Thread: Is Maroochydore a HOLE? (and other advice please!)

That area is pretty high up on the list of places to which I'd like to move. I have rellies and friends there and I think it's a fantastic spot.

W

Last time I was there, I was about 19 so a fair while ago and we were just passing through.

It seemed to me that it was on the uphill stretch out of the hole called Sydney but things may have changed and the climb may have gotten steeper and or the bottom may have plato'd along the same level as Sydney.

With apologies to anyone on the forum living there, but I would avoid the strip between Caloundra & Mooloolaba (ie Kawana Waters, Bokarina, Warana etc). Too flat & hot and no actual beach frontage. And if you're on the western side of the Nicklin Way you might as well live on the moon!

If I had my pick of places on the Sunshine Coast I would choose Buderim first (up the hill behind Mooloolaba), then go way inland west of Nambour towards Mapleton. Much cooler in Buderim and still close enough to the beach. Better access to Brisbane too via the highway or train at Nambour. Prices as you go up the coast north of Maroochydore get ridiculous and if you have an actual ocean view apply a multiplier (take your pick x4, x6 etc).

Happy hunting.

G'day Shonky

The area from Caloundra to Maroochydore is part of the Sunshine Coast Holiday strip, with a large number of permenent residents mainly retirees, it is a well commercialised area, BUT it is also a holiday area, so you get an influx of holiday-makers from teens to mature families, it is well serviced with shops and light industry, and is very close to both the hinterland mountains, and Maleny, it is also close to Noosa Northshore where beach driving is allowed, (NOT RECOMMEMDED FOR BLOODBOX) salt water does things to steel in Landies there are several members in the area and it is just up the road from AULRO central (45Klm's) there is a Landrover spares and service place on the main highway (Bruce H'way) at Forrest Glen, British Off Road, British Off Road - The Land Rover parts specialists - Home they do mainly later model vehicles but will supply Series stuff, I have been dealing with them for years now, with it coming up to X-mas the rental market will be tight, but you could always rent in Nambour and commute to Uni of Sunshine Coast (I think)it maybe worth while contacting a realestate agent up there and get a site map and a "Realtor" mag sent down to you, It lists homes for sale but it will give you an idea of what to expect, I would advise you to jump on a cheap jet (Maroochy Airport)and hire a cheapie car and have a look around.

cheers

I originally come from Brisbane , so I guess this may colour my observations
However I live at the NSW central Coast and visited /holidayed often, most recently in August.
1 To me the Sunshine Coast has outrun its infrastructure. The roads are incredibly congested, and this will not get better in a hurry.
2 The climate is such that in December -March you need an aircon at least in the bedroom and maybe the living areas to survive. How much will it cost to run in the future with block metering?
3 There is little discounting of fuel. The oil companies treat it like a series of small towns.
4 Shopping is available but widely dispersed. The staples are OK but Myers/David Jones?
5 The whole place to me has no cohesion, just a string of ex holiday resorts.
6 Prices bid up by Melbourne /Sydney stockbroker set particularly at Noosa/Sunshine/Perigian/Coolum. Read recently that 80% of Noosa main street now near bankrupt, but the show/pose is still there.

IMHO even though it is a little away from the coast , the best place to live is Buderim as it is much cooler, reasonable shops, but it like everywhere else is too expensive for what you get.
Pluses are you have a Land Rover specialist down the hill from Buderim
You are near Cooloola/Fraser
Some 4WD in the hinterland
I think I will stay at Avoca Beach.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by Numpty's Missus

If you are game for a move, why not do it? Rent a place for 12 months and you'll find out if you like the place enough

I expect housing prices will be on the higher side (likely 500,000 plus anywhere near the beach)....doubt there would be many "bloodbox" ready garages

There are lots of apartments and villa/townhouse type residences, lots of weekend tourists, the roads can get pretty busy....but if you like the sun, surf and sand, plus a cafe society and some nightlife then its probably going to suit you

Not sure what work you do, not sure what the work availability is like up there. Its always going ahead....every time we head up that way there are roadworks and the street scape is forever changing

500,000! BARGAIN! (you're forgetting I live in the Hills District of Sydney where you can't get a shoebox for that! )

I'm not keen to live too close to the beach. I would rather go inland a fair way (say 45mins - 1hr) and if possible get myself a decent sized block with a modest house and room for a shed.

I'm looking outer suburban really - don't want to be in Maroochydore itself.

Originally Posted by mcrover

It seemed to me that it was on the uphill stretch out of the hole called Sydney but things may have changed and the climb may have gotten steeper and or the bottom may have plato'd along the same level as Sydney.

So if you are in Victoria, which is South of Sydney... ?

