RubyTuesday

Wow! Ssshhhhh don't tell anyone! Southport is the hidden gem of the Gold Coast.

Tucked away, just 2 km from the Broadwater is a small village-style location called Chirn Park, which is part of Southport. If you want to feel like you're part of a community, check it out. From the Best Burgers in Town to the Best Pizzas in Town, you can't go wrong here. The area has such a friendly atmosphere. I live nearby and tend to use the local shops for buying most things. It's great to come back to the laid back feel after hitting the nightspots of Surfers or Main Beach.

There are some great parks around and if you're into sport, you're lucky because there are soccer and hockey fields close by. Try Bare-foot Bowls at Musgrave Hill Bowling Club! $2 a game! Madame Tojo's coffee shop is an eclectic mix of memorabillia, interesting people and delicious coffee and food, not to be missed. Try their Friday night Tapas.

Chirn Park has a selection of dress shops and beauty salons, a post office, supermarket, butcher, chemist, restaurants, all that you need really, but not in an "in-your-face" shopping mall, rather the older style, single shops with friendly business owners. Did I mention the dog park??? It's really big and leafy and also has a water reserve, with boadwalks through it, birds, tranquility!

I wasn't going to write a review, but it really is too good to keep secret.

You would never know it was here unless you've driven up this way, but right next to Sharks AFL club is a low level complex called "Sphere". I discovered this place through friends and moved in about 6 months ago. Most of the units are well away from any road or traffic, making it a really peaceful environment to be in. Their facilities are the best I've seen in a residential complex. A fantastic gym (saves me $24 a week on membership fees), and a 25 metre pool!. This area is so handy to everything, shops, cinemas, schools, parks, even the water is only a couple of kilometres away. I really love it, it is the best area on the Gold Coast and I reckon Sphere is the best place I've lived. I feel like I'm on holiday every day. Yeay!!!!!!