Tell me about Canberra
Jul 18th 2018, 11:19 am
#1
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Tell me about Canberra
My husband has been offered a job in Canberra. Please can anyone give me information (good and bad) about living in Canberra with a you family - children aged 11 and 13. Which areas are nice and which are less desirable? Schools - good public secondary schools?
I’ve visited Canberra once, very briefly on route from Sydney to Melbourne on a road trip.... From what I saw, it seems modern and clean but I’m looking for info on what it’s like to live there...
I see the rental market is more expensive than say Melbourne - is it easy to find a rental property? And in particular, one that would allow a small dog...?
Many thanks
I’ve visited Canberra once, very briefly on route from Sydney to Melbourne on a road trip.... From what I saw, it seems modern and clean but I’m looking for info on what it’s like to live there...
I see the rental market is more expensive than say Melbourne - is it easy to find a rental property? And in particular, one that would allow a small dog...?
Many thanks
Jul 18th 2018, 11:47 am
#2
snɐןɔ ʎʇıuɐs
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,558
Re: Tell me about Canberra
The joke always used to be that it closed at 5:30, but the inhabitants say it's much better now, much more cosmopolitan .... it's now 6:30.
That and it's obviously a government town, and weirdly all the car parks seem to be pay car parks.
That and it's obviously a government town, and weirdly all the car parks seem to be pay car parks.
Jul 18th 2018, 1:10 pm
#3
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
There's a lot of deceased road kill in Canberra........ that seems to be the highlight when I pass through on my way to the snow now that the fireworks shops no longer exist.
Jul 18th 2018, 6:15 pm
#4
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
I replied on the other forum but don’t be put off by all the negative comments, Canberra is a pretty good place to bring up kids. It’s a nice cross between big city and country town. It’s got its not so swanky areas but in general you can get a feel for the suburb by mooching around the local shopping area and driving p and down a few streets. I told you which suburbs get the worst rap but even Narrabundah is being yuppified and becoming more desirable.
Canberra has the best of the seasons. Spring and autumn are awesome. Summer can be rather too warm and Winter can be bloody cold, we’ve even been known to have snow and can usually see snow on the mountains at least some time during winter. Houses are generally not that well insulated unfortunately.
It is the sort of town where most families are dual income to make ends meet and connecting with other mums can be tricky because many, if not most of them, work. But, that said, you should be able to hook up with like minded people through interest groups. I didn’t find it a hugely sociable community though and most acquaintances were made at work - most of them haven’t stuck as “friends” and most of my closer friends are all long term expats like myself!
I prefer the inner suburbs and if your DH is working in Russell or that sort of area, the Inner North is good but you might find accommodation rather expensive. Check out all homes.com.au everything gets advertised on there but take the photographs with a pinch of salt.
Canberra has the best of the seasons. Spring and autumn are awesome. Summer can be rather too warm and Winter can be bloody cold, we’ve even been known to have snow and can usually see snow on the mountains at least some time during winter. Houses are generally not that well insulated unfortunately.
It is the sort of town where most families are dual income to make ends meet and connecting with other mums can be tricky because many, if not most of them, work. But, that said, you should be able to hook up with like minded people through interest groups. I didn’t find it a hugely sociable community though and most acquaintances were made at work - most of them haven’t stuck as “friends” and most of my closer friends are all long term expats like myself!
I prefer the inner suburbs and if your DH is working in Russell or that sort of area, the Inner North is good but you might find accommodation rather expensive. Check out all homes.com.au everything gets advertised on there but take the photographs with a pinch of salt.
Jul 18th 2018, 9:23 pm
#5
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
Thank you. Husband’s office would be near the airport...
Jul 18th 2018, 9:34 pm
#6
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
Inner North or South would be ideal. There’s now a new road from the outer Gunghalin suburbs to the airport where you’d get more bang for your buck with rentals but (imho) the suburbs are a bit soulless. Queanbeyan is also an option - bit cheaper to live but your kids would go to not so desirable NSW HS! (Lots of NSW kids try and cross the border for HS). Working at the airport it’d be a bit silly to live in Tuggeranong.
