Most in-demand share suburbs in Canberra

Canberra, the city for lovers of roundabouts, official buildings, diplomats and a whole lot of people wishing they were somewhere else. Despite this, some burbs do be popping!

Canberra actually ain’t that bad. Due to the large number of government officials and professionals and lack of high-rises, most share accommodation in the city is larger and generally full of older flatmates and adult furniture (no couches from the side of the road here). Quality of life in the nation’s capital is actually pretty good too. Whether you’re into water sports, hiking or you’re a die-hard fan of music festivals, Canberra has a suburb that’ll suit you.

To give you a head start, we’ve put together this list of the 10 most in-demand suburbs in Canberra. We’re now in the middle of a pandemic, but if you’re in a good financial position or have permanent work, now could be the best time to move.

1. Braddon, 2612

• Average weekly rent for room: $260
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 2,816
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 1,101

Is Braddon Canberra’s hippest suburb? It’s certainly the most popular for share-house tenants. Renowned for its excellent food scene, which is clustered around Lonsdale Street, locals also enjoy galleries, designer fashion, and chic gift stores. So whether you’re meeting mates for a bevvy or looking for a little something to brighten up your new room, you won’t have to set foot outside the suburb. For easy access to the CBD, plus plenty of green space, Braddon ticks all the boxes.

2. Turner, 2612

• Average weekly rent for room: $260
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 2,370 -Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 1,025

Just west of bustling Braddon lies Turner, a calm, leafy suburb that gives urban professionals space to unwind. Low-rise living along broad avenues makes for a relaxed atmosphere that attracts everyone from students to families. Turner is bisected by Sullivan’s Creek — a great place to jog, walk, or just take in some fresh air — and boasts plenty of green space, yet it’s still just a short trip from the city’s best entertainment venues. Talk about having the best of both worlds!

3. Bruce, 2617

• Average weekly rent for room: $210
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 1,867
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 798

Students and sports combine in Bruce, which is sandwiched between Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve and Lake Ginninderra, just 6km north of the city centre. Bruce boasts no fewer than three higher education institutes (University of Canberra, Canberra Institute of Technology, and Radford College), so the population is young, open-minded and energetic. Bruce is also home to Canberra Stadium (go Raiders and Brumbies!), the Australian Institute of Sport and the Sports and Aquatic Centre, making it the place to be for those who love sports — watching and playing.

4. Kingston, 2604

• Average weekly rent for room: $270
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 1,583
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 628

Overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, Kingston is the priciest suburb of our top ten, but locals will be quick to tell you it’s worth it. As a cultural hub sitting just across the park from the culture-rich CBD, Kingston offers a quality lifestyle that suits professionals and families in equal measure. With restaurants to suit all moods, great gourmet food shops, and the buzz and bustle of the Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday, it’s easy to see why Kingston is a destination for tourists and Canberrans, too. Need a break from the crowds? Take a waterside walking trail, or kick back in any of the local parks.

5. Belconnen, 2617

• Average weekly rent for room: $220
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 1,566
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 724

Lake Ginninderra is the cool, blue centrepiece of Belconnen, with its endless walking trails, dog park, and beautiful beaches for a dip in the summer months. But there’s a lot more to the place than that. This low-traffic neighbourhood is next door to the University of Canberra campus, so it’s great for students, but its commercial focus also sees it attract professionals and families, too. That makes for a good suburban mix of stores, including restaurants from a range of cultures, and Asian, Indian, and Halal groceries too. Life in Belconnen might be easy, but it’s never boring.

6. O’Connor, 2602

• Average weekly rent for room: $213
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 1,540
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 771

Heritage-listed properties in peaceful streetscapes give O’Connor an established, homey feel. It’s popular with families and retirees, but professionals who like the quiet life (within a few kilometres of the city’s excitements) add to the mix. If you’re looking for leafy streets, parks to play in, and a decent back yard, you’ll be right at home here. And if you’re a hiker, the O’Connor Nature Park at the suburb’s west offers glorious bushwalks overseen by local fauna — look out for kangaroos! — and stunning views, too.

7. Ainslie, 2602

• Average weekly rent for room: $197
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 1,339
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 712

Want to enjoy nature and culture within a quick bus ride of the CBD? Spread along the foot of Mount Ainslie, the suburb of the same name offers bang for your buck. Perfectly positioned between the dining hubs of Dickson and the CBD, Ainslie’s compact shopping centre also offers its own worthy cafes. Add to that large homes, a local sporting complex, and walking trails up Mount Ainslie, and you’ll see why the area is so popular: Ainslie gives you true suburban living in the city.

8. Downer, 2602

• Average weekly rent for room: $175
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 1,033
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 553

Downer is the most affordable suburb on the list, yet offers roomy homes, quiet neighbourhoods and good public transport links to the city. Dotted with parks, Downer has its own excellent playing field, and there’s another, along with great shopping, just across the road in neighbouring Dickson. This family-friendly suburb has a settled feel and its older-style homes give it a lot of character. Can’t be bothered cooking? Take your pick from nearby restaurants: Malaysian, Filipino, vegan and soul food are just a taste of the local menu.

9. Lyneham, 2602

• Average weekly rent for room: $220
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 992
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 606

Flanked by nature reserves, and just a few kilometres north of the CBD, Lyneham is a great choice if you like festivals and fun. It’s home to Exhibition Park, the Showgrounds and the racecourse, so it attracts crowds for events throughout the year, as well as the weekly farmers’ market. Lyneham boasts its own thriving cafe scene, and good restaurants, and is a short stroll from Dickson’s foodie hub, too. Add in plenty of sporting facilities — including the netball and hockey centres, archery club, golf course and nature trails — and you’ll be loving Lyneham lyfe!

10. Dickson, 2602

• Average weekly rent for room: $235
• Enquiries on Flatmates.com.au: 797
• Rooms available on Flatmates.com.au: 531

Dickson is a quickly-changing community clustered around a busy shopping centre a few minutes north of the CBD. This once-quiet neighbourhood is evolving, with medium-density high-rises popping up along the skyline, and professionals and students now rubbing shoulders with families. While parking can be a pain, public transport is great, and Dickson offers plenty of green space, from Sullivan’s Creek to Dickson Wetland, the community garden, and the playing fields — home of the local footy club. The shopping centre’s cafes and restaurants are popular with neighbours from nearby suburbs, and it has all you need for the day-to-day, too.

The data above shows the most in-demand suburbs on our site from Dec 2019- Feb 2020, which is the peak season on our site. We’re now in mid-August and rents have dropped in many areas due to COVID. Why not get ahead of the crowd and find your dream house now, without the stress of peak-time competition?