Where to live in Brisbane?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 22
Where to live in Brisbane?
Hi everyone!
I really need some advice.
We have our visa and have decided on Brisbane.
We accepted an offer on the house a week ago, !!!!!!YIPPEE!!!!!!! solicitors said no more than 12 weeks to completion- (fingers and toes crossed!) - Ive now gone into panic mode!
We are a family of five, theres me..stay at home mum, hubby...electrician, then theres our three gorgeous girls 10,7, 3.
Where to go???? We've sorted our shortterm accom - 4 weeks BrisbaneBound. We really want the aussie dream, house, pool, big garden for kids to play in, year round sun! but where to choose??????? We live in a viilage outside Derby at the mo, so we dont want to be in the city, but I dont fancy living with crocs either!!!
Also I know Hubby will have to work as a mate for a while can we survive on this wage?? How long untill he can work as an electrician?
Does anyone have any ideas? Pleeease!!
I really need some advice.
We have our visa and have decided on Brisbane.
We accepted an offer on the house a week ago, !!!!!!YIPPEE!!!!!!! solicitors said no more than 12 weeks to completion- (fingers and toes crossed!) - Ive now gone into panic mode!
We are a family of five, theres me..stay at home mum, hubby...electrician, then theres our three gorgeous girls 10,7, 3.
Where to go???? We've sorted our shortterm accom - 4 weeks BrisbaneBound. We really want the aussie dream, house, pool, big garden for kids to play in, year round sun! but where to choose??????? We live in a viilage outside Derby at the mo, so we dont want to be in the city, but I dont fancy living with crocs either!!!
Also I know Hubby will have to work as a mate for a while can we survive on this wage?? How long untill he can work as an electrician?
Does anyone have any ideas? Pleeease!!
#2
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
http://www.moretonbayislands.com.au/
Hi,
there are quite a few posts on this forum regarding the Redlands - maybe because it is such a good family area, there are some very good schools around here & depending on your budget, reasonably affordable 4-5 bedroom with pool etc. 30mins from the city by car & a good rail link. It is the common belief that because of the increased popularity of this area that property prices will start to climb again within the next few years.
You are staying at 'Brisbanebound' which I believe is Carina Gateway area? .... it's about 15mins drive to Cleveland from there .... maybe check it out .....
Mark
Hi,
there are quite a few posts on this forum regarding the Redlands - maybe because it is such a good family area, there are some very good schools around here & depending on your budget, reasonably affordable 4-5 bedroom with pool etc. 30mins from the city by car & a good rail link. It is the common belief that because of the increased popularity of this area that property prices will start to climb again within the next few years.
You are staying at 'Brisbanebound' which I believe is Carina Gateway area? .... it's about 15mins drive to Cleveland from there .... maybe check it out .....
Mark
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 22
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
http://www.moretonbayislands.com.au/
Hi,
there are quite a few posts on this forum regarding the Redlands - maybe because it is such a good family area, there are some very good schools around here & depending on your budget, reasonably affordable 4-5 bedroom with pool etc. 30mins from the city by car & a good rail link. It is the common belief that because of the increased popularity of this area that property prices will start to climb again within the next few years.
You are staying at 'Brisbanebound' which I believe is Carina Gateway area? .... it's about 15mins drive to Cleveland from there .... maybe check it out .....
Mark
Hi,
there are quite a few posts on this forum regarding the Redlands - maybe because it is such a good family area, there are some very good schools around here & depending on your budget, reasonably affordable 4-5 bedroom with pool etc. 30mins from the city by car & a good rail link. It is the common belief that because of the increased popularity of this area that property prices will start to climb again within the next few years.
You are staying at 'Brisbanebound' which I believe is Carina Gateway area? .... it's about 15mins drive to Cleveland from there .... maybe check it out .....
Mark
Im just so darn excited!!!
#4
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Hi everyone!
I really need some advice.
We have our visa and have decided on Brisbane.
We accepted an offer on the house a week ago, !!!!!!YIPPEE!!!!!!! solicitors said no more than 12 weeks to completion- (fingers and toes crossed!) - Ive now gone into panic mode!
