Gold Coast VS Sydney

Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 14:42
Last edited 10/10/2023 - 15:40

Looking to crowd source some information on what people like and don't like about the two cities. I've lived in Sydney all my life and have always liked the warmer weather and am wondering what it would be like to live on the Goldie. While it doesn't look like things are drastically cheaper than Sydney, it might be the change of lifestyle that I need. Sydney has got quite a large range of food options from western to asian to middle east cuisine, good beaches and i'm not talking about crowded bondi or overated coogee. Personally I prefer the beaches down South passed Wollongong which is like an hour plus drive out of Sydney anyway, but the water is crystal clear, parking is usually free and the beach is not jammed packed. We've got lots of high paying job opportunities if you're career driven, I prefer a mediocre job that allows a more life than work balance. I hear that cafes close at like 3pm and is the youth theft situation looks pretty crazy. Sydney probably has the same kind of stories on the news, but it's not something i've experienced personally on a day to day.

So what do people like and hate about Sydney or Goldie?

Home & Garden Gold Coast New South Wales Queensland Sydney

Comments

  • RockyRaccoon on 10/10/2023 - 14:55
    +9

    So what do people like and hate about Sydney or Brisbane?

    Brisbane aint the Gold Coast

    • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 15:40

      oops i did mea the goldie

    • HeWhoKnows on 11/10/2023 - 16:04

      If you think traffic is bad here, go and have a drive on the Gold Coast.
      Especially between Brisbane and the Gold coast

      Same can be said about the weather when those cyclones and nasty storms are about.
      And the cool changes up tghere are just a change of wind direction.

      So yes RockyRaccoon

  • brendanm on 10/10/2023 - 14:59
    +7

    Queensland is terrible, I'd avoid.

    • skid on 10/10/2023 - 15:07
      +12

      Exactly what a Queenlander would say to keep Sydneysiders out.

      • brendanm on 10/10/2023 - 16:18
        +4

        No no, it's truly horrible, you don't want to come up here. Sydney is a beautiful place, staying there is best.

  • GG57 on 10/10/2023 - 15:08
    +7

    I suggest going for a holiday to the Gold Coast and determine yourself if you would like it or not.

    • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 15:38

      a Holiday is not the same as living, I have been there for a holiday and it was a lot of fun, but back then i would have never considered moving there.

      • GG57 on 10/10/2023 - 15:45
        +4

        …but back then i would have never considered moving there.

        Now that you are considering moving there, a holiday gives you a chance to assess if that would work for you or not. You can travel around a few suburbs and find out if you like some, maybe look at housing, see what the traffic is like, when cafes are open, what the supermarkets / pubs / clubs / etc. are like. It is with a different mindset than just being "on holiday".

        • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 16:15

          good point, thanks :)

  • freefall101 on 10/10/2023 - 15:19

    So you want to work less but are planning on moving somewhere with the same cost of living? That doesn't seem like it would really deliver you much. Why not just find a better job where you are? Set strict boundaries, refuse to work overtime, you'll never progress in your career but you'll find a lot more time.

    IMO relocating on the off chance you'll find more happiness there is never going to work. If you don't even know why you want to move there besides it being warmer then it sounds like you're just generally unhappy with life. That's is best solved with time on a couch to talk to someone about it.

  • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 15:47

    The Goldie seems more laid back, less traffic, less people, less lines at popular place, seems like people sleep early and wake up early there, no noisey party goers in the early hours of the morning, i'm old so like 11pm is way pass bed time. But this probably comes at the price of smaller population which means there will be disadvantages and won't have things that cities with larger population have.

    My current job is really laid back, no pressure, no stress, i'm pretty well compensated in my salary for the work i do, the only down side is that I'm probably the only creative on the planet that isn't allowed to WFH, i plan to change that and then i'll be free to move interstate if i want to.

    • brendanm on 10/10/2023 - 16:19
      +7

      less traffic

      Lol

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/10/2023 - 16:50
        +3

        receptionist: jimothy , we need you to do this last min consult with a client on the goldy, can you leave around 2.30pm?

        me: okay, but i give no guarantee of when I can get there and I'll need a support team and supplies to last us 6 months.

        • brendanm on 10/10/2023 - 17:24
          +5

          There's been a crash on the M1, please add 3 hours to your commute.

          • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/10/2023 - 17:30
            +3

            @brendanm: jeez only 1 crash that didnt turn into a multi car pile up spanning multiple lanes? that's a good day!

