Accommodation in Brisbane
Queensland is one of the states driving the strong Australian economy, having growth sectors in the mining, energy and construction industries. Jobs are attracting skilled workers from recession-hit Europe, which in turn creates a high demand for accommodation and rental properties in Brisbane.
It’s best to rent a property when you get to Brisbane; therefore, you will need to arrange temporary accommodation for when you first arrive. Properties are snapped up quickly due to the high demand.
Types of rental property in Brisbane
Most properties are rented unfurnished, and even the most expensive rental properties rarely come with built-in white label appliances, like a fridge or washing machine.
Expats living in the popular suburbs near to the city and on the river can take advantage of the CityCat ferry service. Brisbane is a clean, compact city with many nice areas to live, but if you like local restaurants, shops and riverside living there are a few areas you'd be likely to prefer.
Popular areas of Brisbane
The median house price in Brisbane is 632,000 AUD (October 2011). It’s possible to buy a property as an expat but the government changed the rules in 2010, making it harder for foreign buyers to invest. You will need to apply to the Foreign Investment Review Board for permission f you are interested in buying.
If buying with foreign currency, investors need to consider the strength of the Australian dollar, which has gained significantly over the past two years against the US dollar, euro and British pound.
Also, consider that if you move on in the future, you may have to sell at a point in time when the housing and currency markets are not in your favour.
Brisbane is rated as severely unaffordable on the 2011 Demographia International Housing Affordability Index, having a median multiple of 6.6. The median multiple is the median house price / the median household income.
The flood of January 2011 was one of the worst on record; however, Brisbane has made a remarkable recovery. It would be difficult for newcomers to notice anything untoward.
Brisbane is sub-tropical, has a rainy season and is located on a flood plain. The flood of 2011 was described as a one-in-thirty-year event; a previous flood on the same scale occurred in 1974.
However, it’s not unusual to get flash-flooding during the rainy season. Brisbane is hilly and therefore not all suburbs are affected, some suburbs are only partly affected. If you are concerned about living in a flood area, or want to avoid a street prone to flash-flooding, you can get detailed flood maps from Brisbane City Council.
Renting in Brisbane
It’s best to rent a property when you get to Brisbane; therefore, you will need to arrange temporary accommodation for when you first arrive. Properties are snapped up quickly due to the high demand.Types of rental property in Brisbane
- Apartment with a balcony
- Units (a small modern house) with a little outside space
- Traditional “Queenslanders” - one- or two-storey raised weatherboard houses, which are suited to the sub-tropical Brisbane climate.
Most properties are rented unfurnished, and even the most expensive rental properties rarely come with built-in white label appliances, like a fridge or washing machine.
Expats living in the popular suburbs near to the city and on the river can take advantage of the CityCat ferry service. Brisbane is a clean, compact city with many nice areas to live, but if you like local restaurants, shops and riverside living there are a few areas you'd be likely to prefer.
Popular areas of Brisbane
- West end is one of the older suburbs, known for its markets and diverse mix of cultures; and being close to the university, it’s popular with students.
- Hamilton and Bulimba are both affluent family areas with plenty of shops, bars, cafés and restaurants.
- Teneriffe is an area with converted warehouse-style apartments, popular with professionals.
- Kangaroo Point has a similar demographic, with modern apartments, and is popular recreation spot and home to the famous Story Bridge Hotel.
- Another popular living and recreation area close to the city is New Farm.
Buying in Brisbane
The median house price in Brisbane is 632,000 AUD (October 2011). It’s possible to buy a property as an expat but the government changed the rules in 2010, making it harder for foreign buyers to invest. You will need to apply to the Foreign Investment Review Board for permission f you are interested in buying.
If buying with foreign currency, investors need to consider the strength of the Australian dollar, which has gained significantly over the past two years against the US dollar, euro and British pound. Also, consider that if you move on in the future, you may have to sell at a point in time when the housing and currency markets are not in your favour.
Brisbane is rated as severely unaffordable on the 2011 Demographia International Housing Affordability Index, having a median multiple of 6.6. The median multiple is the median house price / the median household income.
The Brisbane Floods
The flood of January 2011 was one of the worst on record; however, Brisbane has made a remarkable recovery. It would be difficult for newcomers to notice anything untoward.
Brisbane is sub-tropical, has a rainy season and is located on a flood plain. The flood of 2011 was described as a one-in-thirty-year event; a previous flood on the same scale occurred in 1974.
However, it’s not unusual to get flash-flooding during the rainy season. Brisbane is hilly and therefore not all suburbs are affected, some suburbs are only partly affected. If you are concerned about living in a flood area, or want to avoid a street prone to flash-flooding, you can get detailed flood maps from Brisbane City Council.
