Downsizing to a Peaceful Riverfront Apartment in Surfers Paradise

Client Snapshot

The couple, based in Brisbane, was preparing for semi-retirement and were considering relocating to the Gold Coast to enjoy a slower pace of life by the water. He is an engineer who works primarily from home, with only occasional trips back to the Brisbane office. She is a hairdresser transitioning into retirement. They wanted a low-maintenance apartment with water views, walkability, and a peaceful day-to-day environment.

The Challenge

Although they knew Surfers Paradise appealed to them for its lifestyle and amenities, they were conscious of avoiding the noise and intensity of living right in the centre.

They needed help identifying pockets of Surfers Paradise that offered calm, privacy, and water views while still allowing them to walk into cafés, shops, and restaurants whenever they chose.

It was also important to find a balance between work-from-home needs, retirement plans, and building quality, especially when it came to noise, light, and ongoing strata costs.

How I Helped

• We began with a strategy session to clarify how they wanted to live day-to-day in semi-retirement, including working from home, entertaining, and long-term comfort.

• I guided them through the different pockets of Surfers Paradise, identifying quieter riverfront locations that offer privacy and calm while remaining within easy walking distance of cafés, shops, and restaurants.

• I inspected suitable apartments on their behalf and provided detailed walkthrough videos with honest commentary on layout, outlook, natural light, privacy, and ambient noise at different times of day.

• I provided clear market guidance, advised on building quality and strata considerations, and negotiated the purchase on their behalf to secure the apartment on favourable terms.

• I also coordinated closely with their conveyancer to ensure a smooth and well-managed process from contract through to settlement.

The Outcome

They secured a two-bedroom, two-bathroom riverfront apartment offering peace, privacy, and beautiful water views. The location gives them the best of both worlds — a calm, quiet setting at home, with the centre of Surfers Paradise only a ten-minute walk away.

The apartment includes a private pontoon, which has allowed them to fully embrace the Gold Coast lifestyle. They have since purchased a jet ski and now enjoy easy access to the river whenever they choose.

The move has given them exactly what they were looking for — a low-maintenance, waterside home that supports semi-retirement, flexible work-from-home living, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle.

If you’re buying from interstate or overseas, here’s how I support clients end to end as a Gold Coast buyers agent.

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