Sydney losing thousands of people to the Gold Coast from Sydney and Melbourne

Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders have had enough of the cost and stress of the NSW capital and have set up new lives on the Gold Coast. 

Census data reveals one in 10 residents in dozens of beachfront Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast suburbs moved there from Sydney or Melbourne in the past five years.

Overall nearly 50,000 people shifted to the Gold Coast from NSW and Victoria between 2016 and 2021.

Of those, 30,000 are from NSW, including 15,000 from the harbour city. Around 12,000 came from Melbourne.

Tradie Mark Dee, 39, headed north from Sydney’s northern beaches with his daughter Paige in 2018 and wouldn’t go back.

Ex-Sydney tradie Mark Dee moved north in 2018 and the lifestyle is better and it’s more affordable. Mr Dee pictured with daughter Paige

He now lives in Tugun, where 10.4 per cent of residents lived in NSW or Victoria before 2016.

A huge 18.6 per cent of people from Coolangatta, on the NSW border, came from the southern states.

Mr Dee says life has never been better, with lifestyle and affordability the main differences.

‘The weather is amazing, there’s so much to do, it’s just endless fun for kids,’ the devoted single dad told Daily Mail Australia.

A landscaper and self-employed cleaner in Sydney, he scored a job he loves with Gold Coast Council and has settled in to Queensland life.

Most importantly his four-year-old daughter loves it too. 

In the past four days they went fishing, swimming, took a house boat trip and went to an animal park. They’ve also done the theme parks though Paige isn’t tall enough yet to ride rollercoasters.

A part-time DJ, Mr Dee recently did a beachfront evening set with Paige on his shoulders. 

‘Paigey loves it here, she’s always smiling. It’s so kid-friendly everywhere and the schools are good too.’

‘The people are friendlier too and it’s just less stressful. Everyone seems to have more time to enjoy their lives.’

Mr Dee says he’d never go back.

‘Sydney is beautiful but its been ruined by the demands of money I unfortunately,’ he said.

‘It’s just for the richest and famous now. If you’re not a banker or lawyer its unachievable in Sydney. I could never buy a house there. 

The devoted dad says his daughter Paige is always smiling on the Gold Coast, where the pair take regular adventures, such as his DJ sets and the fun parks

Queensland’s population grew by 34,545 people due to interstate migration while NSW lost 31,560 to other states. Victoria lost 9,955 to other states. 

The Gold Coast grew by 12.4 per cent in the last five years while Brisbane’s population rose by 11.2 per cent. 

Around 15,000 people moved to the Sunshine Coast from NSW and 10,000 came from Victoria.