family friendly suburbs

[MummaFug]

Am looking for some suggestions on areas to live in Brisbane :)

This is JIC as it is just something that is in the back of our minds at the moment.

We have 2 sml children and would be renting (if the right thing came up we would buy) and wouold spent approx $500 - 600 p/w on rent.

Would want fairly new house with 4 beds (I like the idea of 'new' suburbs)
Would love to be near water (canals are ok too)
Preferably North suburbs but not necessary
Parks and kid friendly things to do nearby
Restaurants and stores nearby
easy to walk around/public transport
Safe and family friendly
Private school nearby

Anyone have any suburbs that they would recommend I do some research on. I dont know Brisbane at all so dont know where to start.

[MsMummy]

Sandgate and Shorncliffe are quite nice. On the water (north-eastern suburbs). Bit far from the city though (about 20km) if you have to commute.

My favourite part of Brisbane is the inner to middle north-west (Paddington, Bardon, Indooroopilly, Kenmore etc) and the inner south-west (Chelmer, Graceville etc).

If you like new estates, you could try Springfield Lakes (again, quite far from the city - at least 20km). I don't know what the transport is like there at the moment, but they are extending the train line at the moment so it should improve. they have a lake, a uni campus, shops etc.

I think there's a similiar housing estate to Springfield Lakes on the north side at North Lakes. I don't know that area at all though.

[OJandMe]

I just moved from Bris. We lived in Holland Park on the inner south and it was awesome. close to everything, close to excellent schools, kindy's, shops, services.. everything. Oh and there's a bike path at Greenslopes (just down the road) that goes all the way into the city. Close to buses and trains. Not on the water though, but only 5kms from the city.

If I could afford to move back I would.

And if you need a recom for a great child care centre: Holland Park Child Care Centre on Seville Rd.

My boys went there for 3 years, and I can't fault the place.

[biscotti]

I'm going to suggest Fig Tree Pocket (my old stamping ground) and also Chelmer and Graceville (really really old stamping grounds :D)

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

we live in fitzgibbon...it isn't on the water but close to sandgate/the water! the area ticks all the other boxes! goodluck hun!

is sooo family friendly, we have had no dramas at all...very quiet area. i am so glad we live where we do (we rent) hoping we wont have to move anytime soon and if we do it will be in the same area hopefully!

[MsMummy]

I'm going to suggest Fig Tree Pocket (my old stamping ground) and also Chelmer and Graceville (really really old stamping grounds :D)

Fig Tree Pocket is lovely as well.

[IndigoJ]

When i lived in Bris i liked Samford Valley, Albany Creek and Warner.

Holland park and Greenslopes was scary! Sandgate is nice too

[studyingECS]

I also vote Chelmer:thumbsup:.

Really pretty and very suburban, close to transport, major shopping centers, restaurants etc.

[jenpeterock]

wynnum/manly is great. not really northside, more of eastern suburbs. close to water,family friendly parks and only a 15-20min drive to cbd. alot of young families and retired people, not many hoons.

[~CupCakes~]

Newport /Scarbrough / Redcliffe ticks most of those and its beautiful , the only thing is you wopuld have to bus to either sandgate or Petrie for the train

[bindy01]

I live in Chapel Hill and love it, Fig Tree Pocket and Kenmore are in the same area and really nice too. Supermarkets, parks, good schools nearby and nice and quiet.

[Seacretsquirrel]

My parents live in Ferny hills - beautiful and family friendly though not close to the water and about 30 mins from the city (most days)

My MIL has 2 acres in Samford and it is beautiful - we are in the process of buying it off her and building our own place on the block and a granny flat for her:smiliedance: - then we get to move back to brisbane :cloud9: once again ticks all you boxes except the water one!

That said the sunshine coast isn't that far away neither is bribie island or redcliff etc.

Northlakes is lovely (the house we are going to build its displayed their - though I have heard it is very hard to get out of the estate onto the freeway ATM as there is only one exit so it is a slow process!

We have lots of friends in the Lawnton/Petrie area as well as Bald Hills and they all seem very happy with the area and schools etc.

[MsMummy]

I live in Chapel Hill and love it, Fig Tree Pocket and Kenmore are in the same area and really nice too. Supermarkets, parks, good schools nearby and nice and quiet.

I'm in Kenmore, and what I love is the leafiness. There are just so many trees here.

It feels like a "safe" area as well, if that makes sense.

The only downside is that the traffic gets really choked up on Moggill Road, and it's not on a train line.

[Teley]

Sandgate:yes:/Shorncliffe.

[~Candy~]

Redlands :thumbsup:

[Teley]

Redlands :thumbsup:
:eek::no:Not in my opinion.

[MummaFug]

We actually drove around Scarborough/Redcliffe last time we were there. Very interesting from an investment point of view but not sure I could live there... Although did see a new estate with new houses on man made canals when we were there and I have NO IDEA what/where it was :( It was actually perfect for what I want.... I have googled, realestated everything and CANT find it :no:

[mum23girls]

I would suggest North Lakes, Murrumba Downs.

However, consider where you/your partner would work, because the peak hour traffic on most major roads is shocking!

These man made canals, were northside? I can only think of Scarborough or Newport up that way.

[lemongrass]

Chelmer is nice:yes::yes: Many parks within walking distance, close to transport (train/bus), green and leafy and very quiet:thumbsup:. Close to schools too.and kindy..!!

[amandaw]

MF - that estate is LOVELY!!!! It's officially called Newport and some of it fits into Scarborough - I'd LOVE to be able to afford to live there. Good private schools close, great parks down on the Scarborough foreshore, some great boutique restrurants, very close to Morgans Fish and chips :laughing: Definitely worth a look....except if you have to access the city daily

[MummaFug]

:smiliedance: THANKS everyone for all your help .. I have LOTS of research to do now.. There sounds like there are a few good suburbs here,

And Thanks Mum23girls & amandaw for finding Newport for me !!! THATS the one .... Now, if only I could find a spare million $$$$