Jonord1

Hi - we're a family of four, with a three and five year old. We've been here for two years and like it here very much. Would be happy to meet up if you like?

Hi Bex - We've been here around 20 months and really love living here. We came from North East of England with a 1 and 2 year old (at the time) and needed to sell a house, so we have some understanding of how it is. We live in Harrison in Gungahlin (north of the city) and its a really great place to raise kids. Lots going on, lots to do. If you want to meet up with us you are very welcome. We could give you the benefit of some experience. By all means PM me on here.

thanks Mark - would be good to meet up when you get here. You can contact me via here.

Hi, My family and I have now lived in Canberra for around 15 months. This website was quite a big help to us in planning our move, so thought I would repay the favour and hopefully help some people out who are now planning the move. First up, we're a British family who moved from the North East (near Durham). My wife and I have two kids, who are 2 and nearly 4. We were granted a PR visa (old 176) on my skills as a Policy Analyst, although I understand that this is no longer on the list. Where to start? We arrived in Aug 2013 and used serviced apartments in Braddon (inner north), until we sorted out a longer term rental in Gungahlin. This is a relatively new development in the North of Canberra, which is popular with families with young children. It has really good facilities and good public transport access into Civic for work. I was fortunate to get a good job with the ACT Govt and like it there very much. As a Perm Res, you can work for State & Territory Govts. Rentals are very easy to get and I think its getting easier, certainly a lot of media talk seems to be about prices dropping. We love living here. I genuinely don't understand why the rest of Australia has a go at Canberra, it remains a total mystery to me. At our stage of life, it really is a fantastic place to raise children. There are so many things to do, places to go, events on (usually free) and the city is so well served with parks. The city is safe, people are usually polite, educated and quite wordly, so we've found it quite easy to mix and meet new people. I find it quite odd that Canberra's safety is sometimes used as a criticism of it, as though it is not edgy enough. When you have kids, I've found that the desire to live in an edgy neighbourhood tends to fade. The fact that so many people have come here from somewhere else contributes to the ease to meet people in my view, although there is no doubt that having kids has made it easier to mix with people. The city also feels as though it is developing and even in a year we can see positive changes. There are loads of good quality restaurants and cafes too, with more coming all the time. It has to be one of the most naturally pretty cities I have ever seen too, with a very laid back feel and nowhere is too far away. We are also only 2 hours (very easy drive) from some of the most fantastic coastline that Australia can offer. From Wollongong all the way to the Victoria border is simply stunning. Loads of vineyards and high quality food production locally, so great for seasonal eating. If you eat with the seasons and are prepared to use markets - I think you can eat quite well, for quite reasonable prices. I think clothes shopping is quite poor, but then with two toddlers you don't particularly feel like going shopping very often. To be honest, I find clothes shopping in Australia quite poor compared to the UK, so I'm not sure anywhere in Australia will impress you if you are used to the UK. I like the climate here. Winter is cool, although the days are invariably crisp and sunny. I've found that more modern houses are built better and cope with the cool night perfectly well. Sure, I can understand that if you are from Darwin, winters are cold here, but poms shouldn't have any worries with the winter. Due to Canberra being the bush capital, which is an accurate description, spring and autumn are really beautiful and a really nice temp. Summers are hot, although the dry heat is more comfortable to me than, say, Brisbane's humidity. Thats it for now, if you have any questions, please feel free. I hope this is helpful. Anyone moving from the UK, or recently arrived, who wants to meet up and chat, drop us a line. Thanks.

Very grateful. Thank you

Hi - more advice required please. We're after suggestions for furniture shopping. We are after a dining table, beds and other living room furniture. We don't want to spend big on an ideal home exhibition, we have two toddlers, but don't want tat either. Suggestions?

Thanks Cal - v grateful to you.

Great - big help. Thank you.

We need to buy a travel cot as soon as we arrive into Canberra, any advice on where would be a good place to get one?

Dead right Slean wolfhead - at nine degrees in the north east, we're almost into summer attire!

Hi all, My wife, two children ( coming up three years old and one year old) and I are moving to Canberra. We arrive on 5th August. We have a month long let initially in Lyneham. We are originally from just outside Durham. We cant wait to get there. Would love to meet people similar to us when we arrive. PM me for our contact details. Thanks.

we're very excited - although nervous too, as you can imagine. Teesville - I know it well. I used to work on Fabian Road, at the Town Hall. I work in public policy now, so looking for work in that sort of field. happy to meet up before we go if you like. If you want, DM me your email address and I can let you know how things are going?

Hi Skellysgirl. We actually live in Sedgefield at the moment - hope to be in Canberra by Sept. I'm originally from Middlesbrough, used to live in Hutton Road at Longlands. Would be great to keep in touch - Boro people in Canberra!

We are due to move to Canberra at the end of June/start of July. We are a couple in our early 30s, with two children 2.5 and nearly 1. Initially, we will be going into serviced apartments, but are looking for a longer term rent in Holt, or Harrison. Does anyone have any views on those neighbourhoods? We're keen for somewhere with access to parks for our children and a decent selection of local shops. any thoughts would be gratefully received. Would be good to meet up with PIO people when we are there too. We're from Durham.

Hi all. MY wife and I are moving to Canberra at end of Jun/start of July. We are a couple in our mid 30s and have two children. Will is 2.5 and Maddie is 1 in July. Would be great to meet with people already in Canberra, or due to get there soon.