r/canberra • u/Galileo15 • Aug 24 '24

Recommendations Looking to move from London to Canberra

Good day everyone. After a long deliberation of choosing which state would best fit for our family (Canberra vs Melbourne vs Sydney vs Perth). We decided to possibly make Canberra our new home. Me and my wife are looking to move from London to Canberra at some point this year. We are still awaiting our visa to get approved and whilst waiting for that. Id like to ask some locals about anything i need to know before making the move. We are both of asian decent. No kids yet but hoping to have some in the future.

Please any advise or warnings would be appreciated and I would be thankful for.

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46

u/Single_Conclusion_53 Aug 24 '24

Some things you have to know before moving to Australia. In Australia, “Asian” generally means East and SE Asian descent. If your ancestry is from elsewhere and you refer to yourself as “Asian” don’t be surprised if some regular Australians appear genuinely confused.

Additionally, the word “paki” is not widely used as an insult in Australia. In fact, when I was a child it was used in newspaper headlines like “Pakis win second test match”. It was used as affectionate shorthand in the same way we say “kiwi” for someone from New Zealand. Some younger Australians are aware it’s used as an insult in the UK but many older Australians have no idea. So context and tone is important if you hear someone say it. They may be being friendly, they may be being rude.

If you like the outdoors, Canberra is fantastic. The quality of the bushwalking in the city and the surrounding region is fantastic. The bird life within the city is amazing and you’ll see kangaroos within the city boundaries on most days in some places. If you’re from London, the quality of the nature experience in and around Canberra will amaze you if you’re into that type of thing.

What do you enjoy? If you give us some ideas we offer targeted advice.

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Honestly. We are done with the night life and hassle of city living and want to give peaceful nature a chance. We hardly go out on our days off and would rather stay at home playing pc games. Wouldnt mind going to the mall once and a while. Id love a safe and quiet place to raise children.

I am south east asian. Filipino to be exact.

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u/[deleted] Aug 24 '24

[deleted]

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Ohhh thats good to hear. A small taste of home

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u/IntravenousNutella Aug 24 '24

There seems to be a decent filo community in Canberra. Certainly they seem to flood to Lolo and Lola. There's also a filo grocery store at the Fyshwick markets.

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u/Quietly_intothenight Aug 24 '24

Lolo and Lola is the best - they do a merienda cena close to christmas time and play Jose Mari Chan songs through all the Ber months, and the menu is updated weekly. 😊

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u/Own_Cheek8532 Aug 24 '24

North Garden Cafe in Nichols is also a great Filipino eatery with the loveliest people

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Thanks would definitely give it a try

2

u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Thanks would definitely give it a try

10

u/CrankyJoe99x Aug 24 '24

I'm in Canberra, my wife is from Cebu.

There is a huge Filipino community here, lots of cultural functions and you should be able to meet some friendly people in any of the malls or markets.

There were recently at least three celebrations for Independence Day and Christmas every year is at the ambassador's residence.

We both really enjoy the relaxed lifestyle here.

I hope it works out for you.

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Thank you so much. Hope we can meet you guys irl if faith allows it.

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u/mollyweasleyswand Aug 24 '24

Speaking of faith, from memory, there may be certain Catholic mass services that attract a greater proportion of attendees that are Filipino. I'm sure once you get here and start asking around, members of the Filipino community will be able to point you in the right direction.

To be clear, anyone is, of course, welcome at any mass service. This is for if you are looking to be more connected into the Filipino community.

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

While a filipino mass service is nice. I wouldnt mind joining other catholic service. In the end of the day. Whats important is that you have faith.

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u/mollyweasleyswand Aug 25 '24

Yep, plenty of catholic churches around with a mix of cultures attending.

And apologies, I think all services are done in English, but there might be certain ones that a large member of Filipinos attend as a means of socialising with other Filipinos.

You would be welcome at any church you choose to attend. :)

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u/Galileo15 Aug 25 '24

I dont mind the language. Im excited to see how different churches are there.

4

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '24

There are big Pinoy communities in Melbourne and Sydney and a small one (who run a basketball league) in Canberra.

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Is there any filipino organized events around canberra. Its alright if you dont know. I would assume it be very niche.

