rinkerdink

Hi,

Looking at potential area's in Brisbane to settle, got a recce in October/November and want a few area's to scout out that are not too far from central Brisbane. I'm guessing our budget for a house will be around the $400k mark and ideally we want 4 bedrooms so there is scope for a guest room.

Just having a look at Bracken Ridge and there are quite a few houses around that mark. As i'm on the other side of the earth could somebody tell me if it is indeed too good to be true, also any other recommendations for a family of 4 to settle with a budget around $400k for a 4 bed will be much appreciated.

cheers

chris955

Bracken Ridge is alright. Most outer suburbs will get you a decent house for around $400k but dont expect too much for that. The general rule is that if houses in a particular area are 'cheap' then it's for a reason. When we were looking from the UK 10 years ago we saw houses for $70k in places like Caboolture, Woodridge, Loganlea etc, it wasn't until we got here we realised why those areas are cheap.
We are currently selling our place for $400k in Shailer Park which is a great area but close by are areas where $300k will get you a similar house.

KJCherokee

Nothing wrong with Bracken Ridge. It's around 15km north of the CBD. No close public transport (rail). Road into the city (Gympie Rd) is one of the rush hour horror stories.

JAMFC

Bracken Ridge is ok, quite close to Brighton, Sandgate & Shorncliffe (nice parks and the waterfront), and a fairly short drive to the Redcliffe Peninsula for beaches.
Not much in Bracken Ridge itself although there are plenty of schools, 1 Woolworths shopping centre. Also has easy access to the Gateway which is an alternative to Gympie Rd, but no better traffic-wise at peak hours.
They have a Little Athletics Club (Bracken Ridge Roadrunners) and that's about all I know.

.

roaringmouse

There's also the Bracken Ridge Plaza which has a Coles supermarket, along with a few other shops.

There's nothing really wrong with Bracken Ridge in my opinion, the only drawback is a 5 minute drive to a train station (or the Gympie road during busy times if you're driving towards the city). Nearest big shopping centre would be Chermside (maybe 10 minute drive).

My wife used to live there before we got married, unfortunately we had to sell that house a few years back.

stickygreen

We live in sunny Bracken Ridge at the Bracken Ridge Plaza end. No problems at all with the area, however, as with every suburb there are a few shabby bits albeit on the other side of the Ridge from us. All very self contained with Coles & Woolworths and the usual fast food suspects represented. There are 2 state Primary Schools, 2 state High Schools and two private schools, one primary and one high, both of which are within the Catholic education system. There is a direct link by bus into the city and Bald Hills train station is a 20 minute walk away, about 2 buses/trains per hour. So transport links are good but as others have said beware of the Gympie Road!

Regards

fish.01

As Chris said it helps to go to the outer suburbs as $400 is quite difficult for a 4 bed house. As Chris said with his house selling at Shailer Park for $400 for example, which is far outer suburban at roughly 27km away, $400 might not get you as nice a house at Bracken Ridge which is closer in at around 19km and in the Brisbane City Council area. Depends how much you are willing to compromise on the house to get a better location.

rinkerdink

Thnaks for the replys, plenty of food for thought!

rinkerdink

Wow,

Currently on the Recce and went over to Sandgate today for a spot of fishing and look round. So far we have been surprised how little deviation there is in house prices apples for apples from Bribie Island down through to Warner across to Bracken Ridge. With the average aussie salary what it is I can't see how this can possibly be sustainable (but thats another debate). Liked the look of the Sandgate, Shornecliffe and Brighton area's and as Bracken Ridge is slightly insland thought i'd do a search on here for feed back..... and found this thread by me! I'd totally forgotten i'd posted it!!!

Perhaps this is fate?

As for the traffic concerns am I missing something or would I not be just entering the queue further back if I started in one of the further suburbs?

Loving it so far but have concerns over the cost of living - which is an old chestnut, just need to get used to being skint i suppose

Can anybody offer any advice on the parts of Bracken Ridge, Sandgate or Shornecliffe to avoid?

Cheers

DeadVim

As I have posted elsewhere, I love the area up there, especially the Redcliffe area which has a rail extension under construction.

Sorry I don't have any first-hand experience of living there.

But, regarding the traffic, I would definitely consider using the train. It's about a 30 minute run into the City and it would, I imagine, be less stressful than battling the major roads/freeway.

bingobob777

Tendering process underway for detailed design to begin next year, construction starting 2013....... maybe

DeadVim

I thought I saw reports of the first construction work the other month ... I must have been mistaken.

Even if, as currently reported (as far as I can gather) it arrives nearer 2016 it's still going to open up the area.

Lots of election guff before that though ...

JAMFC

There are no bad areas in Shorncliffe or Sandgate, Shorncliffe in particular is lovely but Sandgate has the town centre/shops etc. You can walk to the train station from anywhere in Shorncliffe, from some places in Sandgate and from no-where in Brighton or Bracken Ridge. Personally I'd pick Bracken Ridge last out of these suburbs as I like to be walking distance to the water, but that's just me!
If you're interested in State primary schools, Shorncliffe is by far the best (IMHO) but you have to live in the (very small) catchment.

Just looked back at your original post, prices for a 4-bed in Shorncliffe are more than your budget.

.

bingobob777

It was the new line to Springfield that had the sod turning at the weekend.

rinkerdink

Yup, looking at 3 bed options as some of the more traditional less open plan layouts lend themselves more to adhoc guest rooms in place of second living area's, don't need a 4 bed just want options on accomodating medium term visitors. I have a hankering to be reasonably close to the city, in walking distance of a beach/water and a train station, Sandgate looks a perfect storm all things considered but Bracken Ridge a worthy option if budget pressures get a little too much