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Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by arkon
Well you've just knocked 2 nails on the head there. 1st one is yes it cost a fortune to get here and 3 years plus all we gave up to come so not something you just throw the towel in for too quickly. Secondly as for ticking boxes, this place we are now ticked all our boxes but the reality of the content of those boxes was for us way off the mark. Also we find Australia has so little real choices of where to live to try and find somewhere that does suit. Everywhere seems pretty much of a muchness and nothing like the diversity of places to live back home.
When I say beaches I think I mean coast more than beaches and here's the rub, you have to live near the coast just to get a bit more pleasant climate and even then it's not for us. All too extreem in both directions, Too hot in summer and too damm cold in winter, there seems to be no happy middle. Like you say, even if you tick the boxes, you never really know until you get here and live the reality. Here's to selling the house and here's to Canberra:beer: ;) |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by Lord Pom Percy
Why does Arkon want to move to Canberra? maybe he wants to have a go at running for Prime Minister. :eek:
OI THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CANBERRA. Try the science musuem it it excellent. |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by arkon
When I say beaches I think I mean coast more than beaches and here's the rub, you have to live near the coast just to get a bit more pleasant climate and even then it's not for us. All too extreem in both directions, Too hot in summer and too damm cold in winter, there seems to be no happy middle.
WW |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by wanderingwombat
Canberra does get the extremes. It can go down to -9ºC early on a winter's morning (clear blue sky) and then hit the high teens on the same day. Summer is hot and dry.
WW I have slept on the matter and after reading through your posts this morning I think you will like Canberra better than elsewhere in OZ/ Fact 1 - 90% of Australians living elsewhere hate Canberra! (so that has got to be good!) Fact 2 - It is very similar to what the UK used to be like 50 years ago (so I am told) ie exceptionally clean, a feel safe factor, quiet (some would say boring but not me) plenty of countryside around and not surrounded by nothing and beaches. Fact 3 - landscape is amazing close to the bush, the mountains, and also close to all the amenities you could need - 2 hospitals dealing with A&E - each satellite town has its own amenities also each smaller area within the sateelite town has some amenties. Fact 4 - you can drive from the north to the south in 35 minutes on a good day and 55 minutes on a bad day. Fact 5 - There are hardly any bad areas to live in - we were warned about a particular area - but the warnings are over rated! The 'rough' in Canberra is nothing like the 'rough' in UK. Rough where I come from is that you don't go out at night, you don't leave your car unlocked ever - even when filling up with petrol etc... So there are no really bad areas - but there are some really affluent areas and I think these where mentioned earlier. The south side pulls a lot of people but I prefer the North side. Fact 6 - Education - you are never really more than 4 K away from a school and they are all good even the state schools (for which I taught) - we live within a 3 minute walking distance of a primary school - our daughter gets the bus to college which is a 10 minute journey. Bus pass is cheap for a term. Fact 7 - Climate - I love this the best! I was always fond of Autumn in the UK and was so pleased to see they have seasons here in Canberra. We don't have a lot of rain however so that makes the landscape not so green for a few months - but when it has rained the whole view changes to a beautiful green and luscious view. Summer is hot - but not the same sort of hot that you get elswhere (we went to Hamilton Island a couple of years back and that was a sticky hot) - but it only gets really hot around December and Janaury - this year we had the roof insulated so that helped to keep the house cooler but still hot - yet we have managed without air conditioning and just used the fans. The winter this year is a lot warmer inside due to the roof insulation (which a lot of oz houses dont have) it has certainly made a difference on the temperature - we have a log fire in the main lounge and electric wall heater in the hall that we use intermittently. Fact 8 - Wildlife - we do have mozzies and the first year I suffered terrribly as I had allergic reactions to the bites! However I am over this now (thank god). The mozzies are around in the summer nights but more so in certain areas - so check if you live close to a lake (we did but dont now) I haven't had a bit for over a year and didn't get bit this year. The flies are not too bad actually here. I think when we go up to visit the farm (uncle - 18 minutes drive from our house) there tends to be a few more but nothing compared with when we have been out in the bush. I haven't seen one single snake yet - despite going camping at the coast and bush walking around here and also spending time at uncles 40 acre farm! Also haven't seen much in spiders although had a few close encounters outside! We fumigate with smoke bombs every 6-9 months so this keeps the house bug free. Fact 9 - people - we have met the odd pom or two well actually I have met about 9 through work - but we don't really socialise as such - we like to eat out or in and not bothered about going out to pubs clubs etc. but the fact is Arkon - ozzies are ozzies as we are British - they aren't all the same (although my son would disagree) there are some nice people around - the only trouble I really find is that they don't have the same cultural history that I have - ie I am never sure when I mention a song/group/band from the 80's that they had them out here - or something similar - so when a girl at work says 'did you used to watch ********' I say 'erm no we didn't have that in the UK' and as I am not a sporty fan - I think the main problem we poms have is that it is hard to sometimes find common ground to begin a freindship - once you have one started then its all good mate - honestly. So if you wanna come on down - let me know and I will show you around - PM me and I will give you my phone number. also check out alhomes site for renting /buying in the areas mentioned in an earlier thread. Best wishes Sarah |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
I was in Canberra once. I liked it.