          • Superbad on 11/10/2023 - 08:47

            @brendanm: sounds worst than the M4 or M5 here in Sydney.

          • LFO on 11/10/2023 - 19:32

            @brendanm: Make it 6 if police is involved closing both lanes N-S

      • ThithLord on 10/10/2023 - 17:58
        +3

        The Gold Coast is a parking lot

        • LFO on 11/10/2023 - 19:33

          Only for caravans and boats :-]

  • MITM on 10/10/2023 - 16:04
    +3

    Come join the 50,000 people who move to SEQld each year though forward planning hasn't catered for last years arrivals, or years prior to that.
    The roads are busy. The hospitals are full. Doctors appointments booked out for weeks or months. Schools are at capacity. Shortage of Police. Watch-houses full. Teens arrive by train from south Brisbane and leave in high end stolen cars. So I'd say same-same.

    But apparently there aren't enough baristas - though I've never missed a caffeine hit.

  • Nalar on 10/10/2023 - 16:40
    +2

    Cant get a meal after 8pm on a weekday or 9pm on a weekend.

    Traffic sucks in certain areas like Palm Beach and Coomera.

    Otherwise, pretty chill

    • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 16:44

      not even mcdonalds?

      • Nalar on 10/10/2023 - 17:48
        +8

        If you think maccas is a meal maybe qld is for you.

  • Meho2026 on 10/10/2023 - 17:27
    +17

    I moved from Sydney to GC last year.
    It’s like living in a different country.

    Living in Sydney, you get used to government over regulation, police presence all the nanny state rules.
    I feel safer in Sydney.

    It’s the Wild West up here, you rarely see police, people just do what they want.

    In Sydney there are high crime areas of the city that you can avoid if you want. In the GC it’s everywhere, theiving scum bags sprinkled throughout every suburb.
    Everyone who lives in an apartment or townhouse complex has a dodgy neighbour story that ruins it for everyone.

    There’s homeless people everywhere, they are discreet but they camp at the beaches and in all of the parks. Full on established set ups, the council leaves them alone.

    There’s loads of junkies too that ride around in push bikes stealing whatever they can. Every FB local group has a BMX bandit.

    The youth crime is from the southern suburbs of Brisbane, they come down from places like Logan and steal cars. They break in houses to get the keys, sometimes from bedside tables while people sleep. They can only drive automatics and are 11-17years old. The QLD gov went soft on youth crime years ago to stop locking adolescents up and creating career criminals, this is a result of that. There’s no consequences so they just repeat offend.

    The amount of bogans up here is phenomenal. The bogan factory of Australia.
    There’s so many people from all walks of life covered in tatts but it’s evident there’s a shortage of skilled tattoo artists in the whole region.

    Public transport is good but you really need a car for each adult unless you can work close to home.

    Broadbeach is a line of demarcation, south is nicer and has the only decent bars and restaurants, more young people, better beaches.
    North, with the exception of trashy Surfers, is less developed but there’s nowhere decent to go out at night. Older population too.
    It is easier to access the beaches and Broadwater though.

    I live north end so most of what I say relates to that.

    There’s a decent amount of music festivals and stuff going on with no police dogs

    locals recommend restaurants that are atrocious, think like Chinese restaurants used to be in the 1970s.

    The weather is great but it’s a long hot summer.

    No daylight saving, that serves the far north well but down in the GC, in summer the suns up at 4am and it’s dark at 6pm
    People flip their lives around, so their exercise and chores before work and go to bed early.
    It’s a struggle if you want to out for dinner after 8pm

    It’s easy to access Brisbane and GC airports but more expensive than from Sydney and less options for long haul flights.

    People are definitely friendlier but the culture is different, more family stay at home types so if you’re childless it’s harder to mix.

    We earn 10% more than in Sydney and property costs are cheaper but I reckon it’s a little more expensive going out to eat and drink.

    There is a housing crisis up here, things are a little better now but it’s not easy to find decent affordable accommodation.

    My advice would be to try and secure accommodation as early as you can. Getting a job is easier than finding a place to live.

    Actually, my advice would be, if you like going out at night, love good food and being in a city, stay in Sydney

    • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 20:34

      The cluster of youth crime is concerning, nothing worst than living in a nice place with water views but always watching out for pick pockets or not being able to be even a little careless in your own home.

