Perth

Living in Perth

Perth Western Australia

Perth LocationPerth is the capital of Western Australia and is Australia’s fourth largest city. It has a population of around 1.97 million people and is located on the south west coast of Australia. It is known as the world’s most isolated city because, well, it’s isolated!

Perth is so far away from the rest of Australia it’s sometimes difficult to remember that it is part of the same country. The nearest major city to Perth is Adelaide, yet according to Google, it would take about one day and eight hours to drive the 2,696 km between the two cities.

In the past, it used to be a little more expensive to live in Perth because of the extra costs involved in transporting goods to the area. Yet today, Perth is thriving and Western Australia is the country’s fastest growing economy thanks to its vast supply of mineral resources.

If they are short of anything over there, its workers to keep it all going. So these days, prices in Perth are more in line with the rest of Australia.

It seems the isolation isn’t such a bad thing either. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2014 Liveability Survey places Perth the 9th most liveable city in the world. That’s not bad!

The city itself is located on the banks of the Swan River, which is quite wide in places. But if you want sandy beaches then you’ll need to travel around 10 km west from the city where you will find the Indian Ocean.

As you can see from the photograph in my banner, it is a glorious coastline. Turn either left or right and you will be spoilt for choice for beautiful beaches.

Waterman Beech, North Beach, South Trigg Beach, Scarborough Beach, Brighton Beach, Floreat Beach, City Beach, Swanbourne Beach, Cottesloe Beach, Mosman Beach, Leighton Beach and Port Beach, to name just a few.

That’s all without leaving Perth; I think you get the idea.

What’s the weather like?

Perth WeatherHot, for the most part. Perth may well have the best summers in the whole of Australia. Well, that’s if you like 36° heat, 10 hours of sunshine a day and hardly any rain.

Like Brisbane, winters are mild and the rest of the time it’s hot, sunny and clear blue skies for the best part of it.

But as with most parts of Australia, sometimes the weather can be extreme. Perth can experience high winds and fierce storms, certain areas are at risk from flooding from the Swan River and the city is also close to Australia’s most active earthquake zone.

But mostly it is hot and sunny.

The Districts of Perth….

Map of Perth Western AustraliaPerth can be broken down into five main areas:

  • Inner Perth – including City, Inner North, Inner South, Inner South West, Inner East and Inner West
  • North Perth – including Northern Perth and Outer North
  • South Perth – including Outer South, Outer South West and Frementle
  • East Perth – including Outer East
  • West Perth – including Western Perth

Questions about Perth?

If you have any question about living in Perth, please please feel free to ask them in the comments below. Or if you know this city well, why not tell us what you think of it or maybe even help out by answering some of the questions people have about the area. I’m sure anybody thinking of moving here would be very grateful for any help you can give them.

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{ 629 comments… add one }
  • Mel October 11, 2019, 9:35 pm |

    Planning to move to WA sometime next year. Is Baldivis nice place to live for young family with kids? Is it close enough to public transport and CBD?

  • S August 29, 2019, 1:56 pm |

    Hello,

    I would like to know if Rosendo Street, Cottesloe is a nice area to live for a young professional. I am from Europe and trying to decide between here (which is closest to Mosman Park train station into the CBD) or Subiaco which is closer to City Beach (short walk and 1 bus). Also, interested to know if there are suburbs that I have not considered – need to commute to work in CBD, but also want to experience an Aussie lifestyle, and live in an area with young professionals, nice café culture, safe, close to the beach, easy access to public transport. (Not asking for much am I haha 😉

    Thank you very much – appreciate any advice. 🙂

    • BobinOz September 2, 2019, 6:39 pm |

      I don’t know Perth well, but I do know from the comments that have been made here before that both Cottesloe and Subiaco are very affluent suburbs and certainly good areas in which to live. So I can’t imagine that the street you mention is anything other than nice, or even really nice.

      Hopefully someone who does know Perth well will be able to back up what I’ve said.

      • charles September 25, 2019, 8:27 pm |

        Cottesloe would be an excellent choice to experience the PERTH lifestyle. It is very affluent, safe and all close to the beach. Subiaco has lost much of its lustre and many shops on the Main Street (Rokeby Road), Subiaco is tired and not a great place for summer or winter since they moved to the new stadium. I’d choose Cottesloe, Mosman Park, or some parts of North Fremantle.

