Brisbane
Living in Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia’s third largest city. It has a population of around 1.7 million and is located right in the middle on the east coast. Except it isn’t quite on the coast. It was built on the Brisbane River about 15 kms in from the Pacific Ocean.
A quick glance at any map of Australia will convince you that all the major cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane are all on the beach. They all are, except Brisbane, which is on a mangrove. Perhaps that’s why Brisbane only came 21st in the Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s 2010 Liveability Survey. But London only made 54th, so…..
Any shoreline about 15 kms either side of the mouth of the Brisbane River is a mangrove. Mangroves are intertidal trees and shrubs growing on tropical and subtropical shores. Basically, trees growing on mud. They are highly productive ecosystems, but you can’t build a sand castle on them.
But you’ll still need to bring your bucket and spade, because Brisbane is ideally located for both the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. This accessibility to beaches is one reason why Brisbane pulls in so many tourists. It also has the benefit of a cooler inland climate.
Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast, south of Brisbane), one of Australia’s best know beaches, is about an hour and 10 minutes drive and Caloundra (Sunshine Coast, north) about an hour and a half. The closest sandy beaches to Brisbane are at Redcliffe (north) and Southport (south).
The city itself is very modern, clean and compact. It is easy to navigate and has its own man made “beach” at South Bank Parklands.
What’s the weather like?
Brisbane boasts, on average, around seven hours of sunshine each day. It doesn’t really have a “proper” winter, so if shorts and T-shirt are your thing, you can wear them all year round.
The only time it gets anything like resembling “cold”, is usually around July and August at night time when you may, on occasions, need to find some jog bottoms or a jumper to see you through those winter evenings.
Possible severe weather around the Brisbane area could include cyclones and some flooding. So be especially careful where you choose to settle. Brisbane Council has produced a flood areas map which you can download by specific area from Brisbane Council’s website.
Brisbane is where I live and I love it.
The sprawling suburbs can be divided up into 5 areas as follows.
- Inner Brisbane – Including City, Inner North, Inner South, Inner East and Inner West
- Northern Suburbs – Including Moreton Bay Islands, Northern Suburbs, North Eastern Suburbs, North Western Suburbs, Outer North Eastern Suburbs and Outer Northern Suburbs
- Southern Suburbs – Including South Eastern Suburbs, South Western Suburbs and Southern Suburbs
- Eastern Suburbs – Including Bayside Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs
- Western Suburbs – Including Outer Western Suburbs and Western Suburbs
You may think this all looks pretty straight forward, but I didn’t describe them as “sprawling suburbs” for nothing. These areas break down into around 80 or more postcodes and each postcode can have 2, 3 or more places to live. All in all, there are about 250 different places around Brisbane that you can choose from to live.
What’s Brisbane Like?
Brisbane Suburbs Map:
{ 156 comments… read them below or add one }
hi Bob, just thought I’d let you know your info on the Brisbane page about the Gold Coast being North of Bris & the Sunshine Coast being South is actually wrong – its the other way around.
Cheers.
Hi Kent
I can’t believe I’ve done that, but then again, I can believe it too. When I first arrived in Australia I used to call left right and right left and North South and South North. I think it was an upside down thing, where I came from North equals cold, here North equals hot. Maybe it’s got a name, hemisphere blindness or something?
Anyway, I thought I was over it. Clearly not. Thanks for pointing it out, I’ve now changed it.
Cheers
Bob
Hi Bob,
Great web site !! My family and I are just waiting on visas and hoping to be moving to Brisbane at the end of July early August this year , we are not sure where to live, the most important things for us is a good community , near schools/shops and good public transport, could you advice any surburbs ?
Many thanks
regards
tabatha
Hi Tabatha
Thanks for the compliment.
Check out my new page about choosing a suburb, it’s got some good information and some links to some good sources that give you the demographics of each suburb and also reviews from people who live there.
I only really know about Western Suburbs, because that’s where I live. Kenmore would be good, it’s close to schools shops and buses. Brookfield which is next to it and Fig Tree Pocket are also very nice. Anstead, Moggill and Bellbowrie, which is where I live, are great but more like living in the countryside, which I obviously like. But we’ve got no shops, not since the floods. One day they will return though
Good luck and I hope your move goes well. Let me know what you think of it when you get here.
Cheers
Bob
Hello BobinOz,
Great website!, Summer is over in England now!, im planning a working holiday visa to oz in november, my plan is to fly to Sydney check it out for a week then come to Brisbane. Im a chef and aim to find a good quality restaurant somewhere on the coast(maybe Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast?) im interested in surfing. Or should i just go to Melbourne where there alot of brilliant restaurants scattered everywhere? i cant decide!
Please help!
Elliott
Melbourne is a great city, lots going on. But Brisbane is better for the weather if you like it warmer throughout the year. It would probably be harder to find work along the Sunshine Coast though, although not impossible. You are in the right industry to get worked up there.
If you have the time, check out Melbourne as well as Brisbane.
Good luck!
Hi Bob, me, my husband and 2 daughters (5 and 3) are moving to Australia in January but I would really like your advice on a problem we have. My husband has been offered 2 jobs, 1 in Brisbane (offering $85,000) and 1 in Sydney (offering $115,000). My sister lives in Sydney and we visited her in April thinking we would fall in love with the place but the CBD was too business-like and busy and it was full of tourists and I prefer a leafy, friendly, easy going lifestyle. We never visited Brisbane but feel like it may be a better life for us. The problem is that due to my sister living in Sydney we would ideally like to live near her, but don’t know if we would get the lifestyle we want there. Are the northern shores of Sydney more like Brisbane so we can give my daughters the great lifestyle we dream of and are just as friendly with parklands etc. We need to decide as both jobs need an answer asap. Thank you in advance, Katie
By the way, great website. Me and my husband have enjoyed reading all the info and watching the videos. Katie
Hmmm, very tough decision. I’m afraid I don’t know enough about the Northern Shores of Sydney to know if it would be anything like Brisbane, but I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t far more expensive there.
But as I say, I don’t know. Maybe someone else can answer?
Let’s face it, it would be very difficult for you to move all the way out here and not choose to live close to your sister. I have a friend who is in a similar position, his brother lives in Sydney but he really wants to move to Brisbane. It’s difficult.
I am biased towards Brisbane, I live in Brisbane. But I’d be surprised if you weren’t better off here with a lower salary than you would be in Sydney. It’s a difficult decision, I think only you can make it.
Good luck though, sounds like your Aussie bound!
Hi Katie, I’m from northern beaches now north shore. I can answer any and all your questions about the areas if you still need a hand. Bottom line for me would be weather though. Sydney can be cold, Icy cold in winter!
Hi Katie
I live in Brisbane and love the lifestyle. I have young children here but no family which has been very difficult at times. I would advise moving to Sydney, you need all the help you can get when you first emigrate. I had a good friend here in Brisbane and that really helped and it was why I chose Brisbane. You can always check other places out later when you’ve got used to Australian life. Having young children helps as well, you will meet loads of people. Your husband will meet a lot of people through his job.
The northern shores of Sydney are very expensive but very nice suburbs. I spent some time in Avalon and Newport Beach. Sydney city itself is very busy, like a mini London. Manly is nice. There are a lot of other suburbs further out that have become very desirable to live in as well but you also need to avoid the bad ones, Cabramatta being one. It’s been a long while since I’ve been there but your sister should be able to advise. Good luck, it’s a great country to live in.
