South Brisbane
Filled with restaurants and cafes this would have to be the centre point of activity in the region.
Venture out and enjoy the nightlife as streets blossom with a lively atmosphere. Classy bars and clubs offer a convenient place to enjoy an evening out with friends.
Easy access to public transport provides the best of both worlds. Enjoy the tranquillity of hills living with the train station close by to bring you right to inner city in no time.
Local shops and supermarkets offer a place to dash out and grab fresh produce. The suburb also offers diverse living with ever changing streetscapes catering for both first home buyers right through to luxurious, upmarket living.
Source:www.REIQ.com.au
West End
West End is an eclectic and dynamic suburb. It was once a very working class area, with a number of factories located along the river and Montague Road. As these factories began to shut down the suburb increasingly became home to university students, alternative types, and international migrants due to its affordable housing and rents, and its proximity to the CBD.
This new mix of residents created a community vibe that is unmatched anywhere else in Brisbane. Small restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, shops, bars and bakeries began to pop up along Boundary Street, and have been added to over the years, providing a vibrant high street atmosphere day and night.
However, as urban renewal projects in areas such as Newstead and New Farm begin to wind down, the Council and developers are increasingly looking towards the old industrial areas of West End to help house the future growth of Brisbane. This has been progressing slowly in recent years down by the river and in the areas between Boundary Street and the Convention Centre.
It remains to be seen whether the urban renewal programme will improve the area without detracting from the eclectic vibe that so many residents of West End and Brisbane so greatly value.
Highgate Hill
A popular inner-city suburb of Brisbane, Highgate Hill has experienced strong growth in median house prices during the past five years.
The suburb has easy access to the City via the William Jolly Bridge, the Southeast Freeway and the new 'Goodwill' pedestrian bridge and is in a commanding position with easy access to all major amenities and retail shopping.
Highgate Hill is definitely an investor's dream as many students and professionals are attracted by its central position and quiet environment.
Due to its close proximity to the City, and like many similarly located suburbs in Brisbane, Highgate Hill has experienced a strong level of 'gentrification' of its streets and homes. Renovation activity has been a feature with many older Queenslander-style houses being brought back to mint condition.
The suburb also has many new houses and units; overall it has a good mix of dwelling types.
Being close to the West End café and restaurant precinct, and indeed South Bank and the CBD, Highgate Hill has become one of the most popular 'lifestyle' suburbs in Brisbane.
According to the 2001 Census there were 5,195 people living in the suburb with a median age of 33. The median individual income was between $300 and $399 per week. Of all occupied private dwellings 40% were either fully owned or being purchased; 53% were being rented.
Source:www.REIQ.com.au
Brisbane City
Bordered largely by the Brisbane River, Brisbane City is the heart of retail and business activity in the Brisbane Shire. Popular with professionals looking to live as close to work as possible, the City's property market has experienced strong demand in recent years.
The western side of Petrie Terrace was one of the first residential areas developed after Brisbane was settled. Approximately 300 houses, typically built on small lots, are located in this area. These properties have undergone significant renovation and the value of property in the Petrie Terrace precinct has growth substantially over the last few years.
To ensure this neighbourhood loses none of its historic character, the Brisbane City Council has a special control plan to ensure future developments are in accordance with existing residential and historic built environments.
While the older style housing is still attracting some buyers, it is the refurbishment of older buildings into apartments that has been attracting the most attention.
Inner city residential high-rise complexes were first developed during the late 1970s in the area bounded by Alice and Margaret Streets and included Club Lodge and The Gardens complex.
Lately there has been concern about an oversupply of unit complexes in the inner city, which have been sold largely off the plan to investors before construction has commenced. With the cancellation of the Devine project, The Georgian, many analysts believe the market will now be dominated by quality projects on premium sites.
The catalyst for Brisbane City's residential surge was the conversion of two previous commercial buildings into residential apartments during the mid 1990s. Newspaper House was transformed into the Manor Apartments and Perry House into the Royal Albert Apartments. Several other former commercial buildings have since been converted to residential use with most conversions taking place along Ann and Edwards Streets.
