Moving to Sunshine Coast? Top 3 Things to Know Before Living in the Sunshine Coast
21st March, 2023
Whether you’re moving to the Sunshine Coast to change career, to study, to explore new opportunities, to raise a family or retire peacefully; then you have made a clever choice choosing to live in the Sunshine Coast – a sunny and inviting coastal region of Queensland, home to a recreational activity scene that’s bursting at its seams – did someone say surfing, scuba diving, hiking, fishing, ocean swimming and kite surfing? Sign us up!
Throw in a thriving food and drink scene, a rich cultural heritage, and a strong sense of community found here, and it’s no wonder the Sunshine Coast is an extremely popular destination for tourists and locals alike; and why so many are moving to the Sunshine Coast, year after year.
This beautiful and vibrant region will get you hooked, but before you go – here’s our Top 3 things to know before you start living in the Sunshine Coast.
1. Living in Sunshine Coast VS Gold Coast
Moving to the Sunshine Coast and haven’t yet decided where you would like to live? Property prices in the Sunshine Coast region will vary depending on several factors, such as suburb, location, property type, and market conditions. Generally-speaking, property prices in the Sunshine Coast tend to be more affordable than other major cities in Australia, such as Sydney and Melbourne.
When it comes to cost of living in the Sunshine Coast, compared to its counterpart – the Gold Coast – the Sunshine Coast wins again. In Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index, the Gold Coast’s cost of living overall is 5% higher than the Sunshine Coast, with Gold Coast seeing higher average rental and property prices. Add into the mix other factors such as greater tourism and more commercial development, and it appears that the Gold Coast is certainly the louder city out of the two, with its action-packed hustle and bustle, and plenty of opportunities galore.
Ultimately, both the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast offer an extremely high quality of life with stunning natural scenery, a relaxed beachy lifestyle and wide range of recreational activities. Both offer excellent nightlife and plenty of career opportunities. With that being said, the Sunshine Coast might just tick more boxes for you, offering a taste of the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast and convenient beaches, but with less tourists, less urban development, and rather – more affordable accommodation options and overall cheaper cost of living.
If you haven’t yet decided where you want to be living in Sunshine Coast, consider some of these popular suburbs:
- Noosa Heads – A very popular beachside suburb known for its upmarket lifestyle and natural beauty; boasting many ‘Instagramable’ areas.
- Mooloolaba – Another alluring beachside suburb with a lively atmosphere, great dining, and recreational activities for all ages.
- Maroochydore – A central, urban suburb with a mix of residential, commercial, and retail areas; balanced by riverside parks and waterways.
- Buderim – A hillside suburb with stunning views (it sits on a 180-metre mountain which overlooks the southern Sunshine Coast) and a relaxed, village atmosphere. Considered famous for its timber, coffee, and ginger.
- Caloundra – Referred to as the “Southern Belle” of the Sunshine Coast, this family-friendly suburb is an aquatic paradise, boasting spectacular beaches along its coastline, as well as parks, and recreational activities
- Coolum Beach – A laid-back beachside suburb with a proud surf club culture that dates to 1919, Coolum Beach offers great surf and a relaxed lifestyle. Though it often plays ‘second fiddle’ to Noosa, people love that there is less traffic and less tourists found here. Our Kent Sunshine Coast Removalists are also located in Coolum Beach, at 6 Venture Close.
- Peregian Beach – For a year-round holiday vibe, this destination quiet beachside suburb with a community ‘village-like’ atmosphere and its environmental-focus on sustainability will tick boxes for many.
- Kawana – An exciting, developing suburb to watch with upcoming residential and commercial developments, including a hospital and university campus. It’s also home to one of Sunshine Coast’s longest stretched beaches – Kawana Beach, at 9km long.
- Pelican Waters – Seek exclusive waterfront living? This master-planned community features canals and waterways, golf courses, and a marina!
- Nambour – This flourishing central suburb sits on the edge of the mountains that form the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, without losing convenience to the Sunshine Coast. You’ll find vintage trails, a thriving café culture, an eclectic craft beer scene, and plenty of charm in this neighbourhood, as well as a hospital and Tafe Campus.
2. The Top Activities to do in Sunshine Coast
When living in the Sunshine Coast you are spoilt for choice on all the top-tier range of activities you can do and attractions to see. We break it down for you below on some of the top 5 activities people love to do once they settle in after moving to the Sunshine Coast below:
- Beaches: The Sunshine Coast is home to some of the most crystal-clear beaches in Australia, including Noosa Main Beach, Mooloolaba Beach, and Coolum Beach. Enjoy swimming, surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding!
- Hiking: Don’t be surprised to hear you have great hiking trails nearby to suit all levels of experience and fitness, from the easy 1.1km Palm Grove Walk at Noosa National Park to the challenging multi-day 58.8km Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. These trails, and more in the region, offer stunning views of the coastline, rainforest, hidden waterfalls, and mountains.