Hi Bob, thanks for a great website! I am moving to Brisbane and need to decide which suburb to live. I don’t know where my work would be yet. But I need to live in a good suburb and it has to be close to public transport. And the rent is not too high. Speaking of rent what is the process of renting in Brisbane?? Thanks.
Hi Michelle
There are a couple of pages you can look at, firstly Which Suburb?
But as I live in Brisbane, I may be able to help you if you give me more of an idea of what you’re looking for. Countryside? By the sea? City life?
As for renting, check out this page – Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia
They will need to check out your references and you will need to pay a deposit to rent here, my advice is offer as much information as possible, including bank statements if you can, they are choosing you, not you them. I think it’s a landlords market, they can afford to pick and choose.
Good luck and I hope you get to love Brisbane as much as I do.
Hi Katie
I am from the UK, and have lived in Tasmania for 9 years. I have family in Sydney. Without a doubt, if you’re moving all this way, go be near your sister!! Sydney, whilst the city is big, has some fantastic outer suburbs. With a bigger population, you don’t need to be in the city anyway, as the towns and other, smaller cities have it all. I don’t know it all that well, and yes, it’s more expensive than Brisbane, but when you need that time with people who know you (and you will) you’ll want to be near family. Also worth remembering the myriad of contacts and friends/networks your family will have. We looked at moving to Sydney in the past, and whilst the city is ridiculously expensive, some of the suburbs are not. Can’t remember which we looked at, but 30 mins plus out of the city is very affordable, certianly more so than even little old Hobart! Good luck!! You’ll love it ! Jo
hi Bob, im lookiing to go out to oz this time next year, from the uk 21 years old, plumber/ fast fit mechcanic, i have a friend in brisbane which i would like to be near, agencies have been steering me towards a working visa which im thinking about but i want to move there permently, do you know how the job front is for plumbers in brisbane? and the average cost of renting an apartment, insurance on a van or car etc, basically the average cost to live in bisbane in at least a one bed, with a car including ALL the bills etc?
thanks jim
Hi Jim
You need to look at….
Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia
The Cost of Living in Australia of Everything
How much do you need?
and….
Getting a Job or a Sponsorship
Cheers
Bob
Hello! I am so exctied to have found this website. My husband and I have just started our process of considering a move to Oz and particularly have gravitated toward Brisbane. My husband is a structural engineer so will likely have a job in the city. We will be bringing our two teenagers 14 and 16 and a 3 year old. We are going to need good schools, large enough home for all of us and a friendly neighborhood. We want to be close enough to the city so the commute is tolerable and so that we can easily take advantage of all there is to do. We are moving from Iowa in the USA (isolated, cold and little to do) we are ready for all Brisbane has to offer. We dont have any family or friends there, just want to take advantage of a unique experience and lifestyle change. We would like to take a trip there soon. Any suggestions on the best way to get a good feel for how life in Brisbane would be or anyone we could chat with to gain some more knowledge? Any advice you may have would be wonderful.
Thanks for your time and all of the great info on your site!
Stephanie
I always think it’s a good idea to come over and have a good look around first. Brisbane is a reasonably easy city to navigate around, especially if you buy a cheap GPS when you get here.
Take a look at my page called Which Suburb?, it might help you narrow down a few key places to take a look at.
Try to visit for as long as you can to give you a good chance to check everything out, ask questions of everyone, they are a pretty friendly bunch here. You can always pop back here if you have any further questions.
Good luck!
Bob,
We’ve finally started the paperwork for our adventurous move down under. I’ve never been to Oz but reading your blog and 20 reasons to move to Oz convince me that I am making the right decision. We have no friends are relatives there so this is really a big adventure for us.
I have a question two questions (for now)- 1) Is there anywhere in Brisbane that does not flood? We are thinking about settling there since there are jobs in our respective fields (accounting and IT) paying good salaries. 2) Our daughter will turn four by the time we move (next year)- how difficult was it to find school for your child? Are catholic schools in Brisbane expensive? I know, that was 3 questions
Thanks.
There are loads of places in Brisbane that do not flood, my house for a start. There is a link in the above information about Brisbane to the councils flood map.
State schools have an obligation to take your child if you live within their area. If you want a Catholic school, that’s slightly different, read my post about school fees.
Hope that helps.
Hi BOB!
I am a skilled migrant from Pakistan as accountant. I am planning to come to Australia for job and permanent stay. can you please guide me about the most economical family rent a furnished home/ apartment of 1 or more bedrooms and job market.
Yes – Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia
Hi there! I would appreciate any advice of the best place to live in austrailia as even though ive researched online it’s good to get people’s personal opinions. I would like to live in Brisbane but bribane alone is so big and I don’t no where to start when It comes to looking for a place to live (a suburb) I love the beach life so somewhere that’s closest to the gold coast would be ideal.
Look forward to hearing your advice
Kind Regards
Sam
These pages will help you…
Quick Guide to Choosing a City in Australia
Which Suburb?
Hie Bob,
As all visitors have been saying Kudos to you to a great website
I’m currently applying for state sponsorship for migration to the Australia and for my profession as a Mechanical Engineer the WA state ,Victoria and Queensland are the available state for me to apply for my state sponsorship.I have been reading and scouting through the entire net and the more i read its get tougher for me to choose which state as priority to my application.Would the state of Queensland be a good top pick for me if I’m planning to complete my masters degree as well apart from working and staying in Australia or would Victoria be a better choice.Would appreciate you ideas and thoughts.And ohh ohh I am from Malaysia.
Thanks Bob
Cheers
Can’t really help you with that one, I don’t know which state would be best for you to complete your masters degree, maybe somebody who is in the field of Mechanical Engineering may be able to help you. Anybody?
I do have pages on this website to help you choose which city though, so if it makes no difference careerwise, you could check those pages out.
Hi Bob,
Love the info you have given so many people, its a real help. Like many people have said the place is so massive its hard to know where to start. My husband wants to move to Brisbane in a few years. He works for Virgin media installing cable tv, phones and internet, is there much call for that job out there?. Im doing a degree in health and social care and would be intrested in if theres would be work for me as a social worker for the elderly and wage. We also have two kids so would need to live in a area with good schools and family friendly. I dont want to live out in the sticks but i know we would never afford anything in the city or by the sea. My husbands father lives in Gympie but i dont think the work we do will be needed there. What do you think?. x
I think there is a lot of work available for people who can lay optical cables, Australia is soon to embark on building the fastest, wizziest Internet connection in the world, apparently
I’m pretty sure you would find work too, if you came here. Brisbane would be a good choice, I love it here in Western Suburbs.
Hi Bob,
Do you know the companys that my husband could find work with in broardband like virgin?, we are finding it really hard to find his job title for over there. Here he is called a cable installer. We would like to try and find him a job that might sponser us to get out there.
We would be grateful for any help as we are getting nowhere!
Thanks Bob
Maree
Telstra are the big players out here, and I believe they are planning a major cable upgrade. Have you looked at my page about Getting a Job or a Sponsorship?
There are links to the major online employment agencies on it and, as far as I’m aware, all you need to search for is cable installers.
Hi,
Yeah we have heard of telstra but think his title is something different over there and i wonder what the chances are of sponsered for that line of work are. I’ll look on there web site.
