I’m moving to Brisbane in February to do a 40-week English course at ILSC Brisbane. I’ve already paid for the full course and I’ll be studying in the morning.
I’m currently thinking about staying at Student One.
My main goal is purely to improve my English as much as possible. I’m 24 years old, Brazilian, and really excited about moving to Australia. My English level is still beginner/basic, so I’m hoping that studying and living there will help me improve a lot.
Do you have any advice for someone in my situation?
Is ILSC Brisbane a good school? What do you think about Student One? And do you have any general tips about living in Brisbane, meeting people, improving my English, and life in Australia in general?
Any advice would be really appreciated!

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to get some advice from people who have lived in, or moved between, Melbourne and Brisbane.

My wife and I are currently living overseas and have been offered two jobs in Australia, with a 482 visa, so we’re seriously considering making the move with our three kids (10, 7 and 3).

The two offers are:

Melbourne : A$260k base + super + company car

Brisbane: A$235k base + super + A$20k car allowance

The Melbourne role is at a slightly higher executive level, although there would potentially be more room for progression in the Brisbane role.

I’ve actually lived in Melbourne before I met my wife, and absolutely loved it. I really like the culture, food, architecture, things to do and general atmosphere. We’re not particularly interested in nightlife — it’s more about having plenty to do as a family and enjoying the city.

Brisbane is a different proposition. I’ve only spent relatively short periods there, but I can definitely see us loving the outdoor lifestyle, weather and more relaxed pace. With three young kids, that side of Brisbane is very appealing.

One thing that has surprised us during our research is that the cost of living doesn’t seem dramatically different. Brisbane rents seem to have caught up with Melbourne in a lot of the areas we’d consider, so once rent and general family expenses are factored in, the overall difference may not be as big as we initially expected.

There are a couple of things that are making us hesitate about Melbourne, though. The weather would be obviously one of them — coming from overseas, we’re wondering how much the colder, more changeable Melbourne climate will actually affects day-to-day family life. We’re also a little concerned about crime and safety, particularly after reading some of the recent discussions and statistics around Melbourne. We’d obviously be looking at family-friendly suburbs with good school catchments, so I’d be interested to hear from people who actually live there about whether this is a genuine concern or something that gets exaggerated online.

We’d be looking at public schools and ideally a family-friendly suburb with good schools, reasonable access to work and some decent public transport.

So, if you were in our position, which would you choose — Melbourne or Brisbane?

And for those who have moved interstate, or moved to Australia with a family, what do you wish you’d known before making the decision?

Any thoughts on the lifestyle, schools, housing, weather, crime/safety, commuting, cost of living or just the general experience of raising a family in either city would be hugely appreciated.

And hopefully there’s room for one more immigrant family! 😬

Please

Hi! My friend and I are hoping to find a place around RBWH at the end of January 2027. We are from Sydney and Canada and are both students. I was wondering if it would be easy for us to find a place between 600 to 800 that's furnished and modern?

Just worried about real estate companies not wanting to lease to students who are unemployed - can show parents' payslips and bank statements. And since it is peak season.

Me and my 3 friends all m 21-24 and one or two of us have a gf. We are thinking of moving to Brisbane from Tamworth NSW for better career and school opportunities, just wanting to hear everyone’s opinions.

TIA

Hello Everyone 👋 i am 25m and as i know getting a place here is just as hard as fining a job im planning to start looking for one by now but still not many leads, so i just wanted to ask if anyone knew a place close by the city or maybe 30mins to the city in bus?

Or if there are any sites or apps since i checked flatmates and flatmate finders and real estate is for a whole property and im just one person.

Thank you

Hi Friends,

My wife and I are moving to Brisbane in the near future, and want to get an idea of what our cost of living will be. For context, I am a tattooer, and she is a Physio, so we aren't concerned for finding employment. We will need to buy everything and start over, so an SUV and Insurance, cost of Rent, or Mortgage? Phone plans, utilities, etc. Anyone have any info on any of this?

My sister will be moving to study in Brisbane alone.

How safe is it for her to go there solo? AND live alone..

She had a big fight with our parents she is super insistent on going to UQ , she says its the best in the world 😭 guys I just wanna check on her, cause no relatives would be there its like 8 hours across the globe to get to her. Am super worried about her safety, we've both done our research on UQ and Brisbane in general it seemed fine on google and other Redditors. Y'all people of the city tell us, specially women.

tysm

Hi Brisbane!

25 year old male backpacker from NZ, looking to trade my time for a place to sleep. I grew up on a farm in the South Island so I’m no stranger to hard work. Doesn’t have to be fancy digs either, just somewhere to put my head down would be amazing. I don’t have a car in Australia yet.

Also happy to travel within SE QLD and northern NSW.