Originally Posted by solmanic

With apologies to anyone on the forum living there, but I would avoid the strip between Caloundra & Mooloolaba (ie Kawana Waters, Bokarina, Warana etc). Too flat & hot and no actual beach frontage. And if you're on the western side of the Nicklin Way you might as well live on the moon!

If I had my pick of places on the Sunshine Coast I would choose Buderim first (up the hill behind Mooloolaba), then go way inland west of Nambour towards Mapleton. Much cooler in Buderim and still close enough to the beach. Better access to Brisbane too via the highway or train at Nambour. Prices as you go up the coast north of Maroochydore get ridiculous and if you have an actual ocean view apply a multiplier (take your pick x4, x6 etc).

Thanks Sol.

That's the kind of info I am after. I have looked at Buderim and it certainly appealed to me for the same reasons!

SWMBO would disagree, but I am really not fussed with ocean views. Being young and not overly wealthy priority one is finding somewhere nice to live. When we are old and rich we can buy up the beachfront.

G'day Shonky

If you are looking for a fair size lot I would be looking at Landsborough area, (near Austraila Zoo) Crikey! the Beewah-landsborough area is old timber cutting area, with some older homes, and 1/2--3/4 & larger lots these places are all within 30--45 mins of the coastal beaches. and within 5-7 mins of the Bruce Highway, I would suggest that you get a mmap of SE Qld and have a look at it or get a Brisbane UBD as it has both the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast


cheers

Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Shonky

The area from Caloundra to Maroochydore is part of the Sunshine Coast Holiday strip, with a large number of permenent residents mainly retirees, it is a well commercialised area, BUT it is also a holiday area, so you get an influx of holiday-makers from teens to mature families, it is well serviced with shops and light industry, and is very close to both the hinterland mountains, and Maleny, it is also close to Noosa Northshore where beach driving is allowed, (NOT RECOMMEMDED FOR BLOODBOX) salt water does things to steel in Landies there are several members in the area and it is just up the road from AULRO central (45Klm's) there is a Landrover spares and service place on the main highway (Bruce H'way) at Forrest Glen, British Off Road, British Off Road - The Land Rover parts specialists - Home they do mainly later model vehicles but will supply Series stuff, I have been dealing with them for years now, with it coming up to X-mas the rental market will be tight, but you could always rent in Nambour and commute to Uni of Sunshine Coast (I think)it maybe worth while contacting a realestate agent up there and get a site map and a "Realtor" mag sent down to you, It lists homes for sale but it will give you an idea of what to expect, I would advise you to jump on a cheap jet (Maroochy Airport)and hire a cheapie car and have a look around.

Thanks Kev.

Can't do the "Rental Recce" as I am under 25 and can't rent cars. But I am heading to the Goldy in January - might check it out then.

There is no way in hell either Ambrose or Gus are going on a beach! In fact, salt is part of the reason I want to go inland!

The move, if at all would be sometime mid to late next year.

Will get onto a realtor.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

I originally come from Brisbane , so I guess this may colour my observations
However I live at the NSW central Coast and visited /holidayed often, most recently in August.
1 To me the Sunshine Coast has outrun its infrastructure. The roads are incredibly congested, and this will not get better in a hurry.
2 The climate is such that in December -March you need an aircon at least in the bedroom and maybe the living areas to survive. How much will it cost to run in the future with block metering?
3 There is little discounting of fuel. The oil companies treat it like a series of small towns.
4 Shopping is available but widely dispersed. The staples are OK but Myers/David Jones?
5 The whole place to me has no cohesion, just a string of ex holiday resorts.
6 Prices bid up by Melbourne /Sydney stockbroker set particularly at Noosa/Sunshine/Perigian/Coolum. Read recently that 80% of Noosa main street now near bankrupt, but the show/pose is still there.

IMHO even though it is a little away from the coast , the best place to live is Buderim as it is much cooler, reasonable shops, but it like everywhere else is too expensive for what you get.
Pluses are you have a Land Rover specialist down the hill from Buderim
You are near Cooloola/Fraser
Some 4WD in the hinterland
I think I will stay at Avoca Beach.
Regards Philip A

1: That's a shame, because being from the infrastructure deprived NW of Sydney I was hoping that it would be better. Damn...

2: I would probably be okay sans A/C, but Mrs Shonky doesn't handle heat/cold too well, so fair point. Buderim sounds cooler, and cooler sounds better.

3: Not too anally retentive about fuel, but I don't have a mortgage or kids yet...

4: Neither of us go to Myer/DJs often anyway.

5: That sounds like something that would frustrate me. I hate ad-hoc... (I'm not being sarcastic - I can't stand it when things aren't well planned)

6: Too far North for me anyway, but I can't say I understood what you meant.

Buderim seems to come highly recommended! Thanks heaps for your reply mate.