Thanks Bob x Maree
Greetings Bob i`ve found your page to be quite useful as well as fun!! my wife and i will be moving to Brisbane as soon as august this year we are 29(me) and 25(her) no kids what do you think will be the best place for us to begin our lives in the majestic country called australia
cheers!!!
Hi Carlos
Well, that largely depends on what you are looking for. Do you want quiet, or hustle and bustle? Do you want countryside living or city life? Sea breezes or mountain views?
Check out my page called Which Suburb?, it’s got some useful links that can help you choose where to live.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your brill site, it’s taking the stress out of my searches the more I get into it, lots and lots of useful info on lifestyle and practicalities. I really really want to relocate to Brisbane, but as a 47 year old single nurse, I’m confused by all the visa options!!! I would certainly qualify for the Independent Skilled Migrant option but it’s extremely expensive…at 47 is there even a chance that I could get a sponsor or am I too ‘over the hill’??? None of the govt sites make it clear how to go about this…is this why I need to use a migration service?
I’m confused!!!
Unfortunately, I don’t think Australia really does a cheap visa, not for permanent residency. Yes, it is possible you could get sponsored, particularly if your nursing skill is in high demand, but it wont be easy.
Your age is against you, but being a nurse is certainly a plus. Not really sure you need a migration service, but maybe you do need a good recruitment company. Can’t point you in the right direction yet, but I am working on it.
Hey bob i have recently been thinking about moving to Brisbane! I have Duel nationality that being the holder of both English and Irish passports! I have a brother that lives in Brisbane for the last five years… Who is a permanent resident… For the past year! Have been on the Auz immigration website… but there are som may option just getting a little lost and would rather ask for a little help incase i make any mistakes…. Oh yeah i am 31 years old…but i dont fit into any of the work sponsors visas… what way if any can i make my way to Australia!
I’d need at least six pages of information from you and the brain of a MARA registered migration agent to answer your question, I have neither. Which is why I set up my Visa Assessment Service.
If you’re serious about moving to Australia, you might like to give it a go.
Hi BobinOz (and anyone else who can help)
We”re from South Africa and moved to Sydney at the end of 2010. My husband is now in a position at work where he may be transferred to the Brisbane office in Indooroopilly, and I need opinions of good, family friendly, safe suburbs with good schools.
We have a 5 year old daughter who started school this year, a 2 year old and a baby on the way (due in June).
I’d love a sea view, but not sure how safe with the cyclones, floods, etc that hit Brisbane? Just want a safe, family friendly neighbourhood with good schools. Even up to an hour train trip from Indooroopilly is fine!!
any recommendations?
Thank you
Not many sea views around here, you could live Bayside of Brisbane but there are no golden sandy beaches, it’s all mangrove. If I were you I’d take a look at Western suburbs around Pullenvale, Anstead, Brookfield, Bellbowrie and Moggill.
If you are looking for safe and family friendly, you won’t find any better.
Hi Bob excellent site, I am also moving to Brisbane but would really apreciate your suggestion on which suburb to move in, safe from the floods but hip and cool for a young couple that doesnt know many people around.
Cheers
Hip and cool is New Farm and Fortitude Valley way, safe from flooding is anywhere that isn’t in one of the danger zones, see my link to the Brisbane City Council’s flood map above.
I used to be hip and cool once you know…
You still are.
Thanks
bob would you recommend a subur that high up in a hill near the city with coffee shops around.
The higher areas around Paddington might suit, but do check the councils map (linked above on this page) to make sure you are away from potential floods. Some areas up there are, some aren’t.
gab brisbane has changed a lot since the 1974 flood my personal opinion i would say to you is look around the forest lake area as that is on high ground or beenleigh windaroo area in the southern suburbs
to any one who is wondering about moving to Brisbane, schools are plenty and public transport in Brisbane is rated the best in the country 95% on time,Brisbane has 4 of the largest shopping centres in the southern hemisphere and if you like shopping then the queen street mall is for you.
Thumbs up Josh!
Hello Bob,
Thanks for the website lots of valuable info, my family and I are thinking of moving from Melbourne, we were interested in a rural area no further than a 45 minute drive to Brisbane. We have 4 kids so schools and sports are an issue. Also where can I find some Aussie rules comp up there?
Yhanks Belinda
Then you’ll be spoilt for choice on both. Almost everything 45 min drive from Brisbane is rural and we have quite a few Aussie rules teams around the city.
Don’t know why
Most places West of Brisbane become rural pretty quickly, where I live is pretty good, Pullenvale, Anstead, Mount Crosby areas, that’s where I would start looking. Or north west, Samford Village area is quite nice.Good luck!
Hi Bob,
I am planning a move to Australia in October and have been reading all about the differences between the cities. A friend of mine thinks that Byron Bay is exactly what I am looking for. Have you been there? What can you tell me about it? Thanks!
Caroline, are you a hippy?
Okay, it’s not quite as straightforward as that, but Byron Bay is very much known as a laid-back town favoured by hippies and generally laid-back dudes. It is also the most easterly point of Australia and, I think, the second most visited town by tourists in all of New South Wales.
I’ve been twice, I love the place! Yes, I’m a bit of a hippy. I’ve written a couple of posts, imaginatively titled a day at Byron Bay and a weekend at Byron Bay or something.
I also saw my first ever snake in the wild at Byron Bay.
Recently, in the news, I hear there has been fighting in the streets at Byron Bay. Perhaps some of the dudes have run out of chill pills, but I wouldn’t let that put you off. I think it’s a great town in a really good part of Australia.
Thank you for your response!! It was really helpful. I definitely have some hippy roots I wouldn’t mind getting back in touch with, but I am not sure that what I want that as a permanent atmosphere. I know Gold Coast is really expensive and much bigger, but would that be a happy medium of beach bum/hippy but also a young, fun place to live? I need night life and restaurants every now and then… but I am mostly looking for a simpler way of life. I am 25 and currently live in Dallas, TX if that gives you an idea of what I am trying to get away from.
Hi Caroline
There’s an interesting discussion going on in a different post where another girl called Stefanie from the USA is looking at moving to Byron Bay. Col B. Who has lived in that area, offers her a lot of advice. You should check it out. It’s on my post called The Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide Cost of Living 2012.
Hope that helps. Cheers!
hi bob my husband and me and my 2 children are thinking of moving to queensland hes looking for work as we are from albury nsw and are no jobs here i have never lived in queensland before but have heard lots of stories about the hot whether and the humidity my family would love to move but im concerned about the hot weather how do people cope and is it as bad as they say and where is the worst arears to live and the best thanks
No, it’s really not as bad as you think. Most of the time, in the summer, it’s around 30° to 32°C, and not really humid at all. But sometime around January or February, we usually get 2 to 5 weeks of rather uncomfortable humid weather.
I think that’s a small price to pay to have wonderful winters where we can still walk around in shorts and enjoy sunshine and, mostly, 20°C+. But that’s Brisbane, if you are looking to move further north in Queensland, it will be a different story.
Hi Bob,
I am moving to Melbourne in September, just wanted to say, it is sites like yours (an informal real look at life in Oz) that helped me make my decision.
Keep up the good work!
Matt
Glad to have helped Matthew, I hope you get to love Melbourne as much as I love Brisbane. Cheers!
