Gday Andrew,
I grew up and lived on the Sunny Coast (a farm at Bli Bli) and have been in Brisbane for the last couple of years. Still spend a fair bit of time on the farm and the coast.
Some of the things people have said here, are bang on, and some are just are a load of bollocks.
It's a great place, but...the coastal areas are getting over populated and the infrastructure is way behind where it should be.
Public transport is practically non existent, compared to any other city or any similar area with a population it's size.
If you don't like traffic, or crowds, forget about Buderim!:eek: It ceased to be a cute "village" long ago.
Getting along King St (tor antwhere near the main drag) morning or after 3pm is a tedious exercise in frustration or patience.
It is a nice place, but been over developed, and has a lot of tossers & "oh darling - look at my poodle, and you simply muuuust try this divine decaff, lemon twist, free trade, soy milk latte" type tossers, on a scale to rival Noosa!
(that may be a plus for some people)
Anywhere west of the Bruce Highway, (only about 10-15k inland) is generally cheaper and there are reasonable places, though it is moving upwards. The range or hinterland ie, maleny, montville, mapelton, flaxton are getting ridiculous for prices though.
The climate is sub-tropical and you definitely don't need aircon to survive. The humidity and temps are nothing like Nth Qld.
There is fuel discounting and the prices are probably 2c max higher than Brisbane, if at all.
I'd take a week or two up here and don't just do the tourist thing, but have a look around at all the areas you're considering. If I get the Series 3 on the road you can take that while your here.
I've got a few mates in the Ambos on the Coast and Brissy, so if you want a chat with em or any info, let me know.
We could just do a "farm swap" Bli Bli for Glen Davis! :D
