Sydney loses thousands to the Gold Coast from Sydney and Melbourne
Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders have had enough of the cost and stress of the New South Wales capital and have established a new life on the Gold Coast.
Census data reveals one in 10 residents in dozens of beachfront suburbs on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have left Sydney or Melbourne in the past five years.
In total, almost 50,000 people moved to the Gold Coast from New South Wales and Victoria between 2016 and 2021.
Of these, 30,000 are from New South Wales, including 15,000 from the port city. Around 12,000 people came from Melbourne.
Tradie Mark Dee, 39, headed north from Sydney’s northern beaches with his daughter Paige in 2018 and would not return.
Sydneysiders are fed up with the overpriced and boring port capital and are heading north in droves to the Gold Coast. Pictured: Surfers Paradise
Former Sydney trader Mark Dee moved north in 2018 and the lifestyle is better and more affordable. Mr Dee pictured with his daughter Paige
He now lives in Tugun, where 10.4% of residents lived in NSW or Victoria before 2016.
A whopping 18.6 per cent of residents in Coolangatta, on the New South Wales border, came from the southern states.
Mr Dee says life has never been better, with lifestyle and affordability being the main differences.
“The weather is beautiful, there’s so much to do, it’s just endless fun for the kids,” the devoted single dad told Daily Mail Australia.
A self-employed landscaper and cleaner in Sydney, he landed a job he loves with the Gold Coast Council and settled into Queensland life.
More importantly, his four-year-old daughter adores him too.
Over the past four days, they have gone fishing, swimming, taking a houseboat trip, and going to a wildlife park. They also did the theme parks, even though Paige isn’t big enough to ride a roller coaster yet.
A part-time DJ, Mr Dee recently threw a seaside party with Paige on his back.
“Paigey loves it here, she’s always smiling. It’s so child friendly everywhere and the schools are good too.
“People are also friendlier and it’s just less stressful.” Everyone seems to have more time to enjoy life.
Mr. Dee said he would never go back.
“Sydney is beautiful but unfortunately it has been ruined by demands for money,” he said.
“It’s only for the richest and most famous now. If you’re not a banker or lawyer, it’s not feasible in Sydney. I could never buy a house there.
The devoted father says his daughter Paige is always smiling on the Gold Coast, where the couple regularly enjoy adventures, including DJ sets and theme parks.
Queensland’s population increased by 34,545 people due to interstate migration, while New South Wales lost 31,560 to other states. Victoria lost 9,955 to other states.
The Gold Coast has grown by 12.4 per cent over the past five years, while Brisbane’s population has increased by 11.2 per cent.
Around 15,000 people moved from New South Wales to the Sunshine Coast and 10,000 came from Victoria.
