Brisbane, Australia’s third-largest city, is known for its sunny weather, laid-back lifestyle, and vibrant community. Whether you’re a professional seeking proximity to the CBD, a family looking for spacious homes near parks and schools, or a retiree wanting a peaceful place by the water, Brisbane has a suburb to match every need.
From the trendy inner-city areas to serene riverside escapes, here are ten of the best places to live in Brisbane, each offering its own unique blend of lifestyle, amenities, and charm.
1. Bulimba
Best suited to: Families and professionals seeking a riverside lifestyle with a strong community atmosphere and access to excellent schools.
Property costs: In the past 12 months, the median price of purchasing a property in Bulimba was around $1,892,500 AUD, while renting a property costs approximately $1050 AUD per week. Housing options range from Queenslander-style homes to modern townhouses and apartments.
Transport links: Good – Bulimba is connected to Brisbane’s CBD via the CityCat ferry, with a commute time of around 25 minutes. There are also bus services that connect the suburb to the city in around 45 minutes. Driving from Bulimba to the CBD takes around 15 minutes depending on traffic.
Lifestyle & recreation: While the bright lights are just a short hop away, this friendly, community–centred suburb has more than enough to keep you busy. There are well-stocked book shops and cafes as well as bustling pubs and a great cinema. Oxford Street is the main shopping street with everything from unique boutiques to supermarkets attracting residents from all nearby suburbs. Bulimba is also home to Bulimba riverside park, perfect for families, walking along the river and watersports such as kayaking.
2. Hamilton
Best suited to: Professionals and families looking for a prestigious riverside suburb with luxury living and easy access to the city.
Property costs: The median price of purchasing a property in Hamilton over the past 12 months was about $2,356,000 AUD, while the median rental price is around $1000 AUD per week. The suburb features a mix of luxury riverfront apartments, spacious family homes, and heritage properties.
Transport links: Good – Hamilton is about 7 km from the CBD, with regular CityCat ferries and buses making the commute convenient. Driving or taking the ferry to the city takes around 15-20 minutes, whilst the bus takes just over 30 minutes.
Lifestyle & recreation: Hamilton is one of Brisbane’s fastest growing suburbs offering glamorous waterfront living and chic shops and restaurants. It is known for its affluent atmosphere and the lively Portside Wharf precinct, offering a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Around Portside Wharf Cruise Terminal you will find upmarket restaurants, designer boutiques as well as an art-house cinema and busy weekend markets. Residents can enjoy riverside walking paths, visit nearby Eagle Farm Racecourse, and explore the trendy Racecourse Road with its cafes and boutiques.
3. Paddington
Best suited to: Young professionals and creatives looking for a trendy, inner-city lifestyle with character homes.
Property costs: Over the past 12 months, the median purchase price in Paddington was around $1,900,000 AUD, with rental prices averaging $840 AUD per week. The area is known for its charming Queenslanders, renovated cottages, and modern townhouses.
Transport links: Excellent – Paddington is located just 3 km from Brisbane’s CBD, with regular bus services making the city easily accessible in under 15 minutes. Driving takes about 10-15 minutes, or you can even walk it in under 45 minutes!
Lifestyle & recreation: Paddington is known for its bohemian charm, with antique shops, art galleries, and cafes lining Latrobe Terrace. The area has a vibrant nightlife, with bars and restaurants offering a range of cuisines. The buzz of activity from this busy thoroughfare quickly gives way to pleasant, leafy streets lined with attractive period properties, with the occasional modern development. Paddington tends to attract artistic types looking for a more creative vibe due to the abundance of interesting architecture and quirky independent shops and cafes. You can find anything from vintage clothing and rare books, to organic carrot cake and artisan tea blends.
4. Manly
Best suited to: Families, retirees, and those seeking a relaxed, coastal lifestyle with a community feel.
Property costs: The median price for purchasing a property in Manly over the last year was about $1,578,500 AUD, while rental prices are around $760 AUD per week. Manly offers a range of housing from modern apartments to classic Queenslander homes with views of Moreton Bay.
Transport links: Fair – Manly is approximately 19 km from Brisbane’s CBD, with a train line providing direct access to the city, taking around 40 minutes. Bus services are also available, and driving takes around 30 minutes.
Lifestyle & recreation: Manly is perfect for those looking for something a little further away from the hustle and bustle. Known for its beautiful coastline, marina and waterfront lifestyle, Manly is a hub for sailing and boating, with the Manly Boat Harbour being one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. Located in the stunning Moreton Bay, this suburb is ideal for those wanting to enjoy Brisbane’s sunny climate and be close to the great outdoors. You can spend your weekends and evenings canoeing, cycling, swimming, or simply strolling around the picturesque harbour and esplanade. Manly is also perfect for families with excellent schools nearby including the very well-respected Moreton Bay College.
5. West End
Best suited to: Young professionals, creatives, and students who appreciate a diverse, vibrant, and multicultural community.
Property costs: The median price for purchasing a property in West End in the past year was approximately $1,665,000 AUD, while rental prices are around $780 AUD per week. The area offers a mix of renovated factory apartments, townhouses, and character homes.
Transport links: Excellent – West End is located just 2 km from Brisbane’s CBD, with bus routes and ferry services providing easy access to the city in around 15-20 minutes. Driving takes around 10 minutes; you can also walk in under half an hour!
Lifestyle & recreation: West End is renowned for its eclectic and welcoming atmosphere, making it a great place to immerse yourself in the relaxed, Brisbane lifestyle. There’s a fantastic market each Saturday offering fresh food, antiques and clothing, as well as live music. There are many international restaurants and independent cafes, with little room for big chains and fast food joints. Boundary Street is a cultural hub, offering music venues, night markets, and art spaces. It also offers close proximity to the South Bank Parklands and the Brisbane River.