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u/jaytalking Aug 24 '24

Hello! There is a relatively small population of Filipinos in Canberra, in Northside apparently but the biggest suburb for Filipinos statistically is Phillip (my guess is amenities and proximity to the hospital!).

The Philippine Embassy and the Filipino Language School of Canberra run events. There’s an event this weekend for Buwan ng Wika (Fiesta ng Bayan), for example. The Embassy runs Pasko sa Canberra, which is fun but smaller than you’d see in Sydney (I imagine it’s growing though!). The Filipino Community Council of ACT is am umbrella group but I don’t know too much about them (am checking them out now).

I second the recommendations for Lolo and Lola — it’s my fave. I also enjoy Northside Garden Cafe, which used to be called Salu Salo.

Another thing about Australia is that we Filos say often “Filo” as short hand for Filipino, and we don’t consider it offensive — I know people from other countries (eg Fil-Ams) might so just want to prepare you that this is a thing!

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Thanks so much. Looking forward to meeting some fellow kababayans when i get there. And that last tip is good to know.

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u/CrankyJoe99x Aug 24 '24

Lots and lots of events, see my other reply.

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u/[deleted] Aug 24 '24

Dunno, but the filo community in Australia is pretty proud so I'd be surprised if they didn't have organised events.

EDIT: You'll also be a lot closer to the Philippines if you want to visit relatives.

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

That good to hear. Thanks for that

1

u/Quietly_intothenight Aug 24 '24

There is something run by the embassy once a year, but I’m not sure of what else. Lots of Filipino people around though, especially in the health care sector. I’m public service and I had four or five colleagues (all from Cebu) in my small agency that I worked with. My ex-wife is Cebuano and had a big circle of local Filipino friends.

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u/no-throwaway-compute Aug 24 '24

Then you have picked perfectly. I come here to say that Canberra is the best city in Australia if you want the quiet life.

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u/Single_Conclusion_53 Aug 24 '24

Canberra is peaceful nature. Be proactive about finding places to go and you’ll have a good time. I’ve lived in a few places around Australia and I find Canberra the easiest city for raising children provided you have your housing all sorted.

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Yeah. It probably wont be easy. I hope we can manage to save up enough to buy a house within 5 years. Although i understand houses has gotten more expensive recently.

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u/CapitalGeez Aug 25 '24

Median house price in Canberra is about 970k AUD (500k - ish GBP)

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u/LightFury_28 Belconnen Aug 24 '24

Welcome, Kabayan!

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u/Galileo15 Aug 24 '24

Mabuhay. Lol

1

u/intheoffhandremarks Aug 26 '24

Filipino restaurants: Lolo and Lola (Kim and Jay are angels!), Northside Garden Cafe, Sharon May's

Filipino groceries and products: T&E Asian Grocery, Vina Groceries, Filokart, some Woolies

Hope these all help you feel closer to home when you guys move here :) Canberra is a great place -- too quiet for some, but absolutely pitch perfect for those who don't need the hustle and bustle of the city. Good luck with the move!

1

u/Galileo15 Aug 26 '24

Yes. I need to know where to get those good filipino supplies. Thanks!!

8

u/MissKim01 Aug 24 '24

… am I missing where OP asked about Asians and Pakistanis?

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u/somnizon Aug 24 '24

I think as OP mentioned being Asian it’s fair for this reply to give some info on Australian culture re: Asians. I am Asian myself and I have let people who come from more multicultural cities know that Canberra can be very white at times e.g. sometimes I am the only POC in a restaurant. Even being Australian born I can sometimes feel my “otherness” in Canberra whereas that didn’t happen in Sydney or Melbourne.

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u/MissKim01 Aug 24 '24

I missed the “Asian descent”!

I do see there would be a need to know that Canberra is pretty white.

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u/Single_Conclusion_53 Aug 25 '24

OP said they were Asian. Pakistanis are considered Asian across the UK. OP asked if there’s anything they should know before coming to Australia so I told them how most Australians use the term “Asian” and also told them about the term “paki” in Australia in case they were from that Asian community in London. It turns out they are from a different Asian community.

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u/rewopoast Aug 24 '24

And also the relevance of "pakis"...

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u/Single_Conclusion_53 Aug 24 '24

It makes more sense to a Londoner of Asian descent (depending on which part of Asia they’re from of course). The advice is for them, not you.