The family-friendly QLD suburbs to watch this spring
From Cairns to the Gold Coast, families are cashing in their first homes and upgrading to bigger houses thanks to low rates. Here is where to spend your $750,000 to $1.5 million budget.
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Many families are now cashing in their first home and upgrading to a bigger house, and while prices are soaring, there are plenty of suburbs where they can be close to good schools, amenities and public transport.
Here, five real estate experts reveal their top suburbs to look for those with a budget between $750,000 and $1.5 million this spring selling season.
MEGA GUIDE: Experts reveal the QLD spots to property shop for every budget
More regional QLD suburbs poised to join the $1m-plus club
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THE EXPERTS
Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee (NC)
McGrath Queensland manager and head of auctions Justin Marsden (JM)
RE/MAX Australian managing director Joel Davoren (JD)
Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty CEO Paul Arthur (PA)
Harcourts Queensland CEO Mitch Peereboom (MP)
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FAMILIES $750,000- $1.5 million
BRISBANE NORTH
Kalinga: There are lots of great suburbs in this price point in the north however I have choose Kalinga. Bounded by Kedron Brook, with a median of $1.09 million, it is well connected. It also has nice parks and cafes in the vicinity. NC
Spring Hill: Spring Hill is as close to the city as you can get, where you can pick up quaint sized and affordable blocks with very liveable, character-filled homes. With some minor adjustments, under $1.5 million would pick up a slightly renovated home here on a smaller sized block. JM
Eatons Hill, Cashmere, Bunya: Families are continuing to gravitate to affordable acreage. $900k-$1.5m will provide access to a large family home with 1.5 acres of land, along with all the bells and whistles (pools, sheds etc). All still within 25km of the city. JD
Kalinga: This suburb just continues to shine. A Wonderful family area close to schools and amenities. The reno’s taking place are 1st class making older homes now aspirational. PA
Wavell Heights: The fast emerging epicentre of some of the northside’s trendiest builds and renovations, Wavell Heights offers a 10 minute commute to the CBD and airport. Your neighbours multi million dollar sales are setting new benchmarks paving the way for capital growth in your future. MP
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BRISBANE SOUTH
Woollongabba: Woollongabba has a median price of $915,000 and has cafes, restaurants and is highly walkable. It is also going to have significant investment over the next decade because of the Olympic Games. The Gabba itself will have a $1 billion upgrade. Buying here means not only enjoying amenity of the additional infrastructure spending but will also give you proximity to the Games. NC
Mt Gravatt/Upper Mt Gravatt: Mount Gravatt and surrounding Upper Mt Gravatt are growing suburbs and a top pick for those on the southside. There is room to move on a mixture of large older homesites, and new high density development in the area is well connected to the CBD with plenty of transport options. With a nearby university campus and easy access, people love the amenities of the area. JM
Tarragindi, Holland Park, Coorparoo, Greenslopes, Camp Hill: Quality schooling, connectivity to the CBD and a short walking distance to parks, cafes and public transport is driving demand in these areas. JD
Woolloongabba: There’s so much upside for this suburb with infrastructure abound, upgrades to restaurants, and proximity to the CBD. 2032 is not too far away and the Woolloongabba is one of the big winners of our Olympic win. PA
Mansfield: Buyers are ravenous to purchase in the best school catchments and Mansfield regularly attracts double digit bidders at auction. If you can get your name on a contract – you have bought some of Brisbane’s hottest real estate. MP
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BRISBANE EAST
Ormiston: It is hard to find homes with beach views for under $1.5 million but Ormiston does provide them. It also has great schools, some beautiful homes and a train line to Brisbane. It is also a quiet, leafy suburb which would appeal to many buyers. NC
Cannon Hill: Cannon Hill has been a quiet achiever however has really taken off and is growing in demand. There is a good choice of schools, public transport and shopping centres close by. The older homes are on larger lots which families are looking for and with the potential for renovation there is room to expand existing homes or rebuild new in the future. JM
Seven Hills: Families love the leafy tree lined streets of Seven Hills with its quiet family vibe, local cafes like the Rabbit Hole bursting from the seams on the weekends full of young families with prams, matching bicycles and fur babies. Larger blocks and fully fenced yards still exist. JD
Toowong: Being close to retail precincts, walkways and bike ways, the river, top schools and the university makes Toowong highly desirable. PA
Carina Heights: As the face of the suburb evolves, sale prices continue to climb as buyers spill over looking for opportunities outside of Camp Hill and Norman Park. 8 kilometres to the CBD, lucrative neighbouring suburbs and plenty of upside make Carina Heights a real winner. MP
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BRISBANE WEST
Graceville: Graceville tipped over the $1 million median during the year and has had both strong rental and price growth. Lots of nice homes, parks, a train line and places to eat out. NC
Tarragindi: It’s a favourite for families looking for a quiet leafy pocket yet remaining close to the city, bordering Toohey State has helped for it to retain that feel. For those looking for a bit of city meets county here it is. JM
