When it comes to the best cities to live in Australia, Brisbane is often overlooked. After all, according to the Global Livability Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Melbourne is the 2nd most liveable city in the world followed by Sydney which apart from its excellent quality of life is the home to the Opera House and of course the centre of one of the world’s best New Year’s Eve Firework displays.
However, Brisbane has its own reasons to be one of the best cities to live in. Here are our top 11 reasons which we believe make Brisbane a great city!
1. The Weather
Brisbane is an ideal place to live for people who enjoy warm summers and cool winters. Unlike North America or Europe, Brisbane offers mild winters and hot, humid summers so you can enjoy the outdoor life throughout the year.
2. Friendly People
Even though Australian’s are generally warm and friendly people, there is something different about the people in Brisbane. They are incredibly easy-going, and open-minded, always ready to welcome you and help you out everywhere. In fact, the city hosts a free annual festival each year to welcome all international students where you can find almost everything about the Australian culture.
3. Abundance of Parks
Brisbane is a city of biodiversity. With more than 2,000 parks and over 2,500 known species of plants, Brisbane is one of the few cities in the world that has an abundance of parks. Whether you want to plan a leisure afternoon with your family or want to study nature, Brisbane’s amazing parks have something to offer for everyone.
4. Excellent Location
The city is located between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast so some of the world’s best beaches are less than an hour’s drive away. And as you head out towards the west, there is a lot more scenery that you can enjoy. From blue waters to serene mountains and a great skyline, Brisbane has it all.
5. Affordable Property
If you compare the prices of properties in Brisbane with other cities, you would notice a stark difference. You can find a decent apartment near Brisbane’s Central Business District for less than $600,000. Something you cannot imagine in Sydney.
6. Established Public Transport System
Whether you prefer to travel by bus, train, or ferry, getting around using public transport is fairly easy in Brisbane. Moreover, there are dedicated busways that provide a faster commute to bus users.
7. Less Congested Roads
Not only the public transport system is established, but there is also substantially lesser traffic compared to other cities in Australia. So commuting by road is a fairly simple and quick way of getting around the city.
8. Home to GOMA
If you are an art and culture lover, you would know that Brisbane is home to Australia’s largest Gallery of Modern Art. You can spend multiple afternoons simply exploring the gallery. Moreover, there are always such nice exhibitions that you can attend at the gallery. You can also explore some other major museums including the Queensland Museum and Queensland Art Gallery along with many other smaller galleries and exhibitions.
9. Quality Healthcare
There are eight major public hospitals and four major private hospitals, along with numerous smaller public and private healthcare facilities. Some of the renowned healthcare centres include Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Herston and Mater Hospital Brisbane in Woolloongabba.
10. A Variety of Housing Options
Whether you want to live in a high-rise apartment or a simple townhouse is your choice, you can find a variety of housing options in Brisbane. This diversity of housing options adds more to the beauty of this city.
11. Exciting New Developments
There are many new developments and infrastructure projects including the redevelopment of the airport, which are currently underway. Once completed, these exciting developments will not only give an economic boost to the city but will make it an even better place to live!