Is Crace Canberra’s happiest suburb? Residents certainly think so

Is Crace Canberra’s happiest suburb? When the suburb was founded in 2009, the concepts of happiness, contentment and liveability were at the forefront of its design.

The Crace Study by the University of Canberra – a longitudinal survey in the mid-2010s – found its residents were more contented than those who lived elsewhere, and that they were proud and very happy to live in Gungahlin’s innermost suburb.

Things are certainly happy at The District, the suburb’s award-winning pub where owner Gerry Sanfrancesco is greeting people by name, pouring beers and taking orders for lunch.

“It’s a real community here in Crace,” he says. “It’s such a beautiful area, people are so friendly, you can tell they really enjoy living here.”

In 2014, Crace won a Property Council of Australia award for best master-planned community, recognising its high level of community, sustainability and amenities.

“The suburb has everything anyone would need, and there’s something really old-school about it.” Sanfrancesco says. “It does make you happy.”

The District sits at the heart of the shopping precinct, alongside Coffee Guru, Chicken Gourmet and Supabarn. There’s also a medical centre, a chemist, a hairdresser and a Club Lime gym.

The suburb fans out from this central core, with medium-density townhouses giving way to larger, single-dwelling blocks the further you go out on the gridded design. It’s all connected by bike paths and walking tracks.

And there’s green space everywhere – that was part of the suburb’s design protocol. From the recreation park with basketball courts and barbecue facilities, to the Hilltop Reserve Playground with views of the Brindabellas, and the large community garden on the eastern fringes.

The suburb attracts a lot of young families, but also professional couples and downsizers, who like its proximity to the city and to nature.

MARQ Property agent Sam Taylor says Crace surprises a lot of people.

“When they drive through the suburb for the first time, they’re noticing all the green open space, the great shopping centre and the large number of house-proud people who live here,” he says. “It really is something different.”

My Local

with Sam Taylor from MARQ Property

Best Eats

Love the food and changing specials at The District. I’m also partial to the cranberry and turkey pre-made sandwich from Supabarn; it has no business being so good. I’ll grab one on a Saturday while running around for open homes.

Coffee fix

Gotta share the love between Coffee Guru and The District. Both have plenty of morning sun and are really nice spots to enjoy a coffee and morning bite. I often meet clients at both places.

Hidden gem

Some people aren’t aware there’s a rare piece of Canberra architecture in Crace. On Indi Close, there’s a revolving house that spins 360 degrees throughout the day to chase the northern sun.

For sale in Crace, ACT

$648,000+

13 Errol Street, Crace ACT 2911

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View property

A neat little townhouse with a low-maintenance garden that exceeds all expectations; a patch of grass and established trees add spaciousness to medium-density living. It’s connected to the downstairs open-plan living areas via full-length glass sliding doors, bringing the outside in. Upstairs there are two large bedrooms, a bathroom and a versatile study nook. All within walking distance of the shopping village.