fish.01

Here's the train map: QR Train Map

Remember that Greater Brisbane's geographical area is huge (like most Australian cities) so living within walking of a train stop is very lucky in the outer suburbs. The busway system is better in some ways as it feeds local buses onto the busway so can offer walking distance services to many more surrounding areas.

To give you an idea how full on the busways are here's some pictures: Brisbane Busway

comet555

Well Capalaba would be within your budget. We live here and my husband commutes to the city by bus everyday. It's only a 35 minute bus ride (express I think) with no transfers (the one he catches is anway). The Birkdale train station is a 12 minute drive from our house although the train route is not exactly straight into the city and would take more like 50 minutes into the city. So a quick walk to the bus stop with a 35 minute bus ride is much better.

Redland Bay is a lot farther out. Victoria point would add about an extra 15 minutes to the bus ride and probably a transfer. So the journy by bus would be closer to 55-60 minutes I would think.

Broad Shoulders

...and here is a picture of a train

fish.01

If that's what a train look like we'll have to think of a new name for the silver, red and yellow things that roll through Brisbane

Broad Shoulders

never said it was a Brisbane train. I just saw the picture and really liked it. Thought I would share it with everyone

fish.01

If you can find something in Taringa (or Toowong) I would grab it. It is a top find and significantly better than a lot of other choices on your list.

fish.01

Subtle

comet555

Well the train service doesn't really cover a lot of the city. More importantly accomadation near the train lines are generally more expensive. So the options are either to use the bus, there are some great routes and busways that are pretty quick, or spend a bit more to be nearer the train routes.

suzyambrose

Ok so in that case I'll give you my list for Brisbane (haven't checked bus routes though)


Mt Gravatt
Sunnybank Hills
Woodridge
Toowong
Taringa
Kenmore
Redland Bay
Victoria Point
Mt Cotton
Capalaba
Thornlands
Cleveland

wanderingwombat

Victoria Point route 279 - 50 mins by express bus (busway) $4.16
Thornlands route 273 - 60 mins by express bus (no busway) $3.84

WW

comet555

Where are you guys hoping to work, and how long do you want to commute?

Anything in the Bayside area is pretty nice (in my opinion). Closest to the city would be Capalaba, then Cleveland, Thornlands, Victoria Point, Mount Cotton and then Redland Bay the farthest out. That's roughly speaking as it's sort of hard to judge which is closest.

I would say that there isn't that much in Mount Cotton and I would imagine the bus links would not be the greatest. You'd be better off in the other suburbs.

As for the others I have no idea, but Mount Gravatt seems to be a nice area and is about 15 minutes west of Capalaba, so it's a bit closer to the city.

comet555

Capalaba - about 35 minutes on the express bus routes
Cleveland - about 1 hour on the train

dejags

How about different parts of Brissy.

Clayfield
Wooloowin
Nundah
Wavell Heights

There are plenty of rentals in these areas and they are all on good rail links and not too far from the CBD (I drive in from Clayfield and it takes me 15 minutes at most).

wanderingwombat

Capalaba - 273 express 44 minutes $3.84

Cleveland train (a scenic meander through the 'burbs) 57 mins $3.84

suzyambrose

It's my husband who'll be doing the commuting, I don't think he'd want to travel for more than 40mins each way. I have no idea where he'd be working that's the problem