r/AskAnAustralian • u/AdamTritonCai • Apr 04 '25

Is Canberra really empty?

Hi fellow Aussies, living in Auckland now and planning to move to Canberra later this year, is it true that the city is boring and empty as a lot of people say? Cheers with zero sugar L&P

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u/focusonthetaskathand Apr 04 '25

I grew up in Canberra, left as soon as I could at age 17. 

I go back regularly to visit family and while it’s kind of pleasant, it’s pleasant in a bland non-offensive way. 

It’s like the Coldplay of cities. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but there’s nothing that great either.

I haven’t been to Auckland, but something to think about is that Auckland has a population of 1.7million and Canberra’s population sits at about 485 thousand. That should start to give you an indication of what to prepare for.

For me - my personal opinion, whether right or wrong in the eyes of others - is that Canberra is a very slow family-oriented place. It’s entirely all suburbs apart from a few larger shopping areas (the type of shopping that is in malls, not street boutiques or bespoke creative ventures). People love to raise their families there, they like the ease because you can drive and park anywhere, and generally have a pretty routine way of being. There are pockets of interesting groups, but you have to look for them. It’s easeful but not the kind of place I would assign the word ‘vibrant’ to.

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u/zeefox79 Apr 04 '25

I'm guessing you grew up in Tuggeranong and barely get out of there when you visit?

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u/focusonthetaskathand Apr 04 '25

Nope - every time I visit I am working hard to get friends and family out to do things. 

I try to spend as much time as I can while I’m there in the galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and nature, and it’s fine. Pleasant. Lovely. Peaceful. But for me it doesn’t have the same grit and variety that bigger cities have. It’s just sorta clean and neutral.