Best Queensland, Australia suburb to live in?

Question

I am currently in the market for a house in the suburbs of Qld. I am considering homes in: Fig Tree Pocket, Taringa, Indooroopilly, Chapel Hill, Wynnum, Paddington, Toowong, Tennyson, Brooksfield, Coorparoo, and Bellbowrie. Any input or experience? We're very open-minded, we are not Christian and would not like to live in a conservative town, we have money but are a bit "hippie" and green. We would like a large house with a large garden. We have a daughter as well so would be interested in a good school system.

Answer 1

It is a long time since I have lived in Brisbane but I can tell you that you will not easily find large gardens in Taringa, Wynnum, Paddington, Toowong, Indooroopilly or Coorparoo. These are older suburbs relatively close to the city centre and many of the larger gardens will have been cut up with multiple dwellings in them by now - the process was well under way when I left Brisbane in 1976.

When looking in this region be a bit careful of flood levels. I was in Brisbane for the floods in January 1974. Houses that were said to be in areas which were flood free went entirely under water. There is nothing to stop this from happening again.

I can't say anything about Bellbowrie. Tennyson is/was the site of a power station and a lot of it went underwater in 1974. You might find a large garden in Chapel Hill, but I'm thinking that of the suburbs listed Fig Tree Pocket and Brookfield may be the best bets.

Another possibility if price is no real object is the Laurel Avenue area of Chelmer - Graceville - Sherwood. This is reasonably close to the Brisbane -Ipswich rail line, a major transport corridor with good suburban railway services to the city.

Possibly the best school in the immediate area is Saint Aidan's which is close to the Corinda Railway Station. This is an Anglican Church school and is for girls. As you are aware Anglicans are not fundamentalists.

Most Brisbane people could not care less whether you are Catholic or Calathumpian. Same as anywhere else in Australia.

Answer 2

Those are suburbs of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland which is a State nearly three times the size of Texas. Suburbs close to the city are usually more tolerant and less conservative than those further out. There are good schools everywhere.