  • Ange July 3, 2019, 8:12 am |

    Hi my name is Rita I lived in Sydney we like to go and live in Perth I have 5 children going to high school plz help me with where to live

    • Darian Divecha July 3, 2019, 12:14 pm |

      Hi Rita, I live in Perth and am currently in high school. Areas such as Morley, Caversham, Ellenbrook, Aubin Grove, Atwell, Bull Creek are good.

  • Uthpala January 18, 2019, 4:49 pm |

    My fiance is having an idea to do a master in mechanical engineering at ECU, Perth or USQ Toowoomba Queensland. So where do we find mechanical engineering jobs (after graduation) the most?

    • BobinOz January 21, 2019, 8:24 pm |

      You can research this for yourself using the links on my page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship.

      Good luck, Bob

      • Uthpala January 21, 2019, 9:46 pm |

        Thanks a lot. But we searched many times. But I got to know from my friends that, it is difficult to find part time jobs in Perth. So we are excited at the moment in making the move to Perth. Thanks.

  • Mario Franco November 28, 2018, 1:39 pm |

    By at the middle of February, I’ll be living in Perth. I’m completely excited because it’s going to be the first time that I’ll live in Australia. So, I would like to receive a bunch of comments and advice about how is living in Perth, also which places recommend me for living in the city, in my case I’m going to study close at Curtin University specifically, the campus is located in the CBD called St Georges. I will appreciate all the comments that I will receive. All of them are going to be very useful for me.

    • BobinOz November 29, 2018, 8:28 pm |

      Hi Mario, sounds like you are very much looking forward to your move to Perth early next year.

      I find it’s always better to ask a specific question rather than just ask for general comments, otherwise people don’t know what you need help with. You say you want recommendations for where to live, but what you want from a place that you live in? Peace and quiet? Bustling nightlife?

      It might be a good idea if you spend some time reading the many comments that have already been made on this page about Perth, there is already lots of advice here, including some talk about where to live to be close to the universities. Once you’ve had a read through, if you still have any specific questions, that’s when to ask.

      Good luck with your move, I hope you enjoy Perth.

      • Mario December 3, 2018, 2:13 pm |

        Thank you BobinOz for your comment. I will follow your recommendations. So, I will read some comments that may help you to ask detailed questions. By the way, I would like to know what are the most common plans to do in Perth? for example, how is the nightlife? what are the most popular places for visiting? what are the common sports that people are used to doing in their free time?

        • BobinOz December 3, 2018, 5:15 pm |

          The people who live in Perth are no different than people who live pretty much anywhere in Australia. I have over 1500 pages worth of information on this website in six different categories, including one about places, another about entertainment, which includes sports and nightlife, and another about life in Australia.

          Have a good look around, you will learn a great deal about the Australian lifestyle.

    • Mark January 4, 2019, 8:32 am |

      Mario,
      Curtin Uni is accessible (1 kilometre East) from the trains running North to Perth and South to Mandurah along the freeway and is inner suburban at St James. The train stops in Perth, then would travel North on the Joondalup line, therefore you have access to a wide range of accommodation. The cycling path network is excellent in Perth, so you might consider buying a bicycle. If you are considering a car, buy a small one, carparks and fuel can be expensive. In regards to accommodation, the more East you live the cheaper it gets although neighbourhoods are more rougher. February should be hot so look for a place with an air conditioner. Gumtree.com.au is a community website where you can look at private rentals.

    • Andy January 4, 2019, 3:51 pm |

      Hi Mario,

      I’ve spent three years at Curtin University. It’s not a great university, I must say. Only thing important for that Uni is to get money from students, especially Asians.
      Don’t live in Bentley, it is not safe at all, especially during night time.
      Public transport is almost absent, I suggest you to get a car as soon as possible. Second hand cars are cheap.
      If you’re Italian, as your name suggests, you will get bored soon.
      Good luck!

  • Katie October 8, 2018, 5:45 am |

    Hi, my husband and I are waiting on our visa to emigrate to Perth and was wondering which suburbs are the best. We are a couple looking to start a family and would like to be close to the beach but within easy access to local conveniences. My husband ideally needs to be near the oil terminals and myself a hospital but we are happy to travel? We visited Perth briefly a week ago but did not get a chance to look around we loved Cottesloe but nit sure what this area is like to live in. Thanks

    • Anton October 8, 2018, 5:09 pm |

      Well a lot will depend on what you are able to afford, along with the location is you will be working in. Beach locations, being the most expensive of course. Cottesloe, is seriously expensive so possibly already decided. Hospitals are across the metro region which is rather huge, but oil terminals are as far as I know solely in the Kwinana area, that’s south down past Fremantle.
      Kwinana itself does not have a good rap, but somewhere in that part of the metro area perhaps?