We are a family of five, theres me..stay at home mum, hubby...electrician, then theres our three gorgeous girls 10,7, 3.
Where to go???? We've sorted our shortterm accom - 4 weeks BrisbaneBound. We really want the aussie dream, house, pool, big garden for kids to play in, year round sun! but where to choose??????? We live in a viilage outside Derby at the mo, so we dont want to be in the city, but I dont fancy living with crocs either!!!
Also I know Hubby will have to work as a mate for a while can we survive on this wage?? How long untill he can work as an electrician?
Does anyone have any ideas? Pleeease!!
I really need some advice.
We have our visa and have decided on Brisbane.
We accepted an offer on the house a week ago, !!!!!!YIPPEE!!!!!!! solicitors said no more than 12 weeks to completion- (fingers and toes crossed!) - Ive now gone into panic mode!
We are a family of five, theres me..stay at home mum, hubby...electrician, then theres our three gorgeous girls 10,7, 3.
Where to go???? We've sorted our shortterm accom - 4 weeks BrisbaneBound. We really want the aussie dream, house, pool, big garden for kids to play in, year round sun! but where to choose??????? We live in a viilage outside Derby at the mo, so we dont want to be in the city, but I dont fancy living with crocs either!!!
Also I know Hubby will have to work as a mate for a while can we survive on this wage?? How long untill he can work as an electrician?
Does anyone have any ideas? Pleeease!!
Hi,
We've been in Brisbane area for 4 months now. It's a big place and sprawls out almost in every direction. There are nice suburbs in all areas but if you are looking for affordability there is a basic rule of thumb.
The closer you are to Brisbane CBD and the closer you are to water, then the more expensive the area is likely to be.
Best thing to do before you get here is to make a checklist of things that are important to you, have a drive round as many areas as possible and try to get a feel for areas.
We like it in the bayside area but it's more expensive than some areas (coz it's near water) but you can get more value for money inland (suburbs 10 minutes drive away). We chose this area because it ticked most of our boxes but you'll find loads of others on this site who chose other areas for other reasons.
Sorry to be a bit vague but you need to firm up on your checklist first.
Good luck on the house - keeping our fingers crossed for you.
Regards
Smiths
#5
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Hello we got our visas today and are so excited. We have got to sell the house yet, but we too are moving to Brisbane.
I have done lots of homework and it is so hard to decide where to loctate.
The trouble is there are so many beautiful places to live and it is vast.
I am currently looking at Coomera, Upper Coomera and Ormeau, these suburbs are near the gold coast and about 45mins from Brisbane CBD. The location a little inland seems ideal, it is not too far to the coast and you can always get the river bus to the city. The properties are on larger plots obviously the further out you go. On Wanted Down Under last week the teacher went to Upper Coomera State College, this is the school I was looking to send my son. It looks very nice, it is 3 years old and it was great to actually see it on tv. Uppera Coomera is currently a booming suburb and I feel quite safe to try this area first. Good luck in all you do Jane xxxxx
I have done lots of homework and it is so hard to decide where to loctate.
The trouble is there are so many beautiful places to live and it is vast.
I am currently looking at Coomera, Upper Coomera and Ormeau, these suburbs are near the gold coast and about 45mins from Brisbane CBD. The location a little inland seems ideal, it is not too far to the coast and you can always get the river bus to the city. The properties are on larger plots obviously the further out you go. On Wanted Down Under last week the teacher went to Upper Coomera State College, this is the school I was looking to send my son. It looks very nice, it is 3 years old and it was great to actually see it on tv. Uppera Coomera is currently a booming suburb and I feel quite safe to try this area first. Good luck in all you do Jane xxxxx
#6
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Hello we got our visas today and are so excited. We have got to sell the house yet, but we too are moving to Brisbane.
I have done lots of homework and it is so hard to decide where to loctate.
The trouble is there are so many beautiful places to live and it is vast.