Bob
I have lived in brisbane (5 months)and sydney(4months) in 2007-08 and liked both of them but had to leave due to my 12 month visa expiring.Now iv been granted a 4 year visa where i need to be sponsered so my old boss in bisbane said he’d re-employ me for $35 an hour working 8 hours a day which i really liked the sound of but iv also been offered a job by one of my mates in sydney for $22.50 working 10 hours a day.it sounds like a no brainer, Less hours, more pay, cheaper city etc. but my brother and a good mate of mine live in sydney plus closer beaches which my girlfriend would love sound appealing and after all money isnt everything,so what would you think
I think only you can decide, if it were me though, I’d definitely choose Brisbane.
Sydney is a very expensive place to live and, frankly, I’m not a big fan of the hustle and bustle there. I think the only reason to live in Sydney is if it is to earn really good money. As that is not the case for you, I’d go Brisbane.
That said, your brother and a good friend are in Sydney, so I guess that’s pulling you in that direction. As I said, only you can decide. Good luck whatever you choose.
yeah mate Sydney is not as good as it is made out to be the wages are better down there but only by 10% in the dollar more then it is in Brisbane.
Yeah fair enough the state is in shambles from a pollie point of view but the cost of living is much cheaper and transport here in Brisbane is rated one of the best in the country
Is there somewhere where the pollies aren’t a shambles then?
hi, Bob I love reading your website and blog and have done so for about three years. We didn’t move very far, only from Melbourne to Brisbane and now we may be moving again about four hours up… toward Bunderberg, so I have been back at your website reading and enjoying exploring again. I have lived in Sydney for 2 years in 1998-2000 and know a little about the area between Newcastle and the North Shore and the city areas. I lived on the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn. I now live in Bellbowrie and love it here. thanks for a great website and sharing your reflections about life in Brisbane. K
Glad you are enjoying Australia Karen, and it’s also good to hear you are getting about a bit. Bellbowrie is a lovely place isn’t it? I know a lot about that area, you may have read about my nights in the sports and rec, my shopping trips to Coles, my picnics in Anstead Bushlands….
It’s almost like I live here myself
Hi i am 21 and so is my partner is also 21 and i am chomping at the bit to move to Australia as i have family there and have visited several times before. My partner is a vehicle mechanic and has been in full time employment for 1.5 year and we want to go permanently but i recently attended a Australia expo and they told me to go on a working holiday visa but i am worried this could ruin my chances of moving permanently do you know anything about this am i just worrying over nothing ??? please help
Yes, I think you are worrying over nothing. I believe the Australian Immigration Department regard any kind of visit to Australia as a positive thing. They like the idea of people who have been here, worked here and like it here enough to want to come permanently.
Personally, I think the WHV is a great idea for young people, it gives you a chance to see if Australia really is for you before taking a bigger plunge.
Oh, and a year’s work and play in Australia is great fun too. I say go for it!
Hello Bob,
I recently got a job in Brisbane. I am Canadian and will moving sometime in either late August or early September of 2012. I am looking for country living… a place where I can grow vegetables and fruit trees, preferably with rolling hills and good access to water. I do not mind an hour drive commute to downtown (that is where I will be working). No children. The little that I have investigated so far, suggests looking westerly for a 3-5 acre home. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Not sure how much I am willing to pay yet… likely $300,000 – $600,000
Thank you,
Chuck
Hi Chuck
You won’t get better rolling hills than those around Mount Crosby, that’s South West of Brisbane. It would be about 45 min drive from the city from there, but I’m not sure you’d get what you want with your budget. You may have to look further away from the city, and there will be plenty of choice, but I don’t know all the areas so I can’t advise. I think you should be prepared to pay $600,000, you won’t get much acreage for less than that.
Check out my page about Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia.
Cheers
Bob
Hey Bob, i was trying to do some research on living in Australia, My Wife is going to college and taking courses in the psychology field and one of the post college degrees she is interested in is offered at the the University in Brisbane (which would be in 3 years time), and if we do go we are considering a permanent residency thereafter. .
Assuming we are qualified and have no problems getting the visa i have some questions that i need to get the answers for before i say “lets do it”
I am 32 years of age, i have been doing line cooking for most of my life and i plan on having my Red Seal Certification before we do move. That is Canadians certification after completing the 3 year apprenticeship.
What kind of wages could i expect to make there and what is the demand for cooks and chefs like.
Would i need to redo any courses there to make me certified in Australia?
Hi Jason
Three years is a long way away, who knows what jobs will be available at that time and what salaries will be paid. All I can suggest is you read my page about Getting a Job or a Sponsorship and click on the links to the three top online Australian employment agencies to see what’s available at the moment.
Hi dear Bob. Thank you for your nice website and great information you give us. I am an Iranian Mechanical engineer and I am waiting for my PR Visa now. We expect we (me and my wife) be there till Jan 2013. but it is a big dilemma for us to choose the appropriate city to live in. I myself prefer Brisbane, because we have some friends there (not actually close friends) , but my wife is a little bit concerned about climate and hot and moist weather. I just want to know is the climate disturbing that much or not? we can not choose between Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne. we are both Mechanical engineers. I will appreciate you if you help me to make the best decision.
Interesting question soroosh, because for some people it’s too hot, but for me and many others it isn’t. Lots of us think the weather is perfect, you can check out the average temperatures throughout the seasons on my page about Brisbane.
In my view, it gets hot and sticky for something like 3 to 5 weeks a year, but that’s it. The rest of the time, in my view, is very comfortable and it’s the weather here in Brisbane that makes the place so attractive for me. But each to his own, I think you can only find out how you feel about it by trying it.
Good luck!
Hi Bob, nice website as I think Ive said before.
I’ve just returned (22nd aug 2012) from a 3 week holiday in Oz. We landed at Brissy then went to Moreton Island, Tangalooma and fed wild dolphins. Back to the mainland and popped into Australia zoo. Then hit Fraser Island, did some whale watching and fishing. Then to Bundaberg rum distillery followed by a few nights in the Eco Lodge in the Glass House mountains. Then up to Townsville and over to Magnetic Island. OH BOY!! Australias best kept secret is Australia itself. Beautiful country, but why have you never mentioned how lovely and friendly the Australian people are? Anyone reading this that is thinking of moving but may have reservations, GO, and GO NOW. My missus was full of reservations, ‘I’ll miss the seasons’, ‘It’s too hot’, ‘I don’t think I’ll like the Australians’. By week two she told me she had fallen in love with Australia and agreed that we should move and live out our days there. We are now planning to leave the UK. I’ll be crushed if we don’t get in haha.
Good luck everyone. :0)
Yes, it’s great here isn’t it? And the Australian people are great too, and I have mentioned that before in my post called Are Australians the Friendliest People in the World?
Sounds like you had a fantastic holiday, I hope your quest for a visa goes well and we see you here soon as permanent residents. Cheers!
Bob
Hi, I am looking at moving from Sydney to Brisbane so I can buy a semi rural property to start a business as I can’t afford it in Sydney!! It must be open and rolling hills more than trees, my business is horses so this is a must!
I have looked on the net around Moggill and it looks quite affordable, is this a good area? Shops and utilities etc? I don’t have kids so schools aren’t a big issue.
Not sure of other areas, I don’t want to go too high as I want a quite moderate temperature and not too humid. Can you provide any other suggestions for good semi rural open areas?
Thanks
I think Moggill will be perfect, as is Anstead and Pullenvale. It’s definitely the horsey part of Brisbane. Samford Village and around that way may also be worth looking at, not sure of the prices up that way though. Cheers!
