Lakeside a "value-for-money" alternative to beachside

(By Emma Devlin - Bond University Journalism Student)

Varsity Lakes is a popular suburb for home-buyers who want to live by the water but cannot afford to buy beachside.

Queensland Coast Realty sales executive Nathan Irvine said the median price of beachside listings was about double that of lakeside. 

He said price difference was the main factor involved in choosing to buy beachside or lakeside.  “It comes down to how much you want for your dollar,” he said.

“If you work it out on a per-square-metre rate, Varsity Lakes would be better value for money than beachside.”

Ray White real estate team leader Josh Volz said Varsity Lakes had its own lakeside lifestyle.

“It’s attractive to buyers because it's close to schools, shops, restaurants and 20 kilometres of boardwalk,” he said.

Mr Volz said affordability kept the Varsity Lakes market secure.

“Everyone wants to live by the water and the difference between lakefront and beachfront living is the price,” he said.

“Why pay those exuberant [beachside] prices when you’re only eight minutes away from the beach at Varsity Lakes anyway.”

Nobby Beach resident Robert Byrne said he had been renting a unit at Nobby Beach for four years.

He said he wanted to buy a house but had not decided where to buy.

“I’ve always loved living by the ocean but I could get a lot more for my money if I bought somewhere away from the beach,” he said.

Mr Byrne said he had inspected houses at Varsity Lakes.

“Varsity Lakes has a nice community feel and it is a good alternative to beachside,” he said.

Mr Volz said Varsity Lakes would be a popular choice for home-buyers as it continued its development to 2012.

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