Does Canberra's northside or southside reign supreme?

So, which is better?

Two Sydneysiders who have made the capital home look to settle the debate once and for all.

NORTHSIDE - BLAKE FODEN

When tackling such a divisive question, it's only fitting to start with the city's most divisive issue.

You either love or hate the idea of the light rail, but as someone who's lived in cities with light rail already up and running, I'll confidently declare that Canberra's awful public transport network is about to get a whole lot better if it's done properly. And northsiders will be the first to benefit when the Gungahlin to Civic line starts taking passengers.

I'll admit those on the southside have more of the capital's notable institutions on their doorstep, but how often do people who live here actually visit institutions like Parliament House and the National Library?

Besides, the northside is home to Canberra's most reviewed and highest rated attraction on TripAdvisor; the Australian War Memorial. The people have spoken.

Just above the war memorial, the northside has the best view in town from the top of Mount Ainslie. How many southside destinations can deliver that sort of vantage point while giving the legs just enough of a workout to be a productive excursion and a pleasant walk all at once?

The capital's critics like to associate the city with politics and the so-called "Canberra bubble", which became so notable in 2018 that the Australian National Dictionary Centre made it the word of the year. Some of the city might be stuck in the bubble, but there's a whole world in Canberra. Really. And you can have that world at your feet if you visit the miniature village of Cockington Green.

Up here, you're less likely to find yourself caught in the crossfire of a bitter turf war between Canberra's ever-growing number of outlaw bikie gangs, which are battling for supremacy on the southside.

And only the northside can lay claim to the city's finest and most interestingly shaped piece of architecture. That's right, the Belconnen Owl.

SOUTHSIDE - ANDREW BROWN

Sure, the north will be getting a light rail... eventually, but the south's escaped the traffic chaos that is Northbourne Avenue and the Russian roulette game of Is-This-Road-Closed-And-Do-I-Need-To-Take-A-Detour-or-Can-I-Turn-Right-Here?

Besides, the south will soon be getting one (give or take a few years) without the Northbourne shambles.

Is it any wonder that when people think of Canberra, those who live here and those interstate, it's things on the southside they think of first, from Parliament House, the galleries and Questacon.

Sure, the north might have the uber-trendy food hot spots in Braddon, but there are impossible things, and then there's trying to find a park there on a weekend.

I'll happily take Canberra's best kebabs at Yarralumla or smash a Brodburger in Kingston, or any one of the amazing brunch places in Manuka or Barton or Deakin or the Kingston Foreshore, with parking (mostly) aplenty.

There are still amazing views to be had southside, too. Forget Mount Ainslie: been there, done that. Head to Red Hill or Mount Taylor for incredible vistas, minus the endless stream of runners/hikers/tourists crowding the good vantage point for the perfect Instagram post and obligatory selfie.

And you don't necessarily have to climb a mountain to see the best the south has to offer. Thankfully Weston Park is flatter - and the perfect place for a picnic.

For those in Canberra who want to escape the heat but don't want to travel for hours to the south coast, the southside has many places to cool off like Kambah Pool, Uriarra Crossing or Pine Island.

If you need further proof of the southside's superiority, it also has the best named shopping centre in all of Canberra, with the Hyperdome reigning supreme. (Yes, I know it has changed, but to generations of Canberrans it will always be the Hyperdome).