      It’s a bit of a catch 22 situation. I like that the city has a lot of choices and options with food and leisure activities, but that comes with crowds and larger population. Sydney has become like Tokyo, anything that is good will have a long line or a long wait list. On the other hand the country is also nice, less people , no lines, even if you find a quality bakery with solid meat pies and cakes. might get a little boring at times, but as long as you can get things delivered, like things from amazon, or things from major retailers and internet is fast enough to game on, I would happily stay at home.

      Homeless people and junkies on the beach is something I definitely haven’t seen on any YouTube vids about the goldie. That alone is making me think the south coast in nsw would be a better option.

    • LFO on 11/10/2023 - 19:35

      … and then you die …

  • Ghost47 on 10/10/2023 - 19:28
    +2

    If you want a more laid back lifestyle then I would definitely recommend living anywhere except Sydney. If I were you I would actually consider moving to Newcastle, Wollongong or Canberra instead of the Gold Coast. Since you seem to like beaches Newcastle or Wollongong would probably be the better pick. Those places or move to Perth.

    Can't speak much for the restaurant scene in Newcastle or Wollongong though. Being smaller cities and probably with less Type A people around the community in Newcastle or Wollongong would probably be tighter than compared to Sydney where it felt like everyone is just out for themselves.

    • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 20:42
      +1

      I’m considering central coast and south coast. I have lived in the country side of nsw before, and ppl are definitely more friendly than Sydney. I knew pretty much everyone on my whole street, where as when I lived in an apartment in Sydney CBD I didn’t even know there were 3 hot chicks living next door until they were moving out.

      • Ghost47 on 10/10/2023 - 20:48

        So many missed opportunities…

        • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 20:57

          Sydney doesn’t seem to be an easy place to make friends.

    • jacross on 11/10/2023 - 07:35
      +1

      I love Cranberry to death but the cold and lack of beaches are it's two big downsides. It seems like OP values the warmth.

  • Worf on 10/10/2023 - 19:58

    I feel like the Gold Coast beaches are largely the same (e.g., same conditions in surfers, Broadbeach, mermaid, Miami, Burleigh as its kind of one long stretch of coast) different conditions in Currumbin though… whereas beach conditions can be vastly different in Sydney (e.g., conditions at Coogee, clovelly, Gordon’s bay and tamarama are reliably different to each other).

    Where in Sydney are you, and what were you hoping to get from a potential move to the Gold Coast?

    Is work/employment a consideration?

    Is life phase a consideration (e.g., young and carefree, or wanting to settle down)

    Less food choices on the Gold Coast but I tend to find that there’s enough to keep me happy (a couple of good Thai places, sushi/Japanese, pizza, bakeries, etc.).

    I spent a good chunk of time in the inner west of Sydney quite some time ago. Direct message me if you want.

    • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 20:52

      I’m in the inner west Sydney where rent on a 2 bedroom apartment has an average price of $800pw, if I was to move I would rent and see if I like it before committing to purchasing and really settling in.

      Work is not an issue as the company I currently work for has an office somewhere in between the Goldie and brissy and I can just transfer locations.

      I just think it would be a change of pace to come home to beach views, learn to surf it just sit on the beach.

      • Worf on 10/10/2023 - 22:59

        I’ve heard the northern corridor (I.e., between Gold Coast to brisbane, e.g., Coomera, Helensvale, pimpama, etc) can be a bit… unsure how to say it politely… …we’ll it’s a bit far from the coast anyway. I’m sure it’s fine once you settle in.

        Commuting from southern to northern gold coast can be a headache depending on the time of the day (m1 can be busy).

        I wouldn’t say the Gold Coast is a sleepy coastal town (if that’s what you’re looking for). But certainly plenty of beach, parks, etc. I’d say it’s a larger than a regional centre but smaller than a city. You can also get a Coogee lifestyle on a parramatta budget.

        Maybe talk to people in the qld office for their opinion, see if you can do a rotation / backfill contract, training/professional development (in real life, in qld)

      • Nalar on 11/10/2023 - 11:42

        That 'somewhere' is very important, anything north of Coomera River (Dreamworld basically) and you're commute is rubbish and you need to live and work on the same side of the line.

        Beach access from Coomera is like 45+ mins on a weekend.

