10 Reasons to Live in Inner-City Brisbane

If the near-perfect weather, world-class universities and laidback culture have attracted you to Brisbane, you might want to consider making one of the city’s inner suburbs your new home. As a mecca for art, culture and entertainment, and with a fantastic public transport system, inner-city Brisbane is the ideal area to experience the best the Queensland capital has to offer.

Here are ten reasons why inner-city Brisbane is where you need to be.

The Ultra-Cool Suburbs

There’s no shortage of cool suburbs in inner-city Brisbane. Head to West End for a bohemian vibe that embraces individuality, with its eclectic mix of quirky fashion, vintage, vegan cafés, underground art and new designers. Check out South Bank if picnics in the parklands, impressive theatres and art galleries are your thing. Or, you could even consider the CBD for its new entertainment precincts including the Howard Smith Wharves, a hip and happening spot filled with eateries and events, located right underneath the Story Bridge. Fortitude Valley has long been Brisbane’s resident cool kid and boasts a mix of bars, nightclubs and live music venues, while Paddington has a quaint village charm with its leafy laneways and cute boutiques.

The Abundant Nightlife Scene

If you decide to live in inner-city Brisbane, get ready for plenty of fun nights out. You’ll have access to a staggering amount of bars, clubs and restaurants right on your doorstep that will keep the party going until dawn. From cool and sophisticated bars and intimate venues to boisterous pubs and thumping dance floors, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Soak up Brisbane’s live music scene with local and international acts performing across all genres, every night of the week.

The Endless Entertainment

At any time of year, inner-city Brisbane plays host to a diverse schedule of arts and culture events, markets, open-air cinemas, sporting matches and much more. As Brisbane’s cultural precinct, South Bank is home to hundreds of these events. Visit the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Queensland Museum and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) for incredible exhibitions, live performances and special events. You can also enjoy Riverfire and the iconic Brisbane Festival, which is held annually across the city.

Stay Fit and Healthy

It’s easy to stay fit and healthy if you live in the inner suburbs. Take to the gym or go jogging along one of the many walking tracks along the riverfront and Botanic Gardens.

Brisbane’s CityCycle is also a fantastic way to stay active. Use your go card to hire a bike and pedal your way around Brisbane’s scenic centre. Students can sign up for as little as $3 a month.

Proximity to Educational Institutions 

Brisbane is home to some of the best educational institutions in Australia. Living in the inner suburbs will put you very close to campuses such as QUT Gardens Point, Griffith University and TAFE Queensland in South Bank, and the multiple language schools located in the city centre. You’ll also be a short public transport ride away from other educational institutions located just outside the inner city. These suburbs are bustling with student-friendly venues and community activities where you can meet like-minded people and get to know the area.

Job Opportunities

With such a huge array of restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and shops, there are lots of opportunities for part-time work in the inner city. Be sure to check popular job boards such as Seek and Indeed for a list of available positions in central Brisbane.

The Endless Shopping 

Unleash your inner fashionista in the heart of Brisbane. Head to Queen Street Mall and the surrounding CBD for sprawling shopping arcades, independent retailers and department stores selling major local and international brands. If you prefer something a little more unique, check out the countless vintage and thrift stores scattered across suburbs such as Fortitude Valley, West End and Paddington. No matter your style, you can find it in Brisbane.

It’s Multicultural

Brisbane is home to many multicultural residents and is a city that celebrates cultural diversity in all its forms. Nearly one-third of the city’s residents were born overseas, and 18% of the population speaks a language other than English at home.

From the epic Chinatown in Fortitude Valley to the smorgasbord of multicultural restaurants across the city, you can indulge in food from every corner of the globe. There are also non-stop festivities throughout the year, including BrisAsia, Buddha Birth Day, the Spanish Film Festival, Luminous Lantern Parade and Le Festival, to name just a few.

Free Public Transport

The free public transport is possibly the best thing about living in Brisbane’s city centre. Without spending a single cent, you can hop on any bus within the City Loop or Spring Hill Loop from Monday to Friday, with services running every 10 minutes between 7am and 6pm. These buses will take you to popular venues such as QUT, Central Station, Queen Street Mall and the Botanic Gardens.

You can even cruise down the Brisbane River on a free ferry using the CityHopper service. See the TransLink website for a map of free zone public transport.

By purchasing a go card, you’ll also have access to trains and outer areas. As an international student, you may even receive 50% off all of your rides. You can apply for a Tertiary Transport Concession Card through your institution.

It’s Surprisingly Green

Despite being near the CBD, Brisbane’s inner-city suburbs are filled with nature. You’ll find plenty of lush green parks to picnic in and public gardens to stroll through, including the stunning Botanic Gardens. And that’s not to mention the glorious Brisbane River that winds through the heart of it all, with a serene riverside that’s perfect for watching the world go by.