Property and rental value in some of Brisbane’s suburbs is increasing. Check out this list to see if your suburb is the place to invest in 2014.
Nundah
Where is it: 8km north-east of the CBD, next to Toombul and Geebung.
Why it’s trending: Property prices are still relatively low, given its proximity to the city and great transport links. The recent ‘I (heart) Nundah’ campaign is hinting at its growing appeal to a younger market.
Median rent: $425/week for a three-bedroom
Median sale price: $610k for a four-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: Centred Art on Hamson Terrace, with its curated selection of Indigenous and local art.
Foodie hotspots: Nundah Village has a good selection of independent cafes for weekend brunches, and you’re a 10 minute drive to Paddington and Red Hill.
Who your neighbours are: Young families who work in the city.
Wynnum
Where is it: Next door to Manly on the east coast of Brisbane, approx. 16 km from the CBD.
Why it’s trending: Bayside properties are the next big thing in Brisbane, as people move out of the overpriced inner-west and seek seaside living with good links back to the CBD.
Median rent: $400/week or a three-bedroom
Median sale price: $417k for a three-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: Wynnum Markets – held daily – have some excellent vintage treasures and antiques for the home, as well as showcasing local artists
Foodie hotspots: There are some great local cafes opening up along the waterfront, as well as a good selection of high-street chains – Capers Pizza, Sushi Train etc. The older-style waterfront pubs are enjoying a revival and serve great food.
Who your neighbours are: Aspirational 35 to 44 year-olds with teenage children.
Chermside
Where is it: 10km north of the CBD, next to Aspley.
Why it’s trending: Once seen as the daggy stopping point between the CBD and the northern suburbs, Chermside is coming into its own as an affordable, convenient and bustling suburb with excellent transpor.
Median rent: $390/week for a three-bedroom
Median sale price: $440k for a three-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: Forget Westfield Chermside – although it is convenient – and head up Gympie Road towards Wooloowin for local galleries and theatres.
Foodie hotspots: Scuzi at Westfield Chermside is surprisingly good for Saturday brunch, while Bella Cosi serves authentic Italian in a beautiful space.
Who your neighbours are: Independent 20 to 30 year-olds who work both creative and public sector jobs.
Annerley
Where is it: 6km south of the CBD (and 3km from UQ St Lucia using the Green Bridge), Annerley connects to the rest of Brisbane via Ipswich Road and easy access to the Clem 7 tunnel.
Why it’s trending: Several new apartment blocks and a new shopping complex are turning the tired Annerley strip into somewhere convenient and fresh. Trendy cafes are popping up and the new Red Lotus and Billy Kart Kitchen have been immediate hits with locals.
Median rent: $450 per week – units $380 per week
Median sale price: $535,000 – units $378,666
Foodie hotspots: Groove Café, Billy Kart Kitchen, Café O-Mai, Azafran, Red Lotus, BOX’D Espresso Bar.
Who your neighbours are: Young professionals (25-34 years) with children.
Auchenflower
Where is it: 3km south of the CBD, next to Toowong and Milton.
Why it’s trending: Toowong’s little sister is growing into her own – close to the city, UQ St Lucia and the hotspots of Paddington and Toowong, Auchenflower is a quiet achiever and certainly one to watch
Median rent: $530 per week for three bedroom
Median sale price: $760,000 for three bed
Cultural hotspots: Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
Foodie hotspots: Café Auchenflower, Deer Duck Bistro, Toro Bar, Grimes Bistro.
Who your neighbours are: University students and young professionals.
Tennyson
Where is it: Just under 10km from the city – easy access via train line.
Why it’s trending: The new Queensland tennis centre is just the beginning for Tennyson. Close to hotspot Yeronga, Tennyson’s development is pointing in the direction of up-and-coming. If gentrification plans for Yeerongpilly go ahead, Tennyson (with its low investment prices) will be the place to be.
Median rent: $420 per week for three bedroom
Median sale price: $529,000
Cultural hotspot: Queensland Tennis Centre.
Foodie hotspots: Buzz Tennyson, The Hyde Out, Anesis.
Who your neighbours are: Older couples and families.
Dutton Park
Where is it: Dutton Park lies east of the Brisbane River, opposite from St Lucia. It’s 4km from Brisbane CBD, a 5-7 minute drive or 14 minutes by train.
Why it’s trending: Dutton Park’s appeal lies in its river frontage and proximity to the CBD. Many of the old style cottages have been recently renovated into modern apartments. It’s well serviced by public transport, and currently look forwards to development of the Boggo Road precinct – proposed to be a residential, retail and commercial centre.
