Best Suburbs In Canberra 2025: Top 10 Picks

Ever wondered where the heart of Canberra truly lies? Brace yourself for a suburban revelation as we explore "Canberra's Crème de la Cul-de-sac," unveiling the best suburbs in Canberra that are more than just postcodes on paper. These best places to live in Canberra aren't your run-of-the-mill neighbourhoods; they're the hidden treasures where backyard BBQs are practically an Olympic sport, and the only parliament you'll find is the neighbourhood gossip. Curious to know which suburbs cut the title of the good suburbs in Canberra? Join us on this journey through the city's residential wonders, where even the kangaroos envy the laid-back lifestyle.

Top 10 Best Suburbs In Canberra

From leafy streets to lakeside luxury, Canberra’s best suburbs offer the perfect mix of lifestyle, convenience, and charm. Whether you’re after student-friendly areas, family neighbourhoods, or upscale living, these are the nicest suburbs in Canberra that truly capture the city’s relaxed yet sophisticated vibe, where every corner tells a story of community, comfort, and connection.

1. Dickson

Average Rent: ~AUD $650/week
Population: ~3,300
Safety Index: 8.0 / 10
Distance from CBD: 4 km north
Nearest University: University of Canberra and Australian National University (ANU)

Nestled amidst the greenery and vibrant energy, Dickson emerges as one of the best suburbs in Canberra, a multifaceted gem that outshines the rest. With leafy streets encouraging a stroll, this suburb doesn't just flirt with the city centre - it practically winks at it.

Dickson, a shopper's paradise and a foodie's haven, is every student's dream. Its proximity to bike trails transforms commuting into a glorious pedal-powered journey. More than a suburb, Dickson is a lifestyle choice, perfectly balancing study sessions and spontaneous café rendezvous. With an aquatic centre and library completing the picture, Dickson solidifies its reputation as a swanky, leafy, bookish, and aquatically-inclined haven, unquestionably one of the best suburbs in Canberra. Get ready to fall in love with Dickson, your ideal Canberra sanctuary.

2. Griffith

Average Rent: ~AUD $700/week
Population: ~4,500
Safety Index: 8.3 / 10
Distance from CBD: 3 km south
Nearest University: Charles Sturt University and Australian National University (ANU)

Griffith, the cool kid of Canberra's south, rocks tree-lined streets, trendy cafes, and cute boutiques. It's like the Instagram of suburbs, chic, vibrant, and totally worth exploring on foot, making it one of the best suburbs in Canberra. Wanna know why it's famous? 'Cause it's one of the easiest places to walk around in Canberra, like, seriously, it's practically a walk in the park.

Schools nearby? Check. Parliament House vibes? Double-check. Griffith is like your local favourite hangout spot, but with class. Designed by Walter Burley Griffin, this best place to live in Canberra has got 20 parks, think green, serene, and perfect for picnics. And guess what? Manuka Shopping Village, Manuka Oval, and Manuka Pool are Griffith's party trio. So, whether you're up for a chill day or a fancy night out, Griffith's got the cool and the class. Step into Griffith, one of the good suburbs in Canberra, where every stroll feels like a scene from a cool movie.

3. Coombs

Average Rent: ~AUD $580/week
Population: ~4,850
Safety Index: 8.5 / 10
Distance from CBD: 12 km west
Nearest University: Australian National University (ANU) and University of Canberra

Meet Coombs, your 15-minute escape from the city chaos, where city vibes take a backseat to the serene sounds of the Molonglo River Reserve. As one of the best suburbs in Canberra, Coombs isn't just close to nature - it practically high-fives it every morning. Picture this: outdoor adventures, play areas that are basically adult-friendly playgrounds, and parklands where picnics turn into Instagram-worthy events.

Convenience meets fresh air in Coombs, one of the best places to live in Canberra, making it the chill spot for those who want a daily dose of nature without sacrificing city perks. Forget traffic jams - here, it's all about the open road leading to endless outdoor possibilities. Coombs is where the city meets the wild side, a breath of fresh air in the best suburbs in Canberra. So, if your idea of an adventure involves more trees than tall buildings, Coombs is your suburban sanctuary.