Bob
Thanks Bob! What are the services like in those areas i.e shops, doctors, public transport etc? Also can you or anyone else who knows give me an idea of the cost of living compared to Sydney i.e utilities, car costs etc. I know it’s probably cheaper!
Everyone ive met from Qld seems friendlier, as in general public. Makes for a nice change than snobby Sydney
Thanks!
Yes, we’ve got shops, doctors, buses but no trains until you get to Indooroopilly, and it’s certainly a lot cheaper than Sydney, especially the houses, but not sure if utilities or car costs are cheaper.
And of course we are friendlier up here
Hi Bobs
Love your informative site! My partner and I and two boys age 12 and age 4 are hoping to come to Brisbane next year. We cant decide on suburb eldest very fit sporty,and loves football, do you know of a school that would suit or encourage and help develop his enthusiasm for sport? There dad is into coaching local footie team and would love to continue this in OZ.
Cheers in advance
I don’t know of any specific school that would be best for football players, but football is getting quite popular here these days. I would make sure to check prospective schools to make sure they do have a footy team though.
Hi.
First , I’d like to thank you for this amazing website. I find it very very useful.
Secondly, I’ve got a question. I’m a young chef and I’m planning to move to Australia. However, I can’t decide which city I should choose. I’ve been thinking of either Brisbane or The Gold Coast. They are both beautiful cities. Since I’m a chef, I would probably choose Brisbane, as the chances of getting a job here are much higher. Do you think Brisbane would be a good choice? I’m not sure whether there are enough good restaurants. You know, I want to learn from someone who’s very good at what they do. Or should I choose busier Melbourne instead? Please help!
Lucas
Difficult for me to answer that one Lucas, not being in the industry. The Gold Coast may actually offer more opportunities, being as it is a tourist area with, possibly, more restaurants, but I don’t know that for sure. Melbourne is a bigger city and the nightlife there certainly has more of a buzz, so maybe that could be the best bet of the three.
Any chefs reading this that can help?
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to put such an informative web site together – great to see that lots of people generally have same type of questions & worries as us. Decided that its def the right time for us to make the move ( now or never !!! ) don t want to look make in 25 years and wonder ” what if ? “.
I do love my job here in the UK ( I’m a Qualified nurse ) but its all the other things like rubbish weather; what’s here to offer the kids when they grow up etc.. Have started the process – looking to come out on a sponsorship through my job, hoping my husband will find work once we arrive he’s in the building trade, have a 8 year old who can’ t wait & 11 year old who’s really not sure – hope that they ll reap the benefits of this move !!!!
My job is giving me a years unpaid leave so really feel that we’ ve not got alot to lose really ( except missing family/friends/leaving the dog/ selling our lovely home !!!! ) Both Brisbane & Perth appeal prob more drawn to Brisbane if i’m honest suppose I’m just looking for reassurance really that this is the right thing to do – I’m sure at worst it ll be a year out having an adventure in a new country at best it’ll change our lives forever!!!!
Sorry for rabbiting on just felt the need to converse with others that have made the move!
I really can’t see any downside to giving it a try, otherwise you really will spend the rest of your life asking “what if?” You don’t want to do that, do you?
I still love it here, just about everybody I know who came from England to live here still loves it here as well. Nobody is going home from my crowd. I say give it a go, what’s to lose? And of course, I would go for Brisbane ahead of Perth, after all, I did.
Good luck Maria, hope it goes well.
Gd’day,
Great website and your doing a fine job maintaining it with more details each time to respond to these queries.
Just a quick one. I’m from Adelaide based and settled here. My wife having just arrived here from overseas and me hoping for a change of view. Either between Brisbane or Sydney. Loving a little-less of a busier metropolitan, hence we leaning more towards Brissy
! One of the major aspects determining our move would be the overall career scope. Would you happen to know how good/bad the prospects of employment in Web Graphic Designing? As you can guess, Adelaide sucks in technology-driven careers, bloody oath!! Ive just been lucky having my contracts extended working with the SA Govt. Wifey was working with Ernst & Young a big CA firm overseas as a PA. Looking forward to a warmer city as Brissy is.
And secondly wondering if Brissy is as much a melting-pot and cosmopolitan as Sydney but friendlier offcourse.
Thankx!!
Cheers,
Hef.
Hi Hef
Thanks, glad you’re enjoying my website. Can’t really help you too much on either of your questions though, but I would suggest you check out my page about Getting a Job or a Sponsorship and use the links to the top Australian online employment agencies to search for job opportunities in Brisbane for exactly what you do. That should give you an idea of the opportunities available here.
Can’t really compare Brisbane to Sydney either, I’ve only ever spent about six days in Sydney in my whole life, so maybe somebody else could help you with that. I think you’ll find the people of Brisbane are pretty friendly though.
Good luck.
Hi Bob
I’m a graduate of Mechanical Engineering i intend moving to Australia as a student especially Brisbane.
I intend pursuing a master of Engineering management which is a 1 yr course on full time basis at the Queensland University of Technology, campus at Garden point.
Pls i would like to know how the area is generally in terms of work, social life and also accommodation.
Also what are my chances of getting PR after my studies?
Note I am 23 yrs of age.
Best Regards
I think you will find the social life is okay, there’s plenty to do around Brisbane, but I couldn’t tell you what your chances of PR would be or what the work situation is like.
For accommodation, I think there are plenty of student houses in and around St Lucia.
We are moving to the Manly area in April 2013, any ideas of what school to put my daughters into, ages 10 and 6. Thanks
Sorry Denise, I don’t really know anything about the schools over that side, have you checked out my page about Which school?? It does have some useful tools you can use to help you pick the best school for your children. Good luck.
Bob
Hi Bob,
Myself and 3 friends are moving to Brisbane in little over a month on a WHV. We are all 22years old and would like to know where you think the best place would be for us to live?? Are ideal place would be somewhere with a lot of job opportunities, a good night life and cheap accommodation (as we are on a budget).
Also If you could recommend any popular businesses in the finance/insurance sector in particular that would be great, as I have just graduated with a BA in Business Studies and would be very interested in acquiring a job in that area. My friends are more interested in manual labour and agricultural work so again any recommendations at all would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Stephen
Can’t help you with the jobs, but I’m sure you’ll find something if you use the links to online employment agencies that you’ll find in my page about Getting a Job or a Sponsorship.
As for which area to head for, I’d be tempted to look around St Lucia, it’s where the university’s so a lot of the accommodation has been converted for students and is therefore quite cheap, the pub there gets quite busy with youngsters too.
It’s also just 10 minutes from the city. Have a great time!
Hi bobinoz, I really need your advice. I’m a 22yr old international student who will be arriving in brisbane this january to study nursing at qut kelvin grove campus. I’m still confused which area/suburbs to choose when looking for a place to stay. I’m looking forward to your advice. Thank you.
Hi Rachel
I suppose it depends what you can afford, it obviously gets more expensive the closer to the city you are. Newmarket, Ashgrove, Paddington and New Farm are all good areas, but probably won’t be cheap. Your best bet is to have a look at the rental market on my page about Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia and check out the prices from there. Good luck!
Bob, how are you? I was reading you webpage and was really helpfull.
I just want to ask you if my yearly salary is 160KAUD and I go with my de facto, that would be good enough living in Brisbane.
Thanks a lot!!
Juan Pablo
Unless you are heavily into gambling or have some other such destructive vice, you will be fine. In fact, much more than fine, you will live very comfortably.
Thanks Juan!
