Choosing to Move to Canberra: What You Need to Know

Relocating to a new city represents a major life decision for everyone who considers it. This guide provides essential insights to help you decide if Canberra meets your requirements as a potential new home. We will examine Canberra's distinctiveness through its cost of living and job opportunities while exploring lifestyle factors that allow residents to fully enjoy living in the Bush Capital.

Understanding Canberra's Character

Canberra stands out from other global capitals because it was specifically constructed to function as Australia's federal capital. The American architect Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin designed Canberra in 1913 with a meticulously planned structure that revolves around Lake Burley Griffin. The purposeful design of Canberra creates a special character that distinguishes it from other Australian cities. The National Capital Authority website provides detailed information about the history of Canberra.

Canberra earns the nickname "big country town" because it merges city amenities with a laid-back vibe alongside extensive natural surroundings. Approximately 450,000 people live in the city which ranks as Australia's eighth-largest city thus providing various opportunities while sustaining a communal atmosphere. Visit Canberra's official tourism website to discover the full range of attractions and activities available in the city.

Cost of Living Considerations

You must understand the financial implications before making any move. This section provides important insights about living expenses in Canberra.

Housing

Canberra stands among Australia's most expensive housing markets with median prices that challenge those in Sydney and Melbourne.

• Median house price: Approximately $900,000-$1 million (as of early 2025)
• Median unit price: Around $500,000-$600,000
• Weekly rent for houses: $550-$750
• Weekly rent for apartments: $400-$600

The housing market varies significantly by suburb. Premium property prices characterize inner-city neighborhoods such as Kingston, Braddon, and Turner but first-home buyers find better value in newer suburbs like Gungahlin and Molonglo Valley. Domain's Canberra market report provides updated property prices.

Daily Expenses

• Food and grocery expenses in this area match those found in other major cities throughout Australia.
• Canberra experiences high utility costs because of its extreme weather conditions which produce intense summer heat and frigid winters.
• The MyWay card system enables passengers to access affordable public transportation options.
• The cost of parking in the city center reaches high levels during business hours.

The Cost of Living Calculator enables users to compare living expenses across different Australian cities.

Taxation

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is moving towards eliminating stamp duty for property purchases by introducing increased property tax rates instead. First-time home buyers receive benefits but homeowners face increased long-term expenses. You can find details about the ACT's tax reform program through the ACT Revenue Office website.

Employment Opportunities

Canberra's job market has some distinctive characteristics:

Public Sector Employment

Canberra's biggest employer is the federal government which accounts for about 40% of public sector jobs in public administration. This creates:

• Stable employment opportunities
• Competitive salaries
• Strong benefits and work-life balance policies
• Graduate programs for new professionals

You can view Australian Public Service job openings through the official APS jobs website.

Growing Private Sectors

Although government employment makes up the majority of jobs in Canberra, the city also supports multiple expanding industries.

• Information technology and cybersecurity
• Healthcare and social assistance
• Education and research
• Professional services
• Construction and infrastructure

Find Canberra's economic development strategy through the ACT Government website.

Education and Research

Canberra hosts several prestigious educational institutions:

• Australian National University (ANU)
• University of Canberra
• Australian Defence Force Academy
• CSIRO and other research organizations

The educational and research institutions present in Canberra provide jobs for both scholarly professionals and their administrative assistants.

Lifestyle and Amenities

The distinctive lifestyle of Canberra brings in a large number of people who decide to reside in the city.

Four Distinct Seasons

Canberra has more distinct seasonal changes than Australian coastal cities.

• Scorching summer months occur when temperatures routinely surpass 30°C in dry conditions.
• Autumn with spectacular changing foliage
• The nearby regions experience cold winter seasons that bring frost and sometimes snow to the area.
• Vibrant spring featuring the famous Floriade festival

You need to buy clothes for both summer heat and winter cold! Visit the Bureau of Meteorology website to find Canberra's climate data.

Nature and Recreation

Canberra stands as Australia's biggest inland city yet maintains remarkable access to natural landscapes.

• The Lake Burley Griffin hosts activities like sailing, rowing, paddleboarding and cycling
• Numerous nature reserves within the city limits
• The Brindabella Ranges combined with Namadgi National Park offer excellent trails for hiking and camping experiences.
• Access to the Snowy Mountains ski fields is available with a 2.5-hour drive from Canberra.