4. Kambah

Average Rent: ~AUD $550/week
Population: ~15,300
Safety Index: 7.9 / 10
Distance from CBD: 17 km south
Nearest University: Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and Australian National University (ANU)

Say hello to Kambah, Canberra's heavyweight champion in size, offering a property buffet that spans from mid-century charm to the freshest builds in town. It's like the suburb's saying, "Why settle for one era when you can have them all?" Nestled in the embrace of bushland, Kambah is a family's dream playground, featuring the natural wonder of Kambah Pool and amenities that make life here a breeze, and this is one of the best suburbs in Canberra.

Being the largest and one of the best suburbs in Canberra comes with perks, and Kambah knows how to deliver. Picture this: playgrounds for the kiddos, grocery stores for the essentials, and cafes for those days when someone else needs to brew the coffee. Kambah is one of the best places to live in Canberra, where diversity meets convenience, a suburban melting pot with something for everyone. So, whether you're into retro vibes or the sleek lines of modernity, Kambah's got the property game on lock. It's not just a suburb - it's a property journey through the ages in the best suburbs of Canberra.

5. Barton

Average Rent: ~AUD $820/week
Population: ~1,950
Safety Index: 8.4 / 10
Distance from CBD: 4 km south
Nearest University: Charles Sturt University and the ANU School of Medicine & Psychology

Barton, one of the best suburbs in Canberra, throws open its gates right onto the scenic shores of Lake Burley Griffin. If suburbs had Oscars, Barton would be the lifestyle-rich nominee, stealing the show with historic homes casually mingling with shiny new apartments. Just minutes from the city centre, it's the suburb that says, "Why choose between old-school charm and modern pizzazz when you can have both?"

This isn't just a neighbourhood - it's a buzzing hotspot. Weekdays witness the hum of government activity, and weekends? Oh, they're a gourmet festival! Foodie markets and fine-dining spots turn Barton into a culinary wonderland. And let's not forget Telopea Park, the vintage superstar of parks with picnic spots and a kid-friendly playground. Barton isn't just a suburb; it's a lifestyle rollercoaster, where history meets contemporary cool, and every corner feels like a page from Canberra's storybook, making it a good suburb in Canberra.

6. Kingston

Average Rent: ~AUD $720/week
Population: ~6,600
Safety Index: 8.1 / 10
Distance from CBD: 3 km southeast
Nearest University: Charles Sturt University and Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)

Kingston, the cool cousin of the good suburbs in Canberra, awaits just a park stroll away from Barton, rocking one of the city's most coveted postcodes. If the best places to live in Canberra had style awards, Kingston would be flaunting its leafy streets and the bustling foreshore like a runway. It's not just a suburb; it's a time-travelling adventure blending political and industrial history with a contemporary twist that makes Kingston an urban legend.

As one of the oldest and best suburbs in Canberra, Kingston doesn't just age like fine wine; it reinvents itself. Cultural delights? Check. Shopping spots? Double-check. Arts precincts, restaurants, and bars? Kingston's got them all, turning every day into a vibrant fiesta. Picture mornings filled with lakeside walks and bike rides, followed by a pitstop at one of Kingston's coffee roasters or artisanal bakeries, because who needs a dull morning routine? And, oh, let's not forget the Sunday spectacle that is the Old Bus Depot Markets, where Kingston turns into a carnival of creativity. Kingston isn't just a suburb; it's a place where every corner tells a story, and every Sunday is a market adventure, making it one of the best suburbs in Canberra.

7. Braddon

Average Rent: ~AUD $670/week
Population: ~6,000
Safety Index: 7.5 / 10
Distance from CBD: 1 km north
Nearest University: Australian National University (ANU) and the ANU Institute for Space

Braddon, the undeniable 'hipster' capital of Canberra, is like the cool kid in the neighbourhood that everyone wants to hang out with. Just a casual stroll from the CBD, it's a playground for young professionals and the fashion-forward. If all good suburbs in Canberra had Instagram accounts, Braddon's feed would be a constant scroll of food, wine, and effortlessly chic vibes.

Lonsdale Street is not just a street; it's a runway of independent fashion, homeware, and design stores that turn every shopping trip into a style adventure. Braddon doesn't just do Sunday brunch; it hosts village farmers' markets at Haig Park, making sure your weekend starts on a fresh note. And when it comes to getting around, Braddon keeps it easy with not one but two light rail stops, making public transport a breeze. The property scene? It's all about in-demand apartments, with a touch of that 'under construction' buzz hinting at even more cool stuff coming up. Braddon isn't just one of the good suburbs in Canberra; it's a lifestyle statement, where every day is a fashion show, and the streets are the runway.

