Hi, I'm a Canadian currently living in Townsville (6+yrs), hubby and daughter are the true blue Aussies. Townsville is not for me, I'm tolerating it. Daughter will be going into yr 12 next year and plans to attend uni in Brisbane....hubby can probably transfer with his job....I'm a nurse with Queensland Health.

Daughter wants to attend UQ in Gatton and hubby's work base would be in Acacia Ridge - having not lived in the Brisbane area....I'm wondering how far apart these two places are? And what area would be a good place to look at for living etc. Any places to avoid etc.

Any advice or suggestions is appreciated.

Thanks

According to google its about 85 kms from one to the other or just over an hours drive . I actually work at Wacol not far from Acacia Ridge but live an hour away on the coast so not a specialist in that area at all to say the least . Acacia Ridge itself is part of a very industrialised area and i personally wouldn't live in that area or adjoining area at all. Like most places there will be good and bad areas within each suburb so it's hard to compare places really. Obviously your lifestyle and finances may dictate whether or not you would like to live rural with acreage or just settle in a suburb.
From hearsay i would avoid Redbank Plains, Browns Plains,Forest Lake Sunnybank, and Inala . Like i said there will be nice parts in these suburbs without doubt but from an overall perspective it would be a no no for me . Personally if i was wanting to live close to your husbands work i would look in between Jindalee and Indooroopilly north west wise ,Mount Gravatt and Carina north wise but nothing appeals south of Acaia Ridge to be honest. I know folks who live in Baronia Heights , Regents Park and Greenbank (acreage) southside but getting into the city on public transport is a right pain apparently. If access to city is required i would be looking at Chelmer and Sherwood with the train line or maybe Yeerongpilly or Yeronga.
There is of course the second city of Ipswich 15/ 20 kms west of Acacia Ridge with lots of suburbs and i know lots of people that live out there but its usually to due with the fact that housing is cheaper out that way but once again everywhere boils down to personal choice Just remember that the further west you go the temps tend to be hotter in the summer and cooler in the winter . Good luck

Thank you bobbyftm - that was helpful. I know we will have to do a trip down to look at areas, but with this info I can at least start looking at realestate.com.au