Baz MW

Whether you love fancy cocktails and a six course degustation or happy hour pints and a cheap Korean/Japanese feed, the area has something for everyone.

The area has a good mix of people, young and old, families, singles, couples, owners and renters.

What it doesn’t have is the neighbourly and social issues that come with living in some of the nearby party suburbs like Fitzroy and South Yarra.

It’s only a quick 10 mins to the city on the train, with trains running every 5-10 mins most of the day.

I moved to the area a few years ago from interstate and was surprised at how well priced apartments are here (given how expensive the freestanding houses are here). In most other capitals, apartments in affluent inner-city suburbs would be completely unaffordable, but that isn’t the case in Hawthorn.

After renting near Auburn Station for a few years, we finally sold our house interstate and bought a beautiful apartment near Glenferrie Station for a great price. I know we’ll be here for many years to come.

The housing crisis has shifted the Australian dream. We can’t all live in quarter acre blocks right next to the city anymore.
As a personal preference, I’d much rather spend my money on living in a fabulous apartment in Hawthorn with a fantastic lifestyle at my doorstep than buy a “freestanding” house in a dodgy suburb 50 mins from the CBD where my eaves are touching the neighbours’ and my backyard is the size of a bath towel.

Many people that have spent their entire lives in Brisbane would consider 15km from the CBD to be a major distance, but anybody who has lived in a big city before would know that this is a modest and comfortable commute, just enough to get through a couple of chapters of your book. The Shorncliffe Line is one of the most reliable on the SEQ network and will get you into work in the CBD in a little over 30 mins (and being the start of the line - you always get a seat). Sandgate station is modern, has abundant parking and also has good bus connections. For private vehicles, both major arterials of the the Gateway Motorway and Sandgate Road run directly through the area and are easily accessible and will get you to the city in 25 mins and the beach in 45 mins.

Finally, the social scene of Sandgate has very recently lifted its game and is no longer just a few fish and chip shops and a shady pub. The Post Office Hotel has recently had a face-lift and become very family friendly (and with great food). The Full Moon Hotel overlooking the bay has also been renovated and is a great spot for dinner and drinks with a view. A number of trendy bars with live music and craft beers have also popped up recently, including a wine and tapas bar.

Overall, Sandgate has some issues that Council needs to look at addressing such as the shopping strips that it allows to stay vacant and the tired looking town centre and a very vocal NIMBY population that doesn’t allow the area to flourish to its full potential. But with its existing infrastructure and natural beauty is bursting with potential.

Alternatively, if you want the bayside lifestyle with a short hop to the city without the price tags of Sandgate and Shorncliffe, the eastern sections of Deagon and Brighton are all walking distance to the bay and just as peaceful and safe (if not more).

Deagon's location allows it to have a perfect trilogy of great transport connections, great proximity to the ocean and beautiful big housing lots.
Most parts of Deagon are within a short walk to Sandgate and the Bay but without the price tag of Sandgate or Shorncliffe.
The area is safe and quintessentially suburban, with some great little hidden cafes, 2 nearby shopping centres and a great selection of restaurants and bars close by.
Trains are only 30 minutes to the city, the Gateway Mwy is on the doorstep and weekend morning walks by the Bay make this a perfect location to settle.