Try not to read to much into my post. It does what it says on the tin. edit: the reason I liked it was the sense of space and the way it was laid out. I actually like the way it was designed some people dont but I did (apart from that bloody huge "roundabout"). I hope this indepth post helps. |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by arkon
Well you've just knocked 2 nails on the head there. 1st one is yes it cost a fortune to get here and 3 years plus all we gave up to come so not something you just throw the towel in for too quickly. Secondly as for ticking boxes, this place we are now ticked all our boxes but the reality of the content of those boxes was for us way off the mark. Also we find Australia has so little real choices of where to live to try and find somewhere that does suit. Everywhere seems pretty much of a muchness and nothing like the diversity of places to live back home.
When I say beaches I think I mean coast more than beaches and here's the rub, you have to live near the coast just to get a bit more pleasant climate and even then it's not for us. All too extreem in both directions, Too hot in summer and too damm cold in winter, there seems to be no happy middle. |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Hi
It would appear that a lot of people have a view on Canberra without having visited the place. We are not all politicians, some of us do empty the bins, drive cabs and wait on tables (real people). I guess a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I have lived in Canberra since migrating from UK 10 years ago so I think I can speak for the place. Canberra is a very well laid out city. Traffic is never a problem as there are dual carriageways connecting all areas. There is no such thing as traffic jams but traffic may get a bit busy during peak times (7.30 - 9.00am and 4.30 - 6.00pm). The city is split up into 4 areas (Belconnen, City, Woden and Tuggeranong). Each area is made up of suburbs. House prices in Canberra peaked about 18 months ago and have stabilised since then. Like anywhere you go, some suburbs are expensive and others are cheaper. The nearer you go to the city, the more expensive the housing. The new blocks of land for housing are on the small side, the average size block for new houses tend to be around 650 -700 M2. Older houses are build on larger blocks of land (1000+ M2). Schooling is of a very high standard. There are a very good selection of restaurants, the main entertaining areas are the City, Manuka and Kingston. All areas have their own shopping centres and each suburb has its own small area of shops (usually a small supermarket, newsagent, takeaway shop) The crime rate in Canberra is very low. As a rule of thumb, there is only about 1 murder per year. Compare this statistic to other cities like Sydney or Melbourne and you will see what I mean. Canberra weather is quite good. We do not get the extreme heat or humidity in the summer, the average temperature is around 33 degrees. Winter is very cold, temperatures drop to around -4 degrees at night but the days are usually sunny with a temp of about 18 degrees. Hope this gives you a better (informed) idea of the place. BT |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by nickyjohnt
Hi
It would appear that a lot of people have a view on Canberra without having visited the place. We are not all politicians, some of us do empty the bins, drive cabs and wait on tables (real people). I guess a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I have lived in Canberra since migrating from UK 10 years ago so I think I can speak for the place. Canberra is a very well laid out city. Traffic is never a problem as there are dual carriageways connecting all areas. There is no such thing as traffic jams but traffic may get a bit busy during peak times (7.30 - 9.00am and 4.30 - 6.00pm). The city is split up into 4 areas (Belconnen, City, Woden and Tuggeranong). Each area is made up of suburbs. House prices in Canberra peaked about 18 months ago and have stabilised since then. Like anywhere you go, some suburbs are expensive and others are cheaper. The nearer you go to the city, the more expensive the housing. The new blocks of land for housing are on the small side, the average size block for new houses tend to be around 650 -700 M2. Older houses are build on larger blocks of land (1000+ M2). Schooling is of a very high standard. There are a very good selection of restaurants, the main entertaining areas are the City, Manuka and Kingston. All areas have their own shopping centres and each suburb has its own small area of shops (usually a small supermarket, newsagent, takeaway shop) The crime rate in Canberra is very low. As a rule of thumb, there is only about 1 murder per year. Compare this statistic to other cities like Sydney or Melbourne and you will see what I mean. Canberra weather is quite good. We do not get the extreme heat or humidity in the summer, the average temperature is around 33 degrees. Winter is very cold, temperatures drop to around -4 degrees at night but the days are usually sunny with a temp of about 18 degrees. Hope this gives you a better (informed) idea of the place. BT |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by nickyjohnt
Hi
The crime rate in Canberra is very low. As a rule of thumb, there is only about 1 murder per year. Compare this statistic to other cities like Sydney or Melbourne and you will see what I mean. BT |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by Lord Pom Percy
Only one murder a year sounds good unless your the person that gets murdered. :eek:
:D |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by arkon
We are planning to visit Canberra can someone that lives there
or anyone else please give us some names of areas to visit from a living there point of view, not from a tourist viewpoint. It would be seriously daft for us to go home without at least having a look at Canberra. If we were to move there then somewhere near the shops, schools, entertainment etc. Any ideas? I take my hat off to you. All the turmoil and being unsettled and you are trying a different place. Well, you and your family deserve all the happiness in the world, good luck to you what ever you decide. Denise |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by sasbear
