Top 10 Best Areas To Live In Brisbane For You

Did you know that Brisbane, with its rich history, is one of the most explorable cities in Australia? The city is encircled by the world's third-largest sand island and is filled with the cutest Koalas and kangaroos! You can't go to Australia and not talk about Kangaroos, right? With so much to tick off your bucket list, you can happily reside in the city centre of Brisbane, where you can find not only a top-tier ecosystem and infrastructure but also a world-class education. With prestigious universities like the University of Queensland, Griffith University, and Australian Catholic University, you might always question yourself about where to live in Brisbane.

Top 10 Best Areas To Live In Brisbane

Finding the right neighbourhood in the convenient suburbs can completely change your Brisbane experience. From riverside locations to lively inner suburbs, these good suburbs in Brisbane to live offer comfort, safety, and convenience. Whether you’re a student or a working professional, here’s a look at the Brisbane best areas to live in Brisbane that perfectly balance lifestyle, connectivity, and community.

1. West End

Average Rent – A$700/week
Population – 14,730
Safety Index – 7.8/10
Nearest University – QUT Gardens Point
Best For – Students and young professionals who love culture and vibrant nightlife

West End stands out as one of the best areas to live in Brisbane, famous for its artsy and welcoming atmosphere and multicultural cafés along Boundary Street. With a walkability score of 91, it’s a paradise for students who prefer walking to campus or grabbing a quick coffee before lectures, and it's also a great area with excellent schools. The area’s strong public transport, proximity to QUT Gardens Point, and lively weekend markets make it a top choice among the best suburb to live in Brisbane. It’s safe, social, and packed with affordable eateries, making everyday life dynamic yet comfortable.

2. Camp Hill

Average Rent – A$775/week
Population – 12,254
Safety Index – 8.1/10
Nearest University – Griffith University Nathan
Best For – Young families seeking suburban calm near the city centre

Camp Hill earns its spot among the best areas to live in Brisbane thanks to its quiet charm and close proximity to the city centre. Known for tree-lined streets, boutique shopping, and family-friendly parks, it’s one of the affordable suburbs to live in Brisbane for those seeking peace without losing city convenience. Buses connect students easily to Griffith University Nathan, or QUT. Low crime rates, good local schools, well-maintained homes, and local favourites like Martha Street cafés make Camp Hill one of the best places to live in Brisbane for balanced living and great value.

3. South Brisbane

Average Rent – A$750/week
Population – 7,200
Safety Index – 7.6/10
Nearest University – University of Queensland
Best For – Students and professionals wanting city living

South Brisbane is a cultural powerhouse and one of the best areas to live in Brisbane for students. This top suburbs in Brisbane's walkability score of 95 makes daily life effortless, with the city centre, South Bank, and University of Queensland just minutes away. Reliable buses, train stations, and ferries connect everywhere quickly. Students love its safety, nightlife, and cosmopolitan lifestyle, home to the Queensland Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, and beautiful riverside walking paths. It’s not only the best suburb to live in Brisbane, but also one of the nice places to live in Brisbane for social, active learners.

4. Hawthorne

Average Rent – A$1,000/week
Population – 4,900
Safety Index – 8.3/10
Nearest University – QUT Gardens Point
Best For – Couples and families seeking a riverside lifestyle

Hawthorne is often listed among the best areas to live in Brisbane for its riverside charm and leafy streets. With a walkability score of 84, it’s easy to explore local cinemas, trendy cafes, boutique cafés, and ferry routes that connect straight to Brisbane's CBD and QUT Gardens Point. Known for its low crime and scenic atmosphere, this is a good suburb to live in Brisbane, balancing peace with accessibility. Students love its blend of urban convenience and suburban calm, making it one of the best places to live in Brisbane near the river.

5. Paddington

Average Rent – A$850/week
Population – 8,500
Safety Index – 8.0/10
Nearest University – UQ St Lucia
Best For – Creative professionals and boutique living

Paddington shines as one of the best areas to live in Brisbane thanks to its colourful heritage homes and creative and vibrant community, which reflects the area's median house price. Just 3 km from the CBD and close to UQ (St Lucia), it’s packed with vintage shops, lively pubs, and art galleries that attract students and young professionals alike. With good transport links and a walkability score of around 86, it’s perfect for car-free living. The area’s low crime and welcoming vibe make it the best suburb to live in Brisbane and one of the nice places to live in Brisbane.