  • Claudia October 7, 2018, 5:28 pm |

    Hello everyone,

    I’d be really grateful for some clarification.

    I have read that Adelaide is the most affordable city in Australia. On some websites, it is stated that Perth is on par with prices of Adelaide, and on others, I keep reading how excruciatingly expensive Perth is. Which is true?

    It seems that it’s a choice between Perth and Adelaide for us. If housing and most other prices were indeed similar, I might be more drawn to Perth as it seems there is a little more going on. We are rather quiet and not seeking a big buzz, but have children whom we homeschool and I get the sense there might be more in Perth than Adelaide…?

    Any help most gratefully received. Also if you had to share some other comments on these two cities, my ears (or rather eyes) are wide open…

    Many thanks for your time
    Claudia

    • BobinOz October 8, 2018, 5:59 pm |

      Hi Claudia

      First off, I don’t live in either of these two cities, I’m in Brisbane, but from what I hear, most people say Perth is expensive. Very recently, another reader left a comment somewhere stating that Adelaide was also expensive. Of the two, I think you are right, Perth would probably be the better place to bring up children, but there is no doubt that housing is more expensive in Perth than it is in Adelaide.

      Is there a reason why these two cities are your only choice?

      I say that because if you are looking for value for money, and somewhere good to bring up kids with plenty going on, then I would choose Brisbane. I’ve had holidays in every capital city bar Canberra here in Australia, including Perth and Adelaide, and whilst I have enjoyed all of them, none seem to be better than Brisbane to me.

      It’s a big decision to make, may I suggest you check out my main pages about Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, perhaps even the Sunshine Coast and my page called A Quick Guide to Choosing a City in Australia, making sure to also read all the comments. There will be hundreds and hundreds, but it’s going to be worth skim reading them because the more information you have, the better will be your final decision.

      Good luck, Bob

      • Claudia October 9, 2018, 10:50 pm |

        Hi Bob,

        Thanks a lot for your response!

        Brisbane keeps coming back to me – it’s definitely in the top three (and with your input may have even jumped up high now).

        I must admit that with Brisbane my main concern is the humidity and how I would cope with it. I’ve never lived in a humid place before. I keep thinking that there are many expats and they are all obviously dealing with it, but thought the climate of Adelaide might be more easy to adjust to (though I hear the heat can be burning indeed in summer).

        With Adelaide, its acclaimed affordability also seemed a big plus, and the fact that it’s not a super busy city also made me feel drawn to it (I get the sense Melbourne wouldn’t quite be for us, for instance). Also liked that it doesn’t get dark so soon (though dark in Brisbane may not mean life stops at 6pm?)

        However, reading more into it, I now got concerned Adelaide might be too quiet after all – that’s when Perth surprisingly popped up as an option.

        If you say good value for money, I shall look more closely into Brisbane’s cost of living – your comment made it sound doable… I also liked reading about the many parks of Brisbane…

        Thanks so much again for all your time and help,
        Warm regards,
        Claudia

        • BobinOz October 10, 2018, 7:06 pm |

          Everybody is different with the humidity, personally I find it slightly uncomfortable for about five weeks of the year, and maybe very uncomfortable for a couple weeks or so. That’s when the AC comes in handy.

          Obviously every summer is different, but that’s how I see it.

          I’m more than happy to put up with that for the benefits of great weather the rest of the year. Some people though, as you say, hate the humidity and just can’t cope. I find that Adelaide has a very dry heat, not good for your skin, so in some ways the humidity is better for you.

          Nearly 11 years now I’ve been in Brisbane, never once considered the humidity to be a real problem.

    • Anton October 8, 2018, 6:03 pm |

      Fifty fifty each way. Perth indeed is larger than Adelaide, but the latter is not as isolated as Perth, with Melbourne not that far away for a big city buzz. Both have decent beaches, but Adelaide does fall down on the employment front. Do check that out very carefully. But it is cheaper than Perth. Rents have fallen in Perth in recent years, but though house prices have headed south, they remain expensive, unless willing to live rather far out. IMO.
      There have been a lot of media coverage on recovery here in Perth, but I live inner city, have over re cent months have noted increasing small business in my area closing down.
      It is very expensive in Perth to dine out and such things. Sydney even cheaper. Bit of a strange one. I, for one, hope another ‘boom’ is not around the corner, as we are still paying the price of the last one. Good luck in your decision.