  • WreckTangle on 10/10/2023 - 20:19
    +1

    Have lived in both. Sydney has a great infrastructure like International Airport(s) and fairly decent trains, a good climate and interesting neighbourhoods. The Gold Coast has no daylight savings, cane toads, humidity, a lack of culture and many Bogans. I also found it hard to work on the Gold Coast cause much of the industry is tourism based with low wages, and few progression opportunities. You’re essentially comparing a city of over 5 million with a regional centre of 500,000.

    • Superbad on 10/10/2023 - 20:56

      The south coast of nsw has a population of even less than 500k, but I think the Gold Coast being a more touristy area could potentially have more restaurants and activities than a quiet town near a small beach in semi rural nsw.

  • Hardlyworkin on 10/10/2023 - 21:15
    +5

    The Gold Coast is where culture goes to die.

    • Ghost47 on 12/10/2023 - 21:42
      +1

      Condom Kingdom isn't enough culture for you?

  • afoveht on 11/10/2023 - 01:53
    +1

    , good beaches and i'm not talking about crowded bondi or overated coogee. Personally I prefer the beaches down South passed Wollongong

    That extra couple of degrees C in the GC water makes all the difference between a 5min OMG it's freezing I gotta get outta here dip and a nice hour of just enjoying the water.

  • afah0447 on 11/10/2023 - 08:25
    +3

    People in the Gold Coast like using paragraphs.

  • tabitha731 on 11/10/2023 - 08:42
    +3

    have you given up on life?? then the gold Coast is for you! still want to contribute to society.. stay in Sydney!

  • Rob-4x4 on 11/10/2023 - 08:57

    I moved out of S/E Queensland only because I was forced to by work.
    Sydney seems nice if you have the income to live close to beaches or Harbor . Friend has house 10 minute walk from Bondi.. that is nice place to live. Others lived closed to Palm Beach in Sydney. If you cannot afford to live in those sorts of areas I do not understand why anyone would want to live in Sydney. Other friends with much more average incomes are forced to live in Sydney western suburbs and hate it, with huge commutes to their CBD office. Just about all my friends who had to move to Sydney from Brisbane for work hated being forced to move there..

    Only downside of S/E Queensland is summer heat and humidity. Bearable close to the coast like Gold Coast but gets bad in western suburbs of Brisbane especially if house does not have A/C. Sydney temps are way more bearable than S/E Queensland in Summer. During a hot week in Brisbane in summer Temperatures in western Suburbs can range from max of 35-40 and overnight mins of 25-30 with high humidity (above 80 percent).

  • Superbad on 11/10/2023 - 09:31

    Sydney West isn't bad if you don't have to travel for work, I'm hesitant to change jobs because I live 15mins from work and don't have to travel into the CBD. I will only go into the CBD for dinner after 6pm when traffic has died and it is approx. a 20min drive.

    What i'm seeing in QLD seems to be the same, the high paying jobs are in Brissy and you would have a long commute to work if you live in the Goldie. On average jobs in my field in the Goldie is about 20-30% less in salary. I think the homelessness and junkies scattered around in the parks and beaches is a pretty big downside..

    • GG57 on 11/10/2023 - 09:48

      I think the homelessness and junkies scattered around in the parks and beaches is a pretty big downside..

      Are you basing this only on comments from one or two people here?
      Do you not think there is homelessness and "junkies" in Sydney?

      • Superbad on 11/10/2023 - 10:04

        Yes I am, not saying that it is true or prevalent, if i was to make the move I would def go check it out for myself before hand, but if it's true I would say that's a pretty big downside. The homeless and junkies in Sydney isn't as bad as the news makes it out to be. I grew up in Cabramatta in the early 90s, the heroin capital. I remember coming home from school and having to wait outside my flat for the junkies to leave the stairway or at least pass out so I get into my home and lock the door. They use to roam freely around the train station and close by shops and streets. Then we had the 2000 olympics and the cops chased them out, they then moved on to Liverpool and down to Campbelltown from what I remember. Gangs have since mostly phased out, it's nowhere near as bad as that now, even in the rough area's like Mount Druit or Bankstown (Stabtown).

  • LFO on 11/10/2023 - 12:01
    +1

    Well … there is Gold Coast and there is Gold Coast.

    Like any other place in the world there is good and there is bad.

    Is it "Gold Coast" as living 3 or 4 minutes away from the beach? Or is it far away in clogged suburbia? Or is it out lost in the bushy greenery?

    What you expect from a place is the key, not so much the place itself.

    Some love to live and will never move out from … from New York, Tokyo or whatever. Other will hate it with passion.

    It is expectations not places the deciding factor.

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