Martyn Iles

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.