In the year 2000, American travel author Bill Bryson disliked Canberra so much he went as far to give the city its own slogan – “Canberra. Why wait for death?” – describing the nation’s capital as scattered and vague, sleepy, and devoid of any signs of life.
Let’s be honest – Canberra’s never going to draw in crowds the likes of New York or Tokyo, but to give the nation’s capital some credit, it has come a long way from its reputation of a lifeless city chockablock with politicians and oversized roundabouts.
Economically speaking, Canberra has a bright future ahead of it: The ACT Government recently announced a $3 billion spend on the city’s physical and digital infrastructure, the unemployment rate is at a minuscule 4.1 per cent and the city is in the midst of a 3.4 per cent economic growth.
Lonely Planet, an internationally acclaimed travel publisher, even ranked Canberra as #3 in their list of top 10 cities to visit next year. So drop your prejudices, open your mind and discover the reasons why Canberra is actually a pretty amazing place to live.
1/ More Bang For Your Buck
Sitting at roughly 3 per cent cheaper then Melbourne and 15 per cent cheaper than Sydney, life in Canberra allows you to get by for a lot less, meaning you can spend more on things that matter – like smashed avo and lattes.
Property and rent prices are also considerably lower compared to other major Australian cities, while for those looking for investment opportunities, the average apartment rental yield is currently sitting at an incredibly strong 5.8 per cent.
2/ Location, Location
One the biggest irks people commonly have about Canberra is that it’s so far away from everything – but in reality, its location is one of the best things about living there.
Positioned beautifully between Sydney and the Snowy Mountains, Canberra’s central location allows you to drive a few hours and – depending on the season – soak up the sun at the beach, or drive in the opposite direction and hit the snowfields.
Canberra’s relatively small size also means you’re able to drive from one side of the city to the other in around thirty minutes, meaning anything you need is only a short trip away. And located less than an hour from 140 wineries, how could anyone possibly complain about that?
3/ It’s a Good Life
Canberra’s superb lifestyle is one of the city’s biggest draw cards, so much so that the nation’s capital topped world rankings for the highest quality of living in the numbeo.com ‘quality of life’ index.
Home to over 2,500 cultural and creative businesses, Canberra always has something going on. Most notably in recent years, Canberra has well and truly developed into a foodie haven with delicious places to eat practically everywhere you go. Coffee lovers can also rejoice: Canberra is home to ONA Coffee, the cafe owned by Australia’s barista champion.
Jobs are a lot easier to come by in Canberra, and due to almost zero traffic congestion, getting around the city is a breeze whether you’re driving, catching public transport or making the most of the hundreds of bike paths.
Simply put, Canberra is the perfect destination for those who enjoy a more relaxed, laid-back pace of life.
4/ The People Are Young, Educated and Welcoming
Boasting six renowned universities – including the highest ranked in Australia – home to over 64,000 students from all around the world, the ACT has the most educated population in Australia with around 34 per cent of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, and is known as the country’s education and knowledge capital.
A young, vibrant and thriving city with 46 per cent of residents aged between 20-50 years, Canberra is known for its diversity and acceptance of people from all walks of life with 25 per cent of residents born overseas.
With a population of only 400,000, Canberra has an incredibly strong sense of community, meaning the chances are you’ll probably well and truly love thy neighbour.
5/ The Serenity
Canberra is a fantastic place to find a quiet spot and just take in the sights and sounds of nature. A city where you can’t look anywhere without seeing a leaf or a lush patch of greenery, Canberra is also jam-packed full of kangaroos.
You’ll see them laying in sunny backyards or bounding across highways, with the rare roo even making its way into the CBD – something you’d never, ever experience living in any other city.
Furthermore there are lakes and nature hikes coming out of your ears, meaning each and every adventure will produce something unique and even more spectacular than the last.