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. Those booking airline tickets into Brisbane airport are only a few kilometres away from the beautiful Brisbane River and all its outdoor parks and cafe quarters.
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:
{ 28 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 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.
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!!!