Ask RiotACT: Moving to Canberra

gazket said :

O’malley , Easy distance from Woden nice views, with affordable family housing.

gazket is being ‘funny’. The cheapest house for sale on Allhomes in O’Malley at present is $1,525,000.

O’malley , Easy distance from Woden nice views, with affordable family housing.

Canberra is really strange re suburb profiles and reputations. e.g. Torrens is regarded as “not so good” while Mawson is great – and I couldn’t tell you what that reputation is based on as I can’t see any substantial difference between them (from a distance – inner Northian here). Curtin and Hughes -also great suburbs – might be just within your budget (four bedrooms might be stretching it). The local shopping centre is very important.

Hi OP.
Firstly, good luck with your impending move.

For what it is worth, Chapman and Rivett in Weston Creek are worth a look at. House prices may be closer to the top end of your budget but if what you are looking for is a good solid community with decent schools and accessibility to shopping centres and amenities it may be worth looking into.

Chapman Primary has an excellent reputation and is adjacent to a pre-school. The closest high school is Stromlo, though I would suggest looking into others before deciding on it as a secondary school option– mixed reviews.

Chapman and Rivett are both about a 5 minute drive or brisk 20 minute walk from Coolomon Court which has everything you need in terms of shopping and if you’re after a shopping mall, Westfield Woden is about 20 minutes away.

Public transport (buses) are OK with most services running either on the half hour or the hour (depending on the time of day)– there are also plenty of sports ovals and local clubs that your kids / hubby can get into.

Once again, good luck and welcome to Canberra!

Maya123 said :

Aragornerama said :

Consider looking at Narrabundah (the parts between Captain Cook Crescent/Jerrabomberra Av and Red Hill, or between Sturt St and Griffith are especially nice) for the Telopea catchment area, and Lyneham/O’Connor/Watson for Lyneham High School. All are good suburbs, but in the more affordable range for their area.

Consider all Narrabundah. There is an outdated idea that some parts of Narrabundah are to be avoided. Mostly no longer the case, and it hasn’t been that way for a long time. I live in what is parochially called ‘lower’ Narrabundah. It’s a quiet, tree lined and covered street, within walking distance of several schools, one (Narrabundah College) considered highly. People buy here to be close to it. Walking distance to the local shops and the fruit and vegetable markets too. Easy cycling distance to Red Hill schools and Telopea Park. Blocks are about 650 sq metres in size, so roomy. Mostly older houses, but some very modern ones too. There is a knock-down and rebuild trend going on.

I stand corrected!

To move around Canberra; look for proximity to expressways.
For easy access to services; look for proximity to a town centre.
For public transport; one bus to city, less than 1km (walk) to town centre.
How long will you have to work to pay for your convenience
vs
how much time is spent in transport to work and school.

=South East Belconnen (Bruce, Aranda, Cook Macquarie)

Aragornerama said :

Consider looking at Narrabundah (the parts between Captain Cook Crescent/Jerrabomberra Av and Red Hill, or between Sturt St and Griffith are especially nice) for the Telopea catchment area, and Lyneham/O’Connor/Watson for Lyneham High School. All are good suburbs, but in the more affordable range for their area.

Consider all Narrabundah. There is an outdated idea that some parts of Narrabundah are to be avoided. Mostly no longer the case, and it hasn’t been that way for a long time. I live in what is parochially called ‘lower’ Narrabundah. It’s a quiet, tree lined and covered street, within walking distance of several schools, one (Narrabundah College) considered highly. People buy here to be close to it. Walking distance to the local shops and the fruit and vegetable markets too. Easy cycling distance to Red Hill schools and Telopea Park. Blocks are about 650 sq metres in size, so roomy. Mostly older houses, but some very modern ones too. There is a knock-down and rebuild trend going on.

ps. try Hackett too. And do double-check the school zones before buying anything – I’m not 100% which inner north suburbs are in Lyneham’s zone (Campbell High School would probably also be ok too though).

To get an idea of house prices – you are going to have to do some research. All past sales data is relatively easy to find online. You will be able to get a nice 4 bedroom in Weston Creek within your budget. See if this works for you:

http://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-with-4-bedrooms-in-weston+creek+district%2c+act%3b/list-1?maxBeds=4

Consider looking at Narrabundah (the parts between Captain Cook Crescent/Jerrabomberra Av and Red Hill, or between Sturt St and Griffith are especially nice) for the Telopea catchment area, and Lyneham/O’Connor/Watson for Lyneham High School. All are good suburbs, but in the more affordable range for their area.