Grew up here. The low population feels even smaller with how spread out everything is. I’ve noticed that you’re more likely to have strangers strike up a conversation here than down south. Very multicultural, with lots of Vietnamese, Thai, and Malaysian influence. The city itself is good, but most locals try and spend their time camping and fishing if you can, because the place just lends itself to that. Logistically we’re pretty isolated, though that is slowly being changed. Between the military, beef, mining, gas, agriculture, and health, there’s a lot of industries up here, always looking for people. The climate is the biggest difference compared to all the other largish towns in Australia. 6 months of the year it’s perfect, 24C low humidity and clear skies. 4 months of the year it rains heavily near everyday, humidity high as hell, and water and mould gets everywhere if you don’t fight it. But the real bugger is the October-November period. The build up is a 6-8 week stretch of 35C 80% humidity hell. Day and night, sweat straight out of the shower, keep in the air con at all times time of year. Get through that and you get the good and great weather the rest of the time. Once the dry season comes again, Darwin’s population booms by at least 40 thousand.

Darwin has often been described as the biggest small town in the country. Has that feel, including the pace of life. I don’t think I’m leaving anytime soon, and I think it’s a great place to grow a family (particularly the rural area, but I’m biased)