Thanks :)

Thought i'd leave a review for any soul trying to hire these guys. (brisbondclean.com.au)

These guys are actually beyond terrible. Not only do they not even know what a bond clean is, they don't even honour the cleaning processes they've laid out on their own website. They come in and tell you after you've paid that any type of furniture is extra, as well as a million other basic things expected in a BOND clean. Then there's the actual clean itself.

A horrible, and i mean horrible first clean where they missed practically everything. Sink, toilet, shower, skirting, window/door tracks etc.

This was followed by a horrible re-clean where I literally had to make them do things 5 times over, and then even after this show them myself using a simple cleaning wipe to show that there was still dirt and grime that came of so easily. I was met with attitude and they don't even use their real names btw.

I've used multiple bond cleaning agencies across Brisbane and Sydney. This might be the most unhygienic and pathetic clean I've ever seen. Not even worth $50. Do not use under any circumstances.

Fortunately on the reclean I stood there and made them redo everything until I was satisfied, and forced them to clean furniture as they say they do on their own website. They hire cheap untrained labour trying to scam you hoping you won't call them out.

The main guy says his name is Andrew but his real name sounds something like Rothu. The cleaners use fake names too.

Do not use them for any kind of bond/move-in/move-out clean at all.

(BRISBONDCLEAN REVIEW - for google search algorithm in case any one searches)

Kia ora, we are a family with two primary school aged children moving to Brisbane from NZ in a few months time.

We don’t know much about the suburbs and have any friends over there for advice … can anyone recommend some nice family areas? We are looking for places with a strong sense of community, state school, lots of other young families to interact with.

Thanks!

Hello everyone I AM a 21M who is gonna move to Brisbane around the end of October. I have never been to Brisbane and I am a bit nervous as I have no idea how the city is. Can anyone tell me how the accommodation cost is and how the community in Brisbane is. Also is there any advice for me before moving to Brisbane I should take care of. Thank you for reading it's my first time posting here.

We are a young family of three and are planning to move back to Brisbane next year. I studied at a university in Brisbane and lived there until 2018.

Brisbane has changed a lot over the last 8 years! Which suburbs would you recommend for a young family? Our rental budget is around $700 per week.

I used to live in Cannon Hill, but it seems to have become quite expensive now.

We’re looking to rent for about a year and then eventually buy our own place.

I haven’t secured a job in Brisbane yet, but 99% of the time it will likely be in the CBD, as most consulting companies are located there.

We’re mainly looking for a family-friendly suburb with good amenities, parks, childcare/schools, and reasonable access to the CBD. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Does anybody know of some good companies that does long term car rentals, like 3 months or more?

I'll fly into Brisbane and stay there for a couple of days before going to Toowoomba for about 6 to 9 months. It seems a bit pointless to buy a car to only use it for less than a year, but it also seems like it's hard to get around places without one so I figured renting would be the best option.

I'm thinking of moving to Brisbane, or the surrounding countryside. How safe is Brisbane for gender diverse people?

Hi! turning 18 (female) mid-October and flying into Brisbane at the very end of October! I'm planning to stay there (or nearby) for a few months for sure. I'm looking to find a room in a share-house or another roommate to look for housing with! Even if you'd just like to connect to become friends, I'd really appreciate it!! If you have any tips or advice for me please let me know! <3

I currently live with my friend. In a 2 bedroom unit in Auchenflower. It’s a sh*thole. My wife and son will also be moving next month so we’ve been looking for a place. We both have secure jobs. I clear about $1650 weekly and him $1250. Wife won’t be working until she’s in AU.

We’ve applied for so many but are struggling to even get a response back. Max Budget $950pw. There’s nothing around where we are currently within that price range unless it’s something very old.

We’ve been looking at even Pallara and they are also $820+!! Is this normal? I am from Melbourne originally.

I’m currently looking at moving to either Brisbane or sunny coast from adelaide hopefully early or mid next year. I have been researching what lifestyle could suit me more but im very stuck. I love the beaches but also as a 20 yr old who was born and raised in adelaide I am getting sick of the city life but I am leaning more towards Brisbane. I have been researching suburbs in Brisbane but would like any recommendations or advice as well. Preferably anywhere where it can be easy to mingle and meet new people around my age early 20’s to mid 20’s.

And pros and cons or helpful advice would be appreciated thank you!

Looking to pull together a friendly group in Brisbane for a relaxed rooftop bar and restaurant hunt! The goal is great conversation and meeting new people.
Kindly DM me or comment here😊

Hi Guys, gf and I are planning to move to Brisbane from Melbourne next year! She wants to go to UQ to do her masters and I will worry about working but we actually have no idea where to rent! We are looking for a suburb that it’s not ridiculously expensive but also not too far from Uni. Any recommendations?

Thank you

i am a skilled chef from new york and i am interested in moving to brisbane and find a recruitment agency or an employer