Charnwood 2615 ACT?

Thanks guys for all your comments, appreciate it. I’m having mixed feelings about the place now and probably have to think about it some more! I’ll keep an eye open for other suburbs as well, prices might go down next year! Thanks again.

I am no longer certain that Charnwood is in the ACT. When i receive my parcel delivery notifications from the Charnwood post office, they all state that Charnwood is in NSW.

tuco said :

Hello, I am looking at buying a second hand white Commodore.

I would appreciate your opinion about the best decals for me to plaster across the back window.

Thanks!

How about a set of RM Williams horns?

Charnwood is the most affordable suburb to live with a median house value of $381,227,late last year.This is unsurprising given it’s got some of the crappiest houses in town of which a high percentage are govies.

I think Charnwood and Kambah are the only suburbs in Canberra where it’s legal to carry a loaded gun.
However Charnwood>Kambah.

johnboy said :

Watson said :

Safer than some neighbourhoods with a much better reputation, it seems. And it kind of speaks for itself that the poorer the neighbourhood, the less attractive it is to burglars.

Well, not really.

Other criminals are less likely to call the police, and poorer people can’t afford good security systems.

I lived in Braddon for 6 months once and the neighbours across the road had their house broken into 3 times in 2 months. Their solution? They started leaving the door unlocked and installed a motion alarm (not back to base). They had calculated that in the end, replacing the locks and/or door cost them more than replacing whatever got nicked. They had some argument about why back to base alarms where useless too, but I forgot.

Your argument on Charnies not calling the cops is pure assumption of course. And it doesn’t match the sentiment of some posters in other threads about the socially challenged being the first to whinge and whine to the authorities about any wrongs done to them.

I would’ve moved to Charnie if I wouldn’t have had to rely on financial help from extended family to buy a house. They would’ve refused to sponsor me to move there. But I reckon its reputation is exaggerated.

I would not send my child to school there though, so I am a hypocrite.

Watson said :

Safer than some neighbourhoods with a much better reputation, it seems. And it kind of speaks for itself that the poorer the neighbourhood, the less attractive it is to burglars.

Well, not really.

Other criminals are less likely to call the police, and poorer people can’t afford good security systems.

Martlark said :

http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/805101179?opendocument&navpos=220

Charnwood has more lower class workers than most of Canberra, but is otherwise not remarkable. Twice as many Spanish speakers and three times as many Finnish speakers as the average for the ACT.

Household income Charnwood% ACT% Australia%
Less than $600 — 18.8 — 12.9 — 23.7
More than $3,000 — 8.7 — 23.7 — 11.2

It’s notably poorer than the rest of the ACT. Household ownership is on par. Renting average. Rent paid is $65 less per week on average. Mortgage payments about half. There are 100 more females than males.

It was the first suburb I lived in and I quickly noticed how annoying it is to be so far from Belconnen centre and Civic. If you can get somewhere closer. Number and variety of local shops is much better than the average ACT outer suburb.

I checked http://www.police.act.gov.au/crime-and-safety/crime-statistics.aspx

Safer than some neighbourhoods with a much better reputation, it seems. And it kind of speaks for itself that the poorer the neighbourhood, the less attractive it is to burglars.

I’ve lived in Charnwood for a couple of years. It’s not upper class in the traditional sense; people who fixate on social class routinely project all kinds of bad qualities and inane memes on it. But it’s not violent, and our street hasn’t had a break-in for 25 years. It’s neighborly, not snobbish. The part of it that’s up the hill, slightly back from the shops, is probably the best part to purchase in.

Mr Evil said :

Dilandach said :

The Charnwood chicken place is just to die for though.

I’m going to take a wild stab here, but I reckon you’ve never actually been there.

Probably bad voodoo to mention the Charnwood chicken place and taking a wild stab.

I’ve been living in Charnwood for a good six years now. And while it’s certainly not perfect, it’s not the slum everyone still seems to think it is.

There may be some questionable folk around (like most places), but I can’t say I’ve ever been robbed, attacked or even felt threatened. Maybe some people are just too soft and expect Utopia.

