Thinking of Living in Brisbane? Here’s How Locals Choose Where to Stay

Brisbane is a beautiful city that will captivate you once you start living here. However, choosing the right neighbourhood matters immensely if you’re looking to stay here for the longer haul. That’s where you can take necessary cues from the locals on where to stay for an enjoyable living experience in Brisbane. Let’s find out more about this below. 

Guide to Choosing the Best Locality to Stay in Brisbane 

Here are some key factors that will help you choose the right neighbourhood to stay in Brisbane. 

• Atmosphere and Lifestyle: Young professionals and executives often look for areas like West End and Fortitude Valley. They offer better entertainment and nightlife than many other surrounding neighbourhoods. At the same time, families often select quieter and greener suburbs like Alderley, which are located near leading parks and schools. 

•  Transportation and Daily Commutes: You can get access to the CBD (Central Business District) easily from several neighbourhoods. These are often chosen by business executives and professionals. Suburbs which have robust public transportation links or are located near the river are often valued more for ensuring lower commuting times.

• Recreational aspects and Nature: Many Brisbane residents look to stay near the river, including areas like Kangaroo Point and others. This ensures easy access to the walking paths and cliffs and even localities near national parks. It enables more open-air and greener lifestyles.   

• Cost of Living and Affordability- Inner-city living is more convenient and vibrant. However, budget-wise, many people look for suburban options. This is because living comfortably in Brisbane needs at least AUD 90,000-120,000 annually in terms of household income. 

Detailed Look at Some of Brisbane’s Top Neighbourhoods

There are many serviced apartments in Brisbane that are ideal for long-term stays in the city, complete with home-like comfort, hotel-like services, great amenities, ample space and privacy, reasonable rates, kitchens to cook meals, and strategic locations. Now let us look at some of the top neighbourhoods in Brisbane that you can consider choosing. 

1.Inner City or CBD (Central Business District): 

If you wish to stay in the heart of all the action, it is best to stay in the Inner City or the Central Business District (CBD). You will discover multiple attractions here, including the City Botanic Gardens, Museum of Brisbane and the Queensland Holocaust Museum, to name a few. At the same time, you will love the multiple cocktail bars and restaurants dotting the neighbourhood, along with the iconic Brooklyn Standard, a NYC-themed bar with its live music and speakeasy atmosphere. Shopping enthusiasts will love the Queen Street Mall here too. 

It’s pretty convenient to travel from the CBD to almost anywhere else in the country. The main transit points, trains and long-distance buses are all situated here, while the Fortitude Valley and South Bank are located nearby. Living in Brisbane City will help you access everything easily, including the cafes and bars along City Laneways and riverside recreation at the Eagle Street Pier.

The City Loop bus services are available for free to help you explore all the sights while CityHopper ferries also help you get complimentary transportation in the neighbourhood. You can easily cross the river to Riverside from the North Quay and the Howard Smith Wharves. The Roma Street and Central train stations are also available nearby for your convenience. 

2. South Bank: 

South Bank is a charming neighbourhood that is just southwards from the CBD. It’s just across the Brisbane River and offers a gorgeous inner-city beach along with several miles of tree-lined parks and walking pathways. You’ll also discover wonderful dining and shopping choices in the neighbourhood, along with multiple museums, such as the Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Cultural Centre. Another attraction that you should check out here is the amazing Wheel of Brisbane, which is a 60-metre observation wheel along the riverfront. 

If nothing else, you’ll enjoy just walking along the riverside promenade and dining at the multiple joints here. There are outdoor dance classes, musicians, festivals and multiple events to keep you busy here, especially during the summer. 

3. The Valley: 

The Valley or Fortitude Valley is a great neighbourhood to consider if you’re more into a youthful and entertainment-oriented vibe. There is a young crowd here for the popular bars and clubs all around. The Howard Smith Wharves is another option along the river, which has now become a pedestrian boardwalk housing some of the top bars and restaurants in Brisbane. If you love craft beers, head to Felon’s Brewing Co. in the vicinity, while cocktail lovers should visit Mr. Percival’s overwater bar for great drinks and stunning views. 

4. West End: 

West End is a hip and delightful neighbourhood that is located southwards of South Bank. This is where you’ll discover multiple bookstores, independent shops, breweries, third-wave coffee spots, fabulous eateries and craft cocktail bars. Brunches are incredibly popular here while there is a vibrant Greek community as well. You will find plenty of Greek eateries along with lovely murals adorning the quaint alleyways. 

Various markets sprout on the weekends and take over the alleys for a wonderful experience. It is the best neighbourhood to soak in the local vibe and you will also stay near the Inner City and South Bank. Hence, it’s a best of both worlds experience that you can expect while staying here. 

5. New Farm: 

New Farm is ideal for café lovers, art enthusiasts, village-like environments and more romantic stays. The airport is just 23 minutes away (15 km), depending on the traffic conditions and there are multiple attractions worth enjoying here, including the Brisbane Powerhouse exhibitions and cultural performances. You can take a relaxing picnic in the New Farm Park and enjoy arthouse movies that satiate your soul. The famous Merthyr Street Café is worth visiting here along with the weekend farmers’ markets. 

You can also expect seamless ferry and bus connectivity, while relishing the laidback and casual vibe of the area, with its alfresco dining, tree-lined thoroughfares and stunning heritage architecture. You will enjoy easy access to major city attractions and landmarks while being nestled away from the urban hustle in picturesque surroundings and boutique stays. 

5. Kangaroo Point: 

Kangaroo Point is suitable if you’re looking for a mix of business and leisure (Bleisure) along with an outdoorsy lifestyle, alfresco brunches and even a romantic atmosphere for couples. The airport is just 17 km away from the neighbourhood, while one of the biggest attractions here is the Kangaroo Point Cliff Stairs that you can climb up. Then there are the gorgeous views from the iconic Story Bridge to savour, while you can also go kayaking on the Brisbane River. 

It is a charming inner-south suburb that will help you hop over to Fortitude Valley and Story Bridge easily, along with the Brisbane City and Howard Smith Wharves. There is the Riverside Adventure Centre nearby while you can go paddling or abseiling here or even venture up to the cliff face. There are plenty of gorgeous picnic spots here along with famous pubs, alfresco cafes and a lot more. It’s like an outdoor and nature-oriented lifestyle and all the perks without the busy vibe of the CBD.

Now that you’ve got an idea of the best neighbourhoods to consider for your long-term stay in Brisbane, it’s time to compare them based on your preferences and some of the key pointers mentioned above. Here’s wishing you an enjoyable stay ahead in the city.