For where we're at in our lives, Canberra suits my family and I well. It's a bit of a Pleasantville here really where - except for in Tellytubbyland, everything is well maintained, dignified and orderly. My lads enjoy football, rugby and hockey and there are lots of clubs that cater for those. The public schools are pretty good and it has three excellent universities. There is no shortage of entertainment and culture here for those who bother to look for it. It's a breeze to drive around with little in the way of congestion except for during the morning and evening rush hours - and even then it's not very bad. If we want to go to Sydney its just a few hours easy drive away, and in winter the snowfields are about the same distance. The nearest coastal town, Batemans Bay is about two hours away.

Canberra is not for everyone, but for us life is good and we're happy here

Canberra has a very definate city centre complete a shopping precinct, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, etc. Google Earth it and you'll see

Yeah but does it have an Indoor Ski slope and a sky diving simulator ? Heh it doesn't even have Concrete Cows or Canals

You've got me there

Those sky diving simulators are ace. We treated our kids to that experience when we were in the UK, they thoroughly enjoyed it!

We don't have concrete cows but we do have giant chopsticks

Yehp want to have a proper go myself.

Of course Canberra has cow sculptures http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosrusspix/3946483983/ doesn't everywhere that is anywhere?

It has metal sheep though!

There are some fake zebras on the "shore" of Lake George.

Actually this city has a lot of bling

Heard this on the radio this morning and thought it was very funny:

Canberra - Pyongyang without the dystopia

They were there years ago but not seen them on recent visits.

I lived and worked in Canberra for 6 months a couple of years back. It is indeed quiet after 5pm and at weekends but there are some good spots. I lived in Kingston and never ate or drank so much fine food and ale in my life....didn't have time for the library!
We have friends who have a vineyard on its outskirts and their kids enjoyed growing up there but have all moved away, either to get better jobs or to experience life a bit. Canberra can be a bit quiet and a lot of the pubs and restaurants during the week are filled with Defence/Political/Contractor types who fade away after 9pm.
Would I live there? No thanks, too hot in summer and too cold in winter and I don't like its individual suburbs which just seem bland to me.

Easy to knock it, and there have been some success stories.

I reckon you could have a life in Canberra if you got in with the right crowd, perhaps due to work, and were senior in your field, say, and came into contact with liked-minded people.

I have some very good contacts in Canberra and am extremely senior in my field, that is of no consequence. I wasn't knocking Canberra, just giving my honest opinion from living there and being a regular visitor.

Just got back from Canberra Day celebration on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. A couple of great Canberra bands the Gadflys, 78 Saab and The Church were playing at Regatta Point. Oh well, maybe the The Church are technically from Sydney but close enough. In true Canberra style we rode our bikes down to the lake along some lovely bike paths.

We did the same.