Curious Canberra answers questions sent in by you, the audience. This one is from Deb Guster of Braddon who asked: why is it so hard to make friends in Canberra?

To answer the question, I took to the streets to find out what Canberrans think.

Share Nicholas (right) says it can be harder to making friends in Canberra if you live in the outer suburbs.

I think it just takes time. I've been in Canberra seven years and I've got a better group of friends now than I did when I moved here ... There is a divide I think between the inner-city where we are and the suburbs. I know that much because I did live in the suburbs and it was quite tough. Nicholas, 32 (right)

External Link: Making friends in Canberra

Curious Canberran Deb Guster wants to know why, in a city of 400,000 people, locals can sometimes feel alone.

"People don't often talk about it a lot and I'm always worried that if I say, 'It's really hard to find friends here', people will say, 'Well that's something that's wrong with you'," Deb said.

"But it's important to me because I was thinking of moving out of Canberra just because I've found it easier to make friends interstate."

This investigation is not just about making friends. It is about crowds and public spaces. It is about how we socialise in the cities we live in, and what makes Canberra a special case.

The city's population is always in flux.

Share Deb Guster (left) wants to knwo why it can be tricky making friends in Canberra.

Every year, nearly 600 young people join the Australian public service graduate program, and thousands more move to town to start university.

The median age in the ACT is 35, which makes it second only to the Northern Territory in a comparison of states and territories.

Deb was born in Adelaide but completed most of her schooling in Canberra. She has since lived in Newcastle, Sydney and Hobart. But she keeps coming back to Canberra, attracted by its green spaces and easy lifestyle.

Her only gripe with the town is how much harder she finds it meet new people in the capital, compared to other cities.

In Deb's opinion, a big part of the problem is the way the city is built.

"There just isn't that density of housing, where people live in a small area and bump into each other a lot," she said.

What do the experts say?

Deb and I met with Milica Muminovic, who is an assistant professor of architecture at the University of Canberra and an expert in urban design.

She believes there is a link between the way cities are designed and the way people behave.

Share

It is important for humans to be in crowds. For me that's the reason for the existence of cities. That's why we live in cities and that's why we invented cities. Doctor Milica Muminovic, urban design expert

"Most cities do have that socialising aspect which is quite important," Dr Muminovic.

"It's not actually making friends but being in a crowd.

"I think in Canberra that doesn't really happen spontaneously.

"There are pockets of that always happening, there are always events and things, but you have to be organised and follow those events.

"What I think is happening in Canberra is there is that perception of not having opportunities to socialise because of the uniqueness of the city and the way life is organised.

"The density is really low and everything is spread out. You live in your house, you get in your car, you travel probably alone and go to some place. The way everyday life is organised in this city doesnt really allow for that spontaneous crowd."

What do Canberrans say?

I also asked Canberrans of different ages and lifestyles about their experience making friends in the capital.

Share Felicity and Mohinii say work and university have helped them find friends in Canberra.

I personally don't think it's hard to make friends here. Particularly because of the environment I'm currently in. I'm at the University of Canberra. Felicity, 20

"I live on campus so there are events organised by the uni all the time.

"Then I have this side of my Canberra life where I come to work, and in hospitality you just meet people every day.

"Hundreds of people every single day.

"Especially where this street is located, it's all hustle and bustle every single day and people are willing to talk to you and be friendly."

I've moved here from Sweden just a few months ago and I've met so many people. Mohinii, 24

"One of the reasons I moved to Canberra is because I loved all the people that I'd already met when I was here a year ago on exchange.

"So yeah I found it very easy to meet people and make friends here. In any sort of city whether it's Canberra or Stockholm living on campus is a really good way of meeting people.

"That's how I met pretty much everyone I know."

Share Porkie says the problem is Canberra's public servants.

Same as anywhere else mate but it's the pubes (public servants) we're full of pubes, that makes it hard. They don't want to know the underdogs. Porkie, 55

Share Julie says her neighbours have been a source of friendship.

Canberra can be a cold place I suppose. But you have to contribute. Julie, 74

"I live in Watson and we all keep spare keys for our neighbours in my street in case we get locked out.

"We often have beers or a barbeque, someone will be having beers of an evening and you'll knock on the doors and tell people.

"And you just come along. You have to bring your own beers, or some biscuits. You don't come empty-handed."

Share Andrew and Bill came to Canberra for the public service graduate program.

We came to Canberra for the (Australian Public Service) graduate program. All those years ago. I had no problem at all making friends here. Andrew, 57

"I remember talking to some Perth millionaires and they said, "oh but you're not representative [of a regular Australian], you're from Canberra".

"Well how were those millionaires representative?

"I think Canberra is more representative than other cities in Australia because the people come from all over."

I'm retired now. I just finished my Masters in History at the ANU and they have things happening all the time there. I get the newsletters, there's always something going on. Bill, 58

Share Goh has moved to Canberra to study.

I don't have any friends at all in Canberra. It's very hard. I'm studying at a course in Dickson and I'll stay for two years. Goh, 21

Share Michael says Canberra can be a city of transients.

Oh yeah that's an interesting question ... I know what you mean. Michael, 34

Share Touie says it's all about making an effort.

I'm from Yass and Canberra's like that, it's not a city it's a big country town. You've just gotta get involved. Touie, 34

Share Tom is a Canberra native.

I'm born and bred Canberra. It's not hard to socialise. You've just gotta end the Netflix marathon and get off the couch. Tom, 30