I bought in Charnwood in 2012, stunning house, amazing views, quiet neighbourhood. I love it.
I grew up in this area, went to Charnwood High, moved away, and chose to return. An old reputation meant I bought a bargain.
There are some dodgy streets….in every Canberra suburb.

Dilandach said :

The Charnwood chicken place is just to die for though.

I’m going to take a wild stab here, but I reckon you’ve never actually been there.

This post can’t be serious. I’m reminded of a previous post from someone in Brisbane about to move to Canberra asking which was the best suburb to move into. One smarty commented that “Charnwood is the most prestigious and high class area of Canberra. Centrally located and full of sophisticated people as well. The residences are high quality and the natural bushland has a bosky, highlands feel about it”.

Dilandach said :

The Charnwood chicken place is just to die for though.

They haven’t had a fresh kill there for quite some time now.

Charnwood has a reputation as a bad place. However, over the past 5-10 years it’s demographics have changed to an extent. There are now a lot of young professional families buying in the suburb because it is affordable.

Like many parts of Canberra, it really depends on the street you’re in. Get a street with a bad neighbour and your life will be a living hell. Avoid the human refuse and it is a perfectly fine place to live… It’s only a 15-20 minute drive to the city – Domain recently rated it as the most affordable suburb suburb within 15-20km of the CBD. Most of Charnie is up on the hill with good views. There is a decent local shopping centre that is currently being expanded.

However, as jessieduck said.. I would hold off buying at least until next year. You may very well find that you can get a better house in a nicer suburb next year for what you would get in Charnwood this year.

Dilandach said :

The Charnwood chicken place is just to die for though.

I see what you did there.

Beau Locks said :

The anticipation is killing me! What will the other rioters say? Roll up, roll up, it’s the Riot Act peanut gallery about to pass judgement!

Hazel: I wouldn’t live there myself for a raft of reasons, but I would encourage you to invest in a wholesale quantity of salt and baste yourself in same prior to reading the deluge of negative responses that will likely appear.

Do you have to be on the northside? For a similar amount of money I’d be looking at Kambah, which I personally think has more going for it..

I’ve no qualms about living in the South – one just can’t abide them Yankees – and as someone who grew up in Kambah, I fully agree with you about the suburb’s appeal. But in 2009 some fork-tongued scoundrel rated Kambah ahead of Charnwood in Australia’s top bogan suburbs. We’re talking, you know, smashed schooner glasses at dawn over that sort of insult.

http://region.com.au/australia’s-top-bogan-suburb-they-name-a-few-in-canberra/13177

I baby-sat a house in Charnie for 6 months or so and have to say, I didn’t feel any safer or more vulnerable than any other I’ve lived in [Waramanga, Amaroo, Nugnnawal, Macgregor.]
Walked to the shops at 9-10 PM and didn’t feel threatened or anything. It was pretty quiet where I stayed, no burnouts or stuff. Never had strange visitors. I think there are also a lot of older retired people living there as well, so not too bad I suppose.
You can never judge a place unless you actually live there for a while so whu not try and rent something in the neighborhood before you buy?

This reminds me of that scene in National Lampoon’s Vacation where the Griswalds get lost and end up in the ghetto.

A little known fact is that Charnwood, like all ACT suburbs, is named after a figure of either local or national prominence. For Charnwood this is the territory’s first adult film star: Charming Wood. So named because his first pet was a golden retriever named Charming and he grew up on Wood street.

I smell a troll, and I’m not talking about Mr. trollsniffer

http://www.police.act.gov.au/crime-and-safety/crime-statistics.aspx

The crime statistics tell the real, unbiased story.

While we’re making fun of Charnwood though:

http://region.com.au/the-barbies-of-canberra/4423

It has less greenie hippie wankers than places like Braddon which is always a bonus in my eyes. The beautiful people of Canberra still believe a bus is better than owning an old falcon or commodore

I likes the place.

You’re a naughty, Hazel. You have been in Canberra since at least May 2011, when you first posted.

It has a Woolies and a Maccas, so it must be ok.

It is going to have an ambulance station soon, cut down on the wait times when you get belted up.

I also heard all you need to say is that you live in Charnie to get a firearm license for protection.

tuco said :

Hello, I am looking at buying a second hand white Commodore.

