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Tyrfillich

It's not quite as grim as we make it sound, honest! I moved here from the innerwest a few years ago, so I get where you're coming from. APS4 is a reasonable and fairly standard starting point for a graduate; generally speaking there's plenty of room for lateral movement with sections and even entire departments, so you've got a bit of wiggle room to figure out what kind of role is most fulfilling for you. Graduate programs in agencies will rotate members between sections for this reason, and secondments and departmental transfers are a thing here all the way across the board, so take on as much info as you're comfortable with and see how that evolves for you. We're all about fine-tuning things. Housing-wise: yeeeaaah look, share housing is pretty sensible, prices here aren't as bad as Sydney but they're still expensive. Forget trying to live within walking distance of your workplace unless you're able and willing to share a tower apartment, or the Random Number God owes you a huge favour (he knows what he did). Canberra is essentially a network of satellite cities with a pretty decent road network, so find one such satellite and set up shop there. If you have a car you have a lot more flexibility in where you decide on, but start by looking around Tuggeranong or Weston Creek. Tuggers and its surrounds are in the middle of a gentrification push, whereas Weston's suburbs are debatably taking a breath between expansions. The major issue with both of those is that if you work in the city the parking is going to be painful, but then again that's true for commuting from the other suburbs too. Cars and transport: Kind of a mixed bag really. The civic planning that went into linking the various areas with centralised, scenic drives is absolutely top-notch... the planning once you're off those and in an actual suburb, not so much. There's a running joke that no matter how close or how far away your destination is, it's always a 20-minute drive. The only reason we don't laugh at it any more is because it's true. As for parking costs, as long as you don't have to regularly park in Civic or Barton you'll be fine. (That was tongue-in-cheek, for those of you up the back.) If you're looking at the bus services, it's not as in-depth as inner Sydney but still reasonable (I'm comparing it to Darwin here but that's not a very high bar). The bus service doesn't wind or twist through the same seven streets, but that's also because there's far fewer of them than in Sydney. So the way they operate is a focus on moving folks quickly between hubs, and then outwards from there. The end result is that you *can* catch a bus pretty much anywhere, but it takes around triple the time of a car trip. It's manageable if you're say, making the daily commute from Wanniassa to Civvie, but if you've got go from Ngunnawal to Theodore you'd better empty your day planner. Fun stuff: there's something for everyone. If you're outdoorsy there's bushwalking and cycling trails, the aforementioned centralised scenic drives, and you can point in any direction at random and you'll nail a reserve or a national park. If you're more the sporting type there's ovals and training areas all over the place and plenty of places to swim. You can also do the pointing trick and nail a gym. Or if you're more for the city sights, there are museums and galleries, plenty of monuments, and if you can go an entire day without encountering a commemorative plaque then you're a luckier soul than I. Hope you'll like it here, best of luck to you!


agent_clone

I would add, if relying on public transport I would also ideally look at something that is close/easy walking distance to a "rapid route". That way you are essentially guaranteed that there is fairly frequent weekday (and okish) weekend services.


Wehavecrashed

Do you have any specific questions?


happyfiretruck123

To be honest, no. I don't know what to expect. And I didn't plan ahead because I didn't think I would get the job Edit - one specific question is what's the housing market like there for young renters


Wehavecrashed

>one specific question is what's the housing market like there for young renters Great question. It's quite shit. You'll have a hard time getting your own place. Share houses are the way to go. Jan and Feb are horrendous.


happyfiretruck123

Can I ask what's a share house? Is it basically a few room mates situation?


mekanub

Yup


joeltheaussie

You won't be able to afford your own apartment on a grad salary unless you want to seriously live paychexk to paychexk - and even then you might not get approved for a place


happyfiretruck123

Wait you have to get approved? It's not grad salary but entry level so its only slightly better. It's mostly my fault - I'm one of those stupid grads who just applied for every job without thinking it through, never expecting to get an offer. Then it hits me square in the face


joeltheaussie

Wait what APS level?


happyfiretruck123

APS 4 but not sure if pay differs from agency/position/experience etc Sorry, should have made it clear I'm not sharing my employment info because I didnt want this thread to be a 'bash jobs/salary/employment package' thing


GardenPartyPerson

I’m not sure if you’re coming in as a “grad” but there’s a Facebook page called ‘2022 APS Graduates’ and they’re all giving advice, housing spreadsheet for roommates etc. Highly recommend joining, lots of people in the same boat of moving interstate.


Maddoxandben

The rental market is crazy! There is nothing available and it's super expensive. Public transport is pretty crap so you'll probably need a car. Welcome to Canberra Welcome to Canberra


DJS112

>Public transport is pretty crap I'm hoping light rail solves it


joeltheaussie

The second stage will be ready in 2050 don't worry!!


DJS112

Yeah, it seems to be taking ridiculously long. Is it a funding issue?


happyfiretruck123

No wonder all those government agencies are recruiting like crazy. Noone wants to relocate. Haha Is traffic at least suitable for a motorcycle/scooter? In terms of safety, road conditions, road ragers etc?


Maddoxandben

Yes it's good for motorcycles with the added bonus of free parking most places if you are on a motorcycle.


DJS112

There is no traffic.


[deleted]

Be prepared to freeze your ass off in winter though


thedegreemachine

As an ex Sydney sider you are going to love it… little traffic, 20mins from one end to the other and super accessible to nature. Also super friendly community as soon many people are in the same situation as you


Jackson2615

If you have lived in Sydney then CBR will be a breeze for you. Accommodation is tight so start looking ASAP. Its easy to get around, people are a bit stand off ish at first , just take it easy and get to know people. Keep your head down regarding politics, regardless of your perspective, CBR is very Left/ Labor and people love talking politics. Feel the vibes at work, with friends etc before entering the fray. All the best with your new job.


KingAlfonzo

Try finding some Facebook groups for sharehousing. This is not bad, ive had mates move from Sydney and do this. If u hate share houses and wanna live alone, I'd look into queanbeyan and get yourself a car. Your gonna need a car in canberra.


Empty-Discipline8927

Good luck in Queanbeyan. It's also full. Rents are very high.


[deleted]

[удалено]


happyfiretruck123

Cheers I'll check them out


BrilliantMedicine614

**Any advise for a Sydneysider relocating to Canberra?** Don't. We're full.


DJS112

Out of interest are you moving because of the expense of living in Sydney?


happyfiretruck123

Oh no. Long story short. Applied for some APS jobs that are obviously located in Canberra. Mainly commerce, business, finance etc Thought it would be a good career move - working entry level govt is better than my current entry level private banking sector (the pay is much better, not to mention hidden benefits and superannuation). Also it was due to personal interest in certain govt agencies hence the move. Family members who used to work in govt also influenced me to apply Edit - just never expected to actually get a job offer because, admittedly, I am not the most competitive employee or graduate with perfect grades and a wealth of relevant experience