Brisbane is interesting because a river divides the city into two halves, and The University of Queensland St-Lucia campus is on the river. So either you live on this side of the river or across the river. Here are a few recommended districts that are popular with international students!
St Lucia in Brisbane
St. Lucia is the closest to the school in all the districts; the closest is a few minutes’ walk to the school, and the farthest is only 20 20-minute’ walk. Because of its proximity to the school, it is known as the school district.
Because it is a school district, there will be security patrols at night, which is relatively safe, and at night, there will be a school security bus to send students home free of charge; other districts do not have this benefit. However, this district has a significant disadvantage: there is no big supermarket, only some tiny shops and life is inconvenient. If you want to go to the supermarket, you must take a bus for about 10 minutes to Toowong. However, in Australia, many of my siblings buy food once a week, so it’s not that big of an impact. Also, the rent is costly because it is close to the school!
Scape St Lucia
Scape St Lucia is not just an accommodation; it’s where students can feel at home while miles away from their hometowns. Every unit has high-speed Wi-Fi, ensuring you stay connected with your studies and loved ones.
Safety and security are paramount at Scape St Lucia. With 24/7 security and on-site staff, students can rest easy knowing they are in a safe, secure environment. The management team is always there to lend a helping hand, ensuring that your stay is comfortable and hassle-free
Toowong in Brisbane
It’s also very close to UQ’s main campus, next to St Lucia. You can usually get to school by bus in about 10 minutes. Moreover, it is in the middle of UQ and the city centre; it only takes 10 minutes to go to the city centre and school, which is very convenient.
This area has an advantage that St Lucia doesn’t have: life is super convenient; there are all kinds of big supermarkets, such as Coles, K-mart, Chemist Warehouse, and all kinds of restaurants. If you want to work, there are many opportunities here. Because it’s close to schools and easy to live here, the rent is slightly lower than in St Lucia, about AUD10/week. It’s vital here, and you can’t afford to rent a flat during the prime rental season.
UniLodge Toowon
Located in the heart of Brisbane, UniLodge Toowong offers easy access to the city’s educational institutions, attractions, shopping districts, and eateries.
With its dedication to providing a safe, inspiring, and enriching environment, UniLodge Toowong is a trustworthy guide on your journey towards academic success and personal growth.
Indooroopilly in Brisbane
Indooroopilly is located in the northwest of the QUT campus, about 20 20-minute bus ride away from the school on average. It is the biggest bus terminal in Brisbane, so renting an apartment in the bus station annexe is recommended, which is convenient for shopping and going to school. In addition, there is a big shopping centre here, as well as cinemas, restaurants, bars and other leisure and entertainment venues; life is also very convenient. Indooroopilly is a trendy local district with cheaper rent than the two districts above.
City in Brisbane
Brisbane City is one of the most modern and upmarket districts in the small village of Brisbane! There are a lot of high-end flats here, it’s easy to live here, and it’s close to the UQ St Lucia main campus, and there’s also a direct bus to UQ, but without a doubt, the rent is expensive!
West End in Brisbane
West End is a neighbourhood across the river from the UQ campus, only one stop away from UQ by boat. Those living in the West End rely on the ferry terminal at the end of Hoogley Street, and it to the QUT campus in just 2 minutes. Several bus routes run towards the city centre, which can be reached in 10 minutes. This is a foodie area with many of the top-ranked restaurants in Boo Village.
Annerley in Brisbane
Annerley is on the opposite side of the river from the university and is quite close, just a half-hour walk and about 15 minutes by bike.
South Bank in Brisbane
This area is a bit farther away from the school, opposite the University of Queensland, around the City, and across the river from UQ. South Bank is a bus hub, two bus stops away from the City and 20 minutes away from UQ.
UniLodge South Bank
Regular on-site events and workshops allow students to learn new skills, engage with the community, and expand their horizons.
Situated in the heart of Brisbane, UniLodge South Bank offers easy access to the city’s educational institutions and popular attractions.
Sunnybank in Brisbane
Sunnybank is a bit far away from UQ. However, some students still live in this area, that is to say because a rapid transit bus takes about 20 minutes to get to the school. But this is not the most important thing; the most important thing is that this is the NO.1 Chinese area in Putrajaya, there are many Asian supermarkets and restaurants, so life is very convenient! However, law and order in this district are not very good, and there are frequent burglaries and robberies.
Garden City in Brisbane
Garden City is in the neighbourhood of Sunnybank, which is even more remote from the school, but the rent is very cheap, so many friends are still living in this area.
Conclusion
If you love to study and want to live close to the school, you can choose St Lucia and Toowong; if you’re going to live well, you can select Indooroopilly and City; if you want to save money or don’t know how to cook, you can choose a sunny bank and garden city.
FAQ
Brisbane is filled with numerous safe and affordable neighbourhoods such as Toowong, West End, Highgate Hill, and Taringa. These areas offer a mix of residential options, from apartments to townhouses, catering to different budgets.
When hunting for accommodation, consider factors like proximity to public transport, safety measures in place, nearby amenities, and the reputation of the neighbourhood. Always visit the property personally before making a decision.
Websites such as UniLodge and Scape offer various student accommodation options in Brisbane that balance affordability and safety. You can also look into shared housing or renting an apartment with roommates to lower costs.
Yes, Brisbane offers several affordable and safe hostels, such as Brisbane City YHA and Bunk Brisbane. These hostels often have 24/7 security and provide lockers for personal belongings.
Yes, Brisbane boasts an excellent public transportation network, including buses, trains, and ferries. Having easy access to public transportation can make living in more affordable outskirts of the city more convenient.
