Krista Sharp

Stratford Street is a quiet, dead-end street which is in excellent condition having been recently resurfaced. There are plenty of trees and wildlife. The homes are semi acreage and the people are lovely. Stratford Street is a great place for land lovers. Did I mention how quiet it is?

Fig Tree Pocket is arguably one of the loveliest, exclusive little suburbs in Brisbane. It is close enough to the Brisbane CBD to make it easy to commute yet tucked away due to its unique geography. Fig Tree Pocket is peninsular-like in that it is surrounded by water on 2 sides and is not at all a thorough-fare. The neighbouring suburbs of Kenmore and Indooroopilly provide all the amenities required for modern life including the largest shopping centre west of the Brisbane CBD.

Some of Brisbane's most expensive riverfront mansions are located at Fig Tree Pocket with many more modest homes inland. Most famously known as the home to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary which has been a family favourite for generations.

Fig Tree Pocket state school is one of the most sought after schools in Brisbane. There is also a Montessori primary school and the Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Club.

Moggill is situated approximately 19 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD. It was traditionally home to farms and large acreage properties but in recent times the land is being developed into suburban style modern brick and tile estates which makes living at Moggill very affordable.

Moggill offers a quiet, fresh lifestyle with modern conveniences and city views from some areas. Many properties at Moggill are river front. It's a great place for kids, animals and horses. The Moggill markets are held every second Saturday and draw a crowd. Another fun thing to do is to take the Moggill Ferry across the Brisbane river and explore.

Kenmore is located about 11kms from the Brisbane CBD and borders the Brisbane River, Fig Tree Pocket, Chapel Hill, Kenmore Hills and Brookfield. It was developed back in the 50's and 60's and the homes reflect architecture from that time forward. Many homes in Kenmore are low maintenance brick and tile and many of the older style homes are undergoing modernisation.

Kenmore really is a very well established suburb with plenty of beautiful established gardens and loads of facilities for its residents including lots of parks and gardens, two decent sized shopping centres, public and private schools, and medical facilities.

Kenmore is very popular with families and represents exceptional value, a pleasant lifestyle and a safe, solid community atmosphere.

If you like inner city convenience, al fresco dining or Italians, you'll love Milton. Milton has a "classy" and professional vibe to it. Milton is the neighbouring suburb to the Brisbane CBD and so offers a variety of transport options including train, bus or pedestrian access to the inner city.

Milton is well known for Park Road, a strip of trendy bars and restaurants, particularly popular with Italians although there are Chinese and Asian restaurants too. Also home to the iconic XXXX Queensland Beer brewery. Milton was traditionally home to many original homes but there are more and more residential highrise developments appearing and so it seems to get trendier by the day. There is also a good mix of industrial, commercial and retail surrounding Park Road.

For kids, Milton is home to one of the best playgrounds, known to locals as "The Train Playground" which is on Moggill Road one block from Park Road. Milton State School is one of the most popular schools in Brisbane.

In my opinion, Milton would have to be one of the fastest growing suburbs in Brisbane and will always be popular due to its uniquely convenient position which is unrivalled in Brisbane.

Auchenflower is one of Brisbane's most popular suburbs for many reasons. Firstly, it's only 3 train stations away from the CBD, walking distance to the famous XXXX Brewery, Suncorp Stadium and Park Road, Milton. It's also close enough to Brisbane's second CBD, Toowong, and St Lucia's University of Queensland. Boutique shopping is unavoidable at neighbouring Paddington and the closest grocery stores are located at trendy Roma Street entertainment development - The Barracks, Paddington and Toowong.

One of the most interesting stories about Brisbane is the story of the mysterious, murderous, Mayne family and their Auchenflower home, "Moorlands" which happens to be located on the grounds of Queensland's largest private hospital, The Wesley.

Some of Brisbane's prettiest streets are located in hilly Auchenflower with gorgeous character homes and immaculately groomed gardens. The riverfront is more densely populated with many highrise unit blocks taking advantage of the river and city views. Auchenflower is very popular with most demographics and property prices and rental demand are always strong.

Toowong is one of the oldest suburbs in Brisbane and was settled at around 1870. The history of the name, Toowong, is a little ambiguous but there is no doubt it is Aboriginal in origin. Geographically, Toowong borders Mt Coot-tha, Bardon, Auchenflower, St Lucia, Taringa, and the undulating Brisbane River.

