Living the Golf Lifestyle: Owners’ experiences
Meadowview Estate, Our Nice Community in Carrara
When Glenn and Pauline moved to Queensland's Gold Coast to start a new business and a new chapter of their life, they had no plans to live in a gated community on a Golf Course. But now, they live on the edge of Palm Meadows Golf Course and wouldn't swap it for the world.
Glenn and Pauline are a professional couple, having their employment split between corporate life and a vibrant business on the busy Gold Coast. They left Sydney 12 years ago after a close friend had life changing circumstances due to health reasons.
"Seeing our friend suddenly laid up in hospital really drove home the fact we were living part of the rat race in a big city, working hard to pay the mortgage, while renovating at the sale time and not spending enough time enjoying our life. Our friend's circumstance were a wake up call, that life can change dramatically almost overnight, so you need to enjoy everyday as much as possible" said Glenn.
"With adult children living in separate locations, it was easier for us to move as we just had to move ourselves. There was no big upheaval or consideration of schools, facilities and friends of the children, etc" adds Pauline. "And as we were planning to start a new business, we didn't have to think about jobs."
"So we moved up here and started a business on the glorious Gold Coast", says Glenn. It was hard work starting from scratch, with zero revenue on the first day, but we threw ourselves at it and made it work."
"We had no plans to live close to a golf property, although I do play a little bit of golf on occasion", adds Glenn. We fell into it completely by accident.
We renovated our first home up here on the Gold Coast, sold it and then bought another, which happened to be close to a golf course. That home needed major renovation and when we finished, we were offered a price that we couldn't turn down", recounts Glenn.
"But in the four years we lived in that house, we became accustomed to living in a house close to a golf course, so when we had to buy again, it was a natural consideration", said Pauline.
"As Glenn is pretty handy, we bought another golf course home. But this time it's in a gated community and a 1 minute walk to the entrance to the Palm Meadows Golf Club. We never thought we'd live in a place like this, but now we would never go back", exclaims Pauline. "Five years on, we have rarely played on the course, but we are social members of the Club and occasionally go to the restaurant", Pauline said.
"It is truly amazing living in a specific community like this and very different to living in a normal suburb, or in a city", Pauline adds. "Everyone knows each other, almost all of us are friends and there is a real sense of community, rather than just living in the same street, or across the road from someone. We have lots of dinners or drinks at neighbours' homes that happen every two to three weeks, as well as on adhoc or spur of the moment occasions. It's really nice", she said.
"As we are not avid golfers and still work full time, our life doesn't revolve around the Golf Club", Glenn mentions. However, we found a real sense of community and shared values in our street and neighbouring houses, from which we have created great friendships", he adds.
"The boom gate at the front of the development signifies common values, rather than exclusivity", he says. "Living here is not about being exclusive, or wealthy as this is not an expensive development. But rather, it's about living in a neighbourhood of people with very similar views and values."
"Plus, as the whole development is governed by a Strata Committee so repairs, maintenance and improvements happen consistently, rather than being held up with lengthy delays through Council. We recently replaced the street lights in our cul-de-sac with Smart LED lights that both save energy and are brighter when they are on, as well as having motion detectors enabling them to dim, when no one is around" said Glenn.
"It has just been a fantastic move for us", adds Pauline. "Even though we're busy with our own business and Glenn's corporate job, we can enjoy our life at a different pace while being surrounded by nice people and great friends" she adds.
