The World’s Best City to Raise a Family
It is one thing to love where you live. It is quite another when the rest of the world agrees with you!
In February 2026, Compare the Market AU published its global ranking of the best cities to raise a family across 50 cities worldwide. The study measured everything from safety and green space to cost of living and community wellbeing. Brisbane came first. Not in Australia. In the world!
For those of us who already call Brisbane's inner west home, this is a deeply satisfying and validating moment. The parks, the schools, the Saturday morning rhythm of Paddington and Bardon, the coffee on Latrobe Terrace, the school runs through Ashgrove and Red Hill. These are the things that shape a life. And now the data has caught up with what residents here have quietly known for years.
Buyers today, particularly families relocating from Sydney and Melbourne, are doing their research before they ever pick up the phone. They are reading exactly these kinds of global studies. When an independent body confirms that Brisbane offers world-class safety, an abundance of green space, a genuine sense of community and a cost of living that compares favourably to almost every other great city on earth, it shortens the decision-making process considerably. And when they begin looking at suburbs, Brisbane's inner west consistently sits at the top of the list.
Paddington, Bardon, Red Hill, Ashgrove, Auchenflower and Toowong, offer precisely the lifestyle this ranking celebrates. Character homes on leafy streets. Walkability. Proximity to some of Brisbane's finest schools. Parks that families actually use. A genuine neighbourhood feel that is increasingly difficult to find, and increasingly sought after.
For owners considering their options, this is a meaningful moment. Property in the inner west is being sought by a buyer pool that is motivated, well-informed, and increasingly confident about Brisbane's long-term story. That confidence is supported not just by sentiment, but by infrastructure. The Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro are reshaping how people move through this city, and the inner west sits squarely within the zone that benefits most from improved connectivity. The 2032 Olympic Games add a longer chapter to this story still. Brisbane is a city with genuine momentum, and the inner west is one of its most compelling addresses.
At Glynis Austin Properties, we have been selling inner west Brisbane for a long time. We have watched this part of the city grow, evolve, and earn its reputation as one of the most genuinely liveable places in Queensland. This global recognition is wonderful to see, but it does not change the way we work. Every client, every property, and every conversation still gets our full attention.
If you are thinking about what your property might be worth in this market, or simply want an honest conversation about where things stand, we would love to hear from you. There is no obligation, no pressure, and no scripts. Just a genuine conversation with people who know this market and care about getting it right. Call us today on 0478 99 88 11 and lets chat about your next Inner West move!