Hi, OH and I r just back from a reccie of Perth, Brisbane and Gold Coast. Although we only had 2 days in Perth (& it is lovely) we have decided to go for the Gold Coast (luv it ).
We looked at a lot of suburbs and really liked Helensvale but someone who lives here (who is Australian and comes from GCoast) has said that parts of Helensvale is `rough'.
We didn't seem any evidence of this and was wondering if anyone here knows more about this area!
Something that made us chuckle is that in a local paper for GCoast they are advertising for Australian teachers to work in either Birmingham or Kent. Stating that they are lovely places to live and a low cost of living can be had (yeh right)!! There not bad places to live (ex-kent girl myself) but as for low cost of living, well don't know were they shop!!
Anyway, any thoughts on Gold Coast suburbs much appreciated.
Can't wait to get back.
Visa submitted 21/4/08 (payment taken straight away but no ack yet)!!
__________________ Deb (& Tony, Ashley17, Dan14, Ellis8) Visa Skilled Ind175 lodged 210408
I live on Pacific Pines next to to Helensvale, I suppose like England you get good & bad in all areas, Helensvale has a good school, nice outdoor pool, lovely but small shopping centre but it has all you need. The beach is about 20 mins away as is the mountains, iI know people living in Helensvale that are quite happy
Thanks for that Sarah, yes we visted the primary school and the admin lady there was really nice. we just `popped' in and she showed us around a bit. Do you have any thoughts on Arundel, we didn't quite have time to go there?
Thax
Deb
p.s. we did visit Pacific Pines but got a bit lost. Are there any shops there?
__________________ Deb (& Tony, Ashley17, Dan14, Ellis8) Visa Skilled Ind175 lodged 210408
I live at Upper Coomera and love it. I have firends at Pacific Pines, Helensvale, Oxenford & Surfers Paradise.
When Aussies refer to places being rough 9 times out of 10 it is nothing compared to what we call rough!!!!
I'm originally from East London so I know what rough is!!!!!!! Trust me, I can't say that I have seen a sinlge place on the Gold Coast that I would call rough. there are just some areas which look a little more older than others.
My son was 9 when I moved here, he is now 11, living right next to WetnWild, Dreamworld & Movie World was like a dream come true for him, he was so exicted about his new life style that settling into a new School never phased him.
Hi Deb
Its not to late to change your mind and move to Melbourne, g/c great place for a holiday but not to live!!! Dont listen to all these Banana benders. LOL
Location: Coombabah, Gold Coast from Oldham, Gtr Manchester
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Arundel is very nice. The Tee Trees Estate is a lovely new-ish estate there. We live in Coombabah, which is the other side of the highway; our house is on the border with Runaway Bay, which is lovely too. I have never heard anything bad about Helensvale; supposedly it is going to become very popuar, due to great transport links and good schools, according to our local paper. A lady in Woolies told me there is due to be a lot of money spent in the area soon too. It's a big place though, so maybe some parts are better than others. I know around near the Westfield shopping centre, and towards Arundel; Richard works with a man who lives there, and has no problems.
Jo x
Thax for all the great replies., just when I thought we had settled on a place...... I suppose we just have to wait till we finally get there. Don't know why but never really considered Melbourne! Hard enough trying to figure out whole of Gold Coast let alone another state.
Thax.xx
__________________ Deb (& Tony, Ashley17, Dan14, Ellis8) Visa Skilled Ind175 lodged 210408
I have to agree with Laura in that 'rough' in Australia is nothing like 'rough' in the UK!
My brother lives in Robina which is quite south on the Gold Coast. It is growing fast with a massive shopping mall going up soon. It's very nice. Also Elanora, Talebudgeera (spelt wrong) which are much quieter and residential are worth a look. In land in places such as Tamborine and Eagle Heights you can get a lot for your money (more land) and the views are spectacular.
Arundel is very nice. The Tee Trees Estate is a lovely new-ish estate there. We live in Coombabah, which is the other side of the highway; our house is on the border with Runaway Bay, which is lovely too. I have never heard anything bad about Helensvale; supposedly it is going to become very popuar, due to great transport links and good schools, according to our local paper. A lady in Woolies told me there is due to be a lot of money spent in the area soon too. It's a big place though, so maybe some parts are better than others. I know around near the Westfield shopping centre, and towards Arundel; Richard works with a man who lives there, and has no problems.
Jo x
Thanks for all this info, my OH & I spent a few days on GC as were told it was a great place to retire to I even had an interview in Pimpama and thought everyone was right it is very relaxed we even had a few nights at the Social Clubs so different to UK, We stayed in Biggera Waters and hope to move to around the same area in a circle from Arundel outwards to Brisbane, I like the house in Helensvale and Coomra but I think everywhere looks nice when the sun shines, I had hoped my daughter would have moved there before us and bought a " Granny Flat "or "Annex Bungalow" then it would certainly make choice a lot easier ( Rent free of course then I could retire )
Deciding where to go and what area is hard thats why everyone sugestes you rent first so you can look around and if you don't like it you can eventually move onto another area
Good Luck with your decision
Evelyn
Thanks for that Sarah, yes we visted the primary school and the admin lady there was really nice. we just `popped' in and she showed us around a bit. Do you have any thoughts on Arundel, we didn't quite have time to go there?
Thax
Deb
p.s. we did visit Pacific Pines but got a bit lost. Are there any shops there?
Hi
We are currently buiding in Pacific pines and yes there is a shopping center there, with a woolworths, some small shops and a Tavern, there is also a stocklands land sales office with free maps of Pacific pines in case you need one next time.
