
Before you move to a new city, you must do a thorough research about the housing market in the new city. You can check out the real estate properties on various online portals. You can also speak to local realtors about the properties in your desired neighbourhood. Make sure to inform them about your budget and desired neighbourhood. They will also be able to give you recommendations on real estate options in Canberra. Then, make sure to follow up with the realtors to discuss your needs.
Getting Here
A coach service interstate Melbourne to Canberra would cost just over $100 one-way and would take about an 8-hour trip. These trips are frequent daily and most often you can book a day before travel.
If you are relocating and have a car then, from Melbourne driving to Canberra is only 7 hours away and even closer from Sydney with only 4 hours of travel time. However, you will still need to get your belongings here in one piece. So, hiring interstate removalists Melbourne or Sydney companies to do the heavy lifting for you is your best option as routes are frequent and most trucks come with people to do the heavy lifting for you. Just plan well in advance. If you are relocating from a town within a radius of 100kms from Canberra. Local Canberra removalists are able to take on the job too.
Living in Canberra: Pros and Cons
While living in Canberra, you’ll find that it’s a cosmopolitan city with a small-town atmosphere. The city is a little less well-known than Sydney and Melbourne, but it has plenty to offer. The city is not on the coast, but it has a quiet bush setting, good schools, and government infrastructure that supports the local job market. Unlike many state capitals, unemployment in Canberra is low.
The city is a collection of separated, sparsely built communities. Most shopping centers are closed after 6pm and there are no nightlife areas. As such, you can expect a very quiet neighborhood. If you love the outdoors, Canberra is definitely for you.
Best Canberra Suburbs to Live In
If you’re thinking about moving to Canberra, you may be wondering which suburbs are best. For many years, Canberra was considered an oversupplied and overpriced city, but the market seems to have reached a turning point, and it looks set to grow over the next few years. Located close to the city’s CBD, the suburbs of Belconnen and Kingston are popular for their proximity to the universities, the International Sports and Aquatic Centre, and local shops.
The suburb of Griffith is particularly popular among members of parliament, as it is the oldest in the city. This naturally and architecturally established suburb is home to 12 parks. In fact, it’s the most expensive suburb in the city, with median sale prices of A$2.1 million. But if you can afford it, why not live in this lifestyle-friendly suburb! There’s a great sense of community in this vibrant neighbourhood, which is surrounded by beautiful natural areas.
Culture in Canberra
There is a sparse range of culture to discover in Canberra. From the National Gallery to the National Portrait Gallery, you can enjoy the works of famous Australians past and present. Smaller art galleries are also located in the capital city, so you’ll find plenty of things to see and do. For a taste of authentic Aboriginal culture, you can also go on a guided tour and see hidden rock art, traditional stone tools, and historical artefacts.
While exploring the city, you may also want to experience some of the country’s cultural institutions. The National Gallery of Australia, National Museum, and National Museum of Australia are among the best places to experience Australia’s political culture. You can also visit the National Dinosaur Museum to get a glimpse of a different side of Australia. There are so many things to see in Canberra that you can’t fit it all into a single trip!
Getting Around Canberra
Despite being the capital of Australia, Canberra has a very small population, and therefore offers an abundance of transport options. There are buses, trains, and the recently launched light rail, and it is easy to travel from one place to another. Alternatively, you can use your own car or hire one to explore the city. Cycling and paddling are also great ways to get around Canberra.
Public transport is not the easiest form of transport, but it is cheap and accessible. Buses are infrequent, especially when compared to Sydney or Melbourne. The light rail hasn’t even been fully launched yet, and it will initially only service the north of the city. Since Canberra has a large student population, buses are a practical and cost-effective option. However, most residents of the city rely on cars or bicycles.
Canberra’s Climate
The climate of Canberra is oceanic. The average daytime temperature is 29°C during the warmest months of the year and a daytime temperature of 12°C during the coldest months of the year. In winter, the area is prone to frost and could get an overnight low of -2°C. The city’s leeward side experiences snowfall during winter months. Foehn winds, which blow from the west and bring cool temperatures from Australia to Europe, are often felt in Canberra. Foehn winds are evident in the climate of Canberra by anomalously warm maxima.
The ACT is experiencing the effects of global warming, as annual average temperatures are expected to increase in the coming decades. Furthermore, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. In January 2019, Canberra recorded 5 days with a high temperature of over 40°C. Since 1970, Canberra has not seen this high of a temperature in over 25 years. This warming trend will continue into the future, affecting both the people and the natural environment unless Australia sticks to its target of net zero emissions by 2050.