Median rent: $540/week for a three-bedroom
Median sale price: $624k for a three-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: Dutton Park is dominated by a recreation area which is popular for picnics, tranquil riverside walks and a free-leash area for your furry friend. Otherwise, most locals head to the city for cultural events.
Foodie hotspots: Woolloongabba is a stone’s throw from Dutton Park, where an upcoming bar scene can be found. The Canvas Club, Chalk Hotel and Brewhouse Brisbane are the best picks of the bunch.
Who your neighbours are: It has a population of approximately 4100, comprised mostly of independent, working adults.
Fun Fact: The Boggo Road Gaol opened in 1883, and was only demolished in 1996.
Balmoral
Where is it: Balmoral is an inner eastern suburb, 9km from the CBD, a 10-15 minute drive, or 20 minutes by train.
Why it’s trending: Balmoral was the top Brisbane suburb for house value growth in 2013, with a rise of 15.2 per cent. It’s also a neighbour of Bulimba – a popular, picturesque village.
Median rent: $700/week for a three-bedroom
Median sale price: $677k for a three-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: Balmoral Park and the Cineplex are two local hangouts spots for the weekend.
Foodie hotspots: The Oxford Street precinct has plenty of award-winning alfresco dining options.
Who your neighbours will be: The median age for Balmoral is about 35, and is populated by working adults, established couples and families.
Fun Fact: Balmoral is an Anglicisation of Baile Mhoireil’ which is Scottish Gaelic for ‘beautiful residence’ or ‘majestic castle.
Mitchelton
Where is it: Mitchelton is 8km northwest from Brisbane CBD, a 15-20 minute drive or 35 minutes by train.
Why it’s trending: Many Brisbane families have found an ideal home in Mitchelton. The parks and recreation facilities, schools and low crime rate have been ranked as the top factors.
Median rent: $360/week for a three-bedroom
Median buy: $480k for a three-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: Brookside Shopping Centre is the largest retail precinct in northwest Brisbane
Foodie hotspots: Mitchelton residents flock to the farmers’ markets, held monthly on a Sunday morning, for the gourmet delicatessen foods, fresh produce and artisan breads.
Who your neighbours will be: Established/older couples and families with children. Mitchelton also has a diverse, multicultural community.
Fun Fact: Mitchelton’s name comes from one particular English family, who settled in the area in the 1870s
Sandgate
Where is it: Sandgate is a coastal suburb located 16 km north of the Brisbane CBD.
Why it’s trending: Sandgate’s position on Brisbane’s coastline is attracting families who want a relaxed lifestyle, while still being within a close commute to the Brisbane CBD.
Median rent: $410/week for a three-bedroom
Median buy: $473k for a three-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: Sandgate hosts a range of festivals and markets each year, including the Sandgate Bluewater Festival and the Music By The Sea Festival.
Foodie hotspots: There are plenty of seaside cafes and takeaways opening up along the Sandgate waterfront including Little Crepe Factory and Dougs, as well as a new cool and quirky drinking establishment Cardigan Bar.
Who your neighbours will be: Established/older couples and families and elderly singles.
Redcliffe
Where is it: Redcliffe is a residential suburb of the Moreton Bay Region, approximately 28 kilometres north-north-east of Brisbane.
Why it’s trending: The Moreton Bay Region is one of the fastest developing places in Australia and with its low median prices Redcliffe appeals to older generations wanting a getaway from the city, without living on the coast
Median rent: $330/week for a three-bedroom
Median buy: $330k for a three-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: The Redcliffe Jetty markets are on every Sunday on the Redcliffe foreshore.
Foodie hotspots: Redcliffe has plenty of pubs, clubs and cafes along its foreshore including Brick Bistro Bar, The Rustic Olive, Workshop Co. Expresso Bar, and Feel Goodz Gourmet Café.
Who your neighbours will be: Elderly singles, older couples and families and older independence.
Carindale
Where is it: Carindale is located 10 km east of the Brisbane CBD.
Why it’s trending: With its close proximity to the city and affordable pricing, there has been an increase in independent youth and maturing couples venturing to this east side suburb.
Median rent: $450/week for a three-bedroom
Median buy: $570k for a three-bedroom
Cultural hotspots: Carindale is home to Westfield Carindale,which became the sixth-largest shopping centre in Australia on completion of redevelopment in 2012.
Foodie hotspots: Carindale offers a diverse international palette, with some of the favourite hotspots of this suburb according to Urbanspoon being Chang Tong Thai, Asia House Chinese, Roman Empire restaurant, A Night In India and Backstreet Expresso.
Who your neighbours will be: Older couples and families and older independents are currently among the majority in Carindale, with younger trends recently being seen in the suburb.
Original article published at www.bmag.com.au 6/3/2014