Where to live in Canberra?

[Dai]

Hi Folks,

I'm looking to relocate to Canberra in the next few months and I was hoping for a bit of advice on better places to live if I want to cycle to work. Looking to live in a unit/townhouse (but not averse to a house) and happy to commute pretty much any distance (although shorter is better). I'm a pretty confident road cyclist, so I'm happy to ride on busier roads (but would prefer not to if I can avoid it). At this stage I think I'll be working in Civic.

Any advice or suggestions you guys could offer me would be greatly appreciated.

[Warnesy]

Have a look around the Woden Valley area, plenty of bike paths from there into the city, nice suburbs. Somewhere like Chiefly perhaps. I live in Jerrabomberra, which is just across the border, but only about 15kms into the city, and there are plenty of townhouses around here.

You could go northside, but then I couldn't talk to you

The one thing you'll learn about Canberra is that nowhere is very far from anywhere.

[jcjordan]

You could go northside, but then I couldn't talk to you

The one thing you'll learn about Canberra is that nowhere is very far from anywhere.

I would certainly agree with both of those statements.
I live in Gordon and ride 38km each way to work in Fairbairn. My suggestion is to look to the south side of the river as the riding is better in terms of routes and traffic.

[FXST01]

Here are a couple of maps that show bike/walking tracks in and around Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Canberra.
http://apps.actpla.act.gov.au/plandev/tp-intro/projects/walk_cycle/cyclemap/queanbeyan_path_map3.swf
http://apps.actpla.act.gov.au/plandev/tp-intro/projects/walk_cycle/cyclemap/canberra_path_map3.swf

+2 for Jerrabomberra

[rockviewau]

north side around gunghalin seems to have more construction going on. Belconnen looks ok. But as previous posters have said, we wouldnt talk to you.

south side is more established in all areas of life, like parks, shops, infrastructure. I live in Tuggeranong which is about 20-25kms to the city. More houses down here. I used to live in Mawson, which is about 15kms to city (very easy ride) and you have choice of road or path. Mawson has a fair few units around that area.

Canberra is nice, you will enjoy the change.

[m@]

You sure know how to set the cat amongst the pigeons – Canberrans are more parochial than Tasmanians!

I think the inner north ticks all your boxes – very close to Civic, lots of units and townhouses and IMO a great area to live.

[Ross]

It's only about an hour drive from the very furtherest northern suburb to the furtherest south suburb (except peak hour). Dpepends how much your budget is too. Rent is quite dear in Canberra and can be quite hard to get a place too - you often have to offer more than what they are asking and have excellent records and references.

http://www.allhomes.com.au/

[Dai]

Thanks for all the advice so far everyone. Great advice on the allhomes.com.au website, I had been looking on real-estate.com.au and was starting to despair a bit. Thanks also for all the suburb recommendations too. It's so hard knowing where to live without having a feel for the place.

The rent is certainly dearer than Brisbane that's for sure, but hopefully we can get an EER 6 place and save a bit on energy costs (not to mention adjust to the cold after the Queensland climate).

Cheers all!

[mrgolf]

Southsiders don't talk to northsiders out of petty jealousy. Inner North is where its at. MTBing with 5kms and great rides in and out of town. Cycle paths aren't much chop, though. Inner north is $, though. You will save lots of $ in petrol, though. I do.

[Aenveigh]

Sorry to dissent but I'd go inner north if you can afford it and are working in Civic. There are cheaper places about if you're not fussed by an older place, if you're after an EER6 new place it might be $$.

Quick bike or even walk to work, good cafes, and accessible to all the bike paths or road cycling if you want to go for long rides. If you don't feel up to riding on any given day, there's plenty of buses around (although you might want to check the frequency - some suburbs might get hourly service offpeak, others much better). Lots of apartments and townhouses in the inner north, and since you sound like you're arriving off-peak (ie, when ADFA and the graduate programs aren't starting) it's a bit easier to get a place.

I started out southside but have ended up enjoying the north more - just more accessible, cheaper cab rides, better shops for me, etc. As has been mentioned though, Canberra isn't that big, so wherever you end up tends to be accessible from more or less everywhere.

[Robdog]

Weston Creek area is the Mecca for cyclists - Closest to the Brindabella ranges, Stromlo Forest Park in your backyard, 15 minutes to everywhere that's worth mentioning etc. Not much by way of townhouses though

[Jean]

I'll dissent from everyone - stay in Brisbane! If you have to come, buy an MTB.

[davidf140270]

I live in Watson and even though it doesn't look that close on the map I can ride into civic in under 15 minutes. The inner north is pretty well established and feels a bit less suburban then south-side.

[mrgolf]

This man knows! Watson reprazent, yo!

[mezla]

You really can't beat the Inner North. You can search by area on AllHomes.

I've lived in Watson (twice), Kaleen, Spence, Holder, Lyons, Reid, Civic, and am now in Downer. I recommend Lyneham, Downer, O'Connor, Watson, Dickson, Braddon, Hackett, Campbell, Ainslie, Turner.

All close to civic, and close to Black Mountain and Mount Ainslie when you feel like riding up a nasty hill.

[seddo]

what no votes for Charny

[Robdog]

what no votes for Charny

The only reason for a cyclist to live in Charnie is to get some sprint training in - getting the hell out ASAP

[mrgolf]

I once got a flat on the bakery bunch going through charnie. I didn't care for it.

[nescius]

what no votes for Charny

The only reason for a cyclist to live in Charnie is to get some sprint training in - getting the hell out ASAP

I accidentally rode through Charnwood once, the residents seem to communicate almost exclusively with profanities, I haven't been back

edit: And to answer the where to live question, I can recommend the inner north

[Jean]

what no votes for Charny

The only reason for a cyclist to live in Charnie is to get some sprint training in - getting the hell out ASAP

Having (unfortunately) once lived in Dunlop for a few years, going through Charnwood was naturally unavoidable. In my experience the thing I got most practiced at was changing tubes thanks to the glass!

[rockviewau]

north side seems to have a lot more chemical fires.... i wouldnt want to live in a place like that........

[bpmhigh]

Our building was closed today so I got the phone call from my boss saying "no work today" closely followed by "let's take the mountain bikes to Stromlo".

My first visit - awesome fun!

[HAKS]

Stromlo = win