Brisbane

Living in Brisbane

Brisbane South BankBrisbane LocationA 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; if you want to know what I mean about that, check out my post The Beaches of Brisbane: A Quick Tour. Perhaps that’s why Brisbane only came 20th in the Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s 2014 Liveability Survey. But London only made 51st, 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 Annual WeatherBrisbane 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 view online on  Brisbane Council’s website.

You may also want to check out my post called Brisbane and Queensland Floods: Should We Avoid Living There? Here’s a clue though, Brisbane is where I live and I love it.

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?

  • Please note: Brisbane is no longer Australia’s fastest-growing city as stated in the commentary, it was a few years ago, but it’s not now.

Brisbane Suburbs Map:

Brisbane MapThe 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

Questions about Brisbane?

If you have any question about living in Brisbane, please please feel free to ask them in the comments below. Or if you know this city well, why not tell us what you think of it or maybe even help out by answering some of the questions people have about the area. I’m sure anybody thinking of moving here would be very grateful for any help you can give them.

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{ 1313 comments… add one }
  • Natasha Harden July 2, 2018, 1:36 pm |

    Hi Bob
    My husband and I are are looking at moving to Oz. Ive lived there before in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne although I can’t really remember brisbane all that much. He’s a graphic designer and Im a hair stylist and have already checked out work possibilities. My question is more aimed at wheres best to live. We prefer semi rural if possible but close enough to a town or the CBD for work. Having researched standard costs of living, Gold coast and brisbane came out one of the best. We would be renting and want a decent area but nothing too pricey. Eating out is a big thing for us as we’re vegan and where we currently are those options are extremely limiting so its very disheartening. As I understand Australia is far more progressive than where we are currently so it’s an important part of our lifestyle change to move somewhere more modern. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
    Natasha

  • Samantha Carter June 18, 2018, 7:35 am |

    Hi Bob,
    My husband and I are moving to Brisbane from the UK in August. We will both be working at the Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside. We want to live somewhere commutable but also somewhere with enough going on.
    We would really like some advice on neighbourhoods for young professionals that is accessible to the prince Charles.

    Thanks
    Sammy

    • BobinOz June 18, 2018, 6:13 pm |

      Hi Samantha

      Well, I don’t know that area fantastically well, but I have driven around it quite a lot. Looking on the map, and looking at the surrounding suburbs, I would say that Chermside itself is probably the liveliest neighbourhood in the area.

      It has a massive Westfield shopping centre with quite a few bars and restaurants around it. You can also get a bus from Chermside that will get you to where our main nightlife is in Fortitude Valley, in about 30 minutes and into the centre of the city in about 35 minutes.

      So, in my view, I’d settle for Chermside itself, but it would be interesting to hear if anybody else has an opinion.

      Anybody?

  • Susie June 12, 2018, 12:16 pm |

    Hi Bob, I love your website, there is so much information! My family is hoping to relocate to Brisbane from NZ, for a lifestyle/climate change. We would love suburb advice please on where to start looking – family orientated, with a good public coed primary and high school, and a swim club very close – our kids are swimmers and one trains 5-6 times a week. Ideally with a good train line 45 mins commute to the city, looking to buy up to 600k. We’d look to rent first to make sure its a good fit. Any recommendations? Thanks so much!

    • BobinOz June 12, 2018, 8:26 pm |

      Thanks Susie, glad you like.

      So, if you Google ‘swimming pools in Brisbane’, you will find that Brisbane City Council list all 22 of them. If you also Google ‘Brisbane train map” you can see which of them are close to a train station.

      So, for example, Mount Gravatt would be an option and one or two people here have suggested that’s a good place to live. I’ve been there many times, it has a large shopping centre and is well-positioned for the main motorway. Sandgate would be another option, I really like that place, it’s right by the coast and has a great communal feel.

      Bellbowrie would also be an option, it has an Olympic size outdoor swimming pool, but that shuts for about 4 or 5 months a year during winter. They have a swim club, my daughter used to go, see one of the links further below. No train line into the city though, but there is a bus which can do the journey in 40 minutes in normal traffic, but during rush hour that will often become an hour or more.

      Great public schools in the area, the junior school is in Moggill and the senior school, which is well regarded, is in Kenmore.

      One of the best swimming pools we have here is in Chandler, which is probably a very nice place to live judging by the area, but I don’t know what the schools are like and it’s not on the train line.

      Here are some useful links:

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/16246/australians-and-swimming-why-do-aussies-swim-like-fish/
      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/11630/sport-and-swimming-in-australian-schools/
      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/12939/a-visit-to-sandgate-and-the-einbunpin-festival/

  • Aaron Waters June 11, 2018, 10:19 am |

    Hi
    We moved from Sydney to Brisbane early this year only reason being cost of purchasing a house in QLD. But unfortunately that was the only positive aspect of our move. We moved to Springfield Lakes, one of the urbane township closer to Ipswich. However we were quite baffled to see that there were hardly any bus services in Brisbane, as compared to Sydney suburbs. We now end up having 3 cars – one for each family member! And the biggest disadvantage is Retail and grocery shopping. If you plan to do some grocery and retail shopping on weekends, it has to be perfectly timed. Shops open at 10 AM and close by 4 or 5 (Yes – including Coles and Woollies) on Sunday. We actually thought there was a lock-down the weekend we moved.
    In the name of “relaxed” state/city, the place is way too backward and isn’t ready for change.

    • BobinOz June 11, 2018, 5:46 pm |

      This is plainly untrue. Here are the opening hours for Coles in Springfield, you can Google it for yourself if you want…

      Normal store hours

      Monday – Friday 7am – 9pm
      Saturday 7am – 9pm
      Sunday 9am – 6pm

      And here’s some information taken directly from Brisbane City Councils website about the bus services here “Transport for Brisbane operates a fleet of more than 1200 buses across the city.”

      I really don’t know what your problem is, but my problem with your comment is that it is blatantly misleading.

  • Danny June 2, 2018, 7:13 pm |

    Hi, I am a wheelchair user, and although I would make use of the public transport, are there any areas/suburbs of Brisbane that are flat/good walkable standard? The cbd area around Roma st etc, is so hilly!

    • BobinOz June 4, 2018, 6:41 pm |

      Yes, I’m afraid lots of areas of Brisbane are very hilly, I’ve seen some ridiculously steep slopes. Pretty sure all of our buses are wheelchair friendly, but I remember reading recently that Queensland Rail have purchased a load of new trains that, embarrassingly, are not…

      http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-02/qld-rail-train-not-granted-exemption-disability/9502556

      Anyway, all I can think of for flat areas are the suburbs on the east on the coast, like Redcliffe, Brighton, Sandgate, Manly and Cleveland. Pretty sure they are reasonably flat.

      I can’t even think of anywhere close to the city that isn’t hilly, so if any of my other readers can, we’d love to hear from you.

      • Danny June 5, 2018, 3:17 pm |

        Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately, the news about the trains doesn’t surprise me at all. I’ll definitely check out those suburbs you suggest.

  • Craig May 28, 2018, 9:49 am |

    Hi Bob
    My wife and I are thinking about moving north, leaving Sydney, and Brisbane or Sunshine Coast are our 2 preferred areas of choice. We’re quite familiar with Sunshine Coast and know that work options would be limited up there compared to Brisbane but that’s not too much of an issue. What we’d like to get your thoughts on are the best beach suburbs (max 10 minute drive to the sand) that are also a sensible commute to Brisbane CBD? We’d be looking to buy rather than rent, family friendly suburbs, great schools, budget between $700 – $1.2m

    • BobinOz May 28, 2018, 6:56 pm |

      Easily my favourite suburb on Sunshine Coast, and it’s right on the beach, is Mooloolaba. Nearby suburb Buderim is highly rated, and I’ve heard good things about its school, Buderim Mountain State School.

      As for commuting from there into Brisbane, if you need to do that daily, I really would not advise it. If you’re going to commute during peak traffic times, you can probably count on a couple of hours each way. Do you really want to spend four hours a day in a car?

      If you decide to live in Brisbane, we don’t do beaches very well, check out the link towards the beginning of the above article.

  • marrow May 25, 2018, 10:56 am |

    Hi! I am African American, I live SanFrancisco and there is a lot of diversity, Is it the same in Brisbane???

    • BobinOz May 25, 2018, 10:09 pm |

      Yes, Brisbane is quite diverse, but it’s more Asians and Europeans, not so much African-Americans though. We do have them here, of course, but to be honest, it’s a low percentage. Maybe 2 to 3%, perhaps.

  • Tasmyn May 23, 2018, 12:17 am |

    Hi Bob, my partner and I are looking to move to Brisbane in November this year and I’d love some input on a few queries we have if you’re able to help! We’re both in our mid 20s and would be renting, we’re looking for somewhere with a decent nightlife, younger people, places to eat and shop. If I’m writing my ideal situation, we’d also love to have some sort of view of the city or the river and live in an apartment as I’ve read Brisbane is quite notorious for break ins? I’ve visited Brisbane before and loved South Bank so the places we were intially considering where South Brisbane, West End, and Highgate Hill area but we’ve now started looking towards Fortitude Valley and surrounds. To give you some background re: jobs and budgets, we are both unsure as to which direction we would eventually like to go in having both studied Commerce, so we were both going to get jobs in hospitality to begin with until we are settled and have experienced living in the area for about 6 months. We have a rental budget of up to $450 but preferably less. I have a few questions –
    1. We have a dog (20kg Staffy) so do you know much in terms of where the pet friendly apartments/areas are? Online there appears to be many but upon more research, they are limited to dogs under 15kg so where are all the big dogs?! Should we let go of the idea of apartment living within walking distance of the city and Southbank and not needing a car and look further from the CBD?
    2. Working as a bartender myself being a young female, I’ve read mixed reviews on fortitude valley and the safety at nighttime. Is it really a dangerous area that I wouldn’t want to be walking home from work in especially if I finish work late at night?
    3. What is the reality of living in Brisbane without a car? My partner will have one so we will be able to use it when travelling further afield but on a day to day basis, is it realistic?
    Sorry for the mega post but any help would be greatly appreciated!!

