Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Westlake

Westlake is a quiet, family-oriented suburb in Brisbane's south-west, part of the established Centenary suburbs. Its streets are leafy and residential, made up mostly of low-set brick houses on established blocks with pockets of newer townhouses, so the feel is settled rather than inner-city. Residents have easy access to local parks, playgrounds and river-corridor walking trails, while larger shopping centres, schools and community facilities are a short drive away in neighbouring suburbs. Regular bus services and nearby access to the Centenary Highway provide practical transport links, which suits day-to-day life for households that prefer a calmer suburban pace.

About 4,547 people live in Westlake and the median age is 43; families dominate the household mix and owner-occupation is common, with 88.8% of homes owned outright or with a mortgage. Major corridor work such as the Centenary Bridge Upgrade is under way, and a Middle Park intersection upgrade with roughly $1.7 million allocated forms part of local improvement plans. Whether Westlake suits you will depend on how much you value an established, relaxed suburb with nearby parks and practical links to neighbouring services.

A house rented in Westlake costs about $888 a week on current figures. Against a typical local household income of $2,691 a week as recorded at the most recent Census, that rent would take roughly a third of income — about 33.0% — which is a sizeable share of a typical local household's weekly earnings. If you're renting rather than buying, that rent share is the number that matters; whether it feels expensive will depend on your own income and circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

House values in Westlake rose a strong 16.5% over the past year, which represents the capital growth seen on the house side. Over the same 12 months the rent those houses earn fell 1.3%, a slight decline in rental income. The figures therefore show stronger movement in house values than in the rent they produce, and which of those outcomes matters most will depend on your own investment goals and circumstances.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.