The Top 10 Cheapest Suburbs in the Gold Coast

It may be famed for its stretches of sun-kissed beaches, but there is so much more to the Gold Coast. The second largest city in Queensland, Australia, the coastal mecca continues to excite and enthral residents and visitors with its booming culinary scene, famous theme parks, laidback suburbs, sunny subtropical climate, rainforest hinterland with trails and waterfalls, vibey nightlife – and the list goes on.

The city also forms part of Australia’s entertainment industry, and is home to television and film productions. In 2018, the city also hosted the 21^st Commonwealth Games.

The declaration of Southport as a Priority Development Area (PDA), and new investment into the Gold Coast’s central business district is further driving growth, while at the same time creating new business and investment opportunities. This, of course, means the emergence of a CBD that is revitalised, dynamic and vibrant, furthering enhancing the Gold Coast’s appeal as a competitive business, investment and lifestyle destination. It’s position within South East Queensland’s growth corridor also means the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing large cities.

It is clear why the Gold Coast is a firm favourite with tourists, and why it appeals to prospective home buyers and investors. However, with industry experts predicting continued house price growth, the best time to get into the property market is now.

Although house prices have been rising, there are affordable property opportunities available. If you are interested in buying property in the Gold Coast, see the top 10 most affordable suburbs, as ranked by CoreLogic and Aussie Home Loans:

1. Springbrook

Are you looking for a home off the beaten track? Even though it’s just about 40 minutes from the beaches and Gold Coast’s central business district, this is exactly the feeling that Springbrook evokes, enveloped by the Springbrook National Park with its gorgeous views, forest walking trails, waterfalls and more.

A forest wilderness formed by the eruption of a volcano 23 million years ago, the Springbrook plateau has been described as ‘the Switzerland of Queensland’, and the unique and wonderful area is a nature lover’s paradise. It is home to a plethora of wildlife with over 100 types of birds, frogs and reptiles, as well as plants and trees, the most famous being ancient Antarctic beech trees, some of which are over 2,000 years old. A lack of excessive commercialisation also ensures the “hidden away” ambience of Springbrook.

The Best of All Lookout can be found atop Springbrook Mountain, the highest point in the area at 1,020 metres. From here you can soak up spectacular vistas.

Springbrook has a school and offers a friendly, tight-knit community of environmentally-conscious residents. The suburb has beautiful mountain homes that co-exist with nature, with a median house price of $443,261 and lower quartile price of $390,967.

2. Pimpama

Located on the Pacific Motorway 30 kilometres north of Surfers Paradise, Pimpama is considered to be the last remaining rural town on the Pacific Motorway, and is almost halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

However, the suburb has undergone rapid development over the years, with new residential estates, shopping centres and more offering residents more amenities and facilities. The urban development has also seen a rapid growth in population.

Pimpama is home to a few tourist attractions, like the Strawberry Farm and the Le Mans complex, which contains Australia’s only Zorb course, as well as a go-kart track, and two golf courses.

Residents of Pimpama describe the suburb as having a great community spirit, with neighbours generally enjoying amicable relationships. They also see the area as the perfect mix of country and city living – quiet and peaceful, yet close to major cities via the nearby motorway.

Pimpana has a median house price of $455,198 and lower quartile price of $429,178.

3. Coomera

Are you a thrill seeker? As the home of the Gold Coast’s theme parks – Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, Wet’n’Wild, Warner Bros. Movie World and the Australian Outback Spectacular – Coomera offers gravity-defying rollercoasters, hair-raising water slides, exotic animals from across the globe and much more.

However, you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to have a good town in Coomera. Almost midway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, you also have easy access to beaches. There is also Coomera River if you enjoy kayaking or fishing, with mangrove jack, flathead, bream and trevally in abundance. Or why not rent a houseboat and explore the surrounding waterways? You can also take a stroll down Coomera’s Gold Coast Marina – the largest in the southern hemisphere.

Coomera has seen significant residential development in recent years, and residents describe the suburb as perfect for families, with plenty of parks, great schools, a caring community, safe feel and access to every amenity you could need.

Coomera offers buyers and investors a median house price of $476,903, with a lower quartile price of $443,334.

4. Nerang

Seen by many as the gateway to the Gold Coast, Nerang has beaches to the east and the hinterland to the west, with the beautiful Nerang River flowing through it, indeed creating the ambience that you have stepped into another world.

About 10 kilometres west of Surfers Paradise, Nerang may be an inland suburb, but water definitely plays a big part in living here – the river is a popular place for picnics, boating and fishing for bream, flathead, whiting and trevally. There is also Hinze Dam with all of its recreational facilities and state-of-the-art interpretative centre, lakeside parks, walking, bike and horse trails and barbecue areas. If you’re looking for ambience of a time gone by, you can visit the historic river mill built in 1910, which now has a café along the banks of the river.