Hi Bob, just on the back of the comment you left for Juan, how would 80k AUD keep me? and where abouts would the comfortable line start in your opinion. I like the hard yakka system by the way helps make sense of salaries.
Thanks, Ian.
You should be okay on $80,000 a year, depending upon how much you need to pay for rent or mortgage and, of course, if you need to support anyone else?
Bob,
Thanks for the answer. Just one last question, do you know how much I have to pay in taxes? How much would be my Net Salary after taxes? I got this from a webpage, it this accurate? Gross Salary: $80,001 – $180,000 Taxes:$17,547 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000
Do you know any quite and relax neighborhood in Brisbane to rent a house relatively near Downtown but that has a backyard??
Thanks a lot!!!
Juan Pablo
If you search Google there are quite a few online “Australian tax calculators” that you can use, check them out to see if they agree with your figures. There are plenty of places close to downtown with back gardens, relaxed neighbourhoods too, but the closer you get to the city the more expensive they can become.
Luckily, you can afford it!
Check out my page Which Suburb?.
Hi Bob , thanks for having this website , i am moving to Brisbane from Montreal Canada , my work location is in Archerfield , I love the beach and i am welling to learn surfing , but living an hour a way from my work on the GC i do not think that would be the best scsario ,
i am looking for a nice suburb , trendy , clean , safe , close to the hwy , so I would spend an hour to get the work , I do not mind 20 min , checking the rental price an apt 1 bed in new farm is like 2000 , I prefer one bedroom with garage , air-condition , clean place with the range of 1600 max a moth , if possible ,
I am single so I would be interested to meet new ppl and make new friends ,
Not into clubs , nice bar is ok
So to make my self clear , Trendy area , close Archerfield , safe , clean , green area to jog would be a plus , close to the city too ,
Any suggestion from you would be much appreciated
Hi Bob , i also have few questions , i would apprechate if you can advice :
- between Brisbane and GC what you suggest ? in term of living , my work location will be in Archerfield , if it will take me 40 on traficc from Brisbane then is it wores it to be in the GC ?
- also do you think shipping my car would be worse it ? since i will not have a cridet history
Hi Remario
I don’t know it too well over that way, not sure there is anything there that could be described as trendy. But Sunnybank might be worth a look, although I’ve heard mixed stories about that place, and if it’s not too far away, Springfield Lakes may be a better option.
I would not suggest shipping your car, lots of paperwork and quite expensive, only really worth it for classic cars.
Hi bob, me and my boyfriend are coming to Australia on a working visa, so was wondering whether Brisbane is good for jobs or whether you know of any other places which are good for jobs.
Thanks
Leanne
That’s sort of a moving target Leanne, I suggest you take a look at my page about Getting a Job or a Sponsorship and search for what it is that you do using the online employment agencies listed there. Good luck!
Bob
Hi Bob, moving to Brisbane middle of January from the awfully cold NE of England. I only got approached for the job 1 week ago so was totally unprepared. Just wanted to say thanks for all the great advice, I think I’ve picked up more from this site than in hours of searching other pages. Thanks a lot!
Wow, things are moving fast for you Dan, I hope it all goes well. Glad my site has helped a bit and I hope you get to love this city is much as I do. Cheers!
Thanks Bob for your reply , I have to be in Brisbane by Jan 15 , starting a new job there, I need to rent a furnished place for a month or 6 weeks ,till I get familiar with the area and get my own place , I am looking at new farm , west end areas ,
I wonder if you have any suggestion , or you recommend a specific place/building , or a website and what would be the price range … or what you would do in you are on my shoes ? only 2.5 weeks left
thanks for your advice for the car shipping ,
Thanks a lot
Remario
I would Google gumtree and stayz and search in those websites for short-term rental accommodation. It is really, really difficult to get rentals here at the moment, so try not to be too fussy at first, just get what you can and take it from there. Good luck!
Food for thought here, being in earthquake shaken Christchurch. Relatives in Brisbane too! Hmmmm….
Yes, certainly worth considering.
Hey Bob,
I just watched your video of the Brisbane flood and wanted to find out, are floods in Brisbane something very common or are they quite rare?
Thanks in advance!
Well, we had floods a couple of years ago and we also had floods in the 70s. I think we had another serious flood about 40 or 50 years before that. So no, they are not common, let’s say once every 40 years or so.
Flash flooding is different though, that’s basically when places that are in gullies or at the bottom of hills or any kind of place where water has nowhere to escape cop all the rainfall that might descend in a seriously bad storm and cause a bit of havoc for an hour or two. Then it all drains away again and everything is fine.
Then the sun comes out
Hi Bob,
I’m from India, I got my offer letter to pursue my Master’s degree in Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane. It would be helpful if you could provide me info about the Work culture, Expenses (Accomodation, food,entertainment etc.,) and also about Part time jobs. Is Brisbane a good place for students?
I have written hundreds of pages and posts and I can assure you that everything you ask has already been answered, all you need to do is use the Google search bar on the right hand side of every page. My student days are behind me, but I’m pretty sure Brisbane is a great place to come and study. Good luck!
Hi Bob,
Glad that I have come across this website. The information contained in this site are invaluable to someone like me who has not visited Australia before. Keep up the great work updating the site.
I’ve just accepted an offer to work in Brisbane and will most like be working in my office close by to Queen Street Mall. My employer will be sponsoring me on 457 visa and will probably take a month for the visa to be granted. Planning to move to Brisbane in March if all goes well.
I’d like to find out if there’s any recommended suburbs that is safe, less prone to flooding for myself and my family as we are planning to rent a house for now. A 30-45mins drive to office would be good enough for me. I have 2 young kids and would prefer a family oriented location where possible.
Another question that I have is what’s the largest IT accessories centre in Brisbane where I could purchase computer hardware parts for a DIY/build my own computer?
Would appreciate your opinion/advise on the above. Cheers!
Francis
francis to answer your question suburb wise that is safe for your family and has a lot of parks i would say Forrest lake or Sherwood in the western suburbs as it is close to the city and also public transport such as trains and buses, peak hour traffic regardless what side of the city you wish to live on is chaos of a morning and afternoon.
To answer your second question check out this web site they are in Brisbane south
http://www.gamedude.com.au
cheers
Josh
Hi Frances
Josh has made a couple of suggestions, although I would think that Forest Lake is maybe too far away from the city from what you say. I’d take a look at Kenmore Hills and Chapel Hill area, making sure to choose a property that is on high ground rather than at the bottom of one of their many hills.
As for IT equipment, I’ve never used gamedude, I get a lot of my computer stuff from umart, they are good people to do business with. Oh, and welcome to Brisbane, hope you get to love it as much as I do.
Cheers
Bob
Hey Bob,
I think your amaze balls!! Your site is a winner, and you were meant to live in oz as your info is priceless!!
I’ve know decided that Brisbane is the place for me to relocate to from Wales, it was a toss up between Melbourne, but brissie came out clear favourite. My OH is qualified chippy and I am a fashion Make up artist, we are both self employed and have been accepted with a skilled migration visa!!! Sorry very excited, we have a 8 yr old daughter. Basically I’ve been looking at suburbs, you get this question a 1000 times but thought i’d ask just on the off chance. We would like to be near the coast and I don’t mind commuting into Brisbane for work as I freelance, just wondering which areas you’ll recommend? Trying to find temperary accomodation when we first arrive before we go into buying. Also do chiipies need some sort of trade card to work on site? And are there conduction firms around the area? Feel like I’m in the dark, as trying to set up interviews with carpentry firms but need to find out which are the bigger areas that have the most growth for new housing being built, as that would be the direction we would go for OH work, don’t mind if there’s a commute, in your experience are carpenters struggly for work in Queensland?