6. Murarrie
Best suited to: Families and professionals looking for a quieter suburb with easy access to both the city and industrial areas for work.
Property costs: The median property price in Murarrie over the past 12 months was around $1,130,000 AUD, with rental prices averaging $650 AUD per week. Murarrie offers a range of homes, including newer developments and classic post-war houses.
Transport links: Good – Murarrie is about 10 km from Brisbane’s CBD, with train services providing a commute time of around 20 minutes. Bus services and the Gateway Motorway also connect Murarrie to various parts of Brisbane.
Lifestyle & recreation: Murarrie is a pretty, green suburb located on Brisbane river. The Murarrie Recreation Reserve features sports fields and walking trails, perfect for picnics and play dates, with lots of shops and cafes nearby. Murarrie is particularly popular with families due to the good schools. It is a relatively quiet suburb, yet the bars and restaurants of Bulimba or Camp Hill are just five minutes away. House prices and rentals are more affordable than many other areas, particularly when compared to more central suburbs. There are also some large plots of land available for purchase, ideal for building your dream home in Australia.
7. Holland Park
Best suited to: Families and retirees looking for a peaceful, leafy suburb with good schools and parks.
Property costs: The median price for purchasing a property in Holland Park over the past year was about $1,351,000 AUD, with rental costs around $655 AUD per week. Housing options include classic Queenslander homes, mid-century houses, and modern townhouses.
Transport links: Good – Holland Park is located about 8 km from Brisbane’s CBD, with bus services providing regular access to the city, taking around 30 minutes. Driving typically takes around 15-20 minutes.
Lifestyle & recreation: Recently topping a survey of Queensland’s most in-demand suburbs, Holland Park offers family-friendly living and great links to the city centre at a reasonable price. There are plenty of green spaces including the spacious Glindermann Park and White Hill Reserve, as well as sought-after local schools. There is plenty of space for picnics, sports, and walking, with a close-knit community feel. Compared to Bulimba or central Brisbane, you get much more home for your money There is also a busy shopping street with popular cafes, plus larger shopping centres in neighbouring Mount Gravatt and Greenslopes.
8. Hawthorne
Best suited to: Families and professionals seeking a riverside lifestyle with proximity to the city and a village-like atmosphere.
Property costs: The median price of purchasing a property in Hawthorne over the past year is approximately $2,087,500 AUD, while renting a property typically costs $1,050 AUD per week. The suburb offers elegant Queenslanders, contemporary homes, and luxury apartments.
Transport links: Good – Hawthorne is located around 5 km from the CBD, with ferry and bus services providing easy access to the city. Driving takes around 15 minutes.
Lifestyle & recreation: If you’re looking for a family–friendly suburb close to the centre of Brisbane, Hawthorne could be right up your street. Hawthorne boasts plenty of good local schools, parks and eateries. It is known for its relaxed riverside atmosphere, with the Hawthorne Cinema and independent cafes creating a village-like feel. Nearby parks, such as Hawthorne Park, offer green spaces for families, and the area’s proximity to Bulimba provides additional dining and shopping options. There are also many activities for all ages available in the area, from swimming clubs to pilates classes. Hawthorne feels quiet and friendly yet is just a stone’s throw from Fortitude Valley or the CBD.
9. New Farm
Best suited to: Professionals and couples seeking a cosmopolitan lifestyle close to the city.
Property costs: The median price of purchasing a property in New Farm in the past year was around $2,700,000 AUD, with rental prices approximately $1,150 AUD per week. New Farm features elegant riverfront apartments, stylish townhouses, and classic Queenslander homes.
Transport links: Excellent – New Farm is just 2 km from Brisbane’s CBD, with frequent buses offering access to the city in around 20 minutes. However, many residents opt to walk or cycle along the river to reach the city centre.
Lifestyle & recreation: New Farm is home to some of Brisbane’s most beautiful green spaces, including New Farm Park and the Brisbane Powerhouse arts venue. New Farm Park offers plenty of space for outdoor activities, whilst Brisbane Powerhouse has an eclectic event schedule of theatre and concerts. James Street precinct offers boutique shopping, fine dining, and a vibrant nightlife. The riverside location and rich culture make this a highly desirable suburb.
10. Wilston
Best suited to: Families and professionals looking for a quiet, community-oriented suburb with easy access to the city.
Property costs: The median price for purchasing a property in Wilston over the past 12 months was around $1,900,000 AUD, with rental costs averaging $820 AUD per week. The area offers charming character homes, contemporary houses, and some newer developments.
Transport links: Good – Wilston is located about 5 km from the CBD, with train services providing a commute of around 15 minutes. Bus services are also available, and driving takes around 10-15 minutes.
Lifestyle & recreation: Wilston is known for its village atmosphere, with the Wilston Village precinct offering cafes, restaurants, and local shops. The suburb has a family-friendly feel, with nearby parks like the Grange Forest Park and good access to schools. It’s a great choice for those seeking a quiet lifestyle with quick access to the city. Wilston Hill offers stunning views of the city, whilst Kedron Brook Road boasts more independent shops, bars and eateries.
Brisbane has much to offer adventurous, ambitious expats, and is rightly one of Australia’s most popular destinations. The city provides excellent career opportunities and a high standard of living, as well as year round sunshine and beautiful beaches to the north and south. So, whether you’re looking for a vibrant, inner-city lifestyle or a more laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere, there’s a suburb to suit!
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Sources
All property stats from https://www.realestate.com.au/, accurate as of October 2024.