I would appreciate your opinion about the best decals for me to plaster across the back window.

Thanks!

Outlaw?

Hello, I am looking at buying a second hand white Commodore.

I would appreciate your opinion about the best decals for me to plaster across the back window.

Thanks!

Ahh, I’m going to get myself a glass of red wine and savour the comments as they roll in…

“Hello, I am looking at buying a house in Charnwood, Belconnen.

I haven’t been in Canberra for long…”

Nice trolling Hazel, welcome to RA! 😛

http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/805101179?opendocument&navpos=220

Charnwood has more lower class workers than most of Canberra, but is otherwise not remarkable. Twice as many Spanish speakers and three times as many Finnish speakers as the average for the ACT.

Household income Charnwood% ACT% Australia%
Less than $600 — 18.8 — 12.9 — 23.7
More than $3,000 — 8.7 — 23.7 — 11.2

It’s notably poorer than the rest of the ACT. Household ownership is on par. Renting average. Rent paid is $65 less per week on average. Mortgage payments about half. There are 100 more females than males.

It was the first suburb I lived in and I quickly noticed how annoying it is to be so far from Belconnen centre and Civic. If you can get somewhere closer. Number and variety of local shops is much better than the average ACT outer suburb.

Mostly harmless.

Charnwood is what it is- an outer suburb that has somewhat affordable 3 bedroom houses.

If I were you, I’d keep renting until after the election then see what house prices are like in 2014.

Hi Hazel, Dunlop is the suburb next to Charnwood. I think it’s worth looking into instead of Charnie. If you get somewhere near the Meadows would have some amazing view of the Brindabella range. Take a drive around there along Kerrigan Street (just at the end of Ginniderra Drive up north).

Oh you guys! Charnwood is great. Just as long as you don’t like owning possessions too long but at the same time you need to like having random visitors at 1am letting themselves in (because hey, we all hate getting up so early in the morning especially to let someone in)

The Charnwood chicken place is just to die for though.

Beau Locks said :

The anticipation is killing me! What will the other rioters say? Roll up, roll up, it’s the Riot Act peanut gallery about to pass judgement!

Hazel: I wouldn’t live there myself for a raft of reasons, but I would encourage you to invest in a wholesale quantity of salt and baste yourself in same prior to reading the deluge of negative responses that will likely appear.

I used to work there, but many years ago. It was a rougher than average area compared to the rest of Canberra (and certainly to the vegan belt part of the Inner North where I lived at the time). The Radburn design of the suburb has all the benefits and problems that people have argued about elsewhere on the interwebs. If nout else, it’s different from lots of other parts of Canberra. There did seem to be a good sense of community, tho.

Do you have to be on the northside? For a similar amount of money I’d be looking at Kambah, which I personally think has more going for it.

Good luck with your home hunting and gathering.

Hazel, you will read some funky stuff now you have asked. This advice is pretty good though.

Beau Locks said :

Do you have to be on the northside? For a similar amount of money I’d be looking at Kambah, which I personally think has more going for it.

.

& I would argue an easier commute (maybe even quicker) into the city.

I did a stint as a meter reader and Charnwood has some very angry dogs. Find out early if your potential new home has pissed off people with pissed off dogs nearby.

Hahahahahahahahaha! Beautiful!

The anticipation is killing me! What will the other rioters say? Roll up, roll up, it’s the Riot Act peanut gallery about to pass judgement!

Hazel: I wouldn’t live there myself for a raft of reasons, but I would encourage you to invest in a wholesale quantity of salt and baste yourself in same prior to reading the deluge of negative responses that will likely appear.

I used to work there, but many years ago. It was a rougher than average area compared to the rest of Canberra (and certainly to the vegan belt part of the Inner North where I lived at the time). The Radburn design of the suburb has all the benefits and problems that people have argued about elsewhere on the interwebs. If nout else, it’s different from lots of other parts of Canberra. There did seem to be a good sense of community, tho.

Do you have to be on the northside? For a similar amount of money I’d be looking at Kambah, which I personally think has more going for it.

Good luck with your home hunting and gathering.

Don’t make eye contact and walk away, slowly.