Most in-demand share suburbs in Brisbane

Given the beauty of the mighty Brisbane river, it will come as no surprise that our hottest share house suburbs in the capital are almost all clustered around the CBD. There’s waterfront real estate aplenty, plus tonnes of nightlife, foodie fun and lush spots to relax.

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Whether you’re looking for a Queenslander with a garden, a chic high-rise apartment, or something in between, you’re sure to find it in these ten suburbs. Peak season for share accommodation is Dec-Feb. Why not get ahead of the action and make the move to your dream suburb before the crowds return?

1. Brisbane City, 4000

• Average weekly rent for room: $280
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 7,628
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 2,675

The area from the City Botanic Gardens to the Roma Street Parkland takes in the CBD which, compared to other capital city CBDs, is comparatively affordable. Living in the CBD sees you avoid Brisbane’s infamous traffic hassles: everything’s right here and if it’s not, you have the train and bus hubs just around the corner. So are the pick of Brisbane’s nightlife, dining and drinking options (Fortitude Valley is right next door), plus ferries to attractions like Southbank and the Davies Park farmers’ market.

2. Fortitude Valley, 4006

• Average weekly rent for room: $249
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 6,060
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 2,424

Fortitude Valley comes alive at night, so if you live for adventures after dark, you’ll get it here. Not only is The Valley cheaper than the CBD, but it boasts Brisbane’s best restaurants and nightspots and is home to the endless delights of Chinatown. Every taste is catered to here, from fine dining to quick bites, so bring your appetite. By day, the streets bustle with the hip and the hipsters and chic cafe culture is strong. Plus, Brisbane Showgrounds lies on the Valley’s east edge, putting festivals and events on your doorstep. Sound good? We think so too!

3. West End, 4101

• Average weekly rent for room: $221
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 5,234
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 2,014

Quirky, boho, eclectic, diverse, alternative — these are just a few of the adjectives people throw around when they talk about the blossoming West End. With apartments springing up by the day, and a rich calendar of events including farmers’ and night markets, plus a thriving live music culture, this isn’t the quietest place in Brisbane, but it might be the most fun! West End also hosts Brisbane’s hottest restaurant and cafe scene, while managing to remain laid-back and retain a big community vibe.

4. Saint Lucia, 4067

• Average weekly rent for room: $197
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 5,194
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 1,465

For such a classy suburb, rents in St Lucia are surprisingly affordable. This area is home to the University of Queensland, so it’s popular with students, but also with families who appreciate the quiet village feel in a neighbourhood so close to the city. The result is a mixture of old and new houses and low-rise apartment buildings and great restaurants and cafes in all price brackets. St Lucia also has excellent public transport links to the CBD, which make commuting easy, but also a lot of green space and of course, gorgeous river views.

5. New Farm, 4005

• Average weekly rent for room: $218
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 3,131
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 1,495

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If you’re looking for stunning streetscapes and a community feel, but you’re not willing to sacrifice the city lifestyle, New Farm is for you. Between Fortitude Valley (just over the road!) and its beautiful riverside parks, New Farm combines action and relaxation in a stylish, much-loved suburb where pockets of historic homes peacefully coexist with stylish apartment blocks. Of course, trendy New Farm has a seemingly endless restaurant and bar scene of its own, but if you want to go further afield, good bus and City Cat services make that entirely doable.

6. Spring Hill, 4000

• Average weekly rent for room: $215
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 5,070
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 2,128

Wedged between the business end of the city and the fun-loving Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill brings you the best of both worlds. Locals love a little people-watching, as this is a diverse place with plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to attract crowds. It’s wrapped on two sides by green space and dappled with parks, so the climate here is a little cooler than the CBD, and it can feel more relaxed, too. Buses serve Spring Hill well, but since you’re so close to everything, you might as well walk.

7. South Brisbane, 4101

• Average weekly rent for room: $240
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 4,792
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 2,144

If you fancy high-rise living with a stunning outlook onto the CBD — plus close proximity to Brisbane’s drawcard attractions — South Brisbane is your best bet. But that’s not all that’s here: older homes and quiet, neighbourly pockets make this an intriguing place to live. It’s home to Southbank Parklands, the Queensland Museum and Maritime Museum and has a plethora of places to eat and drink. On location, it’s hard to beat: as well as being linked to the city by train, bus and City Cat, South Brisbane is within walking distance of West End and Woolloongabba, so you’ll never be stuck for something to do.

8. Kangaroo Point, 4169

• Average weekly rent for room: $227
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 4,027
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 1,863

Waterfront apartment living is the go at pretty Kangaroo Point, where views of the city compete with those of the Brisbane River. Despite being a literal stone’s throw from the CBD, there are some beautiful trails and green space to help you unwind after a long day, and we’re not talking just walking and running: rock climbing and abseiling at Kangaroo Point Cliffs are popular too. Locals are quick to recommend the Point’s restaurants, so don’t plan on cooking much. On the other hand, you won’t need a car, since public transport is so convenient.

9. Woolloongabba, 4102

• Average weekly rent for room: $209
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 3,703
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 1,748

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Home to the Gabba, Brisbane’s iconic stadium, Woolloongabba is an up-and-coming suburb tucked between trendy South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point. While it doesn’t have the bustling restaurants or nightlife of its waterside neighbours, they’re both within walking distance, leaving Woolloongabba to feel less hectic — and rents more affordable. Public transport here is great, and major arterial roads make it easy to get out of town whenever you need to. Bottom line? Wooloongabba is good value for the location.

10. Toowong, 4066

• Average weekly rent for room: $198
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 3,307
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 1,546

Toowong is the most affordable suburb on this list, and at 5km from the CBD, the furthest out. With its mix of families, retirees and professionals, it has a village feel but thanks to great bus, train and City Cat links, it remains close to all the action Brisbane has to offer. Dotted with great cafes and restaurants, Toowong is bounded by Anzac Park, with the Botanic Gardens and Mt Coot-Tha just over the M. So if you love getting out and about, you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained in this inner suburb.

The data above shows the most in-demand share suburbs on our site from Dec 2019- Feb 2020, which is the peak season for share accommodation. We’re now in September and rents have dropped in many areas due to COVID. Why not get ahead of the crowd and find your dream house now, without the stress of peak-time competition?