    • BobinOz May 23, 2018, 9:11 pm |

      Hi Tasmyn, firstly, Brisbane isn’t notorious for break-ins, it’s quite a safe city.

      I think your dog is going to cause you problems here, because wanting to live close to the city and with that budget, you are probably limited to apartments/units, and I think you might struggle to find one that will allow dogs of that size, but maybe you will. If you visit my page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia and start searching for places close to the city within your budget, click on the advanced settings and look for the tick box about allowing pets. That’s the way find the answer on that one.

      The Valley is one of Brisbane’s busiest nightlife areas, with nightclubs open through till 5 AM and lots of drinking going on. Yes, it can get a bit dodgy later night, it’s not comfortable walking for a woman on her own in the early hours of the morning. It is not specifically bad, I’ve walked around late at night there myself and never felt threatened, but things do happen sometimes. Better to be walking with someone than alone.

      Having a car to get around Brisbane is ideal, but not always absolutely necessary. If you Google “Brisbane train map” you will see that there are lots of lines going into the city and if you choose a suburb a bit out of town that has a train station, that may be your best option. You won’t have local nightlife, but hop on a train and you can be there in no time. Would be better for your dog as well, you’d have a decent chance of finding a rental that allows pets.

  • Amy May 21, 2018, 7:04 am |

    Hi Bob, thank you for the website. Are you able to suggest to us if Ormeau, Coomera or other areas that not far to commute to Brisbane from the Gold coast that have good daycares and primary schools please? Thank you

    • BobinOz May 21, 2018, 6:27 pm |

      I think you might be better off asking about these areas on my page about Gold Coast, hopefully someone who knows those areas well would also know about the daycare centres and primary schools.

      Personally though, I think it would be a horrible commute to do on a daily basis to Brisbane, at rush hour that motorway can be pretty horrid. It is doable though, plenty people do, and it’s nowhere near as bad as the M25, if you’re familiar with that.

      • Amy May 22, 2018, 2:36 pm |

        Hi Bob thanks for your reply. Would you please recommend some areas that within 30 minutes drive to walco with good primary schools and daycare. Not too expensive to rent? thank you

        • BobinOz May 22, 2018, 8:48 pm |

          Just want to check first, do you mean Wacol? If you do, then I would suggest looking at Moggill and Bellbowrie just across the river. It is a 30 minute drive, but if you get the Moggill ferry ($2 for a car) you would half that.

          It’s got a really good primary school, a great place to bring up kids, has daycare and rentals are very reasonable.

          • Amy May 24, 2018, 2:40 pm |

            Hi Bob. Yes its Wacol. My husband will be working in Wacol. We have 2 young children (both in daycare) We are looking at renting for 6 months and then looking to buy. We are looking for an area with good daycare and school and within 30 minutes drive to Wacol. If easy to conmute to the city (train or bus)would be great just in case if I will be working in the city. Would you please recommend some areas that not expensive to rent or buy. Thank you

            • BobinOz May 25, 2018, 10:04 pm |

              Then in that case my first recommendation above stands, but if you want to stay the Wacol side of the river, then look to your north, don’t go south. Suburbs like Jindalee, Mount Ommaney and Middle Park are worth a look. Bellbowrie does have a bus service into the city though, so still worth a look.

              • Amy May 26, 2018, 8:56 am |

                Hi Bob, thank you. We will have a look at the areas you mentioned. Some people say Forest lake? Is it a nice area for family with young kids ? Thank you

                • BobinOz May 28, 2018, 6:08 pm |

                  I don’t know anything about Forest Lake, never been. Springfield Lakes might be worth a look, it’s a rapidly expanding new town and I believe it has won awards for its design.

                  Of them all though, I still prefer my original suggestions.

                  • Amy May 28, 2018, 8:18 pm |

                    Hi Bob, thank you so much for your advice. Much appreciated.

  • Rob potentially of Oz May 10, 2018, 1:01 am |

    Hi Bob,

    Your website has been a godsend for us looking into moving to Oz. Informative and funny!
    I may have the opportunity to move to Brisbane in the near future with my work.
    It is currently me, my wife and a big dog.
    I would be working in Fortitude Valley and looking for a nice suburb to maybe start a family.
    Could you or any one of the great folk on your site recommend some good suburbs within around 30-40 min commute? Preferably by public transport?
    I’m ballparking that we would have around 800k to play with give or take if that helps?

    Cheers,

    Rob

    • BobinOz May 10, 2018, 7:02 pm |

      Thanks, glad you like.

      If you Google the ‘Brisbane train map’ you will see that you are spoilt for choice for suburbs that link directly to The Valley. Your budget is pretty decent as well, but before anyone can really help, it might be an idea if you tell us more about what you want from a suburb.

      Do you want open spaces, lots of parks, or do you want shops, cafe culture or nightlife? Do you want acreage or just a big house with a garden? You say you will maybe start a family, so I suspect schools are not important just yet. Give us a clue about what you want, and we’ll try and help.

      • Rob potentially of Oz May 14, 2018, 5:37 am |

        Wow!
        Apologies I didn’t expect a response so soon. Thank you for getting in touch.

        I see Brisbane has a pretty good rail network covering a lot of the suburbs which is great for choice.

        We would be likely looking at houses with good gardens but are quite open to a more rural setting and space. We currently live in a small town in the Peak District so night life isn’t that important but probably looking for somewhere which is friendly with a good cafe type culture maybe some local shops etc. We enjoy walking so nearby parks and access to the countryside would be terrific.

        • BobinOz May 14, 2018, 7:36 pm |

          Well, in that case, I’m inclined to suggest you look along the Ferny Grove line to the north-west of the city. I am told it’s 30 minutes by train from Ferny Grove into the CBD and it’s kind of semirural out that way. I don’t know the area that well, but one or two people have left some positive comments about the area.

          From there you would be 10 minutes drive from one of my favourite places, Samford Village, which is very rural and then beyond that you are heading into the D’aguilar State Forest.

          A few other suburbs along that line may be worth a look as well, like Keperra and maybe even Everton Park, not quite on the train line but really not far from Mitchelton. As I say though, I don’t know that area well, so I’d love to hear from someone who does to see what they think of it around there.

          If anyone can help out, we love to hear from you.

  • Raj May 6, 2018, 9:39 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    Me and my husband both are general practitioners, currently looking to move to Brisbane by early next year. We also have two young children. Would really appreciate if you have any suggestions for good priced suburbs that have good schools and general practices close by. Thanks in advance,
    Raj

    • BobinOz May 8, 2018, 6:28 pm |

      Personally I always think it’s best to secure a job first and then decide where you want to live based on where you will be working. Brisbane is a sprawling city with a river splitting it in half. Travel times can be very long and tedious if you don’t live reasonably close to your work and you really don’t want to have to cross that bridge on a daily basis.

      GP practices are almost everywhere, pretty much in every suburb I would think, and if you have a look at the comments already made here on this page many people have discussed children friendly suburbs. Might be worth skimming through the many comments here, it should help.

  • HAMAD MANEDIEN May 5, 2018, 2:37 am |

    Hi
    I am planning to move to Brisbane from UAE as soon as I get my skilled immigration visa. Which area you recommend for me to live, and be close to job opportunities ( I am civil engineer). Also, what could be the best options for me as single, have a pet(cat). Appreciated. cheers

    • BobinOz May 8, 2018, 6:11 pm |

      I’d try and rent somewhere on a short-term lease, try for six months, close to the city to begin with. If you use the link on my page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia to search for rentals, in the advanced settings you can tick a box for pets as some landlords will allow them.

      Once you know where you are going to be working, that would be the time to choose a more permanent location to live. It also gives you a chance to have a good look around to see which suburbs you like the look of, nothing beats walking the streets to get the feel of an area.

  • Michelle May 2, 2018, 8:40 pm |

    Hi, looking at buying in brisbane. Options are currently Murarrie, Balmoral, Windsor. Can you tell me what those suburbs are like and which would overall likely be best for a young family?

    • BobinOz May 3, 2018, 4:57 pm |

      Personally I don’t know enough about either of those suburbs to be of help, so hopefully someone else who does know will see your comment and give you some advice.

      Failing that, you might like to use the links on my page Which Suburb? to research a little more about those places.

      Can anybody help Michelle with this?

      • Michelle May 3, 2018, 7:14 pm |

        Thanks! Hopefully someone else can help

  • Claire W April 30, 2018, 12:22 pm |

    Hello

    We are looking to relocate from Sydney and are looking at family friendly suburb in the inner north west not too far from the CBD but with a good local community feel and some cafes etc we are looking at Ashgrove, Newmarket and Redhill and possibly the Gap but not too sure if this still has local shops etc that you can walk to? what are your thoughts on these suburbs do they have a high expat community?

    • BobinOz April 30, 2018, 7:20 pm |

      I don’t know these areas that well, but I don’t think The Gap is very walker friendly. It’s quite hilly and spread out and I think it only has one shopping centre with about 30 shops. I think Ashgrove would be a much better option, it has a quite lively ‘High Street’ kind of set up.
      Not sure about Redhill or Newmarket, but I do think that Paddington may well be worth a look for you, that’s quite trendy with plenty of cafes and lots going on.

