Boring Canberra
Jul 30th 2008 | 8:16 pm
#76
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 83
Re: Boring Canberra
Hey Quoll,
would look forward to a lovely black coffee....don't forget the cake ! You have been a great help many a time !
Maybe we would bebetter looking around Kambah areas then ? Or if working in Tuggeranong travel from further North ? ....I guess we would haveto check these out once arrived !
Are you saying that schools in the North are smaller classes ?
Cheers Gill
Claire
would look forward to a lovely black coffee....don't forget the cake ! You have been a great help many a time !
Maybe we would bebetter looking around Kambah areas then ? Or if working in Tuggeranong travel from further North ? ....I guess we would haveto check these out once arrived !
Are you saying that schools in the North are smaller classes ?
Cheers Gill
Claire
Jul 30th 2008 | 8:45 pm
#77
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 165
From: Canberra
Re: Boring Canberra
Being a north of the lake kind of gal, cant say that I really like Tuggeranong that much. Worked there for several years though. The cheaper areas like Richardson, Chisholm, Gilmore, Banks, Conder are probably areas that you dont want to live in really. All the schools in the south are open space which isnt ideal for many kids - too many kids, not enough space - and many Tugg parents send their kids over the hill to Torrens, Farrer, Garran in preference and even more send their kids over for HS to Melrose, Alfred Deakin or even Telopea if they can get in.
$60kpa is going to be a stretch in Canberra IMHO - it is generally quite a high income kind of place and that is reflected in the rents you are probably going to have to fork out. Ball park for something nice is going to be around the $450 a week mark - the further out you go the lower the rents are likely to be but the more you will have to spend on transport (petrol, parking in the city centres etc or bus fares) so it is a bit of swings and roundabouts really. It is possible to make economies - buy at the Saturday Farmers Market or the weekend fruit markets, double dip on petrol (get your 5c/litre voucher from Coles/Woolies then take the petrol receipt to IGA for your next week's shopping for another 5c a litre off.) There is a thriving freecycle group which can help you equip your place and there are always sales on. The schools do pressure you hard for the voluntary contribution thing but if you are strapped for cash go and talk to the principal because there is usually a quiet little slush fund to help out for some school essential costs like excursions etc. If you live close enough to a town centre you can bike on the bike paths to bring down your transport costs (DH does that but he is a gym junkie anyway).
Looks like we will be having a big coffee morning not too far away!
$60kpa is going to be a stretch in Canberra IMHO - it is generally quite a high income kind of place and that is reflected in the rents you are probably going to have to fork out. Ball park for something nice is going to be around the $450 a week mark - the further out you go the lower the rents are likely to be but the more you will have to spend on transport (petrol, parking in the city centres etc or bus fares) so it is a bit of swings and roundabouts really. It is possible to make economies - buy at the Saturday Farmers Market or the weekend fruit markets, double dip on petrol (get your 5c/litre voucher from Coles/Woolies then take the petrol receipt to IGA for your next week's shopping for another 5c a litre off.) There is a thriving freecycle group which can help you equip your place and there are always sales on. The schools do pressure you hard for the voluntary contribution thing but if you are strapped for cash go and talk to the principal because there is usually a quiet little slush fund to help out for some school essential costs like excursions etc. If you live close enough to a town centre you can bike on the bike paths to bring down your transport costs (DH does that but he is a gym junkie anyway).
Looks like we will be having a big coffee morning not too far away!
Jul 30th 2008 | 9:39 pm
#78
Account Closed
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 546
Re: Boring Canberra
$60kpa is going to be a stretch in Canberra IMHO - it is generally quite a high income kind of place and that is reflected in the rents you are probably going to have to fork out. Ball park for something nice is going to be around the $450 a week mark - the further out you go the lower the rents are likely to be but the more you will have to spend on transport (petrol, parking in the city centres etc or bus fares) so it is a bit of swings and roundabouts really.
Jul 30th 2008 | 11:44 pm
#79
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,390
From: Canberra
Re: Boring Canberra
Hey Quoll,
would look forward to a lovely black coffee....don't forget the cake ! You have been a great help many a time !
Maybe we would bebetter looking around Kambah areas then ? Or if working in Tuggeranong travel from further North ? ....I guess we would haveto check these out once arrived !
Are you saying that schools in the North are smaller classes ?
Cheers Gill
Claire
would look forward to a lovely black coffee....don't forget the cake ! You have been a great help many a time !
Maybe we would bebetter looking around Kambah areas then ? Or if working in Tuggeranong travel from further North ? ....I guess we would haveto check these out once arrived !
Are you saying that schools in the North are smaller classes ?
Cheers Gill
Claire
The bus is OK - it is the same price regardless of distance per bus journey. If you change buses then you pay up again unless you have a bus pass. You can get multi tickets which take the price down a bit. They have just revised the bus routes and some places arent well served at all - the outer extremities do suffer a bit, like Harrison. Ainslie is fine though
The bike paths are good.Basically you live where you can a)afford and b)find a home you are prepared to live in 24/7. Kambah is the oldest of the Tugg suburbs along with Wanniassa - sort of early 70s era. Just over the hill in Chapman, Waramanga or Torrens, Farrer you get a slightly older house build and IMHO a better choice of schools. Actually it isnt a bad idea to live north of Tuggeranong and then travel south into work because for the most part you will be going against the traffic which is generally on its way to Civic during the rush hours. I used to drive down from Ainslie every day and the Parkway was almost deserted in my direction compared with often huge queues in the other direction.