Also is There much over a production industry there for magazine shoots, filming ect?
Sorry about all the questions, and hope they make sense, look forward to hearing from you! X
*obviously got way to excited and have a lot of type-o’s sorry about that! Aka not conduction firms but construction firms, you get the idea x
Ha ha, I’ve never been called that before, but thank you for the kind compliments, glad you have found my website useful.
Lots of questions, yes, some I can’t answer either. Getting your first rental is really difficult, I’d say get whatever you can at first and ask for a six month lease rather than 12. We don’t have proper beaches here in Brisbane, they can be found on the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast about an hour and a bit in opposite directions. You could live on the east and find tiny patches of sand at Manly, Cleveland and around Redcliffe further north. But they are not what you would call golden sandy beaches.
I quite like western suburbs where I live, and I believe filming for TV goes on in studios up in Mtv Coot-tha close by, they may need make up artists, but I know nothing about magazine shoots around here.
As for your 0H, Brisbane isn’t exactly booming right now and not too many new houses being built. I couldn’t tell you exactly how much work there is at the moment for a chippy, but if I had to take a guess, I would say it’s not a great environment right now for that kind of work. But I’m only guessing, maybe somebody else can help you out on that one and the magazine thing. Unemployment has just gone up to 6.2% here in Queensland, the highest since 2009, so that won’t help.
Good luck with your move Sasha, I hope it all works out well.
Cheers
Bob
LOL, well you got to give me koodo’s for orginality!
Thanks for the info, that clears a few things up! How far is the western suburbs from the coast? when you went out did you have a job lined up before arriving? or did you go over then get in touch with potential employers? Your right about about short let, as homeowners presently I will be sure to have as much proof with bank statements, ect. thanks again for taking the time to respond, it’s wierd I get a jolt of excitement than a burst of anxiety! Just such a whirl wind, as I’ve never been to Oz it’s all new (I know i’m either really brave or really stupid!)
As you probably aware this won’t be the last you hear from me! so I apologies in advance if I become some what of a stalker!
thanks
Yeah, you can have koodo’s. It takes me about an hour and a quarter to get to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, and about an hour and a half to get to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.
No, I didn’t have a job lined up, been here five years and still haven’t got a job! Both me and my wife work for ourselves.
Never been to Australia? It’s quite nice really, honest….
So i’ve heard!
We have found a plan of attack, instead of freaking out trying to look for a furnished place for 2wks when we first arrive, not knowing where we want to be based, we’ve decided on renting a motorhome for 2 wks, it’s pretty spiffy and thought it will give us freedom to explore the areas, as i’m stuck on Brisbane suburbs or sunshine coast, so we shall see them all!
During this time we will open a bank account and look into which areas we would like to settle, in my head it seems like a genius idea? Any tips for us roadies? we will fly into brisbane and get the motorhome from there, than head up the east coat, if you can be so sweet as to give me a little insight where to head, area ect, i’m going to be planning a our tour, so any tips would be great! No Pressure lol
cheers x
Motorhome is a good idea, if possible, see if you can extend it beyond two weeks if necessary, as I think you may need more time than you have allowed to find where you want to live.
As you have said you are intending to head up the east coast, I assume you are going north? We have always liked Mooloolaba, but this week we have spent some time in Hervey Bay which is even further north. We really liked it there as well, and it appears to be substantially cheaper up that way.
But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you can’t beat taking a look for yourself, you’re sure to fall in love with somewhere pretty soon. Happy househunting!
Bob
dear oz i got one question about cost of living .What is more expensive sydney or brisbane and how hard ill find some job, im 22, year old man who want to live and study there. Thanks and ill be rly surprised for your opinion.
Sydney is more expensive than Brisbane, but I could not tell you how easy or hard it would be for you to find a job, that’s an impossible question for me to answer.
Hi Bob,
Great site! We’re moving to Brisbane in May with the family!
Was wondering if you are aware of any good sites about commuting times between western suburbs and CBD. We’re thinking off areas like Chapel Hill, Fig Tree Pocket, Kenmore Hills and maybe Brookfield, but I keep getting told commuting over Moggill Road is a nightmare. I will work in the CBD but don’t want to spend much more than 30 min each way so am afraid that Brookfield etc. are too far out.
Thanks in advance for any advice / thoughts!
Hi Erik
I live in Bellbowrie which is further from the city than the places you mention, if I get a bus into the CBD outside of rush-hour it takes about 45 minutes. So from Chapel Hill, it would be around 30 minutes, but how much that time would increase if you do need to travel during rush hour, I don’t know.
There are no trains, so the bus is your only choice. Once you get to Indooroopilly though, you do have the choice of a train.
It’s a great part of Brisbane to live in though, very leafy green and open, great for the kids.
Cheers
Bob
Thanks Bob, guess will figure out the rush hour once we get there. Looking forward to our move!
Hi, this is an awesome website, thanks for the info, I am working for an Australian company which has offices in New Zealand too. Recently I have been promoted to a new job and it is in Brisbane. I am not sure if it is a good idea to sell my house in Auckland and buy another one or just rent it out and rent a house in Brisbane for a while. Also I am not sure if banks in Australia lend me any money since my house is still belongs to the New Zealand bank.
I have two kids 7 yr old and 4 yr old. I am looking for a nice suburb that is good for family and also has good school. My office is in CBD and because we can’t afford to have two cars, I need to take bus or train and leave the car for my wife.
Any idea with $400 PW, if we can rent a house in a nice suburb or not ? If it is a very common question, please just let me know and I will do more research.
Hi Frank,
Congratulations with the new job and promotion! Moving over to Brisbane ourselves in th next few months. Whether the bank will lend you money will depend on how much you earn versus how much you have outstanding in loans back in NZ. If you can rent out your house in NZ it is something worth looking into. If you expect to come back to Auckland I would be very carefull with selling your house. Plenty of brokers out there who can give you some advice / initial feedback.
Best place to look for houses is http://www.realestate.com.au and you’ll quickly get an idea of both rents and purchase prices.
Good luck with your move!
Erik has given you a good answer, all I will add is that if you want a three or four-bedroom detached house, then you’ll need to settle for a rather long bus journey if you’re wanting to pay $400 a week.
It’s not impossible though, that just check how long that bus or train might take you to get into work.
Good luck, I hope it all goes smoothly.
Thank you Bob, I have a few months to find a good place with good public system till my family move to Brisbane too. It would be very interesting.
Keep up the great work .
Thanks Frank, hope you find somewhere suitable.
Bob
Thank you Erik, my new role is permanent so I won’t going back to Auckland.I will talk to the bank when I am in Brisbane, I have also noticed that the more you get closer to the CBD the rent goes up more. So Before my whole family move in next couple of month, I can do some research and find a good place , I also need to organise to move my household , so I think the next couple of months would be very interesting.
Hello Bob,
I will be moving to queensland after 4 months with my family,I have 2 boys, 10 and 11 years old and my husband, wanted to ask you about the schools,I will be working in narangba, could you please advice me where to live ? what suburb to choose ? my prioraties are the schools and safety. Would appreciate your help.
