The surprise Brisbane suburb ranked best for lifestyle buying

One lone Brisbane suburb is holding its own against the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, being named among the best markets for lifestyle and growth in Southeast Queensland.

The MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index ranked four Gold Coast and five Sunshine Coast suburbs in the SEQ top 10, with Deagon, the only Brisbane suburb to make the list, coming in at eighth.

The research, commissioned by MCG Quantity Surveyors using SuburbTrends data, analysed Australian markets using four key lifestyle factors of beach access, natural environment, urban amenities and family-friendliness, overlayed with long-run price metrics.

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The ten “all-rounder” regions marry strong lifestyle appeal with some of Australia’s most resilient price growth.

MCG Quantity Surveyors director Mike Mortlock said the purpose of the research was to uncover the suburbs across Australia with the lifestyle offerings plus long-term growth potential.

“The markets that have proved to have more consistent growth have lifestyle components baked in,” he said.

Deagon, with a median listing price of $650,000, made the cut for offering affordable property one suburb back from Moreton Bay and a 30-minute commute from the CBD.

Jacqui McKeering of McKeering Real Estate said Deagon had long been “a bit of a secret” in the Brisbane property market.

“No one really goes looking for Deagon – they discover it,” she said.

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“When people come to the bayside suburbs, they relate to Brighton, because so many nice seaside towns around the world are named Brighton.”

“Then they find Deagon and they can see the real benefits with the railway line there, good school catchments and proximity to private schools in the area.”

“What buyers also love is that it can be closer to the Sandgate city centre and the water than some parts of Sandgate.”

Ms McKeering said Deagon was popular with families and downsizers, though first homebuyers were being priced out of the market as property values rose.

“It is much more affordable than its wealthier neighbours, including Shorncliffe and Sandgate, but still walking distance to all the lifestyle attractions,” she said.

“A lot of young families like Deagon because they can get more bang for buck.

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“There are lot of newer homes compared to Shorncliffe and Sandgate and a lot of lowsets that suit the downsizers.

“As an investment suburb, it does tick a lot of boxes as well.”

Ms McKeering said Deagon had good opportunity for future development and price growth.

“Being close to the bay and public transport, you can see it going ahead,” she said.

Mudgeeraba-Bonogin took out top spot thanks to its balance of acreage and city access plus its proximity to amenities, Burleigh Beach and Tallebudgera Creek.

The report deemed the area to be in a mid-range price bracket with homes listed for $1.295m on average.

Kahlee Townsend of Ray White Robina said she couldn’t agree more with her patch of Mudgeeraba – Bonogin being named number one.

“I believe it’s very undervalued for what you get,” she said. “It has that mix of acreage and residential, proximity to transports and school, and you’re 15 minutes to the beach, hospitals and shopping centres.”

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This four-bedder at 59 Rainbow Drive, Mudgeeraba, is on an 852sq m block and sold for $1.51m on July 29, 2025.

“There is an old school community feel, with new age accessibility.”

Ms Townsend said post-Covid, buyers were gravitating more towards hinterland living in search of more land and simpler lives.

“Because of the volume of people moving to the Gold Coat, it’s quite busy, so the hinterland is giving that slower paced, calming environment that a lot of people are really searching for,” she said.

“To get into beachside suburbs now, you need to compromise yet prices are going through the roof.

“Buyers want land.

“The need for dual living is becoming more and more apparent, with affordability and availability tightening.

“Acreage can offer that dual living set up, whether for extra income, elderly parents or helping children get into the market.”

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In second place was “premium” priced Currumbin Valley – Tallebudgera ($1.62m) on the Gold Coast, for similar reasons to Mudgeeraba – Bonogin.

This was followed by nearby “affordable” Labrador ($785,000) for its proximity to employment opportunities, Griffith University, parklands and the coast.

Representing the Sunshine Coast, Caloundra West – Baringa ($734,000) came in fourth, then Aroona – Currimundi ($872,000), Maroochydore – Kuluin ($1.085m) and Caloundra – Kings Beach ($799,000).

Rounding out the top 10 were Biggera Waters ($728,000) on the Gold Coast and Peregian Springs ($1.353m) on the Sunshine Coast.

In the nationwide Lifestyle Index looking at SA3 markets, two Queensland regions made the top 10.

Townsville came in at No. 6 and Southport was ranked No. 9.

Mr Mortlock said the Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index differed from the recent string of buyer’s agents’ reports swirling the internet.

He said many of these reports were shortsighted, uncovering “spreadsheet darlings”: locations that looked good on paper but were not always sustainable places to own property over decades.

“These reports normally look at short-term, available data,” he said. “This often gives a range of short-term predictors but they don’t always indicate what a good long-term play will be.”

“And, given the high costs of transacting in real estate, that’s usually what a property purchase is, whether it’s a home or an investment. It’s a very long-term play.”

Mr Mortlock said the MCG report considered a range of metrics that had long-term, positive influences on property values, but were factors unlikely to be changed by short-term forces.

“We looked at factors that are always in demand,” he said.

“They’re attributes that help markets outperform over the long haul. We know buyers will pay a premium to have them.”

Features sought out by home seekers year after year included easy access to beaches, amenities, jobs hubs and top schools.

“All the pillars we looked at were attributes that real estate agents have historically highlighted as the most pertinent points for homebuyers,” Mr Mortlock said.

The MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index – SEQ

SOURCE: MCG Quantity Surveyors

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