Gold Coast - best place to retire in Australia?

As you know, the climate is attracting huge numbers of retirees, and monied investors. This is placing great loads on the infrastructure, which it is not going to keep up. Water and Road networks will be the most strained. The relative lack of Industry, should limit the influx of cosmopolitan immigrants, and consequent downgraded suburbs.

Godwin Beach - This suburb is much quieter than the Gold Coast and better value. There is a good mix of families and retirees here. The area is relaxing, close to the water & Bribie Island. You can fish, crab, stroll along the esplanade, have bbq's with your neighbours and enjoy your retirement.

Amenities like the Caboolture Hospital, Medical Centres and shops are all within a short drive. Godwin Beach has a reasonably good bus service here as well, which is convenient if you don't feel like driving.

There are good prospects for capital appreciation in the long term as an added bonus. Do some research and you will find great value on the esplanade and even better value again a street back from the water in May Street.

This article on news.com.au suggests that 'results from a Galaxy poll suggest that 60 per cent of Queenslanders want the Government to take steps to limit the state's southeast population growth explosion'. http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland-residents-want-to-cap-population-growth/story-e6frfkvr-1225807542000
Is limiting the population the answer or should the governments be investing in more infastructure?

Surely it cant be getting too crowded up there. Population growth should be the impetus for infrastructure projects which generally mean better standard of living for existing residents. Home prices will go up (good for existing residents), new schools and hospitals, new sporting teams (new AFL/NRL franchises), new shopping centres and ultimately more jobs/more income.

Having written several books on the topic....number one rule: do your research carefully, visit in all seasons (tourist and non, good weather, bad weather).

I came up from Sydney and to be honest I don't know if I could ever move back there after living here. The best part is property prices have slumped significantly in recent times and its a buyers market with great deals to be had.

Depends on what you want? Country, Beach, City or Waterfront?

I love it ! You should too =) good luck

Any place has to be better than Melbourne ................................. ok ok it was a joke (I couldn't resist).

Hope Island has to the best place to retire. Golf courses, great restaurants, tennis, great walks and lovely people. If beaches are your thing then you only need to drive about 25 minutes to visit Surfets Paradise but then you can leave it to the youngsters at night and retire in the peace of Hope Island.
Halcyon chose to build their award winning over 50s estate in Hope Island which has to say something good about the area for us "oldies"
Janet Davis