Nah, don't worry Bayview, so far I don't consider either of you dodgy
What do you know about Cairns?
- Thread starter laurieload
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Thanks guys. Seriously, who needs a lonely planet restaurant guide when you have Somersoft
Gordonvale is very much detached from Cairns. It depends on what you want. You could buy a house and land out there and live a peaceful life. If you rent it put, it would only be to s family with a bunch of kids. But I would say a better demographic than Edmonton.
Commute into Cairns would be 1 hour +. Goldsbrough Valley is nice too, just as far as Gordonvale, but can flood at Petes Bridge very, very often.
Again, I don't think you should look anywhere south of White Rock and any north than Holloways Beach.
Commute into Cairns would be 1 hour +. Goldsbrough Valley is nice too, just as far as Gordonvale, but can flood at Petes Bridge very, very often.
Again, I don't think you should look anywhere south of White Rock and any north than Holloways Beach.
Thanks again 2jzzzz. This will be a temporary relocation, just long enough to reno something whilst other half works a real job for 5 months
and then come back south again. So looking for cash neutral/positive, readily rentable, decent land size if possible and with some future prospects for capital growth (we mostly hold long term). Have been looking at the suburbs mentioned here (thanks so much everyone) but Gordonvale also cropped up in search. Wondered if it was too much in the sticks to have decent rental demand? Suppose I will find out more when we physically go up there 
From the research I've done - if you want something with a bit of land and space you're better off looking in Kuranda - the locals seem to like it better. The drive from Kuranda to Cairns CBD would do my head in if I had to do it on a daily basis though.
Like what 2jzzzz has said - anything north of the CBD seems more favourable, there's less land to be developed too.
Can't really comment on properties within your price point though as when I was keeping an eye on the market it was with my PPOR glasses with a bit higher entry price.
In saying that though, there does seem to be quite a few properties with more than 1 dwelling on it with the high returns to match.
Like what 2jzzzz has said - anything north of the CBD seems more favourable, there's less land to be developed too.
Can't really comment on properties within your price point though as when I was keeping an eye on the market it was with my PPOR glasses with a bit higher entry price.
In saying that though, there does seem to be quite a few properties with more than 1 dwelling on it with the high returns to match.
Like with every suburb in Australia there are good parts and not so good parts. At the end of the day, it comes back to how much you want to spend...take your scenario at $250,000 with doing a reno.
Most likely the A to B grade suburbs (Edge Hill, Whitfield, Freshwater, Stratford, Parramatta Park, Cairns North, City View or Upper Mooroobool, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, Clifton Beach) will be well out of your reach for $250,000 - a bull-doze job 2 brm house sold in Whitfield for $260,000 last year)
You may find something in Bayview Heights or Earlville but probably in the lower sections of those 2 suburbs.
Most likely you'll have to buy either south (Mt Sheridan, Bentley Park, Edmonton) or closer to city (there are some good pockets in Manunda and Westcourt which are only 7 minutes to city)
Check on www.realestate.com.au for houses up to $250,000 and if you happen to find a house in one of those A to B grade suburbs above, be ready to pounce (because there'll be another 5 or more buyers wanting to grab it)
Consider this scenario...
I want to buy a car and I have $30,000 to spend - there are basically 3 options to choose from:
1) A-grade luxury quality branded car, but 10 years old (will need lots of work)
2) B-grade quality branded car, but 2-3 years old (may need a little work)
3) C-grade quality branded car, but brand new!
Which one do you choose?
Most likely the A to B grade suburbs (Edge Hill, Whitfield, Freshwater, Stratford, Parramatta Park, Cairns North, City View or Upper Mooroobool, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, Clifton Beach) will be well out of your reach for $250,000 - a bull-doze job 2 brm house sold in Whitfield for $260,000 last year)
You may find something in Bayview Heights or Earlville but probably in the lower sections of those 2 suburbs.
Most likely you'll have to buy either south (Mt Sheridan, Bentley Park, Edmonton) or closer to city (there are some good pockets in Manunda and Westcourt which are only 7 minutes to city)
Check on www.realestate.com.au for houses up to $250,000 and if you happen to find a house in one of those A to B grade suburbs above, be ready to pounce (because there'll be another 5 or more buyers wanting to grab it)
Consider this scenario...
I want to buy a car and I have $30,000 to spend - there are basically 3 options to choose from:
1) A-grade luxury quality branded car, but 10 years old (will need lots of work)
2) B-grade quality branded car, but 2-3 years old (may need a little work)
3) C-grade quality branded car, but brand new!
Which one do you choose?
Lots of good advice for you Laurieload. I pretty much agree with all of it.
If I was spending a family member's money based on my preferences, I'd be looking at Edge Hill, Whitfield, Freshwater.
You previously questioned Gordonvale. I'd give it a miss unless you're willing to compromise.
Maybe something in Whitfield might be a go for you. It might cost more than you're planning though.
If you do. It's your shout at OK Sushi up the road.
If I was spending a family member's money based on my preferences, I'd be looking at Edge Hill, Whitfield, Freshwater.
You previously questioned Gordonvale. I'd give it a miss unless you're willing to compromise.
Maybe something in Whitfield might be a go for you. It might cost more than you're planning though.
If you do. It's your shout at OK Sushi up the road.
We aren't looking to purchase a RIP in the near future so my market knowledge might be a little dated, but I am a local and enjoy watching the market. Been a bit busy with other stuff recently, but still try to read my email alerts.
I personally would not buy in White Rock. I believe Bentley Park & Mount Sheridan have some decent deals.
Forest Gardens does my head in with all the narrow streets and tiny blocks so it's also somewhere I'd not likely consider, although we did look through a couple of houses there on a really slow open house weekend one time and in at least one they had made good use of the small block.
