Renters on hunt for golden lifestyle

“LIFESTYLE renters” and cashed-up Sydney migrants have driven a 13 per cent surge in people searching to rent or buy on the Gold Coast.

While the Coast’s golden beaches first draw in renters, there is a trend in them moving west when it comes time to buy, according to new data from realestate.com.au

Renters using the website are particularly interested in moving to Kirra, Bilinga and Merrimac, with the former two suburbs also making the national top 10 most-searched when it came to looking for a home.

The Coast’s relaxed lifestyle was the biggest driver for renters, according to REA chief economist Nerida Conisbee.

“When we look at what buyers want on our site, they want locations close to shopping centres, great schools and public transport, as well as big homes and affordability and you can get that on the Coast,” Ms Conisbee said.

The affordability of the Gold Coast compared to southern capital cities had also contributed to the continued domination of Sydneysiders (51 per cent of interstate property seekers) looking for Gold Coast property, followed by Melbourne at 22 per cent.

The median house price on the Gold Coast grew by almost 8 per cent in 2017 to $615,000.

“Sydney buyers identify strongly, the Gold Coast offers far better pricing than Sydney, you are looking at $3 million median house prices there and here you can buy something amazing for that.”

But it was Tallebudgera Valley, Tallebudgera and Currumbin Valley that were currently in the highest demand among homebuyers.

“What happens is renters move to the beachside areas but when they want to buy they want a bit more space and land, and affordability plays a part in it too,” Ms Conisbee said.