Suburbs with affordable housing, low crime, and lower costs of living can offer many options to a growing family.

In recent years, growing families in Australia have been moving within the same state to seek affordable housing in a family-friendly environment. In 2019, Queensland recorded the highest internal migration in the country with 23,000 new residents.

With exciting and diverse properties for sale, QLD continues to attract buyers and investors from all over.

If you’re considering owning a piece of real estate in QLD, sign up to a marketplace like Listing Loop to help guide you through your search. Alternatively, our Frequently Asked Questions will help you make a quick assessment of your needs.

To get you started, you first need to understand the features that define a family-friendly suburb.

Related: What to look for when buying a family-friendly home

What Does a Family-Friendly Suburb Look Like?

The needs of a growing family are quite different from those of a couple with no children or an empty-nester.

Key questions to ask about the suburb include:

• What is the community atmosphere like?
• Does the suburb have easy access to public transport?
• Are good school options available?
• What is the crime rate in the area?
• Does the suburb offer recreational activities and parks to entertain all ages?
• Can the house prices suit different budgets?

It’s important to know whether the suburb you are considering ticks all the right boxes whether you’re a buyer, investor or tenant.

With this in mind, real estate in QLD can be broken down into four major regions:

• Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Sunshine Coast
• Townsville

The Best Brisbane Suburbs for Families

The liveable city of Brisbane is ideal for families of all sizes thanks to its suburbs with a range of real estate options, and a pleasant climate ideal for outdoor recreation and a relaxed lifestyle.

A report by CityPulse SEQ categorised the top suburbs in Brisbane by three criteria—live, work, and play—all of which favour a growing family.

Bearing these qualifiers in mind, here are the top five family-friendly suburb picks in Brisbane:

1. Heathwood
2. Victoria Point
3. Paddington
4. Holland Park
5. Indooroopilly

Heathwood

Ranked the number one family suburb in Brisbane by CoreLogic, Heathwood is located in the outer southwest side of Brisbane’s central business district.

With about one in three homes occupied by families, the little-known suburb is a popular choice for growing families.

Heathwood’s position as a top family-friendly suburb is down to its many wonderful features such as great schools, recreational amenities, and shopping venues.

Thanks to a zoning change, Heathwood and the surrounding suburbs have in recent years attracted interest from developers.

Related: Buy off-market properties for sale in Brisbane

The Best Gold Coast Suburbs for Families

When it comes to living and raising a family, the Gold Coast has much to offer.

Growing families from big cities such as Sydney and Melbourne are attracted by the generously sized lots, sandy beaches and family entertainment the Gold Coast has to offer.

Home to exemplary schools, hospitals, and theme parks such as Movie World, the Gold Coast offers the perfect place to raise children.

Here are the top five family-friendly suburb picks in Gold Coast:

1. Bundall
2. Broadbeach Waters
3. Molendinar
4. Coombabah
5. Helensvale

Bundall

Located in the heart of the Gold Coast, Bundall has everything from shopping venues to outstanding schools, theme parks and even a famous cultural precinct.

Properties for sale in the area are a mixture of both old and new houses and units. Homes are only a short distance away from modern amenities.

Bundall ticks all the right boxes in location, amenities, and recreation facilities. The best part about this suburb is that it’s easy to navigate thanks to a modern public transport system.

Growing families appreciate the excellent child care options available and proximity to one of the most reputable TAFE colleges (technical and further education), in the Gold Coast.

The Best Sunshine Coast Suburbs for Families

With a population of over 330,000 residents, the Sunshine Coast is roughly two-and-a-half hours drive north of Brisbane.

Same as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast is an area with stunning hinterland, peaceful suburbs and pristine beaches.

Sunshine Coast can be broken down into three sub-regions:

• North Sunshine Coast — Comprises the Hinterland and Noosa
• South Sunshine Coast — Encompasses the area around Caloundra
• Central Sunshine Coast — Includes the Maroochydore area

Here are the top five family-friendly suburbs that rank well in Sunshine Coast:

Mountain Creek

Thanks to the convenient location between Buderim and the Mooloolah River, Mountain Creek offers a great investment choice. Properties for sale in the area tend to attract more mum and dad investors thanks to the available modern amenities.

Easy access to Mountain Creek Shopping Village, and the beaches of Kawana Waters and Mooloolaba is a plus.

Real estate in the area has high demand by families seeking to live near the Mountain Creek school catchment area as well as a university campus within 10km.

With 6,000 properties, the average block size for the suburb is 580 square metres. The median house price is around $600,000, while the rent amount is approximately $525 per week.

The Best Townsville Suburbs for Families

Townsville is located midpoint between Mackay and Cairns, on the northeastern coast of Australia. Real estate in Townsville puts you and your family in the perfect spot to enjoy a seaside lifestyle next to pristine beaches.

Considered the unofficial capital of North Queensland, Townsville is home to over 180,000 residents.

Top attractions and points to note in the region include:

• The Great Barrier Reef
• A Guinness Book World Record for being the home to a Texas Longhorn steer with the longest horns

Here are the top five family-friendly suburbs that rank well in Townsville:

Rank	Suburb	Households with children
1	Alice River	92.3%
2	Mount Low	89.8%
3	Bushland Beach	89.8%
4	Rangewood	89.3%
5	Gumlow	88.6%

Alice River

Thirty minutes drive from the central business district, Alice River is a widely popular family-friendly suburb.

It's home to gorgeous properties for sale as well as big blocks of land with excellent yield in value.

Its reputation as a safe community for families and a direct line to exemplary schools such as Holy Spirit Catholic School and Ryan Catholic College make it an attractive residential option.

What’s more, Alice River boasts plenty of modern conveniences, including a bowling alley, a sports complex, a shopping centre, parks, cinemas, and restaurants.

Verdict: The Best Suburbs for a Growing Family in QLD

When choosing the perfect suburb to reside in, it’s important to prioritise what matters most to you and your family.

The suburbs mentioned above are full of unique character, yet offer a safe and relaxed lifestyle in a fantastic location for you to thrive.

If the idea of buying real estate in QLD interests you, consider entrusting your property search to Listing Loop.

Identifying the ideal property is only one part of the puzzle, and we’re here to ensure you make the right decision.

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