Overall score
Doolandella
49.0/100
Forest Lake
72.9/100
Forest Lake for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Doolandella
49.0/100
Forest Lake
72.9/100
Crime rate
Doolandella
59.0 / 1k
Forest Lake
28.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Doolandella
48
Forest Lake
257
Population
Doolandella
7,123
Forest Lake
22,676
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Doolandella | Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.0/100 | 72.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 76.0/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 59.0 / 1k | 28.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 14 |
| Public transport stops | 5 | 43 |
| Walkability | 38.5/100 | 92.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 48 | 257 |
| Population | 7,123 | 22,676 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 6/10 |
Doolandella reads as a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by; Forest Lake is a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by.
On the data, Doolandella is stronger for good access to parks; Forest Lake answers with a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Forest Lake, while Doolandella remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.