heathm2

We have called the winery estate within Carseldine home for a year now. Admittedly, we entered the northern Brisbane property market on a whim attracted to the aesthetic of established homes on wide, very quiet streets - this pocket of Carseldine is a tightly held hidden gem.

Locals are quiet and respectful but not without a sense of community. The majority of houses are owner occupied, on large blocks and all take great pride in their homes. There is very little through traffic making for a lovely residential environment.

The area is very well service by Woolworths, a pharmacy and plethora of convenient dining options at the Carseldine Centre, Chermside is just a short drive away. The vibrant, dog-friendly Carseldine market on a Saturday is also excellent, offering fresh produce and an array of food and coffee options.

There is easy access to Gympie Road when heading into town or escaping to the Sunshine Coast. The train station is some distance from our home which we view as an advantage; we had previously lived in inner city suburbs within easy walking distance of train stations and the crime rate became an increasing problem. Here, we have near zero concerns about crime or safety.

While you are car dependent, I can not rate our pocket of Carseldine highly enough. Having researched our street prior to settlement, the average house has been held for 22 years, a figure which speaks volumes for the area.

My wife and I purchased a Strathpine home on a whim, not knowing a great deal about the outer northern suburbs of Brisbane. Initially drawn to the architecture of a 1970's home (with enormous potential) on a securely fenced, 800 + sqm block backing onto acres of green parkland - our experience to date has been extremely positive.

Strathpine and surrounding suburbs are very well serviced; the quality of fresh produce from the Lawnton Markets and neighbouring Warbuton Butcher is topnotch. Should supermarkets be more your jam, the Strathpine Centre offers Coles, Woolworths and Aldi...also a parade of Brisbane's finest fashion choices. Special mention to the IGA at the bottom of Bells Pocket Road for their great range and always friendly service.

For the home renovator, there are 2 Bunnings options (Lawnton & Brendale), Lawnton Landscaping Supplies and the Brendale Brewing Co for a delicious selection of beers (the Essential Industry Hazy IPA is a cracker).

While the suburb is best described as working class, the streets are quiet, the neighbours friendly yet respectful and the area feels very safe. Occasionally, the serenity is disrupted by the knocking exhaust note of a blue VT Commodore ute - if you are reading this slow down, you peanut.

Outside of peak hours, Brisneyland CBD is just 40 minutes by car, the area is also very well serviced by rail. Strathpine is a short drive to the bayside suburbs of Brighton and Shorncliffe, and under an hour to the southern end of the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

Possibly the jewel in Strathpine's crown is her green spaces. Pine Rivers Park is lovely as is Rob Akers Reserve, home to a small koala population, Saturday morning roller derby and the Pine Rivers Swans (AFL).

In summary, very happy to have purchased a home in Strathpine. While still affordable, the suburb is a wonderful opportunity for first home buyers and young families to enter the Brisbane real estate market - there are some lovely streets. And with continued development, improving infrastructure and the University of Queensland expanding their Moreton Bay campus, there is enormous potential for future growth.

My wife, 2 dogs, cat, 3 chickens and I highly recommend considering Strathpine.