6. Alderley

Average Rent – A$650/week
Population – 6,100
Safety Index – 8.4/10
Nearest University – QUT Kelvin Grove
Best For – Families wanting peace with easy access to the city

Alderley is a calm, leafy pocket ranked among the best areas to live in Brisbane for its peaceful yet connected lifestyle. Just 5 km north of the city, it offers quick train access to QUT Kelvin Grove and the CBD. The suburb’s community vibe, low crime, and modern infrastructure attract both students and families looking for a family-friendly lifestyle. Green spaces, parks and cosy cafés make it one of the best suburbs to live in Brisbane for downtime and focus. With its mix of affordability and convenience, it’s truly a good suburb to live in Brisbane.

7. New Farm

Average Rent – A$900/week
Population – 12,197
Safety Index – 7.9/10
Nearest University – QUT Gardens Point
Best For – Riverside lifestyle and walkability

New Farm is one of the best areas to live in Brisbane, blending riverside tranquillity within inner-city suburbs. With a walkability score of 93, everything from gyms to grocers is at your doorstep. Close to QUT Gardens Point, it’s ideal for students who want proximity to the city’s action, fine dining options, and comfort without compromising. New Farm Park and the Powerhouse arts venue make it one of the best places to live in Brisbane for social weekends. Stylish apartments, low crime, and top cafés define this nice place to live in Brisbane.

8. Kangaroo Point

Average Rent – A$800/week
Population – 9,689
Safety Index – 7.7/10
Nearest University – QUT Gardens Point
Best For – Students and professionals who want city views

Kangaroo Point ranks high among the best areas to live in Brisbane thanks to its unbeatable skyline views and proximity to Brisbane's CBD. With direct access via a walkability score of 89 and regular ferry routes to QUT Gardens Point, it is a dream for students. The suburb’s riverside cliffs, cycle paths, and picnic spots add to its outdoor appeal. Known for its low crime and modern apartment living, Kangaroo Point is the best suburb to live in Brisbane city for those who enjoy safety, accessibility, and weekend adventure, all just minutes from downtown.

9. Teneriffe

Average Rent – A$1,200/week
Population – 5,300
Safety Index – 8.2/10
Nearest University – QUT Gardens Point
Best For – Trendy professionals and luxury living

Teneriffe’s industrial charm and riverside luxury apartments make it one of the best areas to live in Brisbane for luxury and convenience. Once a wool store district, it now features trendy lofts and waterfront cafés with a walkability score of 92. Its well-connected ferry stops link easily to QUT Gardens Point, while leafy boulevards and riverside trails create an upscale yet relaxed vibe. Students and professionals alike rate it among the best places to live in Brisbane, and one of the nice places to live in Brisbane for urban elegance.

10. Clayfield

Average Rent – A$700/week
Population – 10,500
Safety Index – 8.5/10
Nearest University – Griffith University
Best For – Families and professionals seeking good schools and safety

Clayfield sits comfortably among the best areas to live in Brisbane, valued for its family-friendly calm and strong school network. Located in Brisbane’s north, it offers train access to the CBD and Griffith University in under 20 minutes. Its tidy streets, low crime, and heritage homes add character to this good suburb to live in Brisbane. With a mix of affordability and comfort, Clayfield is the best suburb to live in Brisbane for students and professionals wanting a secure, well-connected neighbourhood with easy public transport and green spaces.

5 Things You Should Look For Before Moving In  

• Proximity to Universities: If you are a student looking to move to any area, then your priority has to be how close the area is to your university, so that you don't spend extra bucks and time travelling. 
• Safety of the locality: the security of your area is a given. Before moving anywhere, make it a point to ask your classmates who live in that area. Also, verify the crime rate in that particular area. 
• Leisure places nearby: The answer to what to do on weekends should not be difficult to answer. Make sure the area you are looking to reside in has friendly clubs, cafes, and parks for you to chill and hang out after lectures. 
• Health-care facilities around: Health-care facilities are something you might not need daily, but you will need health-care assistance sometime during your stay there. So, check that there are good healthcare facilities around. 
• Groceries and laundry facilities: No one wants to go 5 km to get groceries, right? That's why we recommend checking for grocery and local shops and laundry facilities near the top suburbs in Brisbane. 

Looking For Brisbane Student Accommodation In The Best Areas?

If you’re searching for cheap Brisbane student accommodation that doesn’t compromise on quality, check out amberstudent. They specialise in the best Brisbane student accommodation, with listings across key student-friendly suburbs like South Brisbane, Alderley, Toowong, and more. Here are some of the best options:

1. UniLodge Herston
2. Student One Adelaide Street
3. Scape Tribune
4. Scape Merivale
5. UniLodge South Bank

A beautiful, adventurous, and fun city to live in, Brisbane is everything you could ask for in a stress-free yet fantastic city for you to live in as a student. Don't wait anymore and find your perfect student accommodation in any of the best place to live in Brisbane that we have mentioned. As you will have a lot to explore in the city of Brisbane, to make the process more seamless for you, we have made a list of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane and some best things to do in Brisbane.

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