Best place between Brisbane and Gold Coast for Uni students

I'm moving out with my girlfriend, however, she will be attending Uni in Southport and I will be attending Garden Point (Brisbane). We're wanting to find somewhere in-between that will allow us both to take a similar commute to school so that it's not unfair. What's the best suburb between Brisbane and Gold Coast for us to rent in? We're quiet people and would like somewhere safe and relatively cheap (<$500p.w)