      Hopefully somebody who knows these areas better than me can chip in and help you out. Anybody?

  • Lucy April 29, 2018, 8:09 pm |

    This is really useful thanks. I’m heading over later this year – looking at somewhere to live. I will be working in Cleveland and my partner will be working in Redcliffe. Is there anywhere that will be convenient for both of us to commute (30-45 mins commute) – looking for lively busy areas with lots of restaurants/bars – either apartment or house.

    • BobinOz April 30, 2018, 5:59 pm |

      Wow, the word conundrum springs to mind. Your two workplaces are about an hour’s drive apart, separated by the Brisbane River. The only sensible way across that river from those locations is by using the Gateway Bridge, which currently costs just over four dollars each way I think. Can’t imagine it’s a barrel of laughs during rush hour either.

      Both Redcliffe and Cleveland are quite lively themselves, they both have bars, restaurants and pubs. A good in between compromise might well be Carindale, which is 35 minutes to Redcliffe across that same bridge, and about 25 minutes to Cleveland. Not sure what Carindale is like to live in, but it has a massive shopping centre and I would have thought a good selection of restaurants and bars as well.

      Good luck, Bob

  • ram April 19, 2018, 9:27 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    Thanks for all the information you provide about Australia. I am planning to move north of Brisbane. you mentioned there are a lot of suburbs to choose from. Any ideas about caboolture. I would like to live between caboolture and Brisbane. My priorities would be to get a decent sized plot of land for gardening with access to good schools. Any suggestions please.

    • BobinOz April 20, 2018, 6:18 pm |

      Caboolture doesn’t have the best of reputations, but I don’t know it well enough to comment. I’ve driven through Burpengary, I think you’ll get a good size plot there, but again, I don’t know what it’s like to live there.

      North Lakes has had good reviews, people who live there seem to like it, but it’s quite new so I expect the plots will be quite small there. May be worth a look though, just in case there’s still some acreage in the area.

      Maybe somebody else who knows the northern suburbs better than I do can give you a more informed opinion.

      Anybody?

      • ram April 23, 2018, 6:46 am |

        Thanks Bob, will look at North Lakes.

  • Peter B April 19, 2018, 9:38 am |

    Hi Bob,
    I am an older professional who is moving to Brisbane to work in the CBD. My family will follow in 6 to 12 months. I am in my 50s active and wont own a car initially. I am looking at living on the fringes of the CBD with access to good public transport. I would prefer locations with plenty of open space, good coffee shops and outlets to shop for quality, fresh produce. An area where on weekends it is not overrun by clubbers and has super activity at nights is not preferred. Bulimba/Balmoral and South Brisbane are about the right distance from the CBD and research suggests a good locations for younger folk to live, any suggestions is appreciated? Thanks.

    • BobinOz April 19, 2018, 8:42 pm |

      From what you say, I would suggest that Bulimba would be ideal for you, is one of the few suburbs that has a high street kind of set up that is littered with coffee shops and other shopping facilities.

      It has a ferry terminal for easy access into the city and it’s not the sort of place the youngsters though to party or get drunk. The downside is that housing is quite expensive there, but if you can afford it, I think it would suit you very well.

  • Bronwyn Morris April 19, 2018, 8:25 am |

    Just a couple of comments. Brisbane has won the world’s most liveable city title all be it a few years ago. It ranked in 2017 16th 3.3 points behind Melbourne which won the title. The closest surf beach to Brisbane is on Bribie Island which is about a 40- 50 minute drive from the CBD. You can also catch a boat out to Straddie (Stradbroke Island ) or Moreton Island which takes about 30 minutes and catch a few waves. The Sunshine Coast is very accessible if living on the Northside of Brisbane and The Gold Coast very accessible if living on the Southside. There are mangroves dotting the Brisbane river but unfortunately many of these have been removed over the years. The mangroves provide a vital filtration source for our waterways.

    • BobinOz April 19, 2018, 8:35 pm |

      If they took into account house prices, then I think Brisbane would be 3.3 points above Melbourne 🙂 Housing affordability is surely a big factor to consider when awarding most liveable city, but apparently it’s ignored for the purpose of that survey.

      We love Straddie too.

  • VPetersen April 18, 2018, 10:34 am |

    Moving to work in the Logan City area. Any suggestions on an area/suburb close to shops and transport that is family friendly.
    Thanks

    • BobinOz April 18, 2018, 6:58 pm |

      Technically speaking, Logan is just outside of Brisbane and has its own city council. It is also known to be a socio economically disadvantaged area according to the 2011 Census. You can read more about that on the following post…

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/17938/what-are-the-bad-areas-to-avoid-in-australia/

      I don’t know the area well at all, I’ve never even been, let alone lived there, so it’s impossible for me to give a valid opinion. Hopefully someone else will see your question and give you more useful information.

      If you have a reasonable budget though, and you can travel, it may be worth considering living somewhere outside of Logan.

    • Bronwyn Morris April 19, 2018, 8:26 am |

      Logan City covers a large area. Where exactly in Logan will you be working?

      • VPetersen April 19, 2018, 10:25 am |

        Thanks for info – I will be working in Logan Central, however wanting to find something that is not too long a commute, say under 40 minutes. Was advised Springwood or Kuraby were potentially ok areas to live.

        • BobinOz April 23, 2018, 5:29 pm |

          If nobody can help you with these suburbs, you might like to do some research for yourself using the links my page called Which Suburb?

  • jack April 11, 2018, 11:24 am |

    Hi bobinoz,
    i’m looking to live 30 min from brisbane preferable access by train. not expensive ($300,000) family friendly please. Any thoughts? Jack 1981

  • Rachel April 5, 2018, 4:18 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    I am considering Studying at University of QLD in St Lucia. I would be moving from Melbourne, but would like to get an idea of some safe and affordable suburbs to rent in. I am happy to be within a 30min driving radius of the university and looking at rent fro under $400 per week. I appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!!

    • BobinOz April 5, 2018, 9:28 pm |

      $400 a week is a pretty good budget for your rental if it’s only you, or do you need somewhere with three or four bedrooms?

      Anyway, anywhere from Kenmore through to Indooroopilly, Toowong, Taringa and even through to St Lucia itself is all very safe and they are good areas to live. Indooroopilly has a transport hub with buses and trains, and also a large shopping mall.

      My page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia will help you do your research.

      Good luck, Bob

  • OnTheMove April 5, 2018, 10:13 am |

    Hi Bob,

    I will be working in the Kenmore area but my partner will be working around Narangba / North Lakes area. Are there any suburbs that you can recommend for us? We’ll both be driving to work and looking for somewhere that provides a fairly easy commute for both of us.

    Thanks in advance 🙂

    • BobinOz April 5, 2018, 9:10 pm |

      These locations will mean that you will both have tricky commutes, they are about 50 minutes apart when there is no traffic. That could double in rush hour.

      I don’t think you have any real choice other than trying to choose somewhere in the middle like Enoggera or Everton Park. I don’t really know those places well enough myself, but I’m pretty sure Enoggera has had some good comments made about it somewhere on this page, but Everton Park would be closer to the middle.

      • OnTheMove April 6, 2018, 5:58 am |

        Thanks Bob. I’ll look into those areas. Any thoughts on The Gap?

        • BobinOz April 6, 2018, 5:53 pm |

          It’s always hard for me to judge suburbs that I haven’t lived in but only driven through, but from what I’ve seen The Gap looks pretty good, and I think most people speak quite well of it.

          I searched through these comments though and found that on 2016/10/03 at 8:18 am a reader called Charlene made a comment about the area. She said “If you can spend more on a house then there are brilliant primary schools in Ashgrove, Bardon, Indooroopilly, Toowong, Taringa. A good middle ground that I would recommend is The Gap. Excellent primary schools and a state high school that’s results are as good if not better than private schools in the area. Beautiful little community.

        • Carl April 8, 2018, 5:19 pm |

          We have been here for a little over a year, any schools around kenmore, Corinda and Chapel hill are good, issues are these areas are very clicky so be careful, second you pay to live here, also the commute is horrible and the traffic in the western suburbs is always bad, prepare for an hour minimum and up to 3 if there’s an accident. I have have 2 people that work with me who live in the Gap, pretty good schools and a little less clicky, also quick commute to city. I’d suggest two things when looking, first check commuting options, and if you have school children check the catchment and school rankings.

  • Baxter March 17, 2018, 2:27 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    Thanks for this site, it’s been very helpful for me as I’ve been thinking of moving to Australia from the U.S. Brisbane seems nice, but I’m wondering a couple of things. First, how expensive of a city is it to live in? Also, what’s the job market like? I noticed the comments in your Adelaide section made it seem like it was rather tough finding a job there and wondered what Brisbane is like.

    Also if you have any other suggestions for places to consider I’d appreciate them!

    • BobinOz March 19, 2018, 7:15 pm |

      Brisbane would be a pretty good choice at the moment, housing costs are almost half when compared to Sydney and Melbourne, and the job market isn’t too bad here either.

      Adelaide, as you have noticed, does not have a good job market. I just checked the numbers on one of the employment websites here, Adzuna, and Adelaide only has 2800 vacancies, here in Brisbane we have over 9000.

      Most job opportunities though are in Melbourne (15,000) and Sydney (24,000) and of course, these figures are as at today’s date. Doing the same exercise with Seek for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, they say 57,000, 41,000 and 18,000 respectively. Given the lower population of Brisbane, I think the job numbers look pretty good and it isn’t an expensive city.

      To check the figures yourself, use the links on my page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship.

      • Baxter March 20, 2018, 8:46 pm |

        Thanks for the info, very helpful for sure!

