We are considering moving here, could I please have your honest thoughts about this area please?

Queanbeyan is much older than Canberra and often thought by the ACT snobs as being somewhat "bogan" however it is a nice enough little town, close enough to ACT for all the "big" stuff like movies, theatres, restaurants but cheaper than most ACT suburbs. A good percentage of the inhabitants will work in ACT and many choose to send their kids over the border, if they can, to school as the ACT doesnt have the rigor of the NSW education system and, quite frankly, the NSW schools dont get good press, especially the HS. Shopping is quite good, general services are quite good, and I wouldnt mind living there apart from the fact that I work in ACT and am not a great one for longer commutes - however the same goes for the outer ACT suburbs, too far for me to commute too. Given a choice between some of the new ACT suburbs and Qbn, I'd go for Qbn!!!! It's only going to take you 15 minutes to get into the centre of Canberra (except for the rush hours) so it isnt really out in the bush by any means.

It really is the same thing as living in Canberra. Just another suburb really. Its actually closer to Canberra CBD than some of the suburbs that are situated within the ACT. The question really should be what is it like living in Canberra. I would probably think twice before going into the "Top Oak" for a drink unless you have martial arts training though.

Queanbeyan has the feel and layout of a medium-sized country town, with a traditional street running through it with shops on each side. In other words, it's very different to Canberra but also very close so it's no further from Canberra's CBD (if you can call it that) than many Canberra suburbs. I would definately consider living in a nearby rural property. We have friends living on Wickerslack Road, about 5-10 mins drive from Queanbeyan's centre which is lovely. They have an architect-designed house on a couple of acres perched above the Molonglo river which flows out of Googong dam. It's lovely and it really feels like they're living in the country and, yet, they still feel like they're part of Canberra.

You are a clever bunch! thank you for your replies...don't get me wrong I do love Canberra (I spent my honeymoon there....long story) and I presume I would be working in the centre but I don't want to live in a suburb of Canberra, I am trying to be diplomatic here...we either want to live in an old shack in the country but close enough we can drive to work (public service/uni's)...not "commute" as we want to spend as little as time travelling...OR a "new/off the plan" house on a bit of land/very large backyard....

so any other suggestions would be welcome (and for schools....mind you i think i have guessed about the ACT schools being more sought after...I speak from a NSW school background experience, and it wasn't pretty!)

Nice to see people considering the Capital (and surrounding areas). It gets completely overlooked by most expats and is completely underestimated in my opinion.

I’m not a fan of Australia, but for some odd reason I am a fan of Canberra.

Good luck on your move.

Unemployment rate in Queanbeyan is around 2%. One of the lowest rates in the country...

There are plenty or rural properties within about 30 minutes of Civic, Canberra's CBD. You could consider properties on the way out to Bungendore, along the Mac's Reef road or Bungendore road which join the Federal Highway. Around Queanbeyan is another good option. Another popular area is along the Barton Highway towards Yass, but that's a better if you're working in Belconnen on the north side. I live in Hackett which is great. Close to Civic (about 5 km), bordering a beautiful nature reserve with well-established and largish blocks. However, it is expensive. The new areas don't hold much appeal for me as the blocks tend to be small and they're not so coveniently situated. Personally, I'd go for a more established area, particularly in the "inner north" and consider renovating (if you can afford it) or the rural property option.

Spot on!!! Inner North Rules! (Ainslie girl here!)

There is always Murrumbateman as well - bit further out but quite a lot of folk from there work in Canberra (well, the alternative is Yass so that's a no brainer). There is also Sutton, Wombeyan, Gundaroo which are sort of dormitory villages as well. I do know of some folk who commute from Goulburn but that is insanity IMHO!

Thank you for your replies, we are looking to spend as little as possible upfront as we don't mind if the place needs a bit of work (not structurally but in need of modernisation - as long as it is liveable as we are not fussed on decor, 1940's kitchens etc) and in a"decent area"...are we crazy for thinking max £350000??? (and that is really top end)

My dad knows someone that commutes to Yass everyday...I will look at the places you suggest...mind you I did a search on Canberra and it came up with houses neat Orange!

Thanks again for your replies

Northern scumbags haha the South is where all the cool cats live

I like Queanbeyan though parts of it are a little 'Bogan' but there again you have previously lived in Selby so it will be luxuary to you ... the annual rodeo is an 'experience'

A lot of my collegues (including the regional boss) and a few fishing buddys live there and I've heard no complaints, and the Molonglo river is an awesome fishing haunt of mine

Best real estate for the ACT and surrounding areas on www.allhomes.com.au

Hi there

I lived in Bungendore for about a year two years back, although it was a pretty little place it basically had no services, apart from the two pubs which we got some usage out of. The area around Bungendore is now reasonably expensive due to the construction of the defence force HQ, but after a quick search you can pick up a new place up for round about $550,000 which seems to be in your price range, http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin...&tm=1265935504 . The only time we really ventured into Queanbeyan was to shop or eat out, not in the pubs!. While we were down there one of the schools was voted the worst in the country ( or maybe state), and a friend who had lived there her whole life told us that she would not walk the streets at night by herself.
I cant really comment on the canberra suburbs or any of the little satellite villages, apart from gundaroo which is a nice little place, http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin...&tm=1265936182 . As far as suburbs and areas go my only advice would be that Captains Flat is cheap for a reason. http://www.locationlowdown.com.au/se...aptains%20Flat .
Oh yeah and allhomes is the best website for this area, hope that helps

Bob

Ainslie is prime territory for the proverbial "Renovator's Delight". There are still some old, unrenovated "guvvies" (think small, 1930s style weatherboard bungalows) which are crying out for renovation. You'd get something in your price range and you can't beat the location. Any money you pour in should add significantly to the value. Long-term, the prices in Ainslie should hold up well.

A friend of mine and her husband both work in Canberra and live in Qbn. They've been there for years now and did exactly what you're looking to do - bought an old house and did a full reno job on it. Even though she has a very senior role now (works as a ministerial advisor to Foreign Minister Stephen Smith) they're both happy to remain in Qbn, so the commute mustn't be too much of a problem, as I know she does 15+ hour days.