8. Forrest

Average Rent: ~AUD $950/week
Population: ~1,560
Safety Index: 9.0 / 10
Distance from CBD: 4 km south
Nearest University: Charles Sturt University and Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)

Forrest, the crown jewel in Canberra's inner south, is where prestige meets charm. This neighbourhood isn't just a place to live; it's the Diplomatic precinct's stylish playground, flaunting Canberra's "Golden Mile" on Mugga Way like it's the red carpet. If the good suburbs in Canberra had a hall of fame for property, Forrest would be the record-breaking superstar, boasting character-filled homes on grand proportions, because size does matter in the suburb of opulence.

This isn't just a neighbourhood; it's a dress-circle lifestyle extravaganza. Esteemed schools? Check. Walking trails on Red Hill? Double-check. And for the everyday essentials, there's Manuka Village, ensuring that your daily routine is nothing short of luxurious. Forrest isn't just one of the best suburbs in Canberra; it's a place where every home tells a story of grandeur, and every stroll is a walk through elegance. 

9. Yarralumla

Average Rent: ~AUD $900/week
Population: ~3,100
Safety Index: 9.1 / 10
Distance from CBD: 6 km southwest
Nearest University: Charles Sturt University and the ANU School of Medicine & Psychology

Yarralumla, one of the best places to live in Canberra, adjacent to Capital Hill, is like a suburban artwork painted with beautiful, leafy streetscapes adorned by classic art deco homes. This premier suburb doesn't just have houses; it has statements with a price tag that says, "You're in the heart of it all." Tightly held and for good reason, it's the jackpot of proximity to the city, quality schools, and a cafe scene that's practically a daily diary of deliciousness.

But Yarralumla isn't just about houses and lattes; it's a green haven. Plentiful green spaces and pretty parks, bordered by the majestic Lake Burley Griffin, transform every day into a canvas of outdoor opportunities. Boating, paddling, or just picnicking by the water's edge, Yarralumla is where suburbia meets waterfront bliss. It's not just a suburb; it's where classic charm meets contemporary convenience, and every stroll feels like a leisurely brushstroke on the canvas of your daily life. 

10. Amaroo

Average Rent: ~AUD $460/week
Population: ~6,130
Safety Index: 8.6 / 10
Distance from CBD: 15 km north
Nearest University: University of Canberra College (UC College) and Australian Catholic University (ACU)

Amaroo, the family-friendly haven, wears the crown as one of the top spots to raise a tribe. This good suburb in Canberra isn't just a place to live; it's a vibrant, neighbourly atmosphere where every house feels like a home. Imagine lots of green spaces, streets so quiet they practically whisper, and a shopping village that's the heartbeat of convenience, supermarkets, coffee shops, and eateries, oh my!

Located roughly 25 minutes north of the city, Amaroo is more than just a dot on the map; it's a hub of good schools, excellent sporting facilities, and playgrounds that turn every day into a family adventure. The community spirit here is not just strong; it's practically the superhero cape of the neighbourhood. And when it comes to houses, Amaroo doesn't do cramped. Spacious, private, and sitting on large blocks with backyards, because in Amaroo, your home is your kingdom. It's not just a suburb; it's a community masterpiece, where every street feels like a friendly hug, and every backyard is a playground waiting to be explored, making it one of the best suburbs in Canberra.

Find The Best Student Accommodation In Canberra’s Top Suburbs With Amber

Finding the right home while studying in the capital city can make all the difference, and that’s where amber comes in. Amber offers high-quality yet affordable and cheap student accommodation in Canberra, perfectly suited for every student’s needs and budget. From private studios to shared flats, each property is fully furnished and located close to top universities like ANU, University of Canberra, and CIT. With comfort, safety, and convenience at its core, amber ensures you get the best student accommodation in Canberra without compromising on affordability or location. Here are some of the top options in the best places to live in Canberra:

1. UniGardens
2. UniLodge @ UC - Campus West
3. Accolade on Moore
4. Dickson Village Apartments

In the Canberra saga of suburban living, the best places to live in Canberra tell a unique tale. From the hipster cool of Braddon to family-friendly Amaroo, these good suburbs in Canberra aren't just settings; they're characters in your story. Whether it's the coffee-fueled rhythm of Braddon or the family-friendly embrace of Amaroo, Canberra's suburbs are your backdrop to a best-selling academic adventure. Choose wisely, your Canberra story starts with the perfect accommodation in the best suburbs in Canberra for you!