HI Adele,
We lived in Palmwoods for about 10 years straight from the UK. It gives you the option of being out of the hustle and bustle and you can decide to go to sea or to mountain. It was a 20-25 minute pleasant commute to Maroochydore for work. However I understand in the 3 years I've been off the coast it has grown VERY busy, it was getting that way when we left. My two cents....... look at Buderim and choose the hinterland side of the hill, far cheaper than ocean views!
I think if you move out to nambour you'll forever be commenting to the coast for everything, we did. It was great to be home I'm Palmwoods at the xmas period though away from tourists.
Consider Palmwoods, Woombye, Kiels Mountain, Rosemount, Diddillibah, Mons, Chevallum, Tanawha, Forest Glen, Palmwview and Glen View for $$ land and house size, but remember, land even 800m blocks require gardening in the heat.
Further in Kuluin, Buderim, Kunda Park, Twin waters, Bli Bli
Good luck