Kenmore: These buyers are on to their second or third home. They are long-term stayers, often with teenagers, and looking for large homes on big blocks that the family can grow into. Good schools are again major attractors. Many are holding on to closer-to-city units to rent out while they buy bigger homes. It is a transitional move from the inner-city urban lifestyle to the family lifestyle. The Kenmore market is phenomenally strong. Indooroopilly is also highly sought after. JD
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GOLD COAST
Miami: Miami has seen almost 30 per cent price growth but still has a median unit value under $1 million. Not only does it have a great beach but there are lots of nice cafes and restaurants. There are also a wide range of price points for homes. NC
Robina, Varsity Lakes, Southport, Ashmore, Burleigh Waters: These areas are all popular due to the convenience to schools, major shopping centres, universities, sporting facilities and transport. JD
Mermaid Waters: It has beautiful beaches, a buzzing cafe scene and a laid back lifestyle. There is a range of housing options that are close to good public transport and Broadbeach shops. You will feel like you are on a permanent holiday. JM
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SUNSHINE COAST
Minyama: You won’t get the best house in Minyama for under $1.5 million but you will still get something pretty nice. Surrounded by water and close to the beach, it is no surprise that prices and rents have lifted significantly over the past 12 months. NC
Buderim: Buderim has retained it’s rural feel and is still surrounded by large parcels of land and newer smaller home sites. The buzzing village has everything you need. You will love the family friendly atmosphere, schools and surrounding parklands while being only a short drive to the beach. JM
Little Mountain, Aroona, Meridan Plains and Caloundra West: The popular areas for families are in these suburbs. Older Golden Beach properties are also being snapped up for renovations and rebuilds. JD
Buderim: With changes in workplace occupancy Buderim stands to be a big winner with more & more folk working from home. Buderim is such a beautiful area and will be highly sort after for the Sunshine Coast. PA
Southport: Central, well renowned and a solid market to invest. Whether you do nothing, redevelop or renovate the location should always be a winner. MP
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CAIRNS
Clifton Beach: Not as expensive as Palm Cove, Clifton Beach offers beachside living with a median of $612,000. Quiet beaches and nice homes are a key part of what has driven prices and rents in this part of Cairns over the past 12 months. NC
City View Estate and Upper Mount Sheridan: Elevated properties offering views, larger homes and granny flats (or spaces that can be converted into teenage retreats) fall into this buyer category, who are often families with teenagers. Both are good prospects. JD
Port Douglas: A playground for the affluent, Covid-19 has had a major impact on property in the region with many high-net worth families taking the opportunity to purchase and upgrade. It will always be a contender for one of Queensland’s best lifestyle locations. PA
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TOWNSVILLE
North Ward: North Ward may be Townsville’s second most expensive suburb but it is easily possible to get a beautiful home here within this price range. The suburb is on the beach and has two great parks – The Strand and Queens Gardens. NC
Alice River: Alice River is proving to be a family friendly suburb with a large percentage of family homeowners choosing to live here because of its healthy vibe, large blocks of land and more relaxed traffic conditions creating a safer street network for kids. It’s a great place to bring up a family. JM
Annandale, Douglas, Idalia, Mount Louisa: These suburbs are extremely popular with families looking in this price range due to the proximity to excellent schools, sporting facilities, shopping centres, beautiful parklands and entertainment precincts, as well as the hospital, university and Lavarack Barracks. JD
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MACKAY/WHITSUNDAY
Shoal Point: Shoal Point is a small suburb, on the beach with a laid-back lifestyle. The median currently sits at $545,000 which means that with a budget in excess of $750,000 you could get a pretty nice home. NC
Richmond Hills: Popular for acreage living. Families can enjoy prestige acreage living (think the Gumdale of the North). The rolling green hills are dotted with new builds, pools, sheds, large lifestyle allotments of a few acres, perfect for families to expand on. JD
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WIDE BAY/FRASER COAST
Rainbow Beach: Rainbow Beach has the best access to Fraser Island and a median of $582,500 so would be easily within this price range. The town has seen strong price and rental growth over the past 18 months, driven by people seeking a lifestyle change, as well as for holiday homes. NC
Sunshine Acres, Wondunna, Urangan, Craignish, Dundowran Beach: These buyers are generally in the $500,000 to $1 million range. It is still a tight market but there is scope for five-acre properties in Sunshine Acres, homes on half acre in Wondunna and Urangan or on the Esplanade, the elevated Craignish with water views and Dundowran Beach. JD
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TOOWOOMBA
Rangeville: Rangeville has a median of $519,000 so easily within this price range. It is one of Toowoomba’s nicest suburbs with good schools and great amenity. NC
East Toowoomba: – The family market is competing with the first home buyers who want all the attributes of a larger, better appointed family home. The $750K buyer demographic is very specific – professionals with very solid incomes – who recognise value and capital growth. JD
Originally published as The family-friendly QLD suburbs to watch this spring
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