Living in Perth - Why Perth?

Perth, according to every guide book you read, is the most remote city in the world. So why choose to visit or move here? (I've been very interested to know myself as we were assigned to Perth with my husband's job and therefore had no say in where we ended up).

After much reading up on the matter and nosing around asking questions of people who actively chose Perth (rather than the other, possibly more exciting cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, in fact anywhere APART from Perth) I've come to the conclusion that it's because of the friendliness of the people.

In fact it's very possible that, because of the remoteness, the people in Perth and indeed in the rest of Western Australia are very friendly. I haven't once come across a genuine born and bred Aussie begruding me living here and taking up their space. Not the "not another wingeing Pom" attitude that I thought I would come across. In fact so far, it's been the exact opposite. The Perthites that I've met have even expressed the opinion that there are not enough English/Scottish/Irish here (apologies to the Welsh but I've not met anyone who's mentioned Wales yet) and the more the merrier as far as they are concerned.

Yes Perth is remote and yes, the distances within Western Australia can stagger you at times (what? 10 hours to drive 2 inches on the map?) but it's the only state and therefore, city, that you can watch the sun set over the Ocean (pity the other cities having to get up extra early to see the sun rise over the Ocean) and it's possibly American Travel Writer Bill Bryson's favouritest Oz city so that can't be a bad recommendation now can it?   

   

Comments

[Natlaie Whyte]

HI There,

Your webiste has really made me feel at ease. We will be leaving for OZ the next +_12 months. Never been to the country. Our children are really excited - we still are nervous - "the not knowing what is on the other side" from South Africa

Mark and Natalie

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Mark & Natalie,

Glad to see that you find the site useful.

If you are moving to Perth then you will find quite a large RSA community here, after the British it's the largest group of migrants.

Let me know if you need some specific info or if you think the site is missing a trick somewhere! It's always useful to have feedback to make it better!

Regards, Claire

[Gary Ward]

Hi great site. We are beginning visa application process to live in Perth, possibly Mindarie area. I am a wlefare worker and was wondering if there are plenty of welfare work jobs available and how much they pay?

We are excited about coming over and love the idea of seeing the sun set over the ocean.

Gaz

[Helen Ward]

HI,

Was wondering if anybody has any experience of emigrating with a dog. Is it a costly prospect?

[rob]

hi
my family and i are also just starting the visa application and was wondering if there are plenty plastering, rendering insolation jobs about and what the average wage is on the building sites?

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Rob,

By the looks of it there are plenty of these jobs available.

One of the best job sites to look at is www.seek.com.au

Have a shufty on there and you'll get some answers to your questions!

Regards, Claire

[RON]

HI

My Family And i are moving to Perth mid next year from Pakistan, is it really as good as they say, do you think it's a nice place to raise small children.

We sure can use as much information we can get

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Ron,

We certainly think it's as good as they say but we may be a little biased by now!

Speaking as a mother of a nearly 5 year old and with another one on the way, I do think that it's a great place to raise small children. Teenagers may be a different scenario as Perth isn't a big city with loads going on.

We have found it to be very clean, great climate with wonderful fresh air and the bluest skies you can ever want to see, friendly people and so many outdoor places for kids to just rush about in.

Regards, Claire

[trys reddick]

Hiya,

Great site and very useful information. I've been accepted onto a course at Joondalup TAFE starting in June so have only 5 months left, whereabouts are you?

Trys

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Trys,

Glad you like the site, we're up in the Northern suburbs too and near Joondalup.

Shout if there's any info you can't find on the site but would like an answer to.

Cheers, Claire

[Stu]

I am looking to move to Perth next year with my wife and two small children. Can anyone tell us what suburbs in Perth would you recommend and also where would be the best place to jobseek - I am a carpenter

[Ashleigh]

Hi,im 18 and am looking to get a working visa for 12months and moving to perth to work as a hairdresser, i have heard hairdressers are in demand over there, is that true?and is it expensive to rent in perth?
xx Ashleigh

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Stu and Ashleigh,

Hairdressers are in demand and are one of the skills that give you extra points to get into the country so you're going to have no problem in getting a job Ashleigh.

Rent can be expensive but I would say not in relation to the UK. You can get a decent 3 bedroomed house from $240 per week (£100) and a 4 bedroomed from $300 per week (£125).

As far as finding a carpenters job Stu, then look on www.seek.com.au which is one of the best job sites or take a look at the newspaper, www.westaustralian.com.au

As far as suburbs go, it's always a difficult one to answer as everyone is looking for something different.