I am currently looking at Coomera, Upper Coomera and Ormeau, these suburbs are near the gold coast and about 45mins from Brisbane CBD. The location a little inland seems ideal, it is not too far to the coast and you can always get the river bus to the city. The properties are on larger plots obviously the further out you go. On Wanted Down Under last week the teacher went to Upper Coomera State College, this is the school I was looking to send my son. It looks very nice, it is 3 years old and it was great to actually see it on tv. Uppera Coomera is currently a booming suburb and I feel quite safe to try this area first. Good luck in all you do Jane xxxxx
I have done lots of homework and it is so hard to decide where to loctate.
The trouble is there are so many beautiful places to live and it is vast.
I am currently looking at Coomera, Upper Coomera and Ormeau, these suburbs are near the gold coast and about 45mins from Brisbane CBD. The location a little inland seems ideal, it is not too far to the coast and you can always get the river bus to the city. The properties are on larger plots obviously the further out you go. On Wanted Down Under last week the teacher went to Upper Coomera State College, this is the school I was looking to send my son. It looks very nice, it is 3 years old and it was great to actually see it on tv. Uppera Coomera is currently a booming suburb and I feel quite safe to try this area first. Good luck in all you do Jane xxxxx
Mt Tamborine is a lovely place to go for a drive at weekends too.
Smiths
#7
tedeschicat
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: northampton
Posts: 51
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Hello we got our visas today and are so excited. We have got to sell the house yet, but we too are moving to Brisbane.
I have done lots of homework and it is so hard to decide where to loctate.
The trouble is there are so many beautiful places to live and it is vast.
I am currently looking at Coomera, Upper Coomera and Ormeau, these suburbs are near the gold coast and about 45mins from Brisbane CBD. The location a little inland seems ideal, it is not too far to the coast and you can always get the river bus to the city. The properties are on larger plots obviously the further out you go. On Wanted Down Under last week the teacher went to Upper Coomera State College, this is the school I was looking to send my son. It looks very nice, it is 3 years old and it was great to actually see it on tv. Uppera Coomera is currently a booming suburb and I feel quite safe to try this area first. Good luck in all you do Jane xxxxx
I have done lots of homework and it is so hard to decide where to loctate.
The trouble is there are so many beautiful places to live and it is vast.
I am currently looking at Coomera, Upper Coomera and Ormeau, these suburbs are near the gold coast and about 45mins from Brisbane CBD. The location a little inland seems ideal, it is not too far to the coast and you can always get the river bus to the city. The properties are on larger plots obviously the further out you go. On Wanted Down Under last week the teacher went to Upper Coomera State College, this is the school I was looking to send my son. It looks very nice, it is 3 years old and it was great to actually see it on tv. Uppera Coomera is currently a booming suburb and I feel quite safe to try this area first. Good luck in all you do Jane xxxxx
Any advice would be great.
#8
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Hi we too are awaiting our visa's had confirmation through our agent that it should be any time now.. (YeeeePPPIIEE).Hoping to go out in June of this year to get activated.. Just need some info really on area's. We are hoping to go Gold coast, but like many people on here...Where do you go!! We have 2 children aged 9 and 6. We like to sounds of a new community but where?
Any advice would be great.
Any advice would be great.
We live in the Cleveland area (Brisbane bayside). It's really nice but lacks the ocean beach.
If your looking at Gold Coast with kids I'd steer clear of Surfers Paradise area (high rise hotels, casino, very touristy - you'll know what I mean when you get here). We often drive down to the Gold Coast on a weekend - if ocean beaches are important then try the southern end (Coolangatta) - not as flash as Surfers. If beaches not so important then look at GC hinterland areas which won't cost as much.
Smiths
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 22
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Hi,
We've been in Brisbane area for 4 months now. It's a big place and sprawls out almost in every direction. There are nice suburbs in all areas but if you are looking for affordability there is a basic rule of thumb.
The closer you are to Brisbane CBD and the closer you are to water, then the more expensive the area is likely to be.
Best thing to do before you get here is to make a checklist of things that are important to you, have a drive round as many areas as possible and try to get a feel for areas.
We like it in the bayside area but it's more expensive than some areas (coz it's near water) but you can get more value for money inland (suburbs 10 minutes drive away). We chose this area becauseit ticked most of our boxes but you'll find loads of others on this site who chose other areas for other reasons.
Sorry to be a bit vague but you need to firm up on your checklist first.
