Chandler, QLD 4155

At the outset, the amount of land you could buy fairly cheaply in Chandler was the real attraction. Pretty area, too, but a bit rough looking. With research we found out why. Buses to schools and universities and the city were really only convenient from Carindale, so driving to catch the bus is hardly attractive. Security is a concern, being so close to Capalaba. Sadly loads of serious or fatal traffic incidents with noisy motorway and very busy main roads heard from all directions but the biggest worry is the propensity for the area to flood. You can buy on higher land but the Mac mansions built on flood land bring the prices and prestige down.

I lived here for 18 years up on a 3 acre block up until quite recently. It is such a beautiful part of Brisbane, so peaceful & secluded yet the CBD is just 20 minutes away. Very affluent. Genuinely can't think of anything negative to say, it's the most wonderful place.

I lived in Chandler for 24 years until recently and it was wonderful.

Chandler has a real rural flavour yet it's so close to the CBD. It's a part of town without bad traffic making commutes easy. Despite the acreage layout it's also close to everything. The airport is less than 15mins away, the Gateway Motorway is on your doorstep with easy access to both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, the Bay is minutes down the road, Westfield Carindale is also right there along with all the shops and industry to be found in Capalaba. For connectedness I don't know how you could top it.

To live there you have to be keen on the acreage lifestyle - there's barely a block smaller than 10,000sqm/2.5 acres with many double that or larger. The homes are huge to match the land and the whole area feels enormously spacious and open. Wildlife is abundant.

There is not a lot of community activity as I get the sense most live there because they want peace and privacy or have space for their large families. Certainly we got to know those in and around our street over the years and everybody is supremely friendly when you bump into them on a walk around the block (seems like a common past-time for residents) or pass at a front gate. I think most feel privileged to live there.

Being so well located it is obviously quite an expensive area, though prices have plateaued since the acreage lifestyle went a little out of fashion. I'm sure the fashion will revert in due course once people rediscover how amazing it is to live like this yet in the midst of such convenience.

It's very safe. Never did we have cause for concern in this regard and we never knew of break-ins occurring.

There are many very good private schools throughout the eastern part of Brisbane and the local state schools (like Gumdale) are quite good.

In terms of caveats, the public transport is not great. There is a major bus stop with a park 'n ride at the Sleeman Centre which connects you with the city and the Carindale bus interchange (ie everywhere) but there is no train in the vicinity, however, and little to nothing in close walking distance (although that's normal for an acreage area). Deadly snakes of various species are also a regular hazard in summer, but although we saw many we never had any trouble with them. Also, don't buy in the very low-lying areas due to flooding. It's a hilly area and the higher the better.

Overall, a slice of paradise. The secret will well and truly get out before long. Especially perfect for families.

We moved here to get away from the stress of traffic and claustrophobic living. 5 minutes from Carindale and 5 minutes from Capalaba shopping centers without being too close. We chose this suburb for 2 reasons, the choice of schools nearby are far better then where we were before and the traffic even in peak hour is what I would call excellent as it at least keeps flowing. 17 km from the city and it takes me 25 minutes at the most.
Close to the sleeman centre, chandler markets and some nice nurseries. The schools have before and after school care on site and the kids actually don't mind going which is fantastic , no more tears at drop off which was very hard previously.
We worked out we actually have an extra hour a day to spend with them purely out of not having to sit in traffic anymore.
As an added bonus we have triple the space we had before , we have gone from having a 460sq block to 1300sq , we were upset to lose money on our last home, but we got so much more value here that it has helped us get back to living rather than existing.
A life saving move for us, we may not live on the north side anymore, but the people here are lovely and friendly, we were only here for 2 days before the neighbours invited us over and were happy to show us around and tell us where all the great spots are. Our last home, we were lucky to get a hello off the neighbours in 3 and a half years .
This is the first time I have felt like ever writing on the Internet, I guess it is just nice to feel happy again