Thank you
Rasha
I don’t really know the north side well enough Rasha to advise you, hopefully someone from over that side might pop by to give you some advice. You will get some help though for both choosing a suburb and school from my pages Which Suburb? & Which school?.
Hope your move goes smoothly.
Bob
hi ya we are looking at moving to burpengary i have been told that it is getting rough with gangs and crime is this ture or just gossip, where would be a good area to live we know people in logan and burpengary.thinking of work wise as well my partner is a fitter and turner. i am a massage therapist/ beauty therapist.
my children and grandchildren will be comming over as well so we have to think of all age groups
I don’t know Burpengary very well, I’ve only driven through it 2 or 3 times. It seems pretty quiet up there, I can’t imagine the streets being full of roaming gangs, although I did hear that there were some bikie gang arrests in that area, one actually in Burpengary with others from the surrounding suburbs.
You can read a bit about Brisbane’s crime stats and Logan does get a mention, on this Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Brisbane
Hope that helps
Bob
Hi any advice on we’re to choose in brisbane to live ie best places for work that isn’t to expensive for living costs ? Any advice would be helpfull
The further away from the city, the cheaper it gets basically. The best places for work depends on what you do, but I’d get a job first before settling on where to live.
thank you this site is great will be watching the comments as it is great to be able to see other comments which help with the big move
Thanks Leeza
Hi Bob,
This website is really fantastic! Thanks for sharing your experiences and knowledge with people around the world who has the dream to move to Australia some day. My husband and I are currently preparing for our move to Australia and we enjoyed reading your website and blog. My personal favourites are your videos that summarizes each year of your life in Australia. I hope some day we are able to live our dreams too, just like you and your family.
We are considering moving to Brisbane as the climate is more suitable for us. However, our relatives expressed concerns due to the floods that are reported in the recent years. May we please find out from you, how severe is the flooding in Brisbane having experienced it first hand? We do not wish to be asked to evacuate our house because of the flood.
My husband is also exploring to purchase a house and would like to seek some advice on which suburbs are flood-free and safe to raise a family in. We do not need to live near the beaches, but would prefer a suburb within 30 minutes drive from Brisbane CBD.
Looking forward to any advice or help with regards to these questions. Thanks for your time.
Hi Ashriel
Glad you are enjoying my website and those videos, hope to see you here in Brisbane soon. But is Brisbane really too dangerous? Firstly, let me explain your relatives, they will quite understandably put doubts into your mind about the move, they probably don’t want you to come here, they will miss you. So they will say anything to try and put you off, and that’s understandable.
What’s more important, is are you having any doubts? Now for Brisbane; I love Brisbane’s climate, but it is subtropical, so we get monsoon like rains. Sometimes we get too much of them and it gets very, very wet.
Occasionally the place floods, but every time it’s the same houses that do flood and the same houses that don’t. The houses that do flood are far and away outnumbered by the houses that don’t. You just need to be careful where you buy your house, so I suggest you read my post Brisbane and Queensland Floods: Should We Avoid Living There?
Good luck, whatever you decide to do.
Cheers
Bob
Hi everyone, just looking for possible places to rent and I’m a bit overwhelmed right now! My husband has a job in Murarrie (starts July 1st), and we have family on the GC, so i’m looking for somewhere south of Brisbane, the more rural the better. Ideally a 20-30 min max commute, does anyone have any recommendations on suburbs to narrow it down to? My business is equine related, so any neddies in the vicinity would be a bonus! Thanks in advance, & love your work Bob!
Murarrie is very close to the centre of Brisbane, pretty much nothing within 20 to 30 minute commute is going to be rural. There might be some semirural areas south east of there, maybe Mount Cotton, around that way. You’d have to check that out more thoroughly though, I just remembered driving around that way sometime in my past and seeing lots of green fields.
Lots of horses live in Anstead and Pullenvale in Western Suburbs and Samford in the north-west is similarly horsey. Jimboomba is very rural and between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Happy househunting!
Bob
Bob,
Firstly , i love your page. There are so many different sites which doesn’t give half as much as information as you do. really impressive!!
Myself and my boyfriend are hoping to move to Australia in Novemeber. We are Irish and are hoping to move abroad for a year or maybe more to live and work. I was wondering maybe you could help me out if you could.
I’ve done a bit of research on Brisbane and absolutely love what I see and hear about it. Where would be the best location for us to move to so were close enough to the city to get in and out of work everyday? What about apartments, would we find it hard to find somewhere ? I would really love a reply and your help!!
Thanks so much..
Ciara
Thanks Ciara, glad to hear you are impressed.
I think that choosing a suburb in which to live is such a personal choice that it’s impossible for me to recommend somewhere to you. I can tell you though, there are plenty of really nice suburbs close to the city and yes, apartments are available.
Closer to the city you get though, the more expensive they are, of course. I would start your search on my page called Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia.
Thanks
Bob
Hi Bob,
Great site. Was wondering if you, or anyone else, could pitch in with a bit of advice. My husband is currently applying to Queensland Police and has to put down 3 area choices. We’ve narrowed it down to Gold Coast District, Sunshine Coast District and need to select between Metropolitan North Region and Metropolitan South Region in Brisbane. Neither of us love the quiet suburbs of Aus and would rather be nearer hustle and bustle (so near Southport if Sunshine Coast came up). Also, I work in advertising. So, out of Met north and Met south Brisbane, which area provides the more bustling type suburbs, or is closer to Brisbane CBD? Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Hi Dee
I’ve just taken a quick look at the Queensland police map, if I understand you correctly, you have a straight choice between Metropolitan North & Metropolitan South in Brisbane. Both are Brisbane city, one is north of the river and the other is South of the river. Neither, if I read the map correctly, is Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.
So it doesn’t really matter which of the two you choose, both include suburbs close to the city centre as well as outer suburbs of Brisbane. You’ll find a bit of hustle and bustle in both.
For what it’s worth, I’d go north but there really isn’t that much in it.
Cheers
Bob
Hi Bob,
Hoping that these would be my last questions, which make of car you recommend to buy here around 3000 or 4000? I used to drive old BMWs in last 20 yrs in NZ, cars were cheap and lots of wreck yards to buy 2nd hand parts or If I had to Ebay for new parts, but it is different here , rego is expensive and cars have very high millage, so in your experience3 in last few years, should I stick to Germans to Holden,Ford or Toyota, considering the maintenance, please excuse my ignorance if I am asking irrelevant questions here.
Hi Mike
As you’ve probably found for yourself, you won’t get much for $3000-$4000. Cars are very expensive here, I’m no big car expert so don’t take too much notice of me, but I’d say stick to Holden and Ford with that kind of budget.
Cheers
Bob
Hi!
Were two scandinavian guys and we wanna move to australia for ~ a year, and we wanna know if we can suvive on about 10 000 £.
We intend to find ourselfs a job before we go, or alteast talk to people who can offer us jobs when we land and or sometime later.
Were young and we wanna have a good time, so I ask you this:
If you are young and you wannna have fun with a good chance of getting a job were in Australia should we aim for?
Hi Gino
I think £10,000 is a very good kitty to bring with you, I’m pretty sure you will be able to find work on top of that, so I reckon you will get by just fine.
Where would it be best to go to have fun and get work? I’d be guessing really, but certainly Sydney would be high on my list as would the Gold Coast. That said though, if you manage to secure jobs before you leave, then I would head for wherever it is you get that work.
Hope you have a great time when you get here.
Cheers
Bob