I would recommend that you come here on holiday before actually moving out and then you can get a feel for what it is you're after. There is a good website to look at with suburb information on it - www.reiwa.com.au

Regards, Claire

[Stu]

Many thanks Claire, With the price of flights it would be too expensive for us to holiday there first. We have been looking around the Joondalup/Woodvale/Connolly area (schools etc look good), so we will probably rent there first until we get to know Perth and decide where to buy. Thanks for the websites, any information at all is a great help. Cheers, Stu.

[Jen]

Hi! Great website!

I'll be moving to Perth soon and would like to live in the city since I'll be working there (near West Perth).
I also hate to commute and like the convenience of working near my home.
What do you think of this plan?
Is there any area/apartment that should be avoided in Perth city?
Thanks!
Jen

[eve]

hi,

I sent you an e-mail last week lots of personla info so not keen to pop it on your website). Did you get it? I am looking forward to hearing from you.

cheers Eve

[Lynne Nuttall]

Hi everyone at This Perth Life

My family and i should be in Perth in the next four months and we cannot wait. This website has given us an abundance of fantastic information and just makes us even more sure we are doing the right thing for our family. My husband has a job in Canning Vale so we're looking at buying in and around there. Its going to be quite a move from Warrington which i know Clare will know well.

Keep up the good work.
Thanks

Lynne and family, Great Sankey
Warrington

[Gordana]

Hi,
My family and I should move to Perth in the next two months hopefully. We've been there for the first time for Xmas 2006 and we all found it amazing. I simply fell in love with Perth. Now I'm waiting for my 457 Visa to be granted. It has been allready more than 8 weeks after lodging visa but still no answer. Does someone else from ETA country has experinced such a long time for having the replay from Immigration office?
Thanks
Gordana & Family - Chieti - IT

[Adam Woods]

Hi we are visiting numerous cousins and uncles next year in the Kinross and Padbury areas. I am a plumber and my wife is a training manager, her company has offices in the area. What is the demand for plumbers and utility engineers

Adam . Tyneside

[Claire Sutton]

Hi Adam,

I don't think that you'll find any problem getting work as a plumber here! Check out www.seek.com.au for jobs and you'll find there are plenty and it'll give you an idea of what's on offer, rates of pay etc etc.

Regards, Claire

[Linz]

Hi Everybody

We have just started applying for our visas (that's me, my husband and our two little boys aged 4 and 1.5 yrs).We have been looking around the areas of Kinross and Butler can anybody tell me what they are like to live in i.e schools, housing, work - my husband is a motor mechanic.

Regards Linz & Family

[mike]

hi there, your web site has given me lots of info, as we are making plans to move to perth asap. im a hairdresser and bring my wife and two sons with me, are there any migration agents you would recommend , and is there still a shortage of trained hairdressers in perth? we plan to rent for a few months and then buy or build a house, do you think this is a good thing? thanks mike

It seems the "English/Scottish/Irish" or Welsh are superior than the rest of mankind. I feel sorry for you guys.

[Michal]

Hi - great site. I am planning to relocate to Perth early next year (Jan 2008). I would like to rent a house close to the coast/beach area for reasonable money. If you could direct me which location suburb/district is safe+close to the beach+reasonably priced I would be very grateful - Best regards and see you soon!

[Shane]

Hi Claire,

Just joined and looks good so far. My fam and I are Aus residents by paper so far and plan to move there March 2008. Probably into southern suburbs like singelton/secret Harbour as we have fam there.
You posted an article on your site on cost of living before. I would be interested in knowing some of the following :
1.Schools : how do you register kids with the gvt schools ?
2. Vehicle finance : is this easy and available to new immigrants
3. Is there a procedure for registering school teachers
4. What is the incentive for first home owners ?
5. How and when do you register for a TPIN.
6. Can you convert driving licenses from Southern Africa ?
I am sure there will be many others, but thought I'd taken enough blog space so far.
Cheers
Shane

[Donna]

Hi Claire!
Interesting site - I stumbled across it while trying to go to the westaustralian website(which apparently doesnt work!?) and I noticed in your comments that you say Perth is the only city you can watch the sunset over the ocean - not true. Adelaide also has lovely sunsets over the sea. I have also found when living in Perth before that I became very lonely. As I am moving back in the next few months I'd love to think I'll be ale to find some of those friendly people you speak about!
cheers
Donna

[Albert]

Hi
Does anyone know what the process is for renting a house in Perth, e.g. what documentation are required, references etc. Our plan is to rent short term while scouting around for a house to buy. My family is planning to move March 2008 from NZ. Also do pets from NZ need to be quarantined??? Have applied for truck driving jobs in the mines...no luck yet! Thanks

[SAIF AFTAB ALI]

hi im saif im fed up wid the life of melbourne and there is a lot of jobs problem and living costs much,eventhough in earlier times melbourne was like perth full off opportunities now what u say about perth?please advice me as a brother where should i go for residency in suburbs or city,i cant afford too much because im a student of professional cookery.jobs related to cookery and permanent residency problem are happening in perth or not im confused please help me for God sake.

