Southern love shines on Coast

THE Gold Coast’s worldrenowned beaches, laid-back lifestyle and affordable housing are luring interstate residents.

Latest realestate.com.au data shows the Glitter Strip is the most appealing interstate destination among New South Wales residents, based on almost 9 million searches in the year to January 31.

Most of the top 10 searches were Coast suburbs, headed by Surfers Paradise. Coolangatta, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Southport, Palm Beach and Hope Island also made the list.

In return, Queenslanders searched for property in NSW more than any other state (almost 4 million times), mostly just over the border.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said both states were home to people who enjoyed spending time outdoors and were interested in health and fitness.

“I think it’s the similar lifestyles (that’s attractive) but the Surfers Paradise .......... 90,222 Coolangatta ................. 69,801 Broadbeach ................ 66,990 Burleigh Heads ............ 62,648 Wodonga (Vic) .............. 61,012 Southport ..................... 55,285 Palm Beach ................... 53,433 Launceston (Tas) ........ 43,420 Hope Island .................. 39,384 Wangaratta (Vic) ......... 38,898

Kingscliff ....................... 83,659 Tweed Heads ................ 75,085 Murwillumbah ............. 43,098 Banora Point ................ 42,660 Tenterfield .................... 34,037 Byron Bay ....................... 32,313 Kyogle ........................... 29,597 Pottsville ....................... 29,233 Launceston ................... 27,883 Casuarina ....................... 25,475

Source: realestate.com.au

Gold Coast offers greater affordability,” she said.

“We think there’s a lot of young people looking to move there.

“And it’s not just buyers, it’s also renters.”

She said the city’s abundance of jobs was also appealing.

“It’s one of those drivers of people searching, particularly for rentals.”

REIQ Gold Coast zone chairman Andrew Henderson said migration from NSW to Queensland was a “well-worn path”.

“Migration has been pretty strong, it seems to be ever continuing from where I’m sitting,” he said.

“There seems to be a big following of family and friends, potentially that might be adding to those really good numbers.”

Harcourts Coastal agent Tolemy Stevens said investors were also contributing to the figures.

“There’s no doubt that the Gold Coast is, to some degree, defying the slowdown Sydney and Melbourne are experiencing,” he said.

Surfers Paradise and Burleigh Heads were also among the top-searched suburbs in the ACT, SA, Tasmania, Victoria and WA.