I like the beaches (lived and own at Yorkeys) and they are very popular with some locals - I have friends who wouldn't live anywhere else in Cairns. I grew up close to the city so for me, the "inner bowl" (area within the mountains surrounding the city, ie Edge Hill around through Mooroobool, as far south as Earlville) is my preferred location. I am less fussy with what the suburb is called than some people are, as I believe there are good pockets (and bad) in nearly all. But I appreciate that there will be buyers who subscribe to the M/W rule, so that could affect resale.
For dinner, I recommend Tamarind at the Casino for a more fancy night out; Marinades (Spence St) for yummy Indian; or Khin Khao (Aplin St, in the old ambulance building) for awesome Thai. Corea Corea is a great and cheap Korean restaurant in the food court at the top of Orchid Plaza, too. All are favourites of ours! Haven't tried OK Sushi - still gutted that Bento An on Reservoir Rd closed up shop.
I personally would not buy in White Rock. I believe Bentley Park & Mount Sheridan have some decent deals.
Forest Gardens does my head in with all the narrow streets and tiny blocks so it's also somewhere I'd not likely consider, although we did look through a couple of houses there on a really slow open house weekend one time and in at least one they had made good use of the small block.
I like the beaches (lived and own at Yorkeys) and they are very popular with some locals - I have friends who wouldn't live anywhere else in Cairns. I grew up close to the city so for me, the "inner bowl" (area within the mountains surrounding the city, ie Edge Hill around through Mooroobool, as far south as Earlville) is my preferred location. I am less fussy with what the suburb is called than some people are, as I believe there are good pockets (and bad) in nearly all. But I appreciate that there will be buyers who subscribe to the M/W rule, so that could affect resale.
For dinner, I recommend Tamarind at the Casino for a more fancy night out; Marinades (Spence St) for yummy Indian; or Khin Khao (Aplin St, in the old ambulance building) for awesome Thai. Corea Corea is a great and cheap Korean restaurant in the food court at the top of Orchid Plaza, too. All are favourites of ours! Haven't tried OK Sushi - still gutted that Bento An on Reservoir Rd closed up shop.
Thank you everyone for giving so much useful info. I really appreciate it!
Redlynch Valley is a nightmare for TV reception but very pretty. Redlynch Rise on the other hand doesn't have those issues. The best spot is up the hill from the Redlynch village away from risk of flooding but only 5 min from town and 10 min from the beach. The houses in Redlynch are newer and mostly more solidly built than those in Freshwater and Whitfield. North of Cairns is much nicer and has much less crime than anything in the south. I have a rental property on Daphne Drive which I have rented to a police man who chose the spot based on safe neighbourhood stats. Suburbs near the beach come with horrid sand flies which make life a misery (even as far back as Captain Cook Highway). Stay well away from the M suburbs and that's a fact! Yes the Insurance is expensive in Cairns but check out the low water rates.
I've recently been looking into Cairns. The Body Corp + insurance fees are horrendus... There is one complex out in Woree where the tiny cheap studio apartments are $4.5k body corp and $2.2k rates each! Takes a big chunk of your $180pw rent!
In fact, it made me realise how people can be at the mercy of body corps... if you're one unit in a huge complex what power do you have to argue any increases?
In fact, it made me realise how people can be at the mercy of body corps... if you're one unit in a huge complex what power do you have to argue any increases?
Yes, and Nathan bought a unit there for $20,000 last year I think.
Hi Laurieload
Plenty of great local advice has already been given by others here!
I grew up in Cairns and currently work from both Townsville and Cairns. If you need someone on the ground there, or would like to have a chat, please do get in touch.
You might also like to check out my Pinterest board on investing in Cairns, which you can find here: http://pinterest.com/nqbuyersagent/
Cheers
Jen
Plenty of great local advice has already been given by others here!
I grew up in Cairns and currently work from both Townsville and Cairns. If you need someone on the ground there, or would like to have a chat, please do get in touch.
You might also like to check out my Pinterest board on investing in Cairns, which you can find here: http://pinterest.com/nqbuyersagent/
Cheers
Jen
Thanks one and all, wow so much useful information. And loved the pininterest board Jen, lots of good stuff on there. Cheers everyone
There is a bit more than speculation that a mega development will take place in Yorkeys Knob. This is about 15km north of the city. The development is valued at 4bn plus. How this may affect real estate values is purely speculative but the first real excitement the town has had in ages. With other sectors declining it may be time for Cairns. It still has government approvals etc.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...approval-process/story-fnihsrf2-1226689811688
As for where to buy Cairns has many suburbs that have good parts and bad parts but crime is quite reasonably spread out. There is less crime than the politicians make out but the government does have an interactive map now so you can see exactly what type of crime and where. So I may say never buy in a M suburb but know people that are very happy and have really nice homes in those very suburbs. Some streets are no go due to social housing issues.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...approval-process/story-fnihsrf2-1226689811688
As for where to buy Cairns has many suburbs that have good parts and bad parts but crime is quite reasonably spread out. There is less crime than the politicians make out but the government does have an interactive map now so you can see exactly what type of crime and where. So I may say never buy in a M suburb but know people that are very happy and have really nice homes in those very suburbs. Some streets are no go due to social housing issues.
i know few things about cairns
gilligan island..(I like to party there)
- Sky bar..(for good local beer)
- salt house (good view and good place for dinner)
- woolshed (for cheap 'o wet t-shirt comp at mid night hahahah)
- if you take your boat north of port Douglas. almost no speed limit (could be wrong)
apart then that it is a really nice drive from cairns to Port Douglas.. I am actually going there for a week shortly,
Investing in prop, not so much....
having said that it may change, as AUD$ is declining..
I know few ppl who bought IPs there 10 years ago and it had no CG whatsoever..
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