In some ways the image I had of Canberra as a south coast resident making the move up the mountain was true, but in others it was completely wrong.

Just over 12 months ago I moved to the ACT not knowing what to expect. But, it didn't take much time to learn all of its quirks, flaws and strengths - and to find out what makes the city and the people that call it home tick.

It wasn't long before I substituted looking for the top of Pigeon House Mountain to see how far I was from home, to looking for the tip of the Telstra Tower or the Parliament House flag to tell how far away I was from the city.

I also quickly learnt that Canberrans know how to back a sporting team, and they aren't afraid to show it loud and clear.

We saw the army of green come out on force to back the Raiders recently, and everyone celebrated with the Canberra Capitals when they took out last year's WNBL season.

Boom Boom, CLAP! Are you all born doing the Viking clap? It seems everyone knows how to do it well, or at least knows what it is and when it's done.

However, one thing I still don't understand is why oh why do all of your number plates start with 'Y'? I could not bring myself to change over my number plates to be blue and white and start with a Y, like everyone else in Canberra.

Maybe it was hearing south coast dwellers affectionately call those driving cars clearly from Canberra "yogi bears" that made me cringe at the thought of being defined as one myself.

And, you have late night shopping on a Friday night. Aren't most people out at restaurants or bars after work on a Friday? I thought the point of late night shopping was to bring people out to spend money on a week night so they could enjoy the weekend.

Canberrans are divided on lots of things, I've also realised.

The Northside/Southside divide is great and real. It's almost always one of the first questions people ask you - "Do you live on the north or the south?". At first I was confused as to why it mattered, but it soon became clear it's totally a "thing" here in Canberra.

What side is better? I still don't know, but I am proud to say I lived south of the city.

It's not just the lake that divides those on the north and the south of Lake Burley Griffin. How about the shiny, red light rail vehicle. Some love it, some hate, but nearly everyone would have been stopped by it on Northbourne Avenue. Call it a tram and those LRV lovers will be sure to call you out on your error in seconds.

And, it snows in Canberra in winter AND in summer. Although, the summer "snow" comes in the form of pollen and doesn't force you into a Katmandu puffer jacket. Speaking of puffer jackets, if you've lived through a winter in Canberra, you have one as a wardrobe staple.

The city is a ghost town come summer, as every man and his dog hits the coast to get their annual dose of salt and sand. And, from experience as a checkout chick, often some of you leave half of your brain at home.

Traffic is almost non-existent all year-round, unless there's an accident, but parking is near impossible in most places. Just ask the driver who flipped their car in Lonsdale Street last week, closing the road while emergency services came to their aid.

I learnt you have to book a table at a restaurant on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, or risk not getting in or having to wait a while. I guess that's better than not having anything open past 4pm on a weekday - yes, that's the reality on the coast and, no, that won't ever change.

The arrows on ACT roads aren't there to make sure you know what way you're going - even though there's been more than one occasion someone has been caught on the wrong side of the road on Tuggeranong Parkway.

Despite those that don't live here thinking Canberra is nothing more than a place our politicians go to debate each other, those living here live outside the bubble, and know the capital has a lot to offer and even more to keep you entertained.

I've learnt there's many things unique to Canberra and those who live here. Some of them are better than others, but all of them make calling it home that much easier for outsiders coming here for work.

Like every city or town, there's pros and cons to Canberra, but the good far outweighs the bad.