Local apartments and studios

Live close to university  

How does a world where you can roll out of bed, get ready and stroll over to your first forum sound? Our consensus: pretty good. Thankfully, this is reality for many Bondies living in off-campus housing options within the local Varsity Lakes and Robina areas.  

With an abundance of studios and local apartments within a short walk of Bond, there are varied accommodation options to choose from that cater to a range of needs.  

Here are a few local apartment buildings regularly rented out by Bondies: 

The Reserve, The Cape and The Retreat

The Reserve, The Cape and The Retreat are three complexes that offer fully furnished and unfurnished two and three-bedroom apartments. Facilities in this collection of buildings include swimming pools and a barbecue area. The Cape also has a gym. Semester-long and longer-term leases are available.

EXPLORE THE RESERVE

Chancellor Lakeside Apartments

Chancellor Lakeside Apartments offer studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and two-bedroom/two-bathroom dual-key options. Each apartment is self-contained and fully equipped with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Tenants have access to the rooftop pool and fitness rooms. Chancellor Lakeside Apartments offer four-plus-month leases. 

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Of course, there are many other options in the Robina and Varsity areas. If you’re unsure, ask another Bondy, or use tools like realestate.com.au to do additional research and find your perfect place! 

Please note if you're studying Exercise and Sports Science, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, or Nutrition and Dietetic Practice, you'll be primarily based at the Bond Institute of Health & Sport (BIHS) campus, located approximately 4 km from the main Bond campus. We encourage students in these programs to keep this in mind when choosing accommodation to ensure easy access to classes and facilities.

Or venture further out...

If you would prefer to live in another suburb, there is a whole host of student-friendly apartments, share houses, townhouses and more scattered all around the Gold Coast. While there are too many places to recommend individually, here is a snapshot of each of the Gold Coast’s suburb ‘clusters’ and what they’re all about.

Northern Gold Coast (Pimpama, Oxenford, Ormeau, Helensvale)

While a little further from campus, the northern side of the Gold Coast is a fantastic and affordable place to live. The streets are quiet, there are lots of green spaces, and more amenities like shops and recreational hubs are opening every day, including big shopping centres including Harbour Town and Westfield Helensvale. It’s also well-served by the train line with stops at Helensvale, Coomera and Ormeau, with more to come as the Gold Coast continues to grow and develop.  

Central Gold Coast (Southport, Carrara, Nerang, Ashmore)

Central Gold Coast suburbs enjoy prime position, with a quick commute to the beach and the hinterland, as well as a range of shops, facilities such as Home of the Arts, parks, markets and much more. Homes in this area are varied, with everything from high-rise apartments to townhouses, gated communities and more. Southport is a popular suburb of choice for students with a vibrant ‘mini town centre’ served by the G:link light rail and great restaurants nearby.

Northern beachside suburbs (Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach)

If beachside living is for you, then you will probably want to be within close walking or driving distance of the sand and surf! The Gold Coast’s northernmost coastline begins at around Main Beach and continues south into Surfers Paradise and then Broadbeach.  

Centred around the beautiful beaches, you’ll find lots happening in these areas, with Surfers Paradise serving as our answer to a city centre with bustling shops, businesses and restaurants. Broadbeach has the same feel and is a popular spot for everything from a nice dinner out to a day at the markets. Be sure to check out surrounding suburbs that might not be directly situated on the beach, too, including Chevron Island and Bundall. 

Central and southern beachside suburbs (Miami, Burleigh, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Coolangatta)

The northern and southern beachside suburbs have their own unique vibes – while Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Main Beach are bustling hubs of activity with a beautiful seaside backdrop, the further south you head, the more chilled out the Gold Coast gets. Don’t get us wrong, there’s still so much to do, see and eat, too – from family-friendly fun to top tier restaurants, shops, cultural hubs, and of course, beaches like no other!

While these suburbs are not as well served by public transport as the more central suburbs,  there is still a fantastic bus route to take advantage of. If you drive, these suburbs are even more accessible.  

What to know before living off campus

Renting in a new city – or possibly even a new country – can be a daunting task, but with a couple of handy hints up your sleeve, it doesn’t have to be! Get up to speed with these must-knows for renters before you sign that lease.

What should I consider before living off campus?

Deciding where to live is a big decision, so before you dive right in, think about:  

  • Location (proximity to campus, food outlets, shopping centres, public transport etc.)  
  • The cost of rent
  • Additional expenses (transportation, parking, property maintenance costs etc.)  
  • Parking availability if you have a vehicle  
  • Security  
  • Building or local amenities  

There are lots of options on the Gold Coast, so you’re bound to find the right fit that checks all your boxes.  

What is the rental process?

When you’re ready to move into off-campus accommodation, it is important to understand how everything works, from inspections all the way to signing on the dotted line.  

Begin the process of renting by firming up who you will be living with, selecting your suburb range and clearly defining a budget. Find some places that you like using online tools, and organise inspections with a real estate agent or attend scheduled inspections. If you like the residence, you can make an application, likely online, but some companies still use paper forms. You will need to provide your personal information and the information of any others on the lease, as well as pay slips and proof of earnings. You may also be required to provide rental references – you might like to use trusted colleagues, past rental agents, or close friends for this purpose.  

If your application is successful, you will receive a lease to sign and a move-in date from the renting agent. You will be required to pay a rental bond of between two and four weeks’ rent, which is used as financial protection for the lessor in case of damage or a breach of your rental agreement. This is returned to you when you move out unless the lessor needs to use it to cover the results of a breach. The RTA has more information on rental bonds here. 

What will my cost of living be?

The cost of living off campus will vary based on your location, the extras that are / aren’t included in your lease (e.g., water usage, electricity), and lifestyle factors, including how much you spend on groceries, hobbies, entertainment and so on. The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most affordable city for students, so although your cost of living is variable and dependent on your own lifestyle and choices, it’s easy to live here on a student budget, and enjoy yourself at the same time!   

Who do I contact if I have problems with my rental agent, landlord or residency?

Your best point of contact as a renter is always the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), Queensland’s state government statutory body which provides tenancy information and support.  

Explore the local area

Discover places to live and things to do in the suburbs surrounding Bond University, including Robina and Varsity Lakes.

South Gold Coast

Other accommodation options

Homestay

Share accommodation

Living on campus