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Coolum Beach is a town in the Sunshine Coast, which offers a bustling town centre and relaxed beachside lifestyle. The sweeping surf and sandy beach is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike.

The town has grown rapidly in the last few years, and so it is taking on a slightly more serious attitude as the town rushes to cater for the ever-increasing tourist numbers, but the relaxed local vibe is deeply entrenched and won't be shifted easily.

The place is all about recreation - surfing (with a famous Surf Lifesaving Club), swimming, bushwalking and lots of sport.

Brisbane is just over 100 km to the south, and transport options are plentiful.

Noosa has it all - the balmy Queensland climate, stunning coastline and sandy beaches, lots of dining options and all of the essential services.

Noosa is situated just 130 kilometres north of Brisbane in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. The area is a tourist hot-spot, and Hastings Street can often be at a standstill as the shops and icecream parlours are inundated by the crowds.

Noosa offers some glorious living options, whether it is a beachside villa (look out for the price tag!), a rainforest hideaway, a riverfront property or a sprawling home in the suburbs.

There is so much to do here - golf courses, surf beaches and rainforest walks. Or you can do nothing at all and just unwind on your own secluded beach.

The city has a relaxed and laidback feel. Tourism thrives here, and so the esplanade and boardwalk are often packed as the many visitors from around the world make the most of this cruisy tropical spot.

Busy Cairns is the largest city in Tropial North Queensland, and so offers a number of job opportunities. The sugar industry is the second biggest industry here, after tourism of course. There are a number of schools and tertiary education options, and all of the other essential services.

The style of housing is quite typical of Queensland, with large raised houses on quite large blocks and many with swimming pools.

The climate is good - very tropical and warm all year round, with a rainy season from January to March.

Despite the distance (about 1,700 km from Brisbane!), Cairns is not isolated from the rest of Australia due to the frequent transport links including multiple flights every day from the nearby airport.

South Brisbane is one of Brisbane's popular suburbs, located just across the river from the CBD. Famous for the South Bank Parklands, it is a busy area but also popular with the locals due to the balmy riverside location with a great selection of restaurants and cafes.

South Brisbane is also an education hub, as it is home to some excellent secondary and tertiary educational institutions. There are some large corporates based here, so employment options abound. It is also a cultural area with a number of museums and libraries.

Accessing the CBD is easy - with frequent buses, ferries and trains.

Kangaroo Point is just over the Story Bridge from Brisbane, nestled on the Brisbane River. With the highest density living in Australia, it is jam packed with apartments, flats and units.

The area is a great spot for young professionals and students to be based. Rental accommodation is quite affordable, and access to the city of Brisbane is easy, with the area frequently serviced by bus, ferry and road.

There is also a huge range of recreational activities in the area, with steep cliffs for rock-climbing and abseiling and many bicycle paths.

The lifestyle in this suburb is very cosmopolitan, with a number of laidback pubs and cafes. Perfect for making the most of the glorious Queensland weather.

Famous for its perfect year-round climate, Brisbane is a very popular residential destination. It is the capital of Queensland and Australia's third largest city (with a population of around 2 million).

It is a picturesque city, flanking the Brisbane river offer modern high rises as well as a number of old residential buildings. There are some lovely parklands and lots of outdoor spaces. Apartment style living is popular in and around the city, and the sprawling suburbs most commonly offer detached houses.

Brisbane offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle, a thriving economy and lots of sun. Working can be a challenge - tearing yourself away from the glorious weather outside can be hard. There are a number of universities and tertiary education opportunities here, so it is a great place to study.

Just 70 kilometres north of Cairns, Port Douglas is a laid back tropical town with some serious elements of style. The permanent population is quite low, at around 1500 people, but can quadruple in peak tourist times.

The climate is tropical and warm year round, with a wet season from around January to March every year.

Living options are plentiful, and centred around the sea. Beachfront villas (for high prices!) are available along the stretch of Four Mile Beach. There are modern homes near the marina, and of course sprawling Queensland villas amongst the rainforest.

The town has all of the essential facilities, and you are not too far from Cairns for bigger city needs.

Palm Cove is a stunning beach location just 20 km north of Cairns. The beachfront strip is full of top end hotels and apartments, and so it is a very popular destination with sun-seeking tourists. There are a number of very stylish apartments for permanent residency, as well as the typical Queensland homes in the surrounding streets.

This is the stunning spot if you're looking for relaxed coastal living. There are the benefits of the tropical Queensland climate, not to mention the many top quality restaurants in the area. All of the basics are there (such as a post office and grocery store), plus many recreational activiities (swimming pool, tennis courts etc). Cairns is only a short drive away.