  • Kel March 10, 2018, 9:39 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    Thank you so much for this great resource, I have used this page extensively in my relocation to Brisbane so far. Up until now I have found the info I needed, but this one has got me stuck so I’m going to try my luck asking and see if anybody can help advise.
    I have primarily been looking on the north side of Brisbane, and this is where my partner and I are currently living while we get set up. My partner is working and studying in the inner northern suburbs of Brisbane. I now have a possible job opportunity in Logan which is an amazing opportunity.
    My question is, is there anywhere in Brisbane where my partner and I could live which is feasible with travel to both inner north Brisbane and Logan? I don’t mind travelling for work (ideally 60 minutes or under but I can do more if needed) and I understand that i will be going against the traffic, so I feel like the inner southern suburbs might be an option, but I haven’t yet heard of anyone who lives on the south side and travels for work on the north side. Any experiences or input would be greatly appreciated. (Added challenge: we would like somewhere with at least a small yard for a dog. This isn’t a deal breaker as we don’t yet have a dog and could hold off if need be. Also we would be renting, and rental price wouldn’t be too much of a concern.)

    • BobinOz March 12, 2018, 8:28 pm |

      Thanks Kel, glad you like my site.

      When there is not much traffic about, you can easily drive from the centre of Brisbane to Logan in about 30 minutes. So even with traffic, I reckon you’ll be okay for your 60 minutes and under, especially if you choose a suburb on the south side.

      So the question is, how far is your partner prepared to travel to work? If you Google ‘Brisbane trains map’, and have a look at that, you will see how easily your partner could get to work via the train network and which suburbs would suit best for that.

      Hope that helps, Bob

      • Kel March 13, 2018, 4:57 pm |

        Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It’s reassuring to know that Brisbane to Logan seems reasonable enough.
        I should have added, my partner would sometimes need to drive to work as he often needs access to his car in north Brisbane throughout the day. Not sure whether you’ll be able to answer this but I guess my specific question now is, would it be possible to commute via car from the south to the north of Brisbane (Nudgee and surrounds) or would this just be an unmanageable nightmare? I’ve heard that as soon as you have to cross the river things get a lot more difficult but have no experience with this. Ideally we’d be hoping to find a place with less than a 60 min drive each way for both of us. If this isn’t reasonable though we would consider the option of one of us boarding through the week.

        • BobinOz March 13, 2018, 8:21 pm |

          Yes, I think crossing the river during rush hour can be a bit of a nightmare, but I don’t have any experience of it, so can’t say for sure.

          The Gateway Motorway is a toll bridge, I think it’s about five dollars or so, and we also have the Go Between Bridge and the Clem7 tunnel, again both are toll roads, that may be an option depending where you decide to live. The only free option would be to go through South Brisbane and that would be a nightmare.

          Something else to consider would be to live somewhere like Kenmore or Fig Tree Pocket and then that way you jump on the M5 and go to Logan, either via the toll motorway (30 minutes or so) or you avoid the toll road and take an extra 10 minutes or so. Even in rush hour, I think you can do it in under 60 minutes.

          Your husband can jump on the same motorway but go south to Nudgee in about the same amount as time as you’d will take on your journey. In this scenario you will be the one crossing the river, but it’s free, on a motorway, and although it can be a bit slow at times, it’s not that bad. Worth thinking about.

          • Kel March 15, 2018, 10:16 pm |

            Hi Bob, thank you so much for the information. I wouldn’t have even known where to start with this so it’s incredibly helpful. Thanks again for the awesome site and for helping so much with our relocation!

            • BobinOz March 16, 2018, 4:15 pm |

              My pleasure and good luck with your plans.

  • Iva February 17, 2018, 2:20 pm |

    Hello Bob,
    What a great blog with millions of good info. I wish I found it earlier. We are young family ( sydney siders) and getting squashed in a small townhouse and very tired of a long travel times to get anywhere and anytime :(. As my husband will finish up work this year ( facility shutting down) it is a good opportunty to re- think the living. We thinking of Brissy suburbs or maybe Redland City area, but south east only due to nature of my work. Thinking of a small acreage if possible. Was looking at Mount Cotton, Sheldon, Burbank but honestly do not have much idea. I am scared that we will move family to unsafe place :(. Any help much appreciated.

    • BobinOz February 19, 2018, 5:08 pm |

      Hi Iva, thanks, glad you like.

      I don’t know the area you’re talking about very well, but take a look at what Rachael (in a conversation started by Neeta March 12, 2015, 11:14 pm) has to say about Mount Cotton over on my page about the Southern Suburbs.

      Areas I do know well though are Anstead and Mount Crosby in the Western Suburbs, they are also very rural with acreage, very safe and property prices are quite reasonable. Worth a look. Hope that helps, Bob

      • Iva February 19, 2018, 7:12 pm |

        Thanks for taking the time to reply. I will definitely look at the conversation thread. Unfortunatelly, we cannot go to west as my husband will be based somewhere Brisbane CBD and myself attending various locations incl. Yatala and Gold Coast on a daily basis. The travel from West for myself would be a killer ( 6yr and 3yr kids at home on top of that). But must say that I did look at the suburbs you mentioned 🙂 and if I can I would put it on my “ like list”. Thank you so much!

        • BobinOz February 20, 2018, 9:19 pm |

          Yes, I agree, western suburbs to Gold Coast is a good hour and a quarter, a lot longer during rush hour. Not good. Sounds like you are probably looking in the right area with those other suburbs. Good luck, Bob

  • sussan February 9, 2018, 8:19 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    My family and I are originally from Sydney but looking to move to Brisbane area very soon.
    Hubby is currently working in the mines but will be getting a job in Brisbane cbd area. we have friends who live in ipswich area (which I know is not part of Brisbane council). They swear by ipswich area as they were living in Redcliffe area and think ipswich is much better for kids.
    We are looking at moving asap as I have left my job and pulled out our kids from school to get everything rolling. what are you thoughts? I heard Springfield lakes is nice.

    • BobinOz February 12, 2018, 4:12 pm |

      Springfield Lakes has been mentioned in these comments before, it’s kind of a new town and is rapidly expanding, it’s won awards for its design. Good access to the city as well, straight up the motorway.

      I’m not so sure about Ipswich, it sort of has a reputation for being a bit rough, but I don’t know if that truly is the case. Your friends would know better than I do, being as they live there, and if they say it is good, I’m not going to argue. I have been to Ipswich on many occasions, it seems okay to me.

      If you possibly can, it might be an idea to pop up here and have a look around first, that way you can get an idea first hand about these places.

  • Chris February 4, 2018, 3:58 am |

    After I got some great help in the Melbourne section, I´m actually researching the Brisbane area as our second option to move to.
    We are a family of four (kids 8 and 10) and we are looking for a suburb with some nature around, affordable housing and within a radius of a 45min drive to the city. Of course not in an area where there will be floods…

    We figured out the area of Ferny Hills, Arana Hills, Everton Hills or the area around Wakerly, Cannon Hill, Carina to live in.

    Bob, what do think?

    Thanks os much for this great work here!

    • BobinOz February 5, 2018, 6:17 pm |

      Brisbane would certainly give you better value in the housing market, but I’m sure you have already worked that out for yourself.

      I don’t know any of the suburbs that you have mentioned here well, but I do know the areas quite well and I think they are all in very fine locations. So I think they would be good choices, but hopefully somebody who knows these suburbs better than I do will be able to give you more information.

      It might also be worth looking at some of the western suburbs, particularly Bellbowrie and Moggill where housing is very affordable and there are plenty of green and open spaces. Beware though, parts of these suburbs did flood, but plenty of houses did not so you just need to consult the flood maps (link above) to make sure you get a house that won’t go under. These suburbs did get cut off though during the floods of 2011.

      These may be on the edge of your radius though, it’s about 35 is drive to the city in normal traffic conditions, but probably more like an hour during peak rush-hour.

      Hope that helps, Bob

      • Chris February 6, 2018, 1:24 am |

        Thanks again Bob.
        Good to know that we are on the right way… Bellbowrie and Moggill look very nice too. I thought this suburbs would be too far from the city, but 35 to 60mins sounds ok.
        Brissie more and more seems to be the perfect combination for us.
        Hope to see you there one day!

        • Mark February 10, 2018, 12:24 pm |

          Hi Chris

          I think I may have helped you in the Melbourne section (you can easily spot my writung style) and might ironically help you here. We have done just over two years in Melbourne area and previously from the UK with some USA thrown in. So why the help ? We are moving to Brisbane in a few weeks. . There is argualbly nothing worng with Melbourne though I can list what I dont like.but trying not to be negative, as an example one thing being the mad driving style.

          Cheers Mark

          • Chris February 12, 2018, 9:09 pm |

            Hey Mark,
            of course I remember your comments in the Melbourne section. Your recommended neighboorhoods there are still on our list… Thank you.
            But it seems that Brissie is the place to be?! Let us all have a “BobinOZ-User-BBQ” there:-)
            Do you already know where you´re going to live in Brisbane?

            • Mark February 13, 2018, 6:26 am |

              Hi Chris
              BBQ great idea. I can see Bob reaching for his chefs whites now. Brisse has its downsides nowhere doesnt, it was 38 yesterday in Brisbane and a friend of mine came home from work and jumped in the pool…An everday occurence maybe? No! She got out of the car walked through the house and straight in. Meanwhile us in Melbourne had the heating on this morning. Reason two.
              I was given two choices Sydney or Melbourne when I came out, things have changed a lot and it just seems so much nicer. Where? Not quite sure but Anstead, Pullenvale, Kenmore, Bellbowrie, Mogill, area and surrounds seem to be favorite
              Any sausages done yet ?