      • BobinOz October 10, 2018, 7:12 pm |

        Yes, the job market in Adelaide is definitely not good, and I’m told that even if you do get work, salaries are quite low. So Adelaide may seem cheap, but relatively it is not. So yes, definitely important to check out the employment front before considering Adelaide.

        Funnily enough I also found Sydney cheaper to eat out, I put it down to there being plenty of options, so with lots of restaurants and bars to choose from, I reckon prices are keen to try and get the business. Just a theory.

        That was before the lockout laws though, not sure what it’s like now.

      • Claudia October 10, 2018, 9:57 pm |

        Thanks a lot Anton, your insider perspective is very valuable.

        We shall see now how things progress. My husband’s company has offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. They offer home based jobs in Adelaide and Perth as well, but it turns out this may not be possible for someone just coming over from overseas – in which case Bob has convinced us that Brisbane is the right place to go. Well, even if we are given a choice, Brisbane is very high up on our list now (Bob, you should maybe get some sort of commission from the Brisbanian council for bringing so many people… 😉

        Thanks a lot again both.

        All the best,
        Claudia

        • BobinOz October 11, 2018, 9:32 pm |

          Yes, I’ll get 5% of all the rates you pay to Brisbane City Council when you get here, it’s a nice little earner. I don’t actually live in Brisbane or even Australia. I actually live in Scunthorpe, but there’s just no jobs up north.

          Man’s got to do something to earn a buck.

          Oh, don’t tell anyone 🙂

  • Marco June 15, 2018, 8:18 pm |

    Hi everyone
    We are moving to Perth later this year.
    would you know where most (petro) – chemical processing companies are located?
    That would narrow our search for a suburb to live

    thanks!

    • Jon June 15, 2018, 9:10 pm |

      Not many Petrochemical plants in Perth. Most are up north on FIFO bases. We do have some heavy industry on the Kwinana strip which includes BP refinery and one small gas plant. Other industries are fertilizer plants, paint pigment, power station and port authority.
      If you do go FIFO, you can live anywhere as long as you can get to the airport…

      • BobinOz June 18, 2018, 5:25 pm |

        Yes, what Jon said.
        I have no idea 🙂

  • Nicholas May 11, 2018, 3:10 am |

    Does anyone know if Perth has more men than women?

  • Iulia Nistor April 28, 2018, 10:48 pm |

    Hello..I liked youre article very much. Me, my husband and our 18 old months baby boy want to emigrate to Australia. We are from Romania. Do you have any ideea where to start? What kind of jobs we could find there and where? Is is difficulet because we don t know where to start. Many many thanks.
    Iulia

    • Anton April 29, 2018, 10:43 pm |

      Hi Julia, The first step will be to check if you have a skill in requirement. WA has reduced substantially listed jobs, with most now in the health and social area the last time I looked.
      If a nurse by any chance you could apply, but there is quite a cost these days in lodging applications, so make sure it is worth it before parting with any money.
      Good luck

      • BobinOz April 30, 2018, 5:30 pm |

        Yes, as Anton has said, your skills and qualifications are key here as most visas are based on this. There are other kinds of visas though that will allow you to move to and work in Australia, but you can’t move here without one.

        So that’s where you should start, by finding out if you would qualify for a visa and my page about Visas can help you with that.

  • Chris April 16, 2018, 4:33 am |

    Hey Bob, I’m hoping to emigrate to Perth at the end of 2018 on a Working Holiday Visa and I was wondering whether you had anything to say on the amount of specified work (for a 2nd year visa) to be found in the rural areas around Perth?

    And how is the best way to go about acquiring such work? I’ve heard it is pretty difficult to arrange before you arrive in Aus, but it seems risky to me to move to the otherside of the work without employment lined up.

    • BobinOz April 16, 2018, 5:31 pm |

      Here are a couple of posts that I think you really should read…

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/12363/working-holiday-visas-for-australia/
      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/17214/417-visa-working-holiday-holders-whv-and-slavery-in-australia/

      These two posts will go a long way to answering your questions.

      As you say, I think it would be almost impossible to find work before you get here, that’s why part of the acceptance criteria on the WHV is that you have to prove you have enough money to support yourself for a while. I think that figure is currently around $5000 AUD.