The demand for inner-city living has been reflected in the update, introduction and redesign of the Queen Street Mall, new supermarket facilities in the Myer Centre, and the opening of the new Roma Street Parklands.
Living in Brisbane City means residents are in walking distance to major retailers, business offices, churches, parklands and gardens, the Queensland University of Technology and all forms of public transport. Roma Street Rail Station also acts as a hub for intrastate and interstate coach and rail services.
Residents also have easy access to the Riverside Expressway leading onto the Southeast Motorway and the Gold Coast, the Victoria Bridge and Goodwill Pedestrian Bridge leading into South Brisbane and the Story Bridge leading into Kangaroo Point.
According to the 2001 Census there were 7,351 people living in the suburb with an average age of 37. Of all occupied private dwellings an average of 29% were either fully owned or being purchased; on average 55% were being rented.
Source:www.REIQ.com.au
Spring Hill
Brisbane's oldest suburb and right next door to the CBD, Spring Hill continues to attract buyers with its unique appeal.
Benefiting from the enormous interest in near and inner-city living, Spring Hill sits north of the CBD bounded by a railway line next to Gregory Terrace, Wickham Terrace, parts of Ann Street and St Pauls Terrace, and Warry and Kennigo Streets.
Being directly north of the CBD and its adjoining suburb, it is only seconds away from almost any CBD service and facilities as well as the nightspots of Fortitude Valley.
Spring Hill is one of Brisbane's few areas that successfully combine residential living with commercial and professional activities.
Spring Hill is continuing with the makeover that started more than 10 years ago. Many of the old and dilapidated houses have been immaculately restored or new, architecturally designed homes have been built in their place.
The area attracts renters who want proximity to the City and this assures the area of continuing investment potential.
The REIQ expects Spring Hill to continue to attract Brisbane's professionals and attract strong interest from those who want the benefits of near-city living. Its very high median house price growth over the last 5 years is testament to this.
According to the 2001 Census there were 6,019 people living in the suburb with a median age of 35. The median individual income was between $400 and $499 per week. Of all occupied private dwellings 22% were either fully owned or being purchased; 61% were being rented.
Source:www.REIQ.com.au
Dutton Park
Due to its close proximity to the Brisbane CBD and its position alongside the Brisbane River, Dutton Park has experienced very strong price growth in property in the last 5 years.
About 5km from Brisbane's CBD, Dutton Park property is still reasonably priced when its proximity to the City.
As one of Brisbane's river suburbs, Dutton Park is ideally situated and likely to attract buyers who want to secure attractive property close to the water. It is an area that is popular with families and professionals working in the CBD.
Dutton Park also has easy access to major arterial roads, schools, shops and other infrastructure necessary for family and professional living - the closest hospital is the Princess Alexandra Hospital (approx 5 min). The neighbouring suburb of Yeronga has 2 primary schools and 1 high school in the area. It is also close to the University of Queensland across the river at St Lucia.
Major shopping outlets are located at Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre and are supplemented by street stores available in and around Dutton Park. Being nearby to West End also gives the suburb a convenient restaurant area close by.
There are plenty of parklands in the neighbouring suburb of Fairfield such as Downs Oval and Goodwin, Leyshon, Robertson and Fehlberg Parks. There are bikeways and access to the river via the Brisbane Corso Reserve. There is also a Brisbane Ferry service across to St Lucia and the University of Queensland at Dutton Park - the CityCat fast river service to the City also starts at Dutton Park, making it convenient for City commuters.
The "Green Bridge" will be completed by 2007 and will offer easy bus, bike, and pedestrian access to Queensland University.
A train station is located in the suburb - the fastest and easiest way to get to the City - and plenty of bus routes heading to the university and the City are available to residents.
With the exception of some retail development at the Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre, there is little commercial development in the area. Residentially, there is an increasing number of townhouses/apartments with new developments under construction behind the shopping centre.
According to the 2001 Census there were 1,319 people living in the suburb with a median age of 37. The median individual income was between $200 and $299 per week. Of all occupied private dwellings 42% were either fully owned or being purchased; 49% were being rented.
