Interstate residents lured to Sunshine State

Lifestyle developer Halcyon has experienced a surge in southern buyers at its Southeast Queensland communities, with 30 percent of sales over the last year made by interstate residents.Retirees make up a significant portion of the increasing migration rates from southern states into Southeast Queensland as they look to maximise their lifestyle and follow families who have already moved to the region.Halcyon joint managing director Dr Bevan Geissmann said the company had seen a noticeable up-swing of New South Wales and Victorian retirees moving to Queensland.“Queensland has more than three times the interstate migration figures than that of five years ago, and our state is being buoyed by this growth,” he said.Dr Geissmann said Southeast Queensland is the Florida of Australia, and whilst retirees are choosing the sunshine state for both financial and family reasons, lifestyle and climate are the factors that continue to win buyers over.“Retirees are able to sell their family home down south, and buy in Queensland for up to half the price, pocketing the remainder for their lifestyle needs.“A lot of buyers are following the ‘Florida Effect’, and are moving simply to enjoy the extraordinary climate away from the hustle and bustle of dense living, but with everything they need at their doorstep.“We also have a handful of buyers who are following their children and grandchildren who may be making a career move.”Long-time Sydney-siders Peter and Trish Addington are an example of the northern migration.As the southern property market cools, Queensland’s warmer climate and better value for money have lured the couple from Panania in New South Wales to Halcyon Greens in Pimpama.“What we’re selling for down here and buying for up there gives us a nice little buffer in the bank account,” Mr Addington said.“It puts our minds to rest that we will be able to do the holidays that we want to do down the track.“Certainly, the weather will benefit us, I hate the winter down there,” he said.Mrs Addington said they discovered Halcyon Greens on a holiday to the gold Coast, and realised it was possible to downsize in style from their suburban family home of 40 years.“We could have downsized here in Sydney, but we really didn’t warm to any of the options within our budget,” she said.“Queensland was definitely the way to go,” she said.Halcyon Greens is located next to the Gainsborough Greens Golf Course and also near their Upper Coomera-based daughter, which sealed the deal for Mr and Mrs Addington.“We play golf two or three times a week, and our new house is set right on the golf course which is really ideal,” Mrs Addington said.Located in Gainsborough Greens in Pimpama, on a spectacular 34-hectare island parcel surrounded by conservation wetland and the golf course, Halcyon Greens will comprise more than 500 homes.The lavish $15 million Lifestyle and Recreation Precinct at the heart of the community features two pools, gold class-style cinema, dance studio, massage room, games room, craft room and a herb and vegetable garden.