    • Anton May 2, 2018, 8:31 pm |

      Chris, I’m sure you are aware that a WHV is but that, not necessary leading to a PR. There are some areas worth considering for your rural stint. Donny Brook gets a good rap for apple picking. My neighbours, whom are Irish, recently had relative and boyfriend come over from Ireland, after three weeks they headed Down South and are working on a farm in Ravensthorpe. Not sure what kind of farm, but there intention was the get the rural part done and over with. I don’t think you’ll have too many problems finding something in that area. But something more permanent later may pose more an issue. WA is not over endowed in jobs at the moment.
      Good luck anyway.

  • Martin March 12, 2018, 5:13 am |

    Hi Everyone!

    My girlfriend and I going to be living in Perth for about 6 months for school, we are in our mid 20s and was wondering whats the best location you guys recommend to live and how to rent apartments and some extra advice. Thank you!!

    • BobinOz March 12, 2018, 8:44 pm |

      Renting an apartment shouldn’t be a problem, I just did a search for Perth and Inner Perth areas for apartments costing between $200 and $350 a week, over 400 came up. Basically you will need to view the apartment first and then put in an application if you want to rent it. It is usually not possible to rent before you get here.

      See Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia to search for yourself.

      If you choose a place that is already vacant I’m pretty sure you would be able to move in quickly.

      As for whereabouts to live though, I will leave that to the locals. Might be an idea if you let people know what you need to be close to and the kind of things you want from a suburb.

    • Anton April 29, 2018, 10:48 pm |

      Hi Martin, You don’t say which school? Perth is rather spread out but taking your post at face value, I would suggest inner city, Leederville is great for international students, as is Mt Lawley and Highgate. All close to city and cafes, night life very accessible without use of a car.

      • Martin June 17, 2018, 1:30 am |

        We are going to Western Australia university.

  • Andrew February 3, 2018, 6:26 pm |

    My wife and I cannot rate Perth high enough. We came from Melbourne 4 years ago and love it. The sunniest state in Australia, best beaches with the clearest and cleanest waters, great outdoor adventure opportunities, very good schools, safe, not congested and relaxed. Like Melbourne in the 80s. Also it’s not humid like Sydney or Brisbane; so it’s sunny with the most amazing blue sky’s and normally a breeze. People over do the hot hot Perth bit in my view. It’s more consistent. Check the weather. A Perth summer week reads 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30 and sunny. I don’t even check the weather anymore. A very relaxed society that tends to the optimistic (dare I say sunny side of life) and seems to love Melbourne and tries to emulate it (slowly and not completely) with increasing quality cafes and art options. Super kid friendly.

    • BobinOz February 5, 2018, 5:46 pm |

      That’s not strictly true though, is it? I just checked the weather for today and it’s 31° 🙂

      Seriously though, sounds like you are not missing Melbourne at all, and that you and your wife have now found your ideal city. Thanks for the write-up, Bob

    • Scott February 20, 2018, 9:50 pm |

      Allot of people from Melbourne enjoy Perth, it’s been over four years since I left and just wanted to say they have had some milder summers. The weather is beautiful like you said, having grown up there I can remember first day of primary school was over 42, and boxing days are scorchers. The last summer I was there February had an average of 35 degrees. Don’t worry you will get yours one summer ???

    • Lucy Kemp April 23, 2018, 10:13 pm |

      Hi, could you offer some advice to safe, clean, nice suburbs in Perth? Say within a 30-40 minute commute to the City or Welshpool? Thanks in advance..

      • Jodie April 24, 2018, 1:26 am |

        Depends what you are looking for, your age and your budget. The western suburbs are all of those things(and close to some of the best beaches too!) – in traffic maybe 45mins to Welshpool.

        • Lucy Kemp April 24, 2018, 3:06 am |

          Thanks so much Jodie.. we are a family of 5, My husband and I, and 3 children 11,4 and 3. Looking for good schools, safety and suburbs to definitely avoid.. any help would be grateful x

  • Andrew January 22, 2018, 10:28 pm |

    Here’s a question for you: My partner and I are thinking of emigrating to Perth in a few years time. What’s the attitude towards same-sex couples in Oz, in particular Perth? I know the law changed recently over there to allow same-sex marriages but have the more liberal attitudes migrated Westward yet?

    • BobinOz January 23, 2018, 8:00 pm |

      Well, I live in Brisbane Andrew, so it’s really difficult for me to give a meaningful answer here. For what it’s worth, and this is only my opinion, I think Sydney and Melbourne would probably be ahead of the game in acceptance on this one.

