ilovefrazzles

will do thanks

Hi guys we had a week up in Brisbane. I was always up for the move now my wife and the little one are 100% also We crammed a lot of 'looking around' in and caught up with friends for advice etc. The area which from looking online we thought wed like was Petrie and it did tick all the boxes, nice houses, decent size blocks also, great value. The area we will try to buy the houses are more modern (we didn't like the high set types) and are surrounded by 4 kids parks and close to the 2 schools, the village shops are okay (everything you need), but Petrie is only 10 mins to both Westfield at North lakes and Strathpine which is great. I did a test commute into the city, my office is in the Valley and I got in within 40mins so well happy. First time I have been into the centre of Brisbane and was pleased to see how much more relaxed it was compared to Sydney. We also took one day off and drove to dicky beach (40 min drive) and onto Noosa (1hr 15) good knowing how close the beaches are. So we are house hunting now and looking to buy ASAP and start work end of January. Cheers

It was similar in Sydney, really sluggish, we kept saving then bang!!! it went crazy with jnvestment and foreign buyers. I will keep a close check with the prices xenon, we need to get it right as it will be home for next 10yrs+.. Cheers speak later

Thanks guys... Just spent lunch looking at Ferny Grove, Everton Hills, Arana Hills (and Keppera) and Albany creek look great, mmm looks like we have a lot to fit in within 5 days. I have noticed the past few weeks in Brisbane so many places 'under offer' a lot quicker than a few months ago, so maybe the Sydney (SMSF) bubble is starting to take off there? So we need to get in the market quickly before prices take off...

Thanks so much Alsaka and Xenon, I will check out the schools (my wife can start researching), our daughter is 2 years old but we will be buying to stay for hopefully a long time so getting the right school is very important. My wife will have the car during the day and I was thinking to buy a house with around 10 min walk max to the train station, this saves us buying the second car. Alaska there are some areas you mentioned I haven't even considered so will do more research. Funnily enough North Lakes I hear is full of Brits or is this a myth? also from North Lakes you need to drive to station (although one is being built). Some nice houses there some with pools for around $450k but the land seems small ie. would like a decent lawn for the little one also and yes Petrie seems a nice place with decent size blocks also. Once we have been up there I will repost with the areas we like and decisions we've hopefully made.. Many thanks again

Sorry, I rushed that post... I meant to add also which are the nice areas, would you prefer and why, cheers guys

Hi guys I have just been given the go ahead to transfer to our Brisbane office (Jan 2014) which is in Fortitude Valley. We have been living and working in Sydney (originally from UK) for past 9 years and know looking forward to a change in city and where we can buy for way less than in Sydney ie. less financial stress moving to Brisbane as we wont be owned buy the bank for 20yrs. We'd be looking to pay $450k for a 3 bed house Looking at North Brisbane suburbs where its seems great value for property and the other big bonus for me its only 30 mins to work on train (I am currently doing 1hr 20 each way which isn't nice) and 40 mins to the beaches just over an hour to Noosa. So it looks a great place for us as family to move to. We will be up in November for 5 days trying out all the areas listed below with a plan to buy in one of these areas (close to train stations) : Virginia Geebung Carseldine Bald Hills Strathpine Bray Park Lawnton Petrie Banyo Nudgee From your experience I would appreciate any advice on what areas to avoid and why?, which areas have best schools, our little daughter is 2, so we need to start planning the schools also. Many thanks