Moving to Canberra, Australia - Advice needed

[smallisland]

Myself, DH, DD. 10yrs & DD. 8yrs have the opportunity to emigrate to Canberra, ACT in 2015. DH has secured an excellent job and salary.

Has anyone emigrated to or lived in Canberra? I am told that it has changed a lot in the last 10 yrs. Overall I understand that it is excellent for family life.

Any insights into Canberra and emigration to Australia are very welcomed thank you!

We looked into Canberra recently as a job came up there for DH - they had to go for an Aussie candidate though (rules and regulations) in the end. However we really liked the look of it. We have great friends there who relocated there from Melbourne a few years back and they have a really good quality of life - lifestyle block, 'chooks', plenty of trips to national parks, great schools, not too far from coast or mountains. Obviously loads of people are v negative about it as a city as you will already know, I am sure! But I get the impression it's on the up

This is an upbeat article about the city:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21740768

Good luck!

Canberra is highly under rated! Loved it when we visited! Close to the snow and beaches. It's the only land locked capital, hence why people generally are negative. Obviously huge gov. Population.
Good schools. Not over priced. If nothing else a good place to start an immigrant journey!

I lived there for some years and have friends who live there now - also had family live there too

You'd be hard pushed to find a better place to raise children

I've lived in many many places - Canberra remains the only city in Australia I would consider living in

Thank you all so much for your posts they are extremely helpful and reassuring :) Feeling excited about our opportunity now. :)