[eddie]

i am planning to move to perth in jan 09 and would like any info about how to enrole children into schools.i was in joondalup in october an loved the place so much.

[balfourd]

In my experience, the best place to go to find properties-- either for sale or rent-- in Perth is the internet. Start with the Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA: http://reiwa.com/

The market is ever-changing, depending on what you are looking for. Housing is really expensive at the moment, but if you are a cashed-up migrant, your perspective may be different to us locals.

good luck everyone!

PS Isn't this a great site! Claire you are doing a brill job. I stumbled on the link via my subscription to This French Life...c'est la vie...

[Lynne Nuttall]

Happy New Year Claire and Family

Just a quick email to let you and your readers know that Wanted Down Under on 3rd jan at 9.15am on bbc1 is showing a family wanting to move to Perth. We will be arriving at the end of Feb. Cannot wait. Happy Watching!!!

Fab site

Lynne in Warrington

[joyce richards]

so glad we found this site , we are hoping to move to Perth soon , things seem to have come to a standstill with our agent at the moment , are there still plenty of jobs for mechanics out there

[Shannon]

Hi everyone.
Firstly fantastic site Claire.
I came across this while looking for pictures of home to show friends here. Let me explain.
I am a Perth local living in UK!!! I moved to Perth in 1988 from England and I am now back working in England. It is definitely for the short term as I can't wait to get home.
I thought it would be of interest for people to hear what I miss about home......
I can honestly say I miss everything about Perth, the sun setting over the ocean is just fantastic, the water sports, skiing on the Swan River, Fremantle on a Sunday afternoon, Kings Park for family get togethers, Mandurah for the feeling of being on holiday even if your not - you'll understand once you've been there, the BBQ's on weekends, The 4WD'ing and camping. The people, the lifestyle, everything is the best. The weather is never too cold for too long and the summers although they can be really hot are only that way for a few weeks, unless you live in the far North of the state which means it is pretty much an endless summer and all year tan! Great for some a complete nightmare for others.
As soon as you arrive get in the habit to remember to SLIP.SLOP.SLAP (slip on the shirt, slop on the sunscreen, slap on a hat) especially children, too many people don't realise just how strong the Aussie sun is until it's too late and you're burnt to a crisp.
As for where to live it all depends on the dollars and what you want. The train extension to the city is now up and running and makes commuting easy regardless of if you live an hour north or south of Perth.
Yes it can take hours to travel small areas on the map so never go far unless you are well prepared. You'll be surprised at the distance locals drive for holidays!!!
As for my advice on when you first get there, don't head straight to places where your family are, you'll get to know their area when you vist them so try and venture to other areas, get a feel for the lifestyle you want, make a list of what you like and don't like ie; nightlife/beach or city/country etc once you have that sorted it will be easier to narrow it down.
Another real estate site is:
www.realestate.com.au
Rentals, require normally in advance 4 weeks rent as a bond, 2 weeks rent as a letting fee and proof of savings/income and referrences on some occasions.
Be warned, your family/friends will come for a holiday and want to stay for ever.
Try not to move in the hottest months, Dec - Feb, it really wont make you feel welcome especially if coming from a cold climate straight into a Australian summer for the first time, if you have to, a pool and/or air-conditioning will save your sanity and quite possibly your marriage.
Best of luck to you all, don't look back you'll love it.
P.S.
By the way 'Pom' is used by locals but not in an offensive manner, Australians are well known for their use of slang and have slang for everything.

[Stephen]

Hi, me and my girlfriend are thinking of moving to Perth within the next year. Our plans are to rent a house and find work. ideally we would like to stay in Perth for 1 year. I am a bricklayer and my girlfriend is a teacher. Would there be a demand for the line of work we are in. could you give us any advice on where the best place is to find work.

Thanks Stephen

[Tracey]

Hi there. I am an australian citizen although i was born in Ireland. i lived in in WA for 8 years but returned to Ireland when I was 12. Anyway!!!! I have a hubby n 3 girls now and we are considering laying down our roots in Perth. Preferably Joondalup or surrounding areas.I lived in Kingsley before the move to Dublin. We have such mixed feelings of pure terror and pure excitment!! My hubby is a printer. Are label printing jobs easy enough to come by? Is there anyway you could put me in contact with irish people living in the Joondalup area if possible? thanks a mill talk soon!!!