Jul 31st 2008 | 1:56 am
#80
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 899
From: Canberra
Re: Boring Canberra
Quoll/Beaumonts/Copa
OH has just been offered a post in Canberra
The only thing sticking point is the salary and would value your honest opinion! He is being offered just over 60K - is this enough to live on (there is me, OH and 12 year old)???
We are trying to do the sums but not knowing the cost of shopping/bills etc it is difficult to add it all up. Appreciate an honest opinion and you all seem to know your stuff!
Thanks
Lx
OH has just been offered a post in Canberra
The only thing sticking point is the salary and would value your honest opinion! He is being offered just over 60K - is this enough to live on (there is me, OH and 12 year old)??? We are trying to do the sums but not knowing the cost of shopping/bills etc it is difficult to add it all up. Appreciate an honest opinion and you all seem to know your stuff! Thanks
Lx
We're a family of three living in a 4 bedroom house and here is a rough guide to monthly costs:
Utlities (gas hot water and central heating) $250
Rates $160
Food (we eat well) $1,200
Medical insurance (not necessary IMO) $150
Other Insurance (home, contents, car) $100
Telephone/cable TV/internet $150
Mobile phone $30
Car (servicing, petrol, parking) $400
These are the basics. We have a lot of other things we spend money on which aren't, strictly speaking, necessary.
Jul 31st 2008 | 10:44 am
#81
Account Closed
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 546
Re: Boring Canberra
wrong... you ask for a 90 minute transfer ticket. It's the same price as a regular single but allows you to change buses along the journey at no extra cost.
Jul 31st 2008 | 10:47 am
#82
Account Closed
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 546
Re: Boring Canberra
I think things will be tight on 60K, unless you have some other source of revenue. You'll survive but won't have much discretionary income. It's not a city I'd really want to be poor in. I could imagine being poor in somewhere warm and tropical. Living in Canberra you'll want to be able to afford to have the odd weekend in Sydney or down at the coast or perhaps a day trip to the snow.
We're a family of three living in a 4 bedroom house and here is a rough guide to monthly costs:
Utlities (gas hot water and central heating) $250
Rates $160
Food (we eat well) $1,200
Medical insurance (not necessary IMO) $150
Other Insurance (home, contents, car) $100
Telephone/cable TV/internet $150
Mobile phone $30
Car (servicing, petrol, parking) $400
These are the basics. We have a lot of other things we spend money on which aren't, strictly speaking, necessary.
We're a family of three living in a 4 bedroom house and here is a rough guide to monthly costs:
Utlities (gas hot water and central heating) $250
Rates $160
Food (we eat well) $1,200
Medical insurance (not necessary IMO) $150
Other Insurance (home, contents, car) $100
Telephone/cable TV/internet $150
Mobile phone $30
Car (servicing, petrol, parking) $400
These are the basics. We have a lot of other things we spend money on which aren't, strictly speaking, necessary.
We also eat well.. hmmmmm... fooooood.... must put the slow cooker on..
Jul 31st 2008 | 4:26 pm
#83
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,222
From: Canberra, ACT
Re: Boring Canberra
We live in Bonython, new area of Tuggeranong. I find the center of Tugg has so much we don't need to ever go into the city at all if we dont want to.
Butwe enjoy exploring Canberra which by the way we have not found boring at all, the opposite in fact.
Just love it so much here wished we had come here years ago.
Its ace!!
Butwe enjoy exploring Canberra which by the way we have not found boring at all, the opposite in fact.
Just love it so much here wished we had come here years ago.
Its ace!!
Jul 31st 2008 | 8:16 pm
#85
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 83
Re: Boring Canberra
I have to say....thank God for this thread.....I am not worried at all now about heading (hopefully) to Canberra.....even tho it's not by the coast!!!!!!!
I feel so much more positive about it.
Claire
I feel so much more positive about it.
Claire
Jul 31st 2008 | 10:15 pm
#86
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,400
Re: Boring Canberra
(Offthread a bit) We're staying in Canberra for a few days of Floriade (always stay at the Brassey): any advice on what we mustn't miss?
Aug 1st 2008 | 6:57 pm
#89
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,390
From: Canberra
Re: Boring Canberra
I guess you have also done the view from the top of Mt Ainslie, it's worth the walk if you are that way inclined, otherwise you can drive up it - actually quite a stunning view and IMHO better than the one from the top of the Tower (unless you are dining in!!!)
Aug 1st 2008 | 10:00 pm
#90
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,400
Re: Boring Canberra
Thanks Quoll. I see now that most of Floriade is concentrated in the one area - makes it easier.
(I do prefer myself to spend the day in the hardware section of Bunnings, but...............)
(I do prefer myself to spend the day in the hardware section of Bunnings, but...............)