Access Canberra's parks and reserves information through the ACT Government's Environment webpage.

Culture and Entertainment

The national capital Canberra features cultural institutions recognized internationally.

• National Gallery of Australia
• National Museum of Australia
• National Library
• Australian War Memorial

You can explore Parliamentary buildings and exhibitions through the official Parliament House website.

A variety of festivals take place in the city throughout the year including the Multicultural Festival and Enlighten along with the National Folk Festival. Check out What's On in Canberra.

Food and Dining

The culinary landscape of Canberra has experienced significant growth in the past few years.

• The café scene has become particularly dynamic in Braddon and Manuka regions.
• Award-winning restaurants showcasing local produce
• Regular farmers' markets
• The city lies close to the region's cool-climate wineries.

Discover Canberra's food offerings through the HerCanberra food guide.

Finding Your Community

People who have recently moved to the city face challenges when trying to establish social connections. Canberra provides plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded people.

Spiritual Communities

The city of Canberra supports multiple religious and spiritual groups that serve different faiths.

Newcomers and young professionals who want to be part of an up-to-date Christian fellowship have found Divergent Church Canberra popular. Divergent Church hosts weekly services and small group gatherings while maintaining a friendly environment and active community programs. Through their community events and volunteer opportunities people with similar interests can connect while contributing to the broader Canberra community.

Throughout the city numerous faith communities from various traditions remain active and most exhibit a welcoming attitude towards newcomers. The ACT Multicultural Directory is a resource for locating religious organizations throughout Canberra.

Interest-Based Communities

The small scale of Canberra creates better opportunities to discover and participate in interest-based communities.

• There are sporting clubs available for activities ranging from dragon boating to ultimate frisbee.
• Arts and crafts communities with regular workshops
• Environmental groups and community gardens
• Professional networks and industry associations
• Language and cultural groups

The ACT Government Community Directory helps you locate various groups and clubs.

Neighborhood Communities

Active community councils and neighborhood initiatives operate throughout many suburbs in Canberra.

• Community events and festivals
• Shared facilities like community centers and gardens
• Local social media groups that facilitate connections

Identify your local community council via the Combined Community Councils of the ACT.

Transport and Getting Around

Understanding Canberra's transport system is essential:

Public Transport

• The tram system links Gungahlin to Canberra's city center and future extensions are underway.
• Public transit reaches most suburbs although the bus frequency drops significantly during non-peak travel times
• Transport Canberra's MyWay card provides discounted fares

Use Transport Canberra's trip planner to design your route.

Car Ownership

The majority of Canberra residents use cars to travel primarily because of:

• The spread-out nature of the city
• Most areas provide abundant parking spaces except for the city center during business hours.
• Some newer suburbs experience restricted public transportation services.

Check ACT vehicle registration requirements and costs.

Cycling Infrastructure

Canberra possesses a superior network of bicycle paths.

• Over 400km of dedicated cycle paths
• Relatively flat terrain in many areas
• Bike-friendly roads and infrastructure

Find your way through Canberra's cycling routes using the CBR Cycle Routes map.

Final Considerations Before Moving

It's essential to go through these practical steps before you reach your decision.

• Make seasonal visits to Canberra to fully experience its varying climate conditions. Identify scheduled events which may overlap with your travel plans.
• Identify neighborhoods that match your lifestyle preferences and financial plan. Explore suburb profiles on AllHomes.
• If you can find a job beforehand, do so before moving unless you work in the public sector. Browse job opportunities on Seek's Canberra listings.
• Before you arrive in Canberra establish connections with community organizations such as Divergent Church and groups based on interests. Find community groups on MeetUp Canberra.
• Evaluate how close essential services like schools, healthcare facilities, and transportation lines are to prospective locations. Use the My School website to assess school performance and locations.

Canberra delivers both urban conveniences and natural attractions alongside secure job opportunities and robust community connections. Even though living expenses can be steep many locals believe that the excellent quality of life paired with good work-life balance outweighs this difficulty. Canberra offers a warm welcome to newcomers whether they seek government careers or educational opportunities or want to experience a different lifestyle pace.