Hi Mavis,
Thanks for replying - sorry it took me a while to post back but we have been on the road down to Melbourne and back visiting family....
We have decided to go with the Sunshine Coast as my husband and kids preferred it and it seems a little more laid-back. When I think about it, we have spent most of our time in the U.S in quieter, slow-paced areas so I guess that is just what we are used to. The Gold Coast has become so much busier than it used to be.
That being said, it has a lot to offer and if we had family or very close friends there, i would have been tempted. Palm Beach/Currumbin area was my favourite coastal suburb but it seemed that if you wanted to rent a small house even, you had to go inland if you didn't want to pay through the nose or move into a complete dump. However if you could afford to pay a bit more, there were some nice places on offer. I did love the stretch of beach between Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek.....
I agree with you about the taxation department...people like us seem to present a problem as far as how to categorize us - I had a glitch opening an account at Westpac as while they only required my hubby to provide his passport for photo ID, as a citizen I needed to provide additional Australian photo ID and after 15 years I just didn't have any...she ended up having to plug me into the system in the "migrant" category to get it to work so be prepared for stuff like that to happen. Hopefully you can use your parents address as your Queensland address of record and that will help. We don't have family here in QLD so that has been more of a challenge for us regarding a drivers license and the like.
I find that while people have been extremely helpful and friendly in person it can be hard getting any satisfaction over the phone when it comes to internet and mobile issues LOL. I can deal with the fact that consumer items are more expensive here, but I have been shocked at the price gouging and inflexibility of plans that you have to deal with regarding mobile phones/landlines and internet providers. As my American friends would say, you are nickled and dimed for EVERYTHING

Anyway I am fortunate that I only have that to complain about.
Anyway I wish you and your little "frenchies" the best of luck moving back here. It's a big adjustment but a good experience. Your hubbies visa should be very straightforward - ours only took a few months. Please let me know how you are going.
Jayde - likewise feel free to email me anytime. I don't know anything about the PM thing as I am technologically challenged in that way

Thanks to everyone for their replies.
Cheers,
Rhowena