I am moving to Canberra and would like to know what is a good site to search for apartments or apartment info?

Question

I am looking for a somewhat upscale apartment complex in Canberra and would like some input from someone who knows the city. Also, any information on what activities there are available (dance classes, cooking classes, French classes) social mingles etc. Thanks

Cheers,
Arcy

Answer 1

Hey There Arcy welcome to Canberra.
The main website for property search is http://www.allhomes.com.au
Another website is
http://www.realestate.com.au
http://www.hodgkinsonrealestate.com.au

You can do an agency search from both these websites if you would like to go through an Agent. Although the Agent's main focus is the Landlord it is better to have a thrid party situation because it is then all recorded and everything is where it should be. This wouldn't bother you if you were a great record keeper of course!

There are new complexes going up all the time. Newest is "The Metropolitan" on Marcus Clarke Street in the City.
Upscale Units and apartments means upscale rent so be prepared to wince a bit.
Kingston, Barton, Manuka, Canberra City, Deakin, Forrest, Woden (Sky Plaza) are top scale ares to rent.
For the burbs it's up to you but the scale starts to drop the further away from the main shopping areas of Canberra.

For activites available check this one out:
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/home.asp?ix=2&mast_id=133
You might like to have a look at the community switches on:
http://www.socialnetworkcenter.com/default.asp?p=80436&t=CD2769
http://www.mix106.com.au/
http://1047.com.au/

My partner and I meet at Dancing - good to meet people and develop long lasting friendships:
http://www.ceroccanberra.com.au/

All the best Arcy, maybe onday I'll see you dancing your feet off at classes!

Answer 2

Check the websites of the major real estate people, L. J Hooker, The Professionals etc as already suggested. All of those activities are available. I have done German classes, one colleague has done Spanish, another is doing Japanese, there are or were until recently ballroom dance classes in the Phillip area, oodles of gyms too, BTW. ice skating, heated pools for swimming, cycling, riding, rowing clubs. Scale modelling, amateur radio, cooking classes, ladies learn to weld, there is still a "Social Network of Graduates" which was set up recently to get new graduates arriving in C'berra settled, I think it's mainly a voluntary thing, also dining clubs, plenty of sports clubs, Jaycees, Soroptomists, church groups, choirs.

Answer 3

Try domain.com.au or realestate.com.au. They both have lots of listings and information. As far as what to do, try citysearch.com.au.

I lived in Canberra for 28 years. As far as living in an apartment, I would try the suburbs of Kingston, Manuka, Lyneham, Oconnor. They are good because there is a mixture of locals and people like yourself there; so you'll get to know other people. I'd aim at Kingston.

Good luck. It's an easy and beautiful city to live in.

Answer 4

Look for The Canberra Times online, particularly on a Saturday. (It is probably canberratimes.com.au but I haven't checked) The classified advertisements will show you what is available for renting and buying. Apartments are usually called flats or units in Australia.

The paper will also tell you about the classes you are interested in and many other things as well.

Answer 5

try www.realestate.com.au and perform a search on your preferences - and yes they are called units/flats or duplexes & townhouses over here. I would go for Fisher, Belconnen, Isabella Plains, Gordon, Red Hill, Lyons to name a few. try www.canberracitysearch.com.au follow the links and it will provide you with information you request. also try www.canberraspot.com.au it has real estate on there also and many more features that will answer your questions. Cheers!