[Nikki Barber]

Hi we are looking to move to Perth as we know the life would be better for our eight young children, we are looking to move asap and have just started the process with the emigrations department in england just wondered if you would be able to help us with some of the following questions we have:
:Where do we start to look for schools for the children
:is it better to buy or rent a property and where is the best place and people to speak with
:how long does it take to get out there
:What is the work like for plasters and midwives and hairdressers.
We hope you are able to help us and thanks for your time.

[Belinda]

Hi there. We are in the process of applying for immigration from South Africa! My husband has sent off his tra today - he's a fitter and turner by trade! We've heard there are loads of jobs available - is this true?? We'll be on holiday there in 3 weeks to get a better idea of life there - cant wait!!!!

[Craig sivyer]

hi there

we want to come and live in perth for three months and get work as a relief teacher. Does anyone know where we can find jobs as can't find any?! If not how easy is it to get other work like bar work quickly? What are schools like in perth?

Thanks!!!

[True Blue]

Keep all the Poms where they belong as they bring their hate lifestyle with them .
No more the sound of a whingerpity the irish didn't finish them off.Some of cringe at the thought of gutless poms turning up with their slave like attitudes .

[Steve W]

Hi - New to this site & got a lot of good info from it. We have booked a holiday to Perth in August & after that all being well we are going to start the Visa process & move out there. Any advice anybody has on the job situation would be appreciated (currently working offshore in a Safety position but I have an engineering backround in instrumentation & production). Cheers...Steve

[Monica]

Hi,

very interesting site indeed! My husband (Australian and from Perth) and I (German) currently live in Berlin and are looking to move to Perth for a while and perhaps return to Europe after a few years. We both know Perth very well – I myself have been plenty of times and absolutely love it. My husband’s parents own a house in Subiaco which would be a great opportunity for us as the rent prices particularly in that area of Perth seem to be pretty high. So we could live for free and be able to save some money.
Isn’t moving to the other side of the world kind of huge deal though, if we end up deciding that we miss the vibrant young life style of Europe and want to go back after a few years?

We haven’t made up our minds just yet, but I figure it’s a good opportunity to be able to enjoy some sun & beach for a while considering there’s a house waiting for us… and the job opportunities seem to be great!

Any advice is highly appreciated!

Cheers
Monica

[mark]

Hi
Do not think Perth is the city of your dreams think again, spend 25 years the
clean but boaring boaring ....boaring
artificial and no soal. The most boaring city at least in Australia.
Ridiculously expensive for what you are getting and cost of living upss.
Good for raising children but only to 10-12 years old, when you like them to be free and imaginative move them out of the, dont turn them to zombies ruling obeying nobody's.

any questions happy to answer
good luck
mark

[tracey batty]

how much would it cost to send 3 children to school. two will be in primary school and one will be in secondary school.

[Anthony]

I live in Perth, and what you have written is quite true, 90% of us are friendly, but of coarse you can not expect everyone to be perfect.

Also, my family comes from Wales :D

[Tracy & Trevor Davies]

We currently live in Birmingham England and have decided to relocate to perth.From the research i have done i have found the process really confusing. I have completed a couple of free skilled applications on the net but what do i do to make the first stage official? I almost need someone to give me a list of steps of what i need to do.

would really appreciate someone's help or advice.

Hope to hear from someone soon

Regards
Tracy & Trevor

[Dirk]

Yes indeed nice words...
I'm a German native grew up in South Africa lived in America 18 years...
I have a job offer in Perth as Diesel Fitter..
I'm already multi-cultured so it should be a fun ride..

Dirk

[Chris]

Just thought I'd let everyone know you can also see the sun set over the ocean in Adelaide, sortof.

[andy freeman]

hi my name is andy freeman i am looking to move to perth and looking for work as a plasterer i am fully qualified and looking for a company that has any vacancies in this line of work hopefully someone could sponsor me thanks

[andy lamb]

i am moving to perth oct 08 ,we were heading for Melbourne as thats where our friends and family are but thought we would take a look at perth first as the climate seems preferable,i am a telephone linesman,also a musician and i have a british lgv licience,what are my chances of finding decent employment.My wife is in advertising and marketing.Can someone tell us of areas to avoid to live,we have been looking about 30k south of perth

[andy lamb]

The consultant we used was Ian Harrop and can be found by google,we were not on our own and know a few people that have used him to apply for visas and we can say he is really thorough,give him a call!
It would be good to hear from any ex BT engineers living in Perth.