I live in Brisbane, which is about 45 minutes from the Gold Coast. I have never been to the US so I don't know what it's like over their, but over here I LOVE IT!!!
Gold Coast i pretty sweet like your friend said, lots of beach/night action if you know where to find it. The modified car scene over here is pretty good to, nowhere near as big as yours but.
Umm if you like the sun than this is the place to be lol, for me life ain't very boring at all. You just have to move somwhere in or close to a city, unless you are looking for peace and quiet then you would go out bush somwhere.
I hear Sydney is pretty good to, only been there once. But compared to Bris it is alot more expensive etc.
Feel free to ask any more questions