Expert: Frank Denison - 4/12/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Denison
My family and I are planning to emigrate to Australia but we have no clue which city to live in!
We want somewhere we can be close to a cinema mall and very close to the good surfing beaches but not too busy as the Johannesburg scene in South Africa is not for us ...we do want a large community but not a busy city scene thanks please get back to me
Melissa Carlson

ANSWER: Hi Melissa,
         If you come to Australia, I know you will enjoy our relaxed lifestyle.
As for a place to live, it sounds like the major cities of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne may be too busy.

If you want to be close to the beach and the cinemas, I would suggest the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. It is an hour from Brisbane, has everything a big city has, but not the busy lifestyle.

I would look at these places to live - Mooloolaba, Caloundra, Coolum, Maroochydore, Alexander Headlands.

You can check out house prices at http://www.realestate.com.au/

Sorry for the delay in replying, I have been away for work

If you require any more assistance, contact me again any time.

Regards,
Frank

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Frank
Since you have replied, my family and I have been thinking... Since we live in Durban South Africa...maybe we should stay somewhere very near Darling Harbour or Luna Park are maybe as my husband had been offered a job there a few years ago and he says it was absolutely stunning! Still not very Sure about the Brisbane are but I need a community with lots of children and Surfing and lifesaving clubs for my daughter... She asked me just a few days ago if there will be some good surfing beaches without al the rocks and big swells we would like somewhere like the Gold coast with very hot weather and good high schools and housing with good value...
This might sound like i may be asking for too much but we dont want to make the wrong descisions thanks
Melissa

Answer
Hi Melissa,
         Darling Harbour is beautiful, but it is not a beach and to buy a house there it would be very expensive.

There are at least 25 beaches you could choose from on the Gold Coast where your daughter could do lifesaving. Gold Coast and Sunshine coast have very hot weather and good high schools and housing with good value.

I would choose Brisbane over Sydney every time. We have better weather, the water tempreature at the beach is higher, and it is not as busy. Brisbane has a more laid back style.

Regards,
Frank