Moving to Canberra? Here are a few things you really need to know!
An Overview Of The National Capital
The approximate population of the national capital is 425,000. It is the largest inland city covering 814 square kilometres land and the eighth-largest city in Australia. Canberra is counted among the cleanest, safe, and healthiest cities in the world. The city’s name was derived from Kambera or Canberry, which means meeting place in the language of its native people the Ngunnawal. Canberra is a planned city, also called the ’20 minute city’ due to accessibility which allows its residents and non-residents to reach point A from B within 20 minutes. What’s more, Canberra is lush, green, and highly cosmopolitan. Climate The city has a subtropical highland climate, which means it has hot & humid summers with cold to mild winters. January is the hottest month of the year and July is the coldest. The city’s seasons and average temperatures are as follows: • Summer starts from December until February with an average temperature of 26° C (High) and 13°C (Low) approximately. It is also called the holiday season due to Christmas, new years, and Australia Day celebrations. • Autumn months are March, April, and May with average temperatures of 19° C (High) and 3°C (Low) approximately. The transition of seasons from summer to fall is seamless. The weather becomes slightly cooler. • Winter lasts from June to August with average temperatures of 12° C (High) and 0.6 °C (Low) approximately. For snow lovers, the best place to visit is the Australian Alps. • Spring is from September to November with average temperatures of 20° C (High) and 6°C (Low) approximately. October witnesses the most rainfall. Knowing about the city’s climate is essential for an easier and quicker house move and timely booking of professional removalists in Canberra. Culture & Tourism The city has a rich art, political and historical culture. It is the best place in Australia to explore social and cultural institutions such as • The Parliament House • Australian National University • Australian War Memorial • The National Museum • The National Library • Australian Institute of Sports • National Gallery of Australia • National Art Gallery of Australia Besides these tops places, there are many theatres, galleries, museums, and monuments to visit. The people of Canberra are civilised, welcoming, and enjoy the freedom of speech & expression. The people are extremely politically aligned, and politics is a major part of Canberra’s culture. Tourism is a significant part of the city. According to VisitCanberra that leads the city’s tourism industry, over 5.48 million international and domestic visitors came to Canberra by June 2019 (year ending), and the total expenditure was $2.82 billion. Healthcare There are two types of healthcare in Canberra, public and private. The public healthcare system is Medicare that is available for permanent residents, citizens, and immigrants of Australia. The two major public hospitals are Canberra Hospital and Cavalry Public hospital. The public healthcare system pays for medical expenses for appoints with doctors, laboratory tests, prescription medication, and treatment in hospitals of the state. Private health care is the best option for locals & non-residents who can pay for it, expats, and people having private or international medical insurance. It is recommended you visit a Medicare office within 7-10 days of arriving in the country.Popular Suburbs & The North-South Divide
For a successful move, it is essential to gain knowledge about which suburbs are the best to live in Canberra. Most of the popular suburbs are near the CBD, and their names are mentioned below. • Barton • Braddon • Kingston • Griffith • Kambah • Harrison • Watson • Bruce • Turner • Bonner • Lyneham All these suburbs are close to the Canberra central business district. They have shopping centres and close to educational, medical, sports, and other facilities. The north-south divide is due to the artificial Lake Burley Griffin, which separates the city in two. It starts from the east and ends at the west. Due to this partition, Canberra is often called the divided capital. People prefer to move with the help of removalists in Canberra and stay on their current side.Settling In Canberra
Whether you are moving interstate or internationally to Canberra, relocation is never easy. Therefore, it is imperative to know your options and make decisions carefully. Also, it is wise to get professional help from removalists in Canberra and counselling before moving. You need to plan everything properly and months in advance. Here are some essential things to consider. Demographics The most popular districts are North Canberra, South Canberra, Belconnen, Woden Valley, Weston Creek, Tuggeranong, and Gungahlin. Out of these major districts, North Canberra is the oldest and Gungahlin has witnessed the most growth after the 90s. All these districts have suburbs, and you need to choose one according to your connectivity, space, amenities, and opportunity requirements. Since it is a planned city, all the major commercial and business centres are near. Also, you will find retail shops, schools, eateries, gardens, parks etc. in every suburb. Rent or Buy When moving to a new place overseas, it is always best to rent rather than buy. The options will be more, and it will give you the time to settle, give interviews or set your business, start your jobs, etc. The median rent is approximately $550 for a house and $465 for an apartment. If you are moving interstate, according to your financial conditions, decide to either rent or buy a property in Canberra. The median price for a house is $675,000, and an apartment is $200,000. If you are a first-time purchaser of a house, you can even check your eligibility for the First Home Owner Grant. You can search for properties online or offline (if you can). Also, it would be great to get in touch with a trusted real estate professional to give you proper advice according to your needs and financial status. Work Opportunities Although the competition in the service sector is high, the unemployment rate of Canberra by October 2019 was only 3.3%, which is comparatively lower than other significant cities in Australia. Contrary to popular belief, the major employer in the city is the Commonwealth Government employing approximately 242,100 people in administrative, financial, and public affair roles. Besides the public sector, jobs in the private sector are offered by small, medium, and big businesses. What’s more, the city has the highest pay rate among other major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc. Some of Canberra’s key industries are mentioned below. • Defence and public services • Real Estate Development, Construction, and Trading • Communication and Information Technology • Sports, Arts, and Recreation • Private & Professional Organisations • Health Care • Education • Hospitality and Tourism The prospects of getting a job are high after the end of January, as the holiday season is over. Also, it is common for people to come to the city for contract jobs and leave once the work is done. This scenario encourages vacancies and the need for skilled professionals for a variety of employment prospects. Educational Opportunities Canberra is a great city for education. It has the most number of educated people in Australia. The city is home to the Australian National University (ANU), University of Canberra (UC), Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Military College, and Canberra Institute of Technology. Besides this, the city has a host of prestigious public and private schools. The government operates majority of the schools, and the private schools attribute to about 40% of the city’s enrolments. The senior secondary system of Canberra is different than other cities, as students attend colleges for the 11th and 12th year of school. Colleges are similar to universities. Students choose their subjects, attend classes when scheduled, don’t wear uniforms and get ACT Senior Secondary Certificate after completion of the college years.Transportation
The city’s planned structure makes it ideal for commuting. Usually, you can reach anywhere within 20 minutes. The most popular public modes of transport are Buses, Light Rail, and Taxis. The capital city’s metro rail services are expanding and, so buses are extensively used. Also, people travel via cars and other private vehicles. There are many roundabouts but no toll roads. The government has a transport website to make the commute easier for all.Wrapping Up
Once you consider all these things, you can make informed decisions. Canberra is a lucrative city to live alone, with friends or with family. So, if you haven’t already started the preparation for the relocation, you must create a checklist, complete all formalities, book reputed removalists in Canberra, hire professional cleaners, and make all necessary arrangements to make your shift smooth and hassle-free.
