place but not a problem. A lot of people have mentioned mt creek high school as being a good bet but would need to be in the catchment, that prob won’t affect you anyhow if the eldest is 16.

Good luck with everything and may see you in caloundra for a beer next year... we'll have to wait to hear what Shanti thinks!!

KP Nuts · 21-09-2007, 03:30 PM

Hi Hammer, can't help with the question, but

on getting the Visa back in May, and no wonder we haven't seen you at the Essex meets, good luck on the area that you decide.

KP Nuts

richiemoon · 22-09-2007, 01:40 AM

hi hammer

me and the family have been in a place called kalangur for six weeks now its half way between brisbane and caloundra.we live just off the bruce highway and it takes us around 45minutes to get to caloundra(we have been a couple of times). it is lovely there, nice beaches etc but you are right it is more of a retirement community. the jobs are scarce and low paid compared to brisbane metro. also the property prices are steep if you want to live on the seafront. we have been up the sunshine coast every weekend since weve been here(caloundra maloolabaa maroochydore etc) and its no trouble but i wouldnt want to commute every day one and a half hours to the cbd sounds about right. hope this helps and maybee meet for a beer sometime soon.

paulhug · 23-09-2007, 11:24 AM

Hi Hammer,
We were thinking about caloundra, or within 15-20 mile radius. Haven't been yet but we have just been told that the Qld gov will sponsor us as business owners. Now we have to apply for the visa but have been told its virtually guaranteed.
My problem is, whether to find a business first and move to that area or find an area first (schools for kids, etc).
From the research i have done online it is an area that is expanding and more younger families are moving in. I particularly liked the Peregian Springs development, just north of Caloundra. Also, we are considering the likes of Palmwoods, Buderim or any areas just off the Bruce Highway. But its so difficult deciding when you are in the UK.
Anyway good luck with your search.

hedgehog · 23-09-2007, 11:36 AM

We had a day trip there about a month a go and it is a nice place to visit, but my wife pointed out that she too thought it was a retirement town. Its definitly a seaside holiday town. Beaches are nice the main drag through town was nothing to write home about. Nice place to visit but not for me to live there, but it depends some people like to live in this sort of area. If you like a typical Uk seaside town you will probably love this place.