OK Arkon,
I have slept on the matter and after reading through your posts this morning I think you will like Canberra better than elsewhere in OZ/ Fact 1 - 90% of Australians living elsewhere hate Canberra! (so that has got to be good!) Fact 2 - It is very similar to what the UK used to be like 50 years ago (so I am told) ie exceptionally clean, a feel safe factor, quiet (some would say boring but not me) plenty of countryside around and not surrounded by nothing and beaches. Fact 3 - landscape is amazing close to the bush, the mountains, and also close to all the amenities you could need - 2 hospitals dealing with A&E - each satellite town has its own amenities also each smaller area within the sateelite town has some amenties. Fact 4 - you can drive from the north to the south in 35 minutes on a good day and 55 minutes on a bad day. Fact 5 - There are hardly any bad areas to live in - we were warned about a particular area - but the warnings are over rated! The 'rough' in Canberra is nothing like the 'rough' in UK. Rough where I come from is that you don't go out at night, you don't leave your car unlocked ever - even when filling up with petrol etc... So there are no really bad areas - but there are some really affluent areas and I think these where mentioned earlier. The south side pulls a lot of people but I prefer the North side. Fact 6 - Education - you are never really more than 4 K away from a school and they are all good even the state schools (for which I taught) - we live within a 3 minute walking distance of a primary school - our daughter gets the bus to college which is a 10 minute journey. Bus pass is cheap for a term. Fact 7 - Climate - I love this the best! I was always fond of Autumn in the UK and was so pleased to see they have seasons here in Canberra. We don't have a lot of rain however so that makes the landscape not so green for a few months - but when it has rained the whole view changes to a beautiful green and luscious view. Summer is hot - but not the same sort of hot that you get elswhere (we went to Hamilton Island a couple of years back and that was a sticky hot) - but it only gets really hot around December and Janaury - this year we had the roof insulated so that helped to keep the house cooler but still hot - yet we have managed without air conditioning and just used the fans. The winter this year is a lot warmer inside due to the roof insulation (which a lot of oz houses dont have) it has certainly made a difference on the temperature - we have a log fire in the main lounge and electric wall heater in the hall that we use intermittently. Fact 8 - Wildlife - we do have mozzies and the first year I suffered terrribly as I had allergic reactions to the bites! However I am over this now (thank god). The mozzies are around in the summer nights but more so in certain areas - so check if you live close to a lake (we did but dont now) I haven't had a bit for over a year and didn't get bit this year. The flies are not too bad actually here. I think when we go up to visit the farm (uncle - 18 minutes drive from our house) there tends to be a few more but nothing compared with when we have been out in the bush. I haven't seen one single snake yet - despite going camping at the coast and bush walking around here and also spending time at uncles 40 acre farm! Also haven't seen much in spiders although had a few close encounters outside! We fumigate with smoke bombs every 6-9 months so this keeps the house bug free. Fact 9 - people - we have met the odd pom or two well actually I have met about 9 through work - but we don't really socialise as such - we like to eat out or in and not bothered about going out to pubs clubs etc. but the fact is Arkon - ozzies are ozzies as we are British - they aren't all the same (although my son would disagree) there are some nice people around - the only trouble I really find is that they don't have the same cultural history that I have - ie I am never sure when I mention a song/group/band from the 80's that they had them out here - or something similar - so when a girl at work says 'did you used to watch ********' I say 'erm no we didn't have that in the UK' and as I am not a sporty fan - I think the main problem we poms have is that it is hard to sometimes find common ground to begin a freindship - once you have one started then its all good mate - honestly. So if you wanna come on down - let me know and I will show you around - PM me and I will give you my phone number. also check out alhomes site for renting /buying in the areas mentioned in an earlier thread. Best wishes Sarah Might just check it out one day. |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by sasbear
there's always one isn't there?? :rolleyes:
:D Still there’s a long way to go before we end up back in the UK and unless we find some place much more to our liking we will still return. Thanks again, sounds much better than where we are now! |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by sasbear
Well said - I didn't mention the low crime rate above but there is a definate feel safe factor isn't there? Are you still in Canberra btw?
Just a quick explanation, I am Johns twin brother and using his log in.. I lived in Florey for 8 years and moved to Michelago about 18 months ago. We live up against the Tinderry Mountains on 40 acres. We travel into town for work. I work in Weston and my wife works in Woden. I do get a bit annoyed when people "bash" Canberra. BT |
Re: Canberra where to visit?
Originally Posted by nickyjohnt
Hi Sasbear
Just a quick explanation, I am Johns twin brother and using his log in.. I lived in Florey for 8 years and moved to Michelago about 18 months ago. We live up against the Tinderry Mountains on 40 acres. We travel into town for work. I work in Weston and my wife works in Woden. I do get a bit annoyed when people "bash" Canberra. BT I lived at Evatt when first here now in Fraser - working in Deakin and OH working in Mitchell. Me too I get so annoyed with Canberra bashing - I haven't seen al the other plac es around Oz yet - so i don't comment on what I haven't really seen. but Canberra is my home and I love it :) |
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