Source:www.REIQ.com.au
Woolloongabba
Woolloongabba is a thriving inner city suburb 1 km east of Brisbane's CBD. The suburb mainly consists of commercial, retail and restaurants - it is also most famous for housing the 'Gabba', the Brisbane Cricket Ground, which hosts national and international cricket matches and rugby union games.
Despite the high level of commercial and retail development in the suburb, there are pockets of prime residential areas. These consist of some heritage protected early period housing such as Queenslanders, and post-war workers cottages made from weatherboard and chamferboard.
The median house price belies the potential growth of the area, especially given its proximity to the City, Southbank and other inner-city attractions.
The suburb is also very close to one of Brisbane's major hospitals, the Princess Alexandra, and is provided easy access north and south along the Southeast Freeway.
According to the 2001 Census there were 4,455 people living in the suburb with a median age of 36. The median individual income was between $300 and $399 per week. Of all occupied private dwellings 41% were either fully owned or being purchased; 52% were being rented.
Source:www.REIQ.com.au
Yeronga
Due to its close proximity to the Brisbane CBD and its position alongside the Brisbane River, Yeronga has experienced very strong capital growth in property in the last 5 years.
About 5km from Brisbane's CBD, Yeronga was one of the last riverside suburbs to receive a makeover and catch up with similar suburbs in terms of property prices.
Yeronga is ideally situated and likely to attract buyers who want to secure attractive riverfront property. It is an area that is popular with families and professionals working in the CBD.
Yeronga also has easy access to major arterial roads, schools, shops and other infrastructure so necessary for family and professional living.
Yeronga is well located to many public and private amenities. The closest hospital is the Princess Alexandra Hospital (approx 5 min). The suburb has 2 primary schools and 1 high school in the area. It is also close to the University of Queensland across the river at St Lucia - there is a ferry and City Cat service from nearby Dutton Park.
Major shopping is at Fairfield Garden Shopping Centre and street shopping is also available at Yeronga. Being near West End gives the suburb a convenient restaurant area close by.
There are plenty of parklands, bikeways and access to the river at the Yeronga rowing club.
A train station is located in the suburb and plenty of bus routes heading to the university and the City are available to residents.
The ratio of houses to units is about 60 per cent to 40 per cent. There is no commercial development in the area - Yeronga is essentially a quiet leafy residential suburb.
According to the 2001 Census there were 4,921 people living in the suburb with a median age of 34. The median individual income was between $400 and $499 per week. Of all occupied private dwellings 59% were either fully owned or being purchased; 36% were being rented.
Source:www.REIQ.com.au
Fairfield
Due to its close proximity to the Brisbane CBD and its position alongside the Brisbane River, Fairfield has experienced very strong growth in property prices in the last 5 years.As one of Brisbane's river suburbs, Fairfield is ideally situated and likely to attract buyers who want to secure attractive property close to the water. It is an area that is popular with families and professionals working in the CBD.
Fairfield has easy access to major arterial roads, schools, shops and the other infrastructure so necessary for family and professional living.
Fairfield is well located with close proximity to many public and private amenities. The closest hospital is the Princess Alexandra Hospital (approx 5 min). The neighbouring suburb of Yeronga has two primary schools and one high school. It is also close to the University of Queensland across the river at St Lucia - there is a ferry and City Cat service from nearby Dutton Park.
Major shopping is at Fairfield Garden Shopping Centre supplementing the on-road retail outlets. Being near to West End gives the suburb a convenient restaurant area close by.
There are plenty of parklands such as Downs Oval and Goodwin, Leyshon, Robertson and Fehlberg Parks, bikeways and access to the river at the Fairfield rowing club at the Brisbane Corso Reserve.
A train station is located in the suburb and plenty of bus routes heading to the university and the City are available to residents.
According to the 2001 Census there were 2,221 people living in the suburb with a median age of 33. The median individual income was between $400 and $499 per week. Of all occupied private dwellings 60% were either fully owned or being purchased; 35% were being rented.