As a regional and transportation hub, Nerang has a railway centre and small town centre where your banking, commercial and retail needs will be met. Residents also love the local cinema.

According to residents, Nerang offers idyllic country living close to beaches and the city, with almost everything you need on your doorstep. The suburb is also described as family-friendly, with good schools, friendly neighbours and a safe feel.

Nerang has a median house price of $480,229, with its lower quartile price of $434,775, meaning there are even more affordable options for prospective buyers and investors.

5. Ormeau Hills

Adjoining the Pacific Motorway about midway between Beenleigh and Sanctuary Cove, Ormeau Hills is a residential suburb about 34 kilometres from the Gold Coast’s central business district and 48 kilometres southeast of central Brisbane.

Ormeau Hills is a small suburb which has seen development over recent years, with more housing available, and commercial and retail developments to meet the need of the growing population.

Residents describe the suburb as safe with a great community feel, plenty of walking paths and parks and spectacular views from some neighbourhoods, and has a local feel. Home turnover is fairly, slow as most people seem to stay once they’ve arrived.

According to residents, there is a wide range of homes and block sizes available, and property is very competitively priced, considering what’s on offer. Ormeau Hills has a median house price of $492,316, and lower quartile price of $459,676.

6. Ormeau

Described by residents as ‘a hidden gem’, Ormeau is about 41 kilometres from Surfers Beach and 49 kilometres. Although Ormeau has seen development to cater for an increased demand for housing and residents’ growing needs, the suburb has still maintained its country feel.

Ormeau now offers everything you could need – multiple shopping centres, childcare centres, parks, doctors, dentists, restaurants, a skate park – the list goes on. The residents of Ormeau also support numerous drives and initiatives to foster and grow the community spirit, including hosting country fairs and Christmas carols, free open-air movie nights and much more.

Popular with residents and prospective home buyers, Ormeau has a median house price of $494,188 and lower quartile price of $469,338.

7. Upper Coomera

A very large suburb almost midway between Brisbane and Gold Coast’s central business district, Upper Coomera offers a wide range of property options – from semi acreage homesteads to townhouses, riverfront homes, contemporary masterpieces and more.

Although Upper Coomera has undergone much development in recent years, residents feel it has maintained its small town feel. The suburb is great for families, offering numerous childcare facilities, schools, a library, parks and more, as well as only being a few minutes from the Gold Coast’s renowned theme parks.

There are plenty of shopping centres, amenities and restaurants for residents to enjoy, while most areas within the suburb are well connected to public transport networks.

With its diverse property offerings, Upper Coomera has a median house price of $495,303, and a more affordable lower quartile price of $467,272.

8. Lower Beechmont

A world away from the hustle and bustle of city life, yet only a short commute from the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Lower Beechmont is surrounded by lush flora and boasts spectacular, endless views.

Close to beaches and amenities, residents love the happy, community-orientated lifestyle on offer in Lower Beechmont, with excellent schools and childcare centres close at hand. The suburb is perfect for those who value health and fitness, and want to live close to nature but don’t want to be too far from the city.

Lower Beechmont has a median house price of $504,880 and lower quartile price of $453,548.

9. Merrimac

In the Gold Coast hinterland west of the M1 Motorway in the central region of the city, Merrimac is surrounded by the suburbs of Mudgeeraba, Worongary, Robina, Carrara, Clear Island Waters.

The suburb offers convenient living with public transport within walking distance, Worongary Shopping Village, childcare facilities, a medical centre and more. Broadbeach is also just 10 kilometres away.

Merrimac is an affordable and family-orientated suburb with fantastic schools, plenty of parks, including Faerie Park, a magical-themed playground with features that will transport children, and more.

The suburb doesn’t just cater to families, however, also offering homes for young couples, retirees, investors, and downsizers, with a median house price of $506,942 and lower quartile price of $470,181.

10. Jacobs Well

Jacobs Well is a quaint fishing village situated approximately halfway between the cities of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. It was named for its natural freshwater waterhole, which has quenched the thirst of travellers since the mid-1800s.

The suburb is considered to be the gateway to southern Moreton Bay, and is just a short boat ride from Broadwater and the tourist mecca of Southport. With its access to waterways, it is no wonder that the suburb is popular with fisherman and boating enthusiasts.

Although it might seem secluded, Jacobs Well is close to amenities and attractions, including the Gold Coast’s theme parks.

The suburb has a median house price of $509,034, with a lower quartile price of $463,918.

Conclusion

With its diverse and exciting property market, the Gold Coast continues to attract buyers and investors. If you’re considering the Gold Coast for your next property purchase, be sure to partner with a reputable agent to guide you through your search.

Property is a long-term investment, and getting the right professional advice will ensure your success and happiness for years to come.

After you’ve completed a quick assessment of your needs, Perfect Agent can recommend a number of real estate agents that can help you find your dream home. Are you looking for a property in the Gold Coast? Perfect Agent can make it happen for you.