musicbiz9

We chose Stafford Heights as it was the first place we could afford as we looked in a radius north from the City. The good points? Affordability. The suburb is really undergoing a renewal phase so lots of places on the market that you can get at a reasonable price and then do some basic renovations. As some have mentioned, there are some pockets better than others, but even the less desirable pockets are changing very quickly. We're in one of the "less desirable" pockets (or bordering it anyway) and most of the bogan neighbours seem to be selling lately, which is leaving the area with a mix of elderly residents who are very nice and been around here for fifty years and young couples like ourselves who grabbed a place we could afford and do up slowly. The other week I glanced down our street and there were about 6 houses all with renovations happening. The bogan neighbours? Yes there's the odd party, but never on a weeknight and never anything that keeps you awake at all. There's less of them than there used to be and the hooning that happened now and then when we first moved in 3 years ago seems to have dried up.

There's a reasonable take-away place in walking distance, the bus is 5 minutes walk, the Coles on Rode is 10 minutes walk, Cafe Urbano is amazing for breakfast and is a 2 minute drive (if you're feeling lazy) or 15 minute walk (and of course depending on where you are in the suburb these places are probably even closer for you!). Stafford Heights primary is 3 streets away or McDowall is a 5 minute car trip if you prefer. IGA at Flockton is a 15 minute walk. Optus mobile reception is shocking at our house, but doesn't seem to be such an issue for everyone (particularly on other networks). There's doctors, Northwest private hospital..... Chermside and Stafford shops are close. The airport tunnel will be opening 10 minutes away. Eating out isn't too bad-- no 5 star restaurants, but within 10 mins drive there's some great indian, great chinese and pretty much whatever you'd want. Nightlife is non-existent, but that's suburban Brisbane for you. Right now, its the perfect, affordable place for us. Longer term we'd probably like to move to Wilston or The Grange, but in the meantime, this area is starting to renew itself to the point that we'll probably stay another 5-10 years longer than we were planning anyway.