Locked-down Victorians fleeing to sun-soaked Noosa as Queensland offers near-restrictions free life
Locked-down Victorian COVID-19 refugees are fleeing the state for a better life in sunny Queensland, where, they say, a lack of coronavirus — and crippling restrictions — offer an unparalleled lifestyle upgrade.
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COVID refugees are fleeing Melbourne for a better lifestyle in sunny Queensland.
Lifestyle changes brought about by the pandemic are driving a spate of sight-unseen transactions and breaking price records, with local agents selling homes to interstate or overseas buyers through virtual tours, often before they hit the market.
Cashed-up locals are also fuelling the boom, pouring their savings into the idyllic haven’s property market with the prospect of getting better returns than what the share market or a bank account can deliver.
This year, across the Noosa Shire, there have been more than 20 residential sales of more than $5 million, and at least 70 over $2 million.
Those who bought a quality property in the region 20 years ago are relishing value increases of more than 100 per cent. Beachfront properties are the most in demand, with some eye-watering sales in recent months as record prices tumble within days of them being set.
The thought of a second lockdown was enough to make Kate Lawton and Karel Chaloupka pack their bags and make a mad dash to Queensland before the borders closed in July.
The self-confessed ‘Melbourne refugees’ recall flying out the night before the hotel quarantine rules were enforced in Queensland.
Ms Lawton was heavily pregnant at the time and also had a four-year-old daughter.
“It was a crazy 24 hours of packing,” Ms Lawton said.
“We had to do a two week quarantine at my mother-in-law’s in Brisbane, so we looked for a place while we stayed with her.”
Just 11 weeks later, they had moved in to their dream home in Sunrise Beach. “We’d often thought about moving (to Queensland), but didn’t think it would be possible with our jobs, and things just kind of anchor you to an area,” Ms Lawton said.
But the impact of the pandemic on working arrangements and lifestyle has made it possible.
“Now (work has) no Melbourne office, my family are from the UK originally so they can’t come and visit anytime soon, so we decided to move closer to family in Queensland, and we thought; ‘You know what? It’s just time to do something completely different’.”
The couple considered buying in Brisbane, but with nothing holding them back, they decided to go for a complete lifestyle change and buy a four-bedroom house within walking distance to the beach.
“It’s the biggest house I’ve ever lived in!” Ms Lawton said.
“In Melbourne, we would have been able to buy a small shoebox for the same amount of money in the same location.
“My husband has his own business, so that’s really lucky, and is able to work from home and my business have been really flexible.
“And when you consider the beautiful restaurants, the cafe culture, the beaches, the weather … for me, coming from London, this is the Australian dream.”
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