  • Marcio January 21, 2018, 3:24 pm |

    Hi Bob how are you
    Can you tell about Bethania. Homview and Beelengh,they are good place to family live.
    Thank you

    • BobinOz January 22, 2018, 7:00 pm |

      All of the suburbs you have mentioned here are actually part of the City of Logan, not Brisbane City Council. Logan is referred to as part of Greater Brisbane though. Logan is known as a socio-economically challenged area, for more about that, see the following post…

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/17938/what-are-the-bad-areas-to-avoid-in-australia/

      You will see that the 2011 census rated Logan as the fourth most disadvantaged place in Greater Brisbane, so probably not the best choice.

  • Gillian January 17, 2018, 2:18 am |

    Hi Bob!

    Love your website. It is so informative, especially when Australia is a millions miles away from Ireland!!

    My partner and I (mid 20’s) are moving to Australia in September. Our visa is for one year. We have been researching like crazy but cannot decide where the best location to live is. We have heard a lot of great things about Brisbane. We are leading towards there, Melbourne being our 2nd choice.
    We arent looking for a crazy lifestyle but want to experience the Australian life. Sun, beaches, busy but quiet living area.
    Can you recommend any nice areas, suburbs?
    Lastly, do you have any advice in getting a job? Something stress free, retail, waiter etc.

    Thank you so much in advance!

    • BobinOz January 18, 2018, 4:34 pm |

      If you really want to enjoy the sun and the sand, maybe you should consider going to the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise is the most commercial area and might be the kind of place where you’ll get jobs in hospitality like being a waiter.

      Brisbane it’s self doesn’t really have good beaches, but is a bigger place and will probably offer more job opportunities, but you’ll need to drive to a decent beach and that’ll take about an hour and a half or so.

      If you choose somewhere like Raby Bay or Cleveland, which are on the coast, then you’d probably get to the Gold Coast for your beach breaks in about an hour.

      I can’t really help you with getting a job, but my page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship will help you search for them.

    • Tracy February 4, 2018, 12:36 pm |

      @Gillian, have you thought about Perth?

      Western AU, though further away from the east coast cities, has gorgeous (& nearly empty) beaches, great weather, lots of sunshine, & Perth/surrounding areas have plenty of hospitality-type jobs, last I looked. Rent prices are also (mostly) cheaper than over east. You might want to have a squiz (peek) at seek.com.au, as well. There are cheap airfare tickets on special frequently, if you wanted to visit the east coast from WA. Good luck!

  • Karan January 16, 2018, 7:47 pm |

    Hi Bob

    Can you suggest as I am coming from India . Please suggest some good schools with some Indian students so that my kid can mix up well to start off .

  • Lori January 14, 2018, 10:24 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    We arrived in Brisbane just over 2 weeks ago and are currently staying with friends in Scarborough as we visited earlier this year and settled on the Newport are and identified a good school…or so we thought. We keep missing out on rentals and presently have no work opportunities (which is rather scary!) we are now regrouping and considering our options. We are thinking about other suburbs such as Carseldine or Spring Hill. Any thoughts or comments on these areas would be greatly appreciated ? we turned down great jobs in Melbourne to make a life in Brisbane as we felt it was a better fit (moved from scotland) but we are starting to wonder if we can make make Brisbane work.

    • BobinOz January 16, 2018, 10:37 pm |

      This is a tough one for me to help you with, I really don’t know enough about Carseldine or Spring Hill to advise, although knowing the area it’s hard for me to think why you have singled these two suburbs out as possibilities.

      Spring Hill I think would be expensive, and is pretty much in the heart of the city. Carseldine, if I’m not mistaken, has a major road going through it that gets very busy, so neither of them are anything like the suburbs by your friends. But hopefully somebody who knows what it’s really like to live in either of these suburbs will see your comment and help you out better than I can.

      Anybody?

      Also, I also always think it’s best to try and secure jobs first so you know where you’re going to be working before you decide where to live permanently, just so you don’t end up with a tough commute.

  • Melani Possiri January 13, 2018, 12:58 pm |

    Happy New Year Bob,

    I would very much appreciate your input and help

    Iam planning to move there Brisbane next year 2019
    Iam from Papua New Guinea currently currently living in NZ with my son who is on a Student visa while am on visa visa as his guardian, while my husband works back at home PNG

    My budget is very tight on 60K .

    Seeking for infor for good suburbs ,secondary school and good community etc.

    • BobinOz January 16, 2018, 10:22 pm |

      That is a tight budget, and the danger is if you go to somewhere where property prices are really cheap, then you might end up in a not so nice suburb and the schools might not be quite so good.

      So I’m going to suggest you look at Springfield Lakes, it’s a fast expanding suburb, all quite new, and it has won awards. Property prices are quite reasonable there as well. I have no idea what the schools are like, I think you would have to look into that separately. My page Which school? will help.

      • Melanie Fernando January 21, 2018, 6:13 am |

        Thank you so much for the information

  • gio December 27, 2017, 12:01 am |

    Hi Bob, I been a long time lurker here in your site. It is very informative. We were planning to migrate in Brisbane. Me and my wife are both Registered Nurses here in New Zealand, we have three kids aged 11, 7 and 2 years old. I know this is a very vague question, but where do you think my family will be suited to live? thank you in advance.

    • BobinOz January 2, 2018, 5:31 pm |

      Yes, it is a bit vague, you really do need to tell me something about what you want from a suburb for me to be able to help. That said, I’d be inclined to go into a short-term rental if you can, maybe six months, during which you can have a good look around to find a suburb you like and also, hopefully, secure permanent work for both of you.

      Once you know where you will be working, it’s easier to decide where you want to be living.

      • Gio January 7, 2018, 1:47 am |

        My apologies, what I meant is that where in Brisbane can we afford to live knowing that we have three kids. Can we live on a approx. 120k to 140k annual salary combined. Is Pimpana a good place for us if one of us is working in brisbane? Thank for your reply.

        • BobinOz January 8, 2018, 6:24 pm |

          Well, that’s a pretty good combined income, I think you could live reasonably comfortably but it would be a good idea to keep your housing costs down. I would not live in Pimpana, the commute would be horrible into Brisbane from there.

          Have a look at my page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia, it has links to search for properties and will give you a good idea of the costs for any suburb you’re interested in.

          Off the top of my head, I’d maybe suggest looking at Springfield/Springfield Lakes, reasonably priced properties with good access to the city, I think the place has won awards, as well as looking at the comments already made here about the various suburbs in Brisbane.

          • gio January 8, 2018, 7:35 pm |

            Thank you for pointing us in the right direction. I immediately google the place and the house cost rental and for sale are quite reasonable. Yes, we really wanted to keep our housing cost down since we know we would be spending a good chunk of our budget on the child care cost for our three kids especially with our youngest kid who is just about 2 years old, which lead to my another question about the cost of childcare. Any idea how much is a daily cost for a whole day care for a toddler and how much is the subsidy from the government?

  • kitty December 18, 2017, 3:43 am |

    well, looks like this is an old post but what the heck –
    potentially relocating to brisbane, not a clue about the city and where to live. any areas i should look up . if i could make a profile of where i’d like to live it would be :
    – doesn’t have to be cbd, wouldn’t mind if it was or wasn’t as long as living close to public transport (walking distance) or not needing to have a car would be neat
    – prefer a neighborhood with ‘activity’ like cafes, restaurants, a bit vibey and people out and about? will be moving solo, would be nice to be in an area where it’s easy to have your local cafe and hangouts
    – would LOVE if it’s close to yoga and fitness studios… i guess this sounds like i want to be close to the action ::)
    – views are nice of water or nature preferable. would prefer vibe and views rather than new build and luxury.

    any ideas where i want to be living??
    thanks in advance!

    kit

    • BobinOz December 18, 2017, 5:30 pm |

      Yes, this page is old, but still active.

      I’d be looking at Teneriffe and New Farm and maybe Bulimba and Hawthorne. They are all quite trendy places, close to the Brisbane River for those views you want and they all have the kind of activities you are looking for. They are all close to the city and public transport, in fact you can get a CityCat (ferry) if you’re near a terminal.

      We have an abundance of gyms and yoga classes, so I don’t think you will ever be too far away from that.

      These are generally expensive suburbs to live in, but they do also have an abundance of apartments so you may be able to get somewhere at a good price. Hope that helps, Bob

      • kit December 18, 2017, 6:13 pm |

        thanks bob!
        i suppose i should have mentioned where i might work – in bowen hills.
        would those still be the same neighbourhoods (easy to get to work???) to look at?
        thanks again!

        • BobinOz December 19, 2017, 11:55 pm |

          New Farm and Teneriffe are perfect, you could walk to work from there to Bowen Hills.

      • Sunoj January 12, 2018, 5:37 pm |

        Hi Bob,
        I am in Melbourne and I am planning to join St Andrews war memorial hospital within 2 months… just want to know which suburb is best to rent and travel to this hospital with less traffic…I got 2 kids and looking for good schools too.

        Thank you
        Sunoj Thomas

        • BobinOz January 13, 2018, 10:17 pm |

          Well that’s going to be right in the city, that hospital is in Wickham Terrace isn’t it? Ashgrove is nice, but a little expensive, what’s your budget? And how long do you want to spend travelling to work, I would think public transport would be better than driving unless they’re going to give you a parking space.

          • Sunoj March 27, 2018, 10:22 pm |

            Thank you bob I started working at st Andrews war memorial hospital and now living with my friend in Oxley . but I heard that this is a flooded area …is north Brisbane is better than south to settle and travel.. 20 minuets travel is ok for me.. can u also please send mi the flood map if possible..looking near to railway station, shops and good public schools.
            Thank you

            • BobinOz March 28, 2018, 6:39 pm |

              Yes, Oxley did flood quite bad, so you do have to be careful over that way. If you go north of the river though, and anywhere that is 20 minutes travel to where you are working would be a good suburb. They are all quite decent over that way.

              As for flood map, the link to it is in the above article under the section about the weather.

  • kobi December 13, 2017, 3:10 am |

    Hi bob,
    My husband and i are after to buy a 3 bedroom townhouse or apartment/unit. we want to be 30 minutes from woolloongabba and 30 minutes from clontarf. we are after a good suburb with good schools and nice parks and restaurants. can you recommend any suburbs?

  • Kris November 30, 2017, 6:36 pm |

    Hello Bob,
    I sent a message few months ago while still thinking about moving, thanks for your response and once again, thanks for a great website.
    I have just received a job offer at Ipswich Hospital and would also be working occasionally at The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside.
    I’m hoping you can advise of a good suburb for young family, someone with easy access to Brisbane CBD, we don’t frequent cities but like to have easy access on occasional date nights.
    Our interest are somewhere with reasonable cost, clean, park, safe and easy access to beach and possibly a place we can buy our own home after renting for a year.
    The Mrs is still looking for job but mostly she might work in city.
    I’m looking at some house in Forest Lakes; I also have Springfield Lakes in mind, but would like to hear from locals about these suburbs or some other suggestions please.
    Thanks again
    Kris

    • BobinOz December 1, 2017, 4:37 pm |

      Moggill and the surrounding suburbs are all very nice, great places for families, with lots of parks and open spaces. It’s pretty much right in the middle of the two hospitals you mention, being about 40 minutes drive from Chermside and 30 minutes or less from Ipswich. Those times allow for a little bit of traffic, but probably not peak which might take a little longer.

      Buses run from Moggill to the city quite regularly, but that would be my top choice. Not easy access to the beach, but nowhere in Brisbane is really, because the best beaches are on Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Both are about an hour and a half drive from Moggill.

      Springfield Lakes is a newish development that is massively expanding, and technically speaking it is not Brisbane, it is part of Ipswich Council. Better access to the beaches of Gold Coast from there, and again, probably well-placed to drive to both those hospitals. I know very little about Forest Lake, so hopefully a local will read this and be able to tell you more about that area. Looking at a map, a few of the surrounding suburbs around Forest Lake are not Brisbane’s finest, so it may not be a great choice. I don’t know for sure though.

      Hope that helps, Bob

      • Kris December 2, 2017, 4:49 pm |

        Thanks so much Bob, this is really helpful. I will look up Springfield Lakes and Moggill

      • Kris December 12, 2017, 5:50 pm |

        Hello Bob, thanks again for your help and apologies for being a pain.
        I’ve been looking at Moggill area but it seems there is no much going on for rental out there.
        Just wondering what are your thoughts about Chapel Hill area? The Mrs is being offered a job around Brisbane inner city, while I will be working at Ipswich. This means we would be looking for somewhere to live in-between both suburb. I generally don’t want either of us to drive more than 30mins from our home to place of work.
        Do you think about either Moggill, Chapel Hill or Springfield Lakes would be good choice?
        Looking for family friendly area, safe, clean and has good access to the city as well Ipswich hospital. Somewhere with some good dinning out area would be a plus, perhaps close to shops and public transport.
        My main job would be in Ipswich hospital, I will sometime work at Logan and Prince Charles, while the Mrs will predominantly work around the Brisbane city area.
        Please advise

        Thanks again for a great website and massive help.

        • BobinOz December 12, 2017, 9:21 pm |

          No worries, you are not being a pain at all. Chapel Hill and surrounds are all very nice areas, and there is a pub in Kenmore and also several restaurants. Chapel Hill is a bit quieter in that respect, as is Fig Tree Pocket, but both are good safe areas to live in, Kenmore too. Plots are smaller than you would get in Moggill and houses are generally older, but access to the city is better.

  • Agi November 24, 2017, 1:44 am |

    Hi Bob.
    My partner and I will be moving over to Brisbane round March next year. He has a job offer in Brisbane CBD. Can you recommend suburb to live in? We would like to be within 5-10k from CBD. We have two black Labradors and absolutely love outdoor living. We will be looking for a property with big garden. We would like to be somewhere near parks and river.
    I never been in Australia so find it quiet hard to decide where to move to?

    Cheers, Agi

    • BobinOz November 24, 2017, 7:51 pm |

      Like most cities, any house close to the centre is going to be on a smaller plot, so it will probably have a small garden. So I think you’re going to be looking at least 10 kilometres away, maybe a bit more.

      I would look west of the city if I were you, if you look at the map of Brisbane you will see it gets quite green if you look left. By the time you get to Samford, you are in acreage and horse country, similar if you go south-west to Pullenvale. But both of these suburbs are very expensive and about 20 kilometres away from the CBD.

      If you look in those directions though, that’s where the ‘low density dwellings’ hangout, as in places with bigger gardens. Of course, no river out that way, but I wouldn’t advise living too close to the river anyway. You would have to live too far away from the city to get a big plot, unless you’re millionaires 🙂 and sometimes we have floods.

  • Sam November 23, 2017, 7:46 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    Myself and my girlfriend are looking to move to Brisbane in 2019.
    I’m 32 and she is 28. We both love the sea but are looking to live in a suburb a small distance away from built up city areas. Close to a beach would be ideal but also close enough to commute to the centre for work.

    We enjoy going out, socialising and fitness too. Our budget is by no means unlimited but we’d be on the higher end. Can you offer any advice on areas to look at? Thanks for your time, it’s much appreciated.
    Sam

    • BobinOz November 24, 2017, 7:38 pm |

      Well, firstly Sam, you need to know that Brisbane doesn’t do beaches very well. In the first paragraph above on this page, you’ll find a link to a post that I did about that, it might be a good idea if you have a look at it.

      If you decide you still want to live close to the coast of Brisbane, my favourite area is Sandgate and the surrounding suburbs. If after looking at the page I have mentioned you have any more questions, do feel free to come back and ask.

  • Rik November 22, 2017, 10:02 am |

    Hi Bob,
    Thanks for putting up such useful information, really helps to make decisions when you cant travel and live somewhere first.

    Could you help with a question I have regarding affordability and liveability.
    I am a brit living in NZ, citizen and considering a move over the Aus., my areas of interest are Adelaide or perhaps up Brisbane way. The two key things I am interested:

    1. The possibility to afford to buy small place but in a decent area, it would just be for me so doesn’t need to be a big family home. Budget perhaps $300K

    2. Mountain biking, I am really spoilt her in S.I. New Zealand, and that is perhaps my biggest factor, I want to be able to get out to and ride most days on some good varied terrain.

    Also concerned about the amount of biting insects/ flies, maybe the culture/ people and vibe of the place. But mainly affording a small place and biking.

    Don’t think you would have liked Cornwall, I lived there a while many years ago and wet wet wet in winter, and unless your actually Cornish you’d always be an outsider. Good pasties in Padstow though.

    Cheers,
    Rik

    • BobinOz November 23, 2017, 6:10 pm |

      Actually, I did like Cornwall, but I couldn’t have lived there. I think the winters are way too harsh and I think everybody struggles for work when the tourists aren’t around.

      Anyway, I think you’ll be all right for mountain bike riding whether you go to Adelaide or Brisbane, but I think it might just be more fun in Adelaide. They have the Adelaide Hills and of course, a big bike race each year, is it called Santos?

      I think housing is cheaper in Adelaide as well, although you can still buy a house here in Brisbane for $300K in some areas, but I suspect you’d get a better house in a better area for that money in Adelaide.

      Best to do some research on my page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia to compare.

      If you need to find work though, Adelaide can be difficult, Brisbane not much better, but if you are going to be looking for a job, I’d research that first as well and go where the most opportunities are. My page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship will help with that.

      Both are friendly and laid-back cities, but when I visited Adelaide I found the people there super friendly and helpful. Good luck which ever you decide.

  • Ajay November 13, 2017, 10:08 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    Hope your are doing well. I have recently been granted a PR Visa Subclass 190 for Queensland. I have a wife and 3 years old dependent child. Originally from India, I am currently working in United Arab Emirates in HR – Learning & Development function. I have over 13 years of experience in Insurance (underwriting/brokerage) and Banking (Operations/HR). My wife has work experience in Insurance (Brokerage/Policy documentations) and we both plan to work once we move to Queensland.
    Considering above, I would like to know which city/suburb is best for us to settle, keeping in mind that my son will have to be in a day care / pre school. What is the initial budgeted amount that we should target for bringing to Australia since we both will have to look for the job when we land there.
    Accordingly we will continue to work here in United Arab Emirates and once we have enough savings to move there we shall make a final move to australia. Any advice will be more than welcome.
    Regards
    AJ.

    • BobinOz November 14, 2017, 8:19 pm |

      I think the simple answer to your question is this; go where the work is. Here’s why.

      I think anybody looking to move to Australia in the current climate from abroad needs to do thorough research on how likely it is they will secure a job when they get here. It sounds like you have your heart set on Queensland, but if I’m not mistaken, with the kind of visa you have you could go anywhere in Australia.

      I don’t work in recruitment, so I don’t know where the best place to go would be for you and your wife given your skills, but I do suggest you research it thoroughly using the links on my page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship.

      It may turn out the Queensland isn’t the ideal place for you in terms of finding work, but if it is, all well and good. From what I know, Brisbane would be the place to go in Queensland for work, unemployment gets higher and higher the further north you go from Brisbane in this state.

      You also want to have a good read of the following post as well as the comments made on it…

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/17033/whats-it-really-like-trying-to-find-a-job-in-australia-2015/

      Yes, it is from 2015, but not much has changed since. There are many new migrants talking about how difficult it is to find work in those comments. As for how much money to bring, as much is possible is my second simple answer. The reason is no one knows how long it might take you to get a job, your safest bet would be to try and secure one before you move out here. If you come here and can’t find work, money runs out pretty quick.

      I suspect this isn’t the sort of answer you were hoping to get, but I do think it’s information you need to be aware of. Good luck, Bob

      • Ajay November 14, 2017, 10:07 pm |

        Thank you Bob for your detailed response and I really appreciate your suggestions however the visa that I have been granted is for state nomination that is from Queensland so this is a PR for indefinite stay but however nominated by State of Queensland and I will have to spend initial 2 years in Queensland and that is the reason why I have chosen Queensland. i am not sure , if i get a better job and directly go to another state … will it impact my citizenship application since i did not fullfill minimum stay requitement at queensland? Please advice.

        • BobinOz November 15, 2017, 6:11 pm |

          Sorry, you did say, and yes on that basis the visa has been issued on condition that you come to Queensland. So the answer is almost the same, except limited to Queensland, and my suspicion is that the most job opportunities will be in Brisbane, but I don’t know that for sure.

          The only way to find out is to use the links on the page I’ve mentioned above to search for jobs in Queensland to see what opportunities there might be for you.

          If you are not sure how the specific terms and conditions of your visa works, then you should speak to the immigration department or a MARA registered migration agent.

      • Bella November 14, 2017, 11:37 pm |

        Hi Bob.
        We are getting ready to move to Queensland from Sydney. We have not decieded exactly where to move to but should be anywhere a bit close to Brisbane cbd. We want some places that not too hard to find a job ( I’m working at aged care, home care, assistant in nursing. And my husband is a security)
        Could you please tell us: which suburbs near Brisbane (not more than 45-50 mins to drive), not too hard to find a job or not too hard to run a cafe/take away shop and the house price is around 300k?
        I’m looking forward to hearing back from you
        Thank you Bob

        • BobinOz November 15, 2017, 6:26 pm |

          Well, there is nowhere close to Brisbane CBD where a house can be purchased for around 300k. Have a look at the prices via the link on my page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia to see what I mean.

          There are also isn’t a specific region where it is not too hard to find a job, but Brisbane itself is quite sprawling, unlike Sydney, so if you have a car you can get to the CBD quite easily from many places.

          I suggest you look at my page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship and do some research on where the best jobs are for you, and maybe even try and land a job first, before you decide whereabouts you want to live.

          Pretty sure you will need to up your price though, I don’t think you can buy any house for 300k here anymore.

  • Charlotte November 12, 2017, 7:20 pm |

    Hi there,
    Looking for some advice. Thinking of relocating to Brisbane or along the coast Husband works from home so don’t need to worry about commute. We have 2 small children so a family friendly area would be great.

    • BobinOz November 13, 2017, 5:55 pm |

      Well, if you’re not tied by work, you can go anywhere really, so maybe it would be good to hear a little bit more about what you want from where you live.

      We have plenty of family friendly areas, but what else do you want? If you just want the beach and family friendly, Sunshine Coast would possibly suit you much better. If you only want the beach occasionally and prefer to be close to a city, then perhaps you want a quiet and family friendly suburb in Brisbane.

      If you want the countryside and acreage, we have that as well. If you can give us more info, we will try and help.

  • Mike November 9, 2017, 12:45 pm |

    Hi Bob, great website!!!!!! We are coming over tomorrow for a few days to make sure we like it before we move from NZ. I am from UK and partner from China and just waiting for missus to get citizenship here, so we can just move to aus and don’t have to worry about visas etc. Hoping to relocate in roughly 8 months. Spiders ae a bit of a concern for us, but I’ve looked into all possible ways to keep them out the house. We will be looking to buy a house pretty quick once we get there around 500k mark and not too far from the city. Any areas you would recommend? If you are around this weekend and want a pint hit me up lol! Take care mate!

    • BobinOz November 10, 2017, 7:22 pm |

      Hi Mike, glad you like.

      I wouldn’t worry too much about the spiders, just get an annual pest spray done, you will hardly ever see any. As for where to buy your house, the closer you are to the city, the more expensive they get.

      I don’t know for sure, but I’d be surprised if you could get closer than, say, 20 kilometres for 500k. Best thing to do is go to realestate.com.au, there is a link on my page called Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia, and search the greater Brisbane area with a maximum price and how many bedrooms you want.

      Then look at map view, that way you can easily see which houses are closest to the city. Once you’ve narrowed it down a bit, come back if you want and mention the suburbs you are looking at, maybe I or somebody else can let you know what it’s like.

      Enjoy your weekend here, I won’t be able to join you for that pint though, I’m flat out like a lizard drinking, as we say here. Looks like our have to buy my own beer 🙂

  • Eva November 3, 2017, 6:31 pm |

    Hi Bob, thank you for such a lovely website. I will be in Brisbane for a holiday for a few weeks, not exactly moving there…yet!. Where would be the best area for me to stay in terms of easy public transport access as well as access to the touristy things, cafes and restaurants, nature trails, beaches etc? I’m more inclined to Teneriffe but could do with a local’s perspective. Love from London

    • BobinOz November 3, 2017, 8:45 pm |

      Teneriffe would be perfect, I was actually surprised to read in the paper the other day that it is Brisbane’s most expensive suburb now for housing. Historically I thought it was Hamilton, but now it’s Teneriffe. If you can find somewhere to stay a decent price, it would be a good choice.

      The area is certainly good for cafes and restaurants, and just so you know, Fortitude Valley nearby is where all the nightlife is, until 5 o’clock in the morning if you wish. So it’s quite a lively area.

      Roma Street is where the main train station hub is, so it wouldn’t do any harm to be close to that. Obviously you will need to travel a bit to find your nature trails and beaches, that do check out South Bank Parklands while you are here.

      • Eva November 9, 2017, 3:05 am |

        Thanks Bob, that’s very informative! I can’t wait to be there!!

    • Stu November 4, 2017, 2:37 am |

      We stayed at the Hotel Urban Brisbane last year and loved it. It’s right near Roma Station and has a nice outside bar/ dining area for the evenings, and is 20 min walk from the city centre.

      • Eva November 9, 2017, 3:06 am |

        Thanks Stu, I’ll have a look!

      • Mark November 9, 2017, 10:56 am |

        Having also just stayed at the Hotel Urban, yes decent hotel nicely placed I can recommend it, but and there is an incredible ‘but’…parking a car in the car park under the hotel is a feat worthy of a prize.. A percentage of the bays are easy to get to but in the main its incredible, negotiating a car through the pillars that hold the floor above. Not two, not four but around ten on each level aaaahhhhhh Its like playing skittles with a car, only trying not to hit them…as testament to the multicolored paint marks on each pillar many before have hit them…A serious challenge for Ross Swift even but still a great hotel..

        • BobinOz November 10, 2017, 7:03 pm |

          It is a serious challenge, it has to be seen to be believed. So much so, it should be a tourist attraction.

  • Anika November 2, 2017, 1:05 am |

    First of all let me say how much my family and I have enjoyed your websites and commentries on everything about Australia! We have our PR visas and hoping to come Dec this year! Christmas on the beach! We have a family with four kids ages 16 down to 4 and we would like to live outside of town where it may be commutable to Brisbane for work for hubby. I will be nursing which is more flexible regards to location. We were thinking about Kanara Downs, Karalee and similar places – would it be a reasonable commute to Brisbane CBD? We also like the looks of Jimboomba and Pine mountain but is it realistic to live so far would it be a nightmare commute? I wonder what your take on this might be? We would like to find something with space above everything else. I will research some of the suburbs mentioned in previous comments, I just wondered what your opinion was? Thanks so much!

    • BobinOz November 3, 2017, 8:12 pm |

      Hi Anika,

      Thanks, glad to hear you have enjoyed my website.

      I know Karana Downs and Karalee quite well, they are not far from where I live. Good areas they are as well, house prices are very reasonable too. The commute to Brisbane CBD is very doable, but only by car. I think public transport would be a nightmare, there are certainly no trains and I’ve never seen a bus on the Mount Crosby Road, not a public bus anyway.

      Bellbowrie though, which is close by, does have a bus service running into the city. Without traffic, you could do Karalee to Brisbane CBD in about 50 minutes by car, with traffic probably an additional 20 minutes. Perfectly commutable really.

      Jimboomba and Pine Mountain, I don’t know those so well, but I don’t think they would be a better option and the commute would certainly be a bit longer.

      Mount Crosby and Anstead are worth a look if you like rural, and nothing wrong with Bellbowrie or Moggill either if you want to be on that bus route to the city. All the areas I mention are good for plenty of space.

      Hope that helps, Bob

      • Anika November 5, 2017, 5:13 am |

        Thanks so much for your answer! Its great to have some confirmation of our choices before we come over… getting excited! Maybe we will meet you in Bellbowrie some time you never know!

      • Anika February 28, 2018, 12:55 pm |

        Hi Bob!

        Thought you might be interested to know…. we are here living in Bellbowrie since December and couldn’t be happier 😉 The kids have settled in well to Moggill ss and Kenmore state high… hubby secured work in the CBD so all good. We had not come over to AU before and made our decisions based solely in internet research and it has paid off 😉

        • BobinOz March 1, 2018, 6:47 pm |

          Excellent news, glad you like it here, sounds like you have all settled in very quickly. If ever you see me wandering aimlessly around the Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza, give me a tap on my shoulder, it would be good to say hi.

          Hope you continue to enjoy it here, I’m 10 years in, and still loving it. Cheers, Bob

  • Charles November 1, 2017, 4:07 am |

    My wife and I are maybe accepting a move to Brisbane – moving from the US. The location my wife will be working at is close to the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. Looking for a place around $500-$600 USD per week. No kids, so looking for new, modern, close to cafes, restaurants, pubs, etc. Any suggestions?
    Thanks !!!

    • BobinOz November 1, 2017, 6:14 pm |

      Yes, I’d be inclined to look at New Farm and Teneriffe, lots of bars, restaurants and clubs within easy reach and you can also enjoy relaxing riverside walks. Your wife could get a City Cat Ferry to work.

      Newstead, and on the other side of the river, Bulimba, are also worth considering. There’s not much around that way that is new and modern though, apart from maybe apartments. They are all pretty decent places to live though.

    • Tracy March 1, 2018, 8:30 pm |

      Hi Charles,

      Make sure you’re fully up-to-snuff about FATCA re: extra USA tax compliance issues when you live & work overseas.

      FYI

  • Aprajita Ghai October 30, 2017, 9:46 am |

    Hi I am planning to move to Brisbane . Can someone suggest the best school for boys( private school) . And the near by area , To live in . Thanks

    • BobinOz October 30, 2017, 8:33 pm |

      Well, most agree that Brisbane Grammar School, which is a boys school in Spring Hill, is the best private school in the city, but I think also the most expensive. Hamilton is nearby and a very affluent suburb with some stunning houses overlooking the river, but again, very expensive.

  • Ali October 28, 2017, 11:24 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    First of all, a Big Thank You for all the information you have shared. You’re doing a wonderful job!

    My name is Ali. I am planning to come to Australia in March 2018 on a PR visa. I am a civil engineer with over 4 years exp. in water resources & tunnels. I am thinking of coming to Brisbane as it apparently has a decent no. of engineering consultancies working in the water/marine industry as well as a low cost of living. Could you please make some suggestions:

    a) firstly, on my choice of city to live and find work;
    b) and secondly, on the suburbs where I can easily find a casual job while job hunting for an engineering role.

    My only preference is to have friendly flatmates/neighbours until I find a permanent job.

    Cheers,
    Ali

    • BobinOz October 30, 2017, 8:01 pm |

      Thanks for the kind words, glad you like the website.

      You need to read the information on my page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship and do some research to find out which city will offer you the most job opportunities.

      That answers question a), but question b) can only be discussed when you have worked out which city you are going to go to. When you have decided where you’re going though, simply visit my page about that city and have a look at the comments about the suburbs, although if you’re only criteria for a suburb is finding work, again you can research that on the page I have given you a link to above.

      Good luck, Bob

  • Annie October 22, 2017, 4:03 pm |

    Hi there,

    My partner and I are moving from Melbourne. I will be working just south of Caboolture and my partner in Chermside. We’re after an energetic suburb for 20 somethings with cafes/things to do on our limited time off. I am willing to commute about 45 mins in order to have this and the lifestyle we’re after. Budget around $500/week. What northern Brisbane suburbs would you recommend?

    Thank you in advance!

    • Ozimandias October 22, 2017, 6:25 pm |

      I know someone who likes Sippy Downs, though that is north and really part of Sunshine Coast. At 500 bucks you can afford most options, asuming you are just talking rent. If you mean rent and utility bills, the situation is different. Locally, Woody Point maybe, or Scarborough. Redcliffe has a significant amount of public housing, with all that entails, for that matter also Deception Bay. Burpengary is suburbia, if that’s your thing. Morayfield is pretty ordinary, not much of an advance on Caboolture, though has a large mall and a lot more eating options, though is pretty spread out. Not really a village at atmosphere, quite generic. Bribie Island is simple and laid back, close enough, but with not a lot to do, other than beaches, water activities and a bit of nature, part of it is national park.

      There’s several options on your budget close to the city if you don’t mind a commute. A bonus is the train line goes all the way from Caboolture to the ciry if you don’t want to drive. Traffic can be hectic.

      • Ozimandias October 22, 2017, 6:32 pm |

        energetic would not describe any option I have mentioned to my knowledge…

        better to think about inner Brisbane or close enough to commute to it on the weekends. The clubs are centrally located.

        • Annie October 22, 2017, 8:23 pm |

          Thank you for your reply 🙂

          We’re not really concerned about clubs. Mostly the vibe/cafes/etc.

          From reading the rest of this thread, maybe Bowen Hills/Newstead/Tenerife or Paddington/Rosalie would be what we’re looking for? Any idea what the realistic commute would be to Caboolture from Bowen Hills/Newstead/Tenerife versus Paddington/Rosalie, ie does east/west of the northern side of the river make a difference? Google maps says about the same but not sure of the local traffic patterns.

          Cheers!

          • Ozimandias October 22, 2017, 9:14 pm |

            If you like heritage and village like ambience, the area about Paddington is nice. Try google walking it. It is hilly, so if planning on walking around, bear it in mind as Brisbane is pretty hot, though peaks around the middle of the day in my experience, whereas Melbourne in the height of summer peaks around 4pm.

            I thought the surrounding areas to Paddington are nice too, typical of the planning ideas of community at the time in the mid to late 1800s, which are most appealing and have not been beaten since in my view. Hence their popularity.

            Transportwise, try reviewing the public transport website:
            https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/journey-planner

            It doesn’t look favourable from Paddington.

            A dimming memory now, but looking at the train time from city to Caboolture it is 49 minutes to Central.

            Bear in mind your commutes as may become a burden over time, even in your 20s.

            If you are in a situation where work in Caboolture may lead in six months to a year to somewhere closer to the city, bear it in mind in your choice of accommodation, as you may move and then your residence becomes strategic.
            The main drag of Caboolture is imo utterly unredeeming. Shuttered in part. There is a shopping centre with a gym on it across the road from the hospital, with a few takeaway options. There is a museum for aircraft and an old showground.

            It is regarded as a bogan area, an outer ring suburb which was once a country town, though that is not easily appreciated driving through the main strip. On your way out to the Sunshine Coast, you see paddocks with horses, vestiges betraying the town’s erstwhile sleepy backwater nature. It is a bit gritty, with a lot of people covered in tattoos, maybe a struggle street scowl, but generally Qld “Aussie”. I’m ok with it, but if it was me in my 20s, no way would I live there.

            If you really must be close to 19th century stuff, maybe best to look at the older parts of Brisbane somewhere along the line from CBD to Caboolture.

            • Ozimandias October 22, 2017, 9:30 pm |

              another thing, I got the sense a lot of people head out of the city on the weekend to the beach as 9+ months of the year it is bright, sunny warm to hot weather.
              It is an ideal weather scenario to go the beach and given the upper and lower limits extend up and down the coast endlessly, it’s no surprise people leave the centre of Brisbane for a swim.
              If you are after a beach/cafe vibe, there are quite a lot of apartment options very much in your budget along the coast in your budget. There is an apartment glut in Brisbane which is set to continue, so it can be a buyer’s market and you may feel you can negotiate a price better to your liking.

              • BobinOz October 23, 2017, 7:05 pm |

                Some good advice here from Ozimandias, and I agree with him entirely, Caboolture and the surrounding suburbs are not the best. Sunshine Coast is great, but a bit quiet and the commute to Chermside would be awful. New Farm would be ideal for you I think, but the commute to Caboolture will probably be about an hour. I think though, for the most part, the bulk of the traffic will be going in the opposite direction during peak hours.

                What tends to happen is that people live in Sunshine Coast and commute to work to Brisbane, your other half will be doing it the other way round. One other option, worth looking into, would be Sandgate. No nightclubs there, but quite a nice buzz about the place, quite a few bars and a bit of cafe culture.

  • Rose October 20, 2017, 4:48 pm |

    Hi,

    Me and my partner will be moving to Brisbane soon.

    What would be a nice area to live in for a young( mid-late 20’s ), outgoing &active couple?

    Thanks !

  • Rahul Sinha October 16, 2017, 3:34 am |

    HI Bob,
    Thanks for this website. Very informative. Now, at least I got some idea about the suburbs.

    I am an Indian and I am moving to Brisbane for a year for my work. My office is located in George Street. I will be using the public transport for travel. I can spend 20-30 mins on travel. Can you please suggest me where I should move in. I am looking for a place nearby to bus stop, supermarket, cafes and restaurants. My budget would be $200 per week for rent.

    Thank you 🙂

    • Tracy October 16, 2017, 9:13 pm |

      I don’t think you’ll get much for $200 unless you share.

      Try this site, as an example:

      https://flatmates.com.au/

      You might even get something right nearby! And it might be nice to have flat mates to hang out with?

      • BobinOz October 16, 2017, 9:33 pm |

        Tracy is quite right, you will be need to look at house sharing on that budget. Worth googling gumtree as well, people advertise rooms to let on there. Just go for anywhere as close as possible to where you need to go to keep travel costs down.

        • Rahul Sinha October 17, 2017, 2:02 am |

          Bob, can you suggest me some places nearby George Street. Good transport, food and other facilities. I have to plan my accommodation in advance.

          • BobinOz October 17, 2017, 7:27 pm |

            George Street is in the heart of the city, any suburb close to it will be close to all the amenities and almost certainly very near to public transport. Google Translink and you will be able to see the bus and train routes. I think your first task is to look into whereabouts you can get shared accommodation for the money you want to pay.

            If you narrow that down to a few suburbs, let me know what they are and I’ll try to help you further.

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