      Well, you would think, would you?

      Except, if you Google ‘how Australia voted on same-sex marriage state-by-state’, you will find some interesting information. For example, 12/47 electorates in New South Wales were 50% or more in favour of the no vote. On the other hand, in WA it was 0/16.

      63.7% voted yes in WA which was only beaten by the 64.9% of Victoria and 74% in ACT. Does that translate to acceptance on the streets; it’s hard for me to judge from here, but the indications are good.

      What we really need is someone from Perth to give you a better answer, anyone have a take on this?

      Dig really hard in Google though, and I’m sure you will find the electorate in Perth with the most positive yes vote and maybe that will help you decide where you want to live.

      • Anton April 26, 2018, 6:47 pm |

        I live in the inner city, Leederville to be exact, and there are certainly a few same sex couples living around me.
        Most keep rather much to themselves, but display tokenism hence know their personal situation. In general, Perth though rather conservative, has become more tolerant, but I would expect it depends on locality. Some suburbs is not easy being anything not mainstream and abuse due to difference, be that sexual or race or religion is certainly not unheard off. Best advise I could offer is stay in Western Suburbs, or keep a low profile in public in more Bogan areas.. Good luck.

  • Paul Davies December 17, 2017, 12:16 am |

    I live in Brisbane but work in Perth. My employer wants me to relocate but hell will freeze over first.
    It’s one of the worst major cities I’ve ever visited. It’s pretty run down, it’s boring, it’s very expensive, it’s windy and parched, the people are often rude, driving is even worse than Brisbane (I didn’t think it could be any worse) and if you don’t like beaches, you’re screwed.

    The Brits I’ve met who speak highly of Perth usually have one thing in common……….they’ve never been anywhere else in Australia.

    Bloody awful place. I mean, really awful.

    • Stuart January 11, 2018, 11:42 pm |

      My wife (Australian Citizen), myself 100% Irish and my 18month old son are planning on a move to Perth in this next 2/3 years. My wife has some of her family out there and her Parents would be coming wth is when we make the move. My wife hasn’t been in Perth in this past 10years. We would like some advice, what areas are best for bringing up a family? Is Perth the correct move or another City? Any other information would be greatly appreciated

      • BobinOz January 12, 2018, 4:23 pm |

        Perth isn’t going through the best of times at the moment, most people tell me it is quite difficult to find work there at the moment. If you do need to find jobs, my advice would be to check it out online, you’ll find some useful links on my page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship, to see which city will offer you the most working opportunities.

        Other than that, it’s hard for me to know whether Perth is the best place for you, it wouldn’t be my choice though. My choice is Brisbane, and I love it here, and it is a great place to bring up kids.

      • Anton April 26, 2018, 7:06 pm |

        Hi Stuart. Nobody can really advise you on other locations. Perth has come down with a bit of a bang post boom. There is a lot of aggression I find around, but don’t think that a particularly new thing, nor necessary impacting on a young family.

        Perth remains very family orientated. Probably overly so. Not too much for those teenagers of a certain age. Many of our friends have had their kids leave Perth for Melbourne or Sydney if not overseas.
        Perth can be devoid of opportunity depending on area of course, besides being very much a who you know sort of city. It can be a cliquey place.
        With family already here though, I assume settled and liking the place your situation will likely differ from those without family. Besides you know it from ten years ago.
        Be interesting to see what you make of the changes over the decade. Plenty of Brit’s here like it, others loathe it, while others have a conversion further down the track.
        Lots of drug issues as well.

    • Jodie April 24, 2018, 1:33 am |

      Paul, you have definitely been to the wrong places in Perth then! I’m guessing you have hardly stepped out of the (small) CBD? I grew up in QLD and have lived in Brisbane for years and you could never get me back there. Venture out a little! The only thing you got right in there is that it is expensive…. in comparison to Brisbane.

  • Jeff Morrow December 10, 2017, 10:08 am |

    Hello Team,
    My Thai wife and I will be moving back to Perth within the next few months from Adelaide. We lived in Canning Vale for about 2 years before moving to Adelaide and I learned from that experience that Canning Vale was not an ideal area for my wife to meet other Thai people. I will be working in Jandakot and my first priority is to live in an area were there are opportunities for my wife to make friends with other Thai people and is a safe area. Can you make any suggestions?

    • BobinOz December 11, 2017, 9:15 pm |

      Well hopefully someone from Perