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Toowoomba Offers Affordable Living Just 90 Minutes From Brisbane
Affordable, charming and 90 minutes from Brisbane, Toowoomba is Queensland's most underrated regional city.
How we reported this
Toowoomba sits on the Darling Downs at 700 metres elevation, high enough to experience seasons that the Queensland coast never does. The Garden City has a population of around 175,000, an economy built around agriculture, logistics, health and education, and some of the most affordable house prices of any sizeable Australian city.
Why Toowoomba
The pitch is straightforward: a real city, with everything a city needs, at regional prices. The median house price is well below Brisbane. The Carnival of Flowers in September fills the city with spectacular blooms. The university and hospital anchor the educated professional class. The Lockyer Valley farmland that surrounds the city ensures local produce is excellent and affordable.
Living here
The city has genuine seasons, mild summers, cold winters with occasional frost, and the wildflower season in September that is spectacular. The local food scene has improved significantly. The arts community is active for a city its size. The historic streetscape in the CBD and the Victorian-era gardens are genuine assets.
Cost of living
Toowoomba is one of the most affordable places to live in Queensland. House prices are a fraction of Brisbane and remarkably low for the quality of life on offer. Daily costs are broadly in line with other regional cities. The Warrego Highway and Toowoomba Bypass have improved connectivity to Brisbane.
Transport and connectivity
The Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport offers regular services to Sydney and Melbourne. The Warrego Highway to Brisbane takes around 90 minutes in good traffic. There is no passenger train service, the rail freight line does not carry passengers. Driving is the primary transport mode.