What's Canberra Like To Live In

[JBomb3000]

Possibly looking at a job in Canberra so I'm keen to hear from all you Canberra residents on what you think of the place and what it's generally like to live in, cost of living and stuff like that. Cheers

[JimmyXR6T04]

I'll probably get flamed by all the non canberra residents, but I'm sure most of the canberra guys will back me up when saying its great

lots of my younger friends whinge how boring it is, and the nightlife is crap and yada yada, but if you're mostly over all that nightclubbing stuff then its great.

Cost of living is pretty reasonable, perhaps slightly higher then sydney or melbourne etc, but when you factor in how easy it is to get from one side of canberra to the other, then it ain't so bad. I can quite easily average 12.8L/100km around town, and that's giving it the odd squirt.

Even peak hour traffic isn't that bad... I can't comment too much on it though, as my working hours means I am always at work well before any traffic builds up.

It's relatively quiet, but its got enough to do to keep ya happy. I guess its like anywhere, live some where long enough, and you'll eventually get bored of it. It's just an easy place to live in, easy to get around, and not congested with millions of people/cars.

[TurboDewd]

Interesting timing, I heard a report on the radio this morning about a campaign to bring Sydneysiders to Canberra. Anyway, here are the pros and cons:

pros:

* a well-designed, well-spaced, planned city - not crowded like Sydney

* commuting is a breeze

* good roads which are logical and never chockers

* rarely rains (which is good for driving)

* not far from Sydney, snow or the coast, driving to Melb is feasible

* summer lacks humidity (but still gets just as hot as Syd or Melb)

* excellent job prospects

* 1500km from the "smart" state of Qld

cons:

* winter and cold evenings - winter here sux but its bearable, spring and autumn evenings get very cool. if you have good insulation then you will use your heaters for just a few mths

* rarely rains - dry as buggery around here!

* houses/renting just as pricey as Sydney which is ridiculous

[SavageF6]

I'm leaving Canberra in two weeks to the very day (moving due work again), been here all year.

Not a bad place, though I miss the water. That said, Syd's only 3 hrs away, and there's always Batemans Bay etc. Oh and you're close to the snow during the season.

Canberra itself, is... more sedate than other places I've lived in, but like everywhere it's what you make of it. Still plenty of good places to go if you're into the 'dinner & drinks' thing.

I've found some things may cost a bit more, mainly due having to be transported from Syd. ($1500+ fitted for a set of Koni's? No thanks!)

[XRSICKT]

look at all the info and then it will all depend on what makes it attractive for you..

that said, I don't like it much mainly because everytime I go there I work from 8 to 8 and don't get to do much else.

[Cro]

I'm dying for the opportunity to move back down there...

Open roads, decent speed limits, 2.5 hours from sydney, 8 hours from Melbourne, 1.5 Hours to the coast or snows and no traffic.

Friendly people, nicely laid out city, easy to get around, etc..

Wish I never left...

[bugster70]

I'd agree with pretty much everything's that been said. I'd heard only negative comments about the place before I moved here, but having been here for about 11 years now, I find I like the place more and more.

My wife initially hated the cold winters, but that's something you quickly get used to and, in my case anyway, come to actually like (Canberra is one of the few places in Australia where you can definitely see the four different seasons very distinctly - autumn in Canberra is particularly spectacular). Plus, if you have a decent heating system (proper ducted heating is a must) and good insulation, it can be very pleasant indeed.

As far as summers go, I lived in Brissy before this and now absolutely cannot stand going back in summer - the heat and humidity feel utterly oppressive compared to the dry heat we get down here.

Sure, the nightlife is bland compared to places like Sydney and Melbourne, but I'm well and truly over that side of things now. I think I read somewhere that Canberra has more restaurants per capita than any other capital city in the world, and it shows. If you're into fine food and dining out, Canberra is a great place for it.

Location is pretty good too - as others have said, Sydney is just a few hours away (since they upgraded the Federal Highway the drive has become much easier/faster), and we have easy access to the snow and beautiful South Coast.

Nup, I love the place, and can see myself staying here for a very long while. And as far as I'm concerned, the more people who think it's a sh1te place to live, the better - keeps this well kept secret to ourselves!!

[JimmyXR6T04]

  bugster70 said:

I'd agree with pretty much everything's that been said. I'd heard only negative comments about the place before I moved here, but having been here for about 11 years now, I find I like the place more and more. 

My wife initially hated the cold winters, but that's something you quickly get used to and, in my case anyway, come to actually like (Canberra is one of the few places in Australia where you can definitely see the four different seasons very distinctly - autumn in Canberra is particularly spectacular). Plus, if you have a decent heating system (proper ducted heating is a must) and good insulation, it can be very pleasant indeed.

As far as summers go, I lived in Brissy before this and now absolutely cannot stand going back in summer - the heat and humidity feel utterly oppressive compared to the dry heat we get down here.

Sure, the nightlife is bland compared to places like Sydney and Melbourne, but I'm well and truly over that side of things now. I think I read somewhere that Canberra has more restaurants per capita than any other capital city in the world, and it shows. If you're into fine food and dining out, Canberra is a great place for it.

Location is pretty good too - as others have said, Sydney is just a few hours away (since they upgraded the Federal Highway the drive has become much easier/faster), and we have easy access to the snow and beautiful South Coast.

Nup, I love the place, and can see myself staying here for a very long while. And as far as I'm concerned, the more people who think it's a sh1te place to live, the better - keeps this well kept secret to ourselves!! 

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100% agree!

I reckon its got a lot going for it.

Everyone complains about winter, but in all honesty, its not that bad. And I think I'd be one of the best qualified to pass judgement on canberra winters.. Try spending a winter up at parliament house standing out in the freezing cold at 4am in the morning, 5am, 6am, 2am infact, most of the night.. yes it gets cold, but unless you're working where I was, usually you're tucked up in bed at those freezing times of the day. Sure, it's fresh early in the morning, but for the most part you'd be in the car, home or office. Unless you work outdoors, but even then, usually by 10-11am the sun is out and its a pleasant 12deg day. Again, I used to work as a landscape gardener before my current job, and we'd start 6-7am.. sure it was cold, but you learn to adapt and where sufficient clothing.

The days in winter can be really nice, with only the odd windy/freezing cold days, most days sit at a nice temp.

[Guest]

Lived in the ACT for 2 year, found my wife there and had a top time ACT is a very nice place to call home. Came back to Sydney for work kicking and Screaming all the way.

I hear theres a All Ford car show on there next weekend on the Sunday, Im down that way for a wedding on my wifes side of the family so I'll drop in a take a look.

Belconen Rules by the way, good student town. They where the days......

[DBOSS]

I live in the SHIRE everywhere else is