Jul 19th 2018, 9:02 am
#7
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
I agree with Quoll. Canberra used to be dull as paint but it's been on an uptick for several years now.
It's a government and university town with the pluses and minuses that brings, and that's reflected in the entertainment options etc. The comments about the high schools are spot-on.
Canberra wouldn't be a top-five pick of mine but I wouldn't have reservations about taking a job there.
A lot of nature nearby and the city was planned with that in mind.
It's a government and university town with the pluses and minuses that brings, and that's reflected in the entertainment options etc. The comments about the high schools are spot-on.
Canberra wouldn't be a top-five pick of mine but I wouldn't have reservations about taking a job there.
A lot of nature nearby and the city was planned with that in mind.
Jul 19th 2018, 9:03 am
#8
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
By the way you mention your husband has been "offered a job." Can you specify what visa you will be on? That makes a difference as to whether you will be "raising" kids in Canberra or just "visiting" with them and returning to the UK. The distinction is very important for schooling.
Jul 19th 2018, 10:17 am
#9
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Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
By the way you mention your husband has been "offered a job." Can you specify what visa you will be on? That makes a difference as to whether you will be "raising" kids in Canberra or just "visiting" with them and returning to the UK. The distinction is very important for schooling.
Jul 20th 2018, 10:49 am
#10
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Posts: 22,348
Re: Tell me about Canberra
I replied on the other forum but don’t be put off by all the negative comments, Canberra is a pretty good place to bring up kids. It’s a nice cross between big city and country town. It’s got its not so swanky areas but in general you can get a feel for the suburb by mooching around the local shopping area and driving p and down a few streets. I told you which suburbs get the worst rap but even Narrabundah is being yuppified and becoming more desirable.
Canberra has the best of the seasons. Spring and autumn are awesome. Summer can be rather too warm and Winter can be bloody cold, we’ve even been known to have snow and can usually see snow on the mountains at least some time during winter. Houses are generally not that well insulated unfortunately.
It is the sort of town where most families are dual income to make ends meet and connecting with other mums can be tricky because many, if not most of them, work. But, that said, you should be able to hook up with like minded people through interest groups. I didn’t find it a hugely sociable community though and most acquaintances were made at work - most of them haven’t stuck as “friends” and most of my closer friends are all long term expats like myself!
I prefer the inner suburbs and if your DH is working in Russell or that sort of area, the Inner North is good but you might find accommodation rather expensive. Check out all homes.com.au everything gets advertised on there but take the photographs with a pinch of salt.
Canberra has the best of the seasons. Spring and autumn are awesome. Summer can be rather too warm and Winter can be bloody cold, we’ve even been known to have snow and can usually see snow on the mountains at least some time during winter. Houses are generally not that well insulated unfortunately.
It is the sort of town where most families are dual income to make ends meet and connecting with other mums can be tricky because many, if not most of them, work. But, that said, you should be able to hook up with like minded people through interest groups. I didn’t find it a hugely sociable community though and most acquaintances were made at work - most of them haven’t stuck as “friends” and most of my closer friends are all long term expats like myself!
I prefer the inner suburbs and if your DH is working in Russell or that sort of area, the Inner North is good but you might find accommodation rather expensive. Check out all homes.com.au everything gets advertised on there but take the photographs with a pinch of salt.
Jul 23rd 2018, 5:33 am
#11
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
It's a very strange city
Jul 23rd 2018, 1:50 pm
#13
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
It was a chilly -7.4 degrees C here this morning
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/nat...23-p4zt06.html
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/nat...23-p4zt06.html
Jul 23rd 2018, 2:08 pm
#14
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Re: Tell me about Canberra
It was a chilly -7.4 degrees C here this morning
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/nat...23-p4zt06.html
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/nat...23-p4zt06.html
Havent had snow in the burbs yet then?
Jul 24th 2018, 4:32 am
#15
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