Canberra is home to me – it’s where I live, where I grew up, and it makes me feel grounded. Almost every teenager growing up here goes through the ‘Canberra’s a hole’ phase, and yes it is sterile in a way, but the more I travel the more I realise its value.

benefits: lots of cultural activities for a city of its size (including museums and galleries, theatres, live music, an alternative cinema, festivals – the multicultural festival, national folk festival, science festival, international film festival etc.), lots of nature areas to escape to and mountains to walk up and see pretty views from, a laid back atmosphere once you get away from office work, three universities (it is the most educated city in australia), lots of restaurants from a wide range of areas, close to the snow, close enough to sydney to go for a weekend. and if you’re a tourist it’s a good place to avoid other tourists. we also feature the decriminalisation of pot and legalised brothels out in Fyshwick where the sex shops and fireworks shops are.

pitfalls: cold by australian standards, not at the beach, ok yes less bands come here true i admit it, no international airport, everyone works in the public service, too close to parliament (but easy to avoid if you want to).