One of the first pieces of infrastructure built was the Toowong Cemetary. High Street was the home to the General store and post office and is still the main street of Toowong today leading out towards Moggill. Land Street was named after our friend Chris Land's great grandfather who ran the local ice works.

Toowong today is rich in amenities including the Toowong train station, buses and city cats. The iconic and picturesque Regatta Hotel and Boathouse restaurant sits proud on Coronation Drive. Not unlike North Sydney, but on a smaller scale, the shiny blue mirrored highrise named "Toowong Tower" is the next closest business district to the Brisbane CBD - being approximately 3 kilometres away and convenient to get to via Coronation drive and all the other public transport options.

"Toowong Village" is the lower 3 levels of the "Toowong Tower" development and is home to David Jones, Kmart, Coles, many retail stores and a large food court.

Toowong is home to one of Brisbane's most prestigious boys schools, Brisbane Boys College (BBC) which was founded in 1931.

Housing in Toowong has evolved over the past 140 years to include everything from workers cottages to grand Queenslanders, modern contemporary, and all types of units from small 3 storey walk ups to luxury one per floor riverfront apartments. The diversity available in Toowong makes it a popular choice for all demographics.

With a rich history and continued development, Toowong's popularity and charm are sure to endure over generations to come.

Indooroopilly is one of the loveliest suburbs in Brisbane and is fast becoming a major centre. Like it's neighbour, St Lucia, Indooroopilly nestles a long expanse of the undulating Brisbane river and is very close to the Brisbane CBD yet offers peace and quiet retreat to its residents.

As the largest retail and entertainment precinct west of the Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, is a major drawcard and is surrounded by many retailers, and small businesses. Some of the most prestigious schools in Brisbane are located in Indooroopilly, including St Peter's Lutheran College, and Nudgee Junior. Indooroopilly is also home to Queensland's Premier Golf Club, Indooroopilly Golf Club, which happens to sit on some of the most valuable land in Brisbane.

There is so much to love about Indooroopilly. If you take the time to have a good look around, I'm sure you'll love it too.

St Lucia is one of the most prestigious suburbs in Brisbane due to it's close proximity to the Brisbane CBD, it's peninsular-like (no-through traffic) position, vast expanse of prime riverfront land and the world renowned University of Queensland and associated facilities. St Lucia is one of the oldest and most well established suburbs in Brisbane.

Popular with university students, retirees, young professionals and families. St Lucia weathers the real estate cycles better than most and is always popular with investors due to the strong rental demand.

Brisbane City Council showers St Lucia with regular bus and citycat services. The closest rail station is at nearby Toowong.

Taringa is centrally located between Mt Coot-tha, Indooroopilly, Toowong and St Lucia. Moggill Road splits the suburb through the middle and provides easy access to the Brisbane CBD and Western Freeway. Taringa is well serviced by bus and has it's own dedicated train station.

Popular with young professionals, students and families, Taringa is just so close to the University of Queensland (St Lucia), schools and the Brisbane CBD with a good mix of houses and units. The convenient Taringa Day & Night medical centre and pharmacy are well known to most western suburbs locals.

Swann Road boasts spectacular city views and some mid rise unit developments which take full advantage.

Taringa is popular with most demographics because of it's close proximity to parks, popular amenities, excellent public transport and convenient access to Moggill Road.

Chapel Hill is synonymous with quiet leafy streets, large family homes with plenty of room to move and a very low crime rate. It's only 9 km from the Brisbane CBD and close to public transport via bus or nearby rail stations at Indooroopilly and Taringa.

One of the key attractors of Chapel Hill is the very real value for money when compared to other suburbs. Many homes in Chapel Hill are low maintenance brick & tile surrounded by well established gardens and the suburb itself backs on to National Park. There are more pools per capita in Chapel Hill than in most other suburbs in Brisbane.

It's little wonder Chapel Hill remains a family favourite - as it is home to the very well regarded Chapel Hill State School and on the doorstep to Nudgee Junior, St Peter's Lutheran College, and the world renowned University of Queensland at St Lucia.

Nearby Indooroopilly provides the largest retail precinct west of the Brisbane CBD along with cinemas, hotel and restaurants.

Chapel Hill represents excellent value for families.