Canberra, Australia Report of what it's like to live there - 04/07/25
Personal Experiences from Canberra, Australia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
This was my second overseas experience.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Washington, DC. The flights are a little over 24 hours. The usual flight is DC to the West Coast U.S. to Sydney to Canberra.
3. What years did you live here?
2022-2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Almost all housing is single-family homes with yards, spread around the city. Houses are smaller than similar-style U.S. suburban homes, particularly the bedrooms. Commutes are easy since Canberra has very little traffic. Commutes range from 5-30 minutes depending where in the city you live.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can get nearly everything here, if not in the stores than though Amazon Australia or Amazon US.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
None
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Pretty much every type of food is available, although most middle-priced restaurants are mediocre. There are some good high-end restaurants. There is a lot of Asian food at all price levels. Uber Eats will deliver from nearly every restaurant.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We get a few spiders, some of which are venomous but not aggressive. Otherwise there are surprisingly few insects in the house.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Australia Post is reliable and efficient for ordering Amazon Australia packages. The embassy uses DPO only; pouch is no longer permitted. This has presented complications as some companies won't ship to the DPO address.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Comparable to U.S. prices. Most household help comes from the large immigrant community. A housecleaner will charge US$25-35 per hour. Childcare is a little cheaper.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Extremely safe everywhere, day or night. I walk my dog at night all the time. Lots of bike trails throughout the city, both paved bike paths and mountain bike trails in the nature reserves. This is a dream city for outdoor runners and bikers.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Lots of gyms and sports facilities available. It's a sporty culture. I'm not a member so I don't know the prices.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Credit cards are accepted literally everywhere. I have never seen a business, no matter how small, not take cards. ATMs are common and safe, but you won't need cash anyway.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
It's an English-speaking country.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
It's an English-speaking country.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Canberra probably accommodates disabilities as much as any American city.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
All safe, all affordable. Uber price is comparable to the U.S.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
It's right-hand drive only, so buy a car once you get to post. There are always many cars for sale from departing diplomats or you can easily buy on the local market through Facebook Marketplace.
Roads are all well maintained and paved so you can have any type of vehicle.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Canberra is in the process of connecting houses to the National Broadband Network. I live in a house without NBN. I bought the most expensive service from Optus and it's still not very fast.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I use Google Fi.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Taking pets to Australia is a huge pain and hugely expensive. Do your research before committing to serve here. You can spend $10,000 getting a dog or cat into the country because of all the biosecurity rules. Then they have to quarantine for a month in Melbourne. Many people do it, though.
Once they're here, it's a great city for dogs. Lots of high quality vets, lots of places to walk in nature or fields to run around off leash.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Telecommuting is hard because of the 14-16 hour time difference, though some people do it. We have a reciprocal work agreement with Australia so working on the local market is possible if you have specialized skills.
Don't expect to get an EFM job at the embassy. The number of jobs is tiny compared to the number of spouses looking to work.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Anywhere from casual to formal depending on your section. Australian government officials tend to wear suits with no ties.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Don't pet the brown snakes or the funnel-web spiders. Other than that you'll be fine. Crime is almost non-existent.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No health concerns. Clean air, clean water, no weird diseases.
Medical care is superb. Some specialists are in short supply in Canberra so you may have to drive three hours to Sydney if you need specialized treatment quickly.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Perfect air. It's a spread out city with little traffic, no industry, and strict environmental regulations.
Every few years there are wildfire risks in the surrounding region, which could affect the air. I haven't experienced it personally.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Food allergies are easily avoided. Some people complain about seasonal environmental allergies.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Boredom?
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
There are four moderate seasons. You'll need the full range of clothing from shorts to jackets. It rarely gets below freezing in winter. In the rainy season it will rain for a few minutes every few days. Generally it's very low humidity. Overall pleasant weather.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Almost every Western expat is associated with the diplomatic community. Embassy morale is down at the moment because of the political situation in the U.S.
There are large Asian immigrant populations, particularly from China, India, and Nepal.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Australians don't socialize with non-Australians. They will keep you at arms length. All my expat friends say the same.
As far as activities, there are museums, parks, and restaurants. There are hiking spots everywhere, but don't count on doing a lot of socializing here, due to lack of options, high cost to eat out, and general lack of interest by most people.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
This is a great city if you are okay being with your spouse/family 99% of the time, especially if you both like the outdoors. Singles may be able to meet someone here, though most people have families. Don't expect to enjoy a vibrant nightlife or make lots of friends or go on lots of dates. It's a small, quiet, family-oriented city.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
No. See earlier comment. Australians are perfectly friendly but have no interest in being friends with outsiders.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes. There are many LGBT people here and all seem to enjoy it.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that I'm aware of. It's a multicultural country.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The Blue Mountains are beautiful and only four hours away. Melbourne (eight hour drive, one hour flight) is a lively city.
Note that Australia is faaaaar away from the rest of the world, so don't expect to travel much outside the country.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
No, not really.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It's calm, quiet, clean, and everything functions properly.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Canberra is a small city with very low density because of how spread out it is. I wish I had known how isolated it would feel, living in the suburbs with little to do and almost no social life.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No. Some people really like it because of its conveniences. But I was looking for something with more culture and a better community.