Good luck on the house - keeping our fingers crossed for you.
Regards
Smiths
We've been in Brisbane area for 4 months now. It's a big place and sprawls out almost in every direction. There are nice suburbs in all areas but if you are looking for affordability there is a basic rule of thumb.
The closer you are to Brisbane CBD and the closer you are to water, then the more expensive the area is likely to be.
Best thing to do before you get here is to make a checklist of things that are important to you, have a drive round as many areas as possible and try to get a feel for areas.
We like it in the bayside area but it's more expensive than some areas (coz it's near water) but you can get more value for money inland (suburbs 10 minutes drive away). We chose this area becauseit ticked most of our boxes but you'll find loads of others on this site who chose other areas for other reasons.
Sorry to be a bit vague but you need to firm up on your checklist first.
Good luck on the house - keeping our fingers crossed for you.
Regards
Smiths
Good state Schools /good area for Kids
at least 4 beds
Garage
Pool (bribe to kids for going!)
Big garden
dont mind being inland a bit and dont want to be in brisbane cbd anyway
Area with loads of work for elctricians
If theres anything you can think of that should be on the check list then feel free to add to this!
And for under $400k is this even poss, we will be getting a mortgage is this easy? Well we fly out end of feb so we will soon find out
thank you in advance!
The Lee's
#11
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Hi guys we are planning on heading to Brisbane (if and when the visa comes) and have found www.ourbrisbane.com so helpful looking at rentals and houses for sale. Lots of general info also. Hope this helps.
Donna & Neil
Donna & Neil
#12
this is home!!
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: laid back Springfield Lakes.............
Posts: 1,973
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Hi, although not liked by some and called 'legoland' you may want to check out a suburb like Springfield Lakes as many people with young families are moving into the area and the new school opened last week to much acclaim.
You will find details on www.springfieldlakes.com.au. Hope this gives you something else to look at.
Loz x
You will find details on www.springfieldlakes.com.au. Hope this gives you something else to look at.
Loz x
#13
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
Just a warning that will be 45 mins at 3am on Sunday morning not rush hour
Be careful what realestate agents and developers claim, Australia seem to be the land of misleading statistics LOL
Be careful what realestate agents and developers claim, Australia seem to be the land of misleading statistics LOL
#14
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
She said big Garden
Hi, although not liked by some and called 'legoland' you may want to check out a suburb like Springfield Lakes as many people with young families are moving into the area and the new school opened last week to much acclaim.
You will find details on www.springfieldlakes.com.au. Hope this gives you something else to look at.
Loz x
You will find details on www.springfieldlakes.com.au. Hope this gives you something else to look at.
Loz x
#15
Re: Where to live in Brisbane?
[QUOTE=aussiewannabe;4371547]Thanks, thats really helpful. As for a firm checklist, heres one I prepared earlier!
Good state Schools /good area for Kids
at least 4 beds
Garage
Pool (bribe to kids for going!)
Big garden
dont mind being inland a bit and dont want to be in brisbane cbd anyway
Area with loads of work for elctricians
If theres anything you can think of that should be on the check list then feel free to add to this!
And for under $400k is this even poss, we will be getting a mortgage is this easy? Well we fly out end of feb so we will soon find out
OK
Firstly, the website www.ourbrisbane.com only covers the area governed by Brisbane City Council - therefore if you're trying to find Cleveland on there, you won't.
Cleveland is the administrative centre for Redlandshire - try the website www.more2redlands.com.au. It's all joined up now but back in the day some 20 years ago it was separate.
Following the bay from the Brisbane river south, you've got Wynnum / Manly / Lota (Brisbane) then you cross a creek and enter Redlandshire - suburbs here are Thorneside / Birkdale / Wellington Point / Ormiston / Cleveland / Raby Bay / Thornlands / Victoria Point / Redland Bay. Inland from the coast you've got Capalaba, Alexandra Hills and Mount Cotton.
The area is very popular with expats (including us) and is a good family area. Cleveland is the administrative centre and has a country town feel to it with council offices, library, shops in high street etc. Regular local meet-ups going on from Thursday lunchtime coffee (mainly girl types) to evenings every once in a while which include alcohol and the blokes.