- Water sports: No surprise here – the Sunshine Coast is a haven for water sports enthusiasts, with a variety of watersport activities on offer such as surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, and fishing. It’s also easy for beginners to get involved, with many local business operators open for business, providing equipment and a range of lessons.
- Wildlife encounters: The Sunshine Coast is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, dolphins, and whales. Enjoy close encounters with these animals by visiting Australia Zoo (home of the Crocodile Hunter – Steve Irwin), Wildlife HQ Zoo; visiting SEA Life Aquarium, going on a dolphin-watching tour, or simply taking a wildlife walk.
- Food and drink: The Sunshine Coast deliver an exceptional food and drink scene, with a variety of local produce and restaurants to explore and indulge in. There are many farmers’ markets (i.e. Eumundi Markets is one of the largest markets in Australia), food festivals, and wineries to visit, as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants offering fresh, local cuisine.
- Creative Galleries: If you’re a ‘culture vulture’ and appreciator of fine art galleries and more – then you will enjoy the creative hub here, thanks to its rotating exhibitions, public programs. Check out the Art Gallery Trail here.
- Museums & History: It’s not just all beaches and surfing in Sunshine Coast. Get your knowledge on at one of the many museums in the region. There’s the Queensland Air Museum (a must-visit for aviation enthusiasts), the Ginger Factory (showcases the history of ginger farming and production in Australia), Nambour Museum (the history of the Sunshine Coast region) and Buderim Pioneer Cottage and Museum (offers a glimpse into the life of early settlers in the region and local history).
3. Living in Queensland – Explore the Country!
Living in Queensland is a road-trippers dream, with some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, magnificent natural landscapes, and iconic Australian attractions on offer to delight all who seek adventure. From rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef in the Far North; to fossil-hunting in the Queensland outback, and exploring all the exciting townships and patches of wilderness in Southeast Queensland – you will love living in Queensland because quite simply, you’ll never get bored!
With so much to see and do in the great state of Queensland, why not start simple and explore the region around the Sunshine Coast first. Below are our top road trip picks that you can do in a day or comfortably over a weekend. Get the car started:
- The Big Pineapple: A national tourism and food icon, this must-visit attraction is only a 13-minute drive from the Sunshine Coast. Located in Woombye; visitors can take a train ride through the plantation.
- Noosa National Park: A must-visit destination on the Sunshine Coast (35 minutes’ drive north), this national park features spectacular coastal views, hiking trails and a combination of forests, woodland, and wetlands.
- Fraser Island: A near 5-hour drive from the Sunshine Coast – is the largest sand island in the world, and a short ferry ride away from Hervey Bay. Enjoy beautiful beaches, crystal-clear lakes, and memorising forests.
- Brisbane: The vibrant city of Brisbane is just over an hour’s drive from the Sunshine Coast. Explore its parks, museums, art galleries, and restaurants.
- Lamington National Park: Located in the Gold Coast hinterland some 2 hours from Sunshine Coast is this special place – offering lush rainforests, ancient trees, hiking trails, and an abundance of wildlife.
- Noosa Hinterland: Escape to the country to explore charming towns and delicious local produce. Highlights include Eumundi township, and the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
- Montville and Maleny: These welcoming towns are in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, and both offer country scenery, art galleries, a variety of artisanal shops, and local food. Enjoy rolling hills and picturesque valleys.
- The Glass House Mountains: Discover more spectacular scenery only 35 minutes from the Sunshine Coast, with a playground of hiking trails to suit all fitness levels.
Conclusion? Paradise is a Reality at The Sunshine Coast!
The Sunshine Coast is an amazing place to live, explore, and thrive in. With its natural beauty, year-round sunny weather, outdoors lifestyle, a supportive community support (with a focus on health and wellbeing) – not to mention its reasonable cost of living – this piece of Australian paradise isn’t out of reach just yet, it really can be yours!
Offering a high quality of life at prices that are not nearly as expensive as the Gold Coast, it’s not hard to see why so many people are moving to the Sunshine Coast to reap the beauty of the region without breaking the wallet. If you love the outdoors, sustainability, supporting local businesses and the beach, then you’re in for a treat!
We think you’re making an excellent decision moving to the Sunshine Coast. Congratulations – this year will be your best year yet! Enjoy!
Kent Sunshine Coast Removalists Based in Coolum Beach!
Make your dream of living in Sunshine Coast a reality today – choose a professional removalist that knows the area like no other. Kent Removals & Storage has a state-of-the-art storage warehouse and facility located conveniently in Sunshine Coast, located at 6 Venture Close, Coolum Beach 4573.
Talk to the Kent Sunshine Coast Removalists team today about removalist and storage solutions on 13 55 31.
Moving To Sunshine Coast? Hire a Professional Removalist
Whether you’re moving from Sunshine Coast, or to Sunshine Coast – you can trust Kent Removals & Storage to get you there! Our Kent Sunshine Coast Removalists have you covered.
Book your move to Sunshine Coast with Kent or call: 13 55 31 now.
Blog Author:
