Discover the Underrated Australian City That Boosted One Local’s Health and Happiness

Welcome to the Living Out and About series!

I love sharing my experiences living abroad with y’all so much that I figured other expats would too. I’ve reached out to expats and nomads living around the world in different ways to share their experiences living, moving, and exploring.

If you’re looking to learn about a certain way of moving abroad or about living in a certain place, check out this series! 

Usually I speak to people who are living abroad, but we’re changing it up a bit. I find local perspectives super helpful in picking a place to move to, so we’ll be speaking to a local about living in Brisbane, Australia.

Today, I’m speaking with Holly Connors of Four Around The World, who has lived in Brisbane for most of her life. Holly is wife to Simon and mum to two primary school-aged girls. Holly is a former psychologist turned full-time blogger, dividing her time between her travel website and her family and parenting website.

While the idea of full-time travel sounds pretty incredible, that’s not on the cards for them right now, so instead they’ve become very passionate about exploring local in between trips abroad and are lucky to have some of the most spectacular places in Australia close by.

Brisbane is one of the more underrated big cities in Australia, not to mention the fact it has some of the best weather all year round!

Hi Holly! Thanks so much for joining us. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m Holly and I celebrated the big 4-0 this year. When I was 5, my family relocated from Portland in Victoria to Brisbane mostly because of me.

I had horrendous asthma as a child and the cold weather was a huge trigger so the doctor recommended we move somewhere warmer.

While my asthma is mostly gone now, aside from my big brother who moved back south, the rest of us are quite happy to be Queenslanders now!

Lovely to meet you. Can you tell us a bit about Brisbane and why you’ve chosen to live there?

While the choice wasn’t mine initially, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere other than the greater Brisbane area. Brisbane is easily one of the best places to visit in Queensland, located on Australia’s east coast and is also known as the River City because it is built around the Brisbane River which snakes its way through the city.

It’s often jokingly referred to as the “brown snake”, which you can probably guess why. But jokes aside, it’s still a view that never gets old.

There’s a real mix of people and cultures in Brisbane, from suburban families to young professionals to university students. Plus you don’t have to go too far to end up either in the country or at the beach.

Have you ever lived anywhere other than Brisbane? If so, what’s different about the places?

Yes, I was born in the southern state of Victoria in a small coastal town called Portland. Portland is a pretty special place since it’s a deep sea port and it’s not too far from the end of the famous Great Ocean Road.

But the weather can be so temperamental.

While we may not get to live right on the coastline here in Brisbane, at least we have the right weather for a day at the beach and the fact that it’s a big city versus a tiny town.

What are the best things about living in Brisbane?

Brisbane has the big city feel without the big city traffic and chaos. Sure, there’s still traffic but it has nothing on Sydney or Melbourne! While Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia, it still has that small-town feel.

The weather in Brisbane is amazing too – hot humid summers with mild winters – so there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities all year round.

There is no shortage of things to do, with plenty of great Brisbane attractions to suit every age and interest, including plenty of free activities too.

Plus, being close to some of Australia’s most iconic beaches and rainforests makes weekend getaways super easy. We are situated between the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, which are equally must-visits when looking for day trips from Brisbane.

What are the worst things about living in Brisbane?

The summers can be quite humid and if you don’t have air conditioning, things can get a bit uncomfortable. While I love summer, that humid heat can be rough!

It’s not as lively as some of the bigger cities in terms of entertainment options, but we make up for it with our outdoor lifestyle.

What were the biggest challenges of the move?

Well, as a 5-year-old, it didn’t seem all that challenging to me… but relocating interstate is never an easy experience.

There is this particularly steep section of road with a notorious reputation for accidents. I don’t remember a lot of the experience but our brakes failed on the way down and all you could smell was burnt rubber and hear the frantic conversation over the CV radio to my sister and her partner in the other car. Yikes! But we got there in one piece.

What was the cost of living in Brisbane like for a month?

We own our own home and while Brisbane is a more affordable city than Sydney or Melbourne, the cost of living has risen dramatically over the last couple of years.

Here are some of the most common expenses:

• Rent = $350-$420 Per Week
• Groceries = $160 Per Week
• Fuel = $1.30 Per Litre
• Car Insurance = $350 Per Year
• Mobile Phone = $50 Per Month
• Family Health Insurance = $1700 Per Year
• Internet = $50 Per Month
• Cinema Ticket = $13

Australia is not the most expensive country in the world, but based on the cost of living, we have recently been as high as position #3, so that’s certainly one big negative!

How did you find a place to live in Brisbane?

My uncle had relocated to Brisbane many years before us and after a family vacation to visit him and his family, my parents fell in love with the lifestyle pretty quickly.

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What are the best places to live in Brisbane?

If you want to be close to the action, West End, New Farm, Kangaroo Point and the suburbs alongside the river are perfect for anyone wanting the big city lifestyle, but they come with a big price tag too!

A little further out of the city centre, Indooroopilly, Chermside, Alderley and Sandgate are also popular options. Victoria Point is said to be a popular spot for expats.

We actually live in Brisbane’s west currently, which is far more affordable than the inner city cost of living and much less busy too. If you don’t mind a bit of a commute into the city centre, Ipswich is certainly more affordable!

How do you set up a bank account in Brisbane?

Most bank applications can be done online these days although if relocating from another country you may need to do this at a branch to show identity documents for verification purposes. There are branches are almost every shopping centre though, making this a relatively simple process.

Opening a bank account is so much EASIER by creating a free multi-currency account here.

Is it hard to find work in Brisbane? Can you share any tips for finding job listings?

Brisbane’s job market is relatively strong, with a low unemployment rate compared to other Australian cities. While certain industries like mining and construction are in decline, sectors such as healthcare, education and professional services continue to grow.

Tips for finding a job in Brisbane:

• Check online job search engines such as Seek or Indeed
• Utilise recruitment agencies that specialise in your industry
• Join local networking groups on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook

How does one go about buying property in Brisbane?

The greater Brisbane region is booming so while real estate in the inner city suburbs is expensive, you, can still find more affordable properties in the outer suburbs and regional areas.

How can someone new meet locals and other expats to make friends in Brisbane?

As a whole, Brisbane people are mostly friendly and approachable. Joining local clubs, attending events and volunteering are great ways to meet locals and other expats alike. There are also many online groups and forums for various interests, making it easy to connect with like-minded people in the city.

Some suggestions for meeting new people in Brisbane:

• Join a sports team or recreational club
• Attend cultural events or festivals
• Volunteer for a local charity or community organisation
• For families, enrol the kids in activities and get involved in school events such as the P&C

👉 Want to make friends around the world? Join Meetups today for free!

What were the pros and cons of living in Brisbane?

Pros:

• Mild to warm weather all year round
• Close proximity to beaches and rainforests
• Outdoor lifestyle
• Affordable compared to other major Australian cities
• Big city lifestyle without feeling like a big city

Cons:

• Humid summers can be uncomfortable
• Not as lively in terms of entertainment options compared to bigger cities
• Cost of living has risen dramatically in recent years
• Risk of flooding along the Brisbane River
• May not be as diverse culturally compared to bigger cities

Is Brisbane a good place to raise kids?

Yes, we love our family lifestyle of being close to so many parks and outdoor activities, not to mention all the family-friendly events throughout the year. There are also great schooling options in Brisbane too.

Was it hard to find schooling for your children?

No, there are a lot of schools in Brisbane including both private and public options.

Is Brisbane dog friendly? 

Yes, these days you will find many restaurants, markets and breweries that are dog-friendly as well as some accommodation that has dog friendly room options.

When is the best time to visit Brisbane?

Spring or Autumn are perfect in Brisbane. Not too hot, yet warm enough to make the most of the outdoors. Plus there are fewer crowds than during the busy summer school holiday period that runs from mid December to late January.

Most of our readers are female, so do you have any specific tips for women to stay safe in Brisbane?

Brisbane is relatively safe, but avoiding the usual risks of not walking by yourself at night is always a smart move. The Fortitude Valley and CBD area can get a bit sketchy at night, so it’s best to stick to well-lit and populated areas. Overall, just use common sense and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, then it’s best to avoid it.

If someone only had 1 day in Brisbane, what do they HAVE to do?

With just one day in Brisbane, a must-do activity would be exploring the South Bank precinct. This area is home to parklands, restaurants, bars and stunning city views. There are always events happening in the Southbank Parklands, making it a great hub for a short stay.

Combine this with taking a cruise from the CBD to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to cuddle a koala and see many of Australia’s native animals. I may be a little biased as I did my high school work experience here, but it is a wonderful place to spend half a day and the cruise is a great way to see more of the sights on your way there and back.

Then if you’re visiting on a weekend, finish your day at Eat Street Northshore where you will find more than 70 international food stalls and entertainment. You can catch the ferry here from Southbank too! It opens from 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday nights.

What are the best locals-only restaurants? 

My husband has this sneaky habit of always turning dining out into a brewery visit, but the burgers at Brisbane Brewing Co are pretty awesome. We also love sampling all the different food stalls at Eat Street Northshore.

I want to go now! What words or slang do I need to know to chat with the locals? 

Don’t be offended if someone is talking about their thongs… that’s flip flops here in Australia!

And no, we don’t put our shrimp on the barbie. We call them prawns and are often enjoyed cooked but cold, dipped in seafood sauce.

Yeah nah, means no.

Nah, yeah… that means yes.

And we shorten half our words i.e. breakfast = brekky, McDonalds = Maccas.

Are there any secret bars or speak easy-type locations you discovered during your time there?

As a mum, I haven’t really explored the bar scene for a few years so unfortunately I don’t have any good recommendations for secret bars, but I do love Felons on Howard Street Wharves. Expensive but the place is enormous and it has epic views of the Brisbane Storey Bridge.

What is the best local tip you have about Brisbane?

Take advantage of the public transport system! Brisbane has a great network of trains, buses and ferries that can take you almost anywhere in the city. You can easily get around without a car and it’s much more cost-effective than driving.

Plus, public transport is also a great way to see different suburbs and areas of the city. Make sure to download the TransLink app for schedules and updates.

Overall, Brisbane is a fantastic place to live with its beautiful weather, diverse culture, and friendly people. While the cost of living may be high in some areas, there are plenty of affordable options available.

Is there uber in Brisbane or how did you get around?

Yes, we have Uber, Lyft and a decent public transport system.

If you could live anywhere else, where would you pick and why?

The Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, which technically isn’t all that far from Brisbane but we love the idea of living closer to the beach and even more outdoor adventures on our doorstep and this may very well be our next move in the near future to either coast.

You’ve lived an epic life. Can you share 3 bucket list things you’ve still yet to do?

Top of our list right now is Christmas in New York, visiting all the Disney Parks in the world (because I’m still a big kid really…) and living abroad, even for just a few months.

Thank you so much! Where can my readers learn more about you and follow along with your journey?

You can find us at our website Four Around The World sharing family travel tips and guides, and across social platforms – Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and YouTube.

Want to read even more living abroad interviews?

See them all here!