Train line from Brisbane only goes as far as Cleveland. Train takes about an hour from Cleveland to CBD (takes a winding route). Quicker by car (more direct) - say 40 minutes.
State high schools in the area are at Wellington Point, Cleveland, Alexandra Hills and Victoria Point. Private colleges have a better reputation although our two kids (14 and 13) both go to Cleveland High School - they both like it and have made friends really quickly (with Aussies as well as expats).
There are no ocean beaches on bayside - Moreton and Stradbroke Islands act as a barrier from the Pacific and with the Brisbane River emptying into the bay the coast is a mixture of sand and silt. There are some really pretty spots such as Wellington Point and Victoria Point but you don't get the sandy ocean beaches with the waves crashing against it - to get this you have to go to the Gold Coast in the south or Sunshine Coast to the North.
Raby Bay is really posh - really big houses backing onto man made marinas with boats - out of most people's price league.
Our requirements for a house are similar to yours. We'll be looking in Cleveland / Ormiston - probably need to pay more than $400k but should get somewhere for $450k (train line important as I work in CBD and catch train). You can get more for your money in Alexandra Hills and for the same requirements could probably get change out of $400k.
We've been here 4 months now and really like area - hence now looking to buy in next couple of months.
Hope this gives you a flavour of the lower 'Bayside' area.
Good luck with your imminent arrival.
Smiths
Good state Schools /good area for Kids
at least 4 beds
Garage
Pool (bribe to kids for going!)
Big garden
dont mind being inland a bit and dont want to be in brisbane cbd anyway
Area with loads of work for elctricians
If theres anything you can think of that should be on the check list then feel free to add to this!
And for under $400k is this even poss, we will be getting a mortgage is this easy? Well we fly out end of feb so we will soon find out
OK
Firstly, the website www.ourbrisbane.com only covers the area governed by Brisbane City Council - therefore if you're trying to find Cleveland on there, you won't.
Cleveland is the administrative centre for Redlandshire - try the website www.more2redlands.com.au. It's all joined up now but back in the day some 20 years ago it was separate.
Following the bay from the Brisbane river south, you've got Wynnum / Manly / Lota (Brisbane) then you cross a creek and enter Redlandshire - suburbs here are Thorneside / Birkdale / Wellington Point / Ormiston / Cleveland / Raby Bay / Thornlands / Victoria Point / Redland Bay. Inland from the coast you've got Capalaba, Alexandra Hills and Mount Cotton.
The area is very popular with expats (including us) and is a good family area. Cleveland is the administrative centre and has a country town feel to it with council offices, library, shops in high street etc. Regular local meet-ups going on from Thursday lunchtime coffee (mainly girl types) to evenings every once in a while which include alcohol and the blokes.
Train line from Brisbane only goes as far as Cleveland. Train takes about an hour from Cleveland to CBD (takes a winding route). Quicker by car (more direct) - say 40 minutes.
State high schools in the area are at Wellington Point, Cleveland, Alexandra Hills and Victoria Point. Private colleges have a better reputation although our two kids (14 and 13) both go to Cleveland High School - they both like it and have made friends really quickly (with Aussies as well as expats).
There are no ocean beaches on bayside - Moreton and Stradbroke Islands act as a barrier from the Pacific and with the Brisbane River emptying into the bay the coast is a mixture of sand and silt. There are some really pretty spots such as Wellington Point and Victoria Point but you don't get the sandy ocean beaches with the waves crashing against it - to get this you have to go to the Gold Coast in the south or Sunshine Coast to the North.
Raby Bay is really posh - really big houses backing onto man made marinas with boats - out of most people's price league.
Our requirements for a house are similar to yours. We'll be looking in Cleveland / Ormiston - probably need to pay more than $400k but should get somewhere for $450k (train line important as I work in CBD and catch train). You can get more for your money in Alexandra Hills and for the same requirements could probably get change out of $400k.
We've been here 4 months now and really like area - hence now looking to buy in next couple of months.
Hope this gives you a flavour of the lower 'Bayside' area.
Good luck with your imminent arrival.
Smiths