As you can see from the replies above, Canberra is the equivalent of marmite (or vegemite) people either love it or hate it.

I drove down to Bateman's Bay and then south along the coast and it's beautiful. I drove inland to Kozciuszko National Park, again faultless. The snow fields are 3 hours away and you can drive to Sydney in the same time frame.

As for concerts, you're a bit stuffed. Even in Melbourne we don't get many international artists that often and they certainly aren't going anywhere near Canberra.

I work in IT and they can't attract people to work there generally unless they build into their remuneration package a weekly flight out on Friday.

It's a bit purpose built in areas to be the official, but in no way the real, capital city.

It's also a lot colder than other places as it's quite elevated and exposed so there was frost on the ground in this winter. Funny to see the Aussies reaction to it, you'd have thought they were in the Antarctic ;-)

Personally I prefer Melbourne as there is more choice of things to do and I've just come back from cycling down the beach road after work - you ain't getting that in Canberra. However, if I had a family, Canberra would be a great place to live as it's safe and pleasant.

Everyone who contributes to this website could argue forever about the pro's and cons of living in London!

Therefore, come over and see Canberra for yourself.

We've been here nearly 29 years and have just half a thought to move into rural Victoria but only half a thought! There is actually quite a bit of stability and you regularly find families who are third and fourth generation Canberrans these days. We do have quite a few defence force itinerants as they cycle through Defence, ADFA and Duntroon but otherwise there is reasonable stability.

The gig scene - we seem to get the big names when they come to town I think. Not really something that grabs my attention but we have had major names I am certain.

The beach - well it's OK. There is an awful lot of it not that far away. It's ages since we have been but there are some very pleasant beaches to be had.

We dont get the beach road, no, but there are very good cycle paths - my DH rides his bike 18km to work and back every day along cycle paths which take him round the lake - he says that is pretty spectacular most mornings.

It really is the best kept secret.

Do kids trick or treat in Canberra?

We never had one knock on the door

Maybe had two doorknocks in the past 25 years at this house and not for many many years. Thank heavens!

Any excuse for us!

Halloween was a great success for us! We had bunches of children knocking on the door and likewise we went out and knocked on doors to find the ozzies very receptive! Young and old!

My children 6 and 4 loved it, skipping down people's drive with their goodies! We came accross lots of houses decorated with pumpkins outside, balloons and paper spiders! Ours included!

I found it easier trick or treating here ,it's seems to be a novelty here as oppose to a saturated market which helps thumbsup:

Carmel

PHEW. My 9 yr old went out for the first time and loved it!!!! I promised to do it next year then realised I never did it as a kid and started wondering if anywhere in Canberra did it.

While I am at it could anyone comment on the following;

comments on any primary schools and can anyone comment on Gungallin (sorry if it's not spelt correctly);

public transport;

are there a variety of utility companies or just a couple;

does everyone have to connect with telecom or whatever it is called now or can you directly connect with another company;

are there lots of telephone companies;

is broadband ok there and how much should you expect to pay per month;

what are the cable companies (sort of like sky);

can you get chinese and asian food (supermarkets or in supermarkets) (for home made chinese and asian dinners);

do you need a car;

is offering several months rental in advance a rental in the nightmare rental auction situation;

are there lots of mobile phone providers and is it worth waiting until we get there to get new phones (PAYG tariff) ;

are bicycles expensive there - is it worth buying them here?


thanks a lot

does everyone have to connect with telecom or whatever it is called now or can you directly connect with another company;

Phone wise I would say avoid Telstra - I use AAPT and have the broadband and home phone with them. good package



is broadband ok there and how much should you expect to pay per month;

I pay $50 and have quite a high usage and never use up my allocated amount.

what are the cable companies (sort of like sky); Foxtel is what I have and is approx &80 per month for a basic package


can you get chinese and asian food (supermarkets or in supermarkets) (for home made chinese and asian dinners);

Yes - loads in Canberra - a great shop opened recently in Gunghalin too


do you need a car; YES


is offering several months rental in advance a rental in the nightmare rental auction situation;

Rental's aren't too hard to find - ask WalkerMat
re that one


are there lots of mobile phone providers and is it worth waiting until we get there to get new phones (PAYG tariff) ; YES plenty of choice

I can comment on all of them - but that is because I am an opinionated old busy body!!! Schools, will pm you - wouldnt want to say some things on a public board!!!

Public transport - Action buses - not bad although not as good as they used to be. If you are lucky you can get a service maybe once every half hour into one of the hubs - if not lucky then much less often! Cost about $3 for a single trip but there are cheaper options if you buy season tickets etc.

Pretty much one utility company ACTEWAGL but I think you may be able to get Great Southern Energy

You can connect with TRANSACT (which we do) for landline phone, broadband and tv but there are other options there.

HUndreds of phone companies but if you go with Transact you can bundle with them and ACTEWAGL and get mega discounts. Gungahlin is notoriously bad for some mobile reception and not sure if it is cabled for Transact yet.

Broadband - Transact is good if it is in your suburb.

We have our own China town in Dickson if you are desperate for a Chinese but they are really all over the place

If you live in Gungahlin then yes you need a car. You could get away without one if you live where I do but it wouldnt be easy.

You can get cheap bikes, you can get very expensive ones - you get what you pay for I reckon! We do have very good bike shops and lots of bike paths. Personally, unless you have a top of the range Canondale you are very fond of then I would buy one here.

House rental is a nightmare! Not sure what the magic answer is except lots of money, good references and no pets (they arent that fond of kids either but you wont be able to leave them at home!) Look at allhomes.com.au to see what is available.

Thanks a lot for that. In terms of the food question - sorry wasn't clear. I am after the ingredients to make the food and wasn't sure if they sold the ingredients in shops there for chinese and asian food.

Will pm you re: schools Thanks again

Lots of asian groceries in chinatown - sometimes the smell can be rather off putting but they are definitely genuine! Actually, pretty much all supermarkets usually have an asian foods aisle with all the non perishable stuff but most also carry the more exotic vegies as well. For the orange ducks and funny meat you need the bigger centres - I know of shops in Dickson, Civic and Woden. Asian food will not be a problem although we do have only one balti restaurant as far as I am aware.

Oh and Asian doesnt mean the same thing here as it does in UK! For us, Asian generally means Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian, Thai etc. UK Asians are generally "Indian".