One of the few good things to come from the pandemic was that it showed the corporate world that traditional office arrangements are not always necessary for productivity. Working remotely, at least partially, has become the new norm, especially for modern, innovative companies and executives.

One such executive is Anil Patel, founder of the hugely successful Queensland tech company Virtual Mgr. Patel works from home the majority of the time, as do most of his team. For Patel, home is Sanctuary Cove, the luxury, picturesque, gated community on the Gold Coast, known for its pristine waterfront location, world-class golf courses, and well-heeled residents. 

Sanctuary Cove attracting younger buyers

Traditionally, the majority of these well-heeled residents have been over 50s, however in recent years, the Sanctuary Cove demographic has changed, with more young couples, families and executives like Patel choosing to call the exclusive precinct home. This new wave of residents cites security, convenience, and a robust multi-generational community as part of the attraction. 

“My wife was the one who fell in love with Sanctuary Cove first,” Patel says. “To be honest, I wasn’t that interested at first because I thought we weren’t the right age group. I just had it in my head that Sanctuary Cove was a place for retirees. But my wife was pretty insistent, so we came to look around. Of course, the house was incredible, and the location is even more beautiful than I had imagined. The village and the golf courses, it was just all so impressive that I couldn’t really say no – so we moved here about seven years ago.

“We really could not be happier living here, and a big part of that is the community of residents which is made up of a mix of ages, with a lot of young families here as well as retirees and people who have lived here for many, many years. Even over the past seven years that I have been here, I have seen an influx of younger families move to Sanctuary Cove.”

Patel says Sanctuary Cove offers everything he and his family could want or need, especially given his need to work and travel, and find that elusive work/life balance.

“There is no place I would rather be,” Patel says. “Because I work from home a lot of the time, I can be really productive, yet still be present for my family. I can jump in the golf buggy and take the kids to the school drop off up at the village, and coach the cricket team, and play golf once a week. 

“And because Sanctuary Cove is so safe, with such an emphasis on security, when I travel for work, I know my family is safe. Living at Sanctuary Cove is the first time I haven’t worried about my family when I travel, because it is just so safe.”

Multi-generational village offers unexpected benefits

Patel says the multi-generational nature of Sanctuary Cove has allowed him to make friends and connections he would never have made otherwise. 

“Some of the people who live here at Sanctuary Cove, who are now retired, are some of the most switched-on, savvy businesspeople you could ever meet,” Patel says. “Some of them have held huge positions and have an enormous wealth of experience and connections. Through the golf club and just general village life, I have met some people who I respect enormously and who give me their advice and opinions on all sorts of things. They are friendships I really value, and I don’t think it would happen anywhere else. It’s been an unexpected bonus of living here.” 

Safety and security a deciding factor 

General Manager of Sales at Sanctuary Cove, John Hughes, says Patel’s experience is not uncommon, and over the past 20 years the precinct has continued to attracted a younger demographic.

“There are a lot of younger families coming to Sanctuary Cove, and a lot more young executives as well,” Hughes says. “There is so much about Sanctuary Cove that they just can’t find anywhere else. The safety and security Sanctuary Cove offers is unsurpassed. We have guards and protocols that give residents genuine security, which is a huge consideration for everyone on the Gold Coast.”

The security measures Hughes mentions are extensive. All entrances to Sanctuary Cove are protected by electronic gates, monitored CCTV, and intercom, and all homes are protected by a system of motion, smoke and fire detectors, and fire horns which are monitored 24 hours a day.

Panic buttons are located in all homes at Sanctuary Cove, installed in the master bedroom, ensuite and kitchen. If any button is pressed, mobile patrol officers – first aid trained and equipped with medical equipment – are immediately dispatched to the house. 

Easy village life appeals to all ages

For Sanctuary Cove families, the dreaded school run traffic jam is also a thing of the past.

“For families with school aged children, most of the private schools have a bus service from the village – so school drop off and pick up is a matter of taking the golf buggy to the village – no battling traffic and hours spent in the car. 

“Of course, there are also the facilities and the village which are simply world-class, with restaurants, shops, cafes, the Country Club, golf courses, access to the stunning InterContinental Resort pool… there just isn’t anywhere else on the Gold Coast that can match it.

“It is a very cosmopolitan environment, with people from all over the world, and people who travel extensively. It gives the community a real international flavour.”

Hughes agrees with Patel that the multi-generational community that has evolved at Sanctuary Cove is a large part of its appeal. 

“There is no doubt that it is a win-win for everybody when there is such a mix of people living here,” Hughes says. “Mr Patel is right, there are some of Australia’s most successful businesspeople living here, whether they are still actively working or have retired. A lot of younger businesspeople and executives find those connections really valuable, both personally and professionally.”