It was only like at first sight, but by the time I left Canberra I loved this gem of a city. Canberra may fall short to some – the thinking is it needs a beach and/or a nightclub to hit perfection – but now that I’m far from home I know for sure I truly enjoyed living in our nation’s capital. Let me count the ways.

The bush capital

The Brindabellas cradling the city are a feast for the eyes and heart, and the greenbelts woven through the cityscape are genius. Just minutes away in any direction, the natural bushland walking tracks and cycle paths threaded through our open suburbs always take me a million miles from care.

The cool climate

Four seasons – and Canberra has something spectacular to offer in every one, from flowers to festivals. The enchanting mix of exotic and native flora just adds spice to nature’s palette.

The epic national attractions

Canberra does big and dignified and highly cultured, and Canberra does awesome, fun and fabulous – the National Gallery, Parliament House, the AIS, the Balloon Spectacular, Questacon, Floriade. Just the beginning, people. Wait til you see what happens in the next hundred years!

The roads

Canberra’s peak hour IS an hour.  And no tolls. 80km and 100km zones right into the heart of the city.  And potential to get even better. Light rail down the Parkway anyone?

The communities

The community hubs mean everything I needed was literally at my doorstep ­–libraries, sports centres, malls, farmers markets, schools, theatres, cinemas and galleries, community gardens and centres. My school run? Ten minutes there and back, tops. I could walk or cycle to most if not all of these facilities, or access the plentiful parking. The streets are clean and tidy, the bins are collected on time and there is a growing awareness in the community about sustainable living. I felt my family and I were safe and connected.

The level and quality of service

Canberra is a well serviced city, especially considering its small size. I found good hospitals, fantastic schools and universities, plenty of work and business opportunities, and a huge array of services for individuals and families. Easily accessible services. It’s easy to point out problems, but in the big picture, this city looks after its citizens.

The emerging scenes

Canberra may be small but it is feisty and full of spirited people involved in hundreds of different scenes – literary and visual arts, crafts, music and theatre, wine and gourmet foods, tourism, innovative small businesses. Canberrans have ideas and enthusiasm, and their city is small enough that it’s easy to have a voice.

The sports and recreation

The sporting opportunities here at every level from children’s local teams to international competitions are second to none. Archery? Check. Cycling? Check. Horse riding, roller derby, ice hockey, triathlons, shooting, basketball, cricket, soccer?  You name it, we’ve got it.

The women’s networks

Once I had children, I was amazed at and grateful for the wonderful range of women’s networks easily accessible to mothers – the Brindabella and Majura Womens Groups, Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), ACTPlaygroups, the Family and Children’s Centres, special interest groups like the Multiple Births Association, and many, many more. People say Canberra has a transient population – networks like these help it feel like home.

Its secret life.

Everyone outside Canberra seems to think it’s all about the politicians. They don’t know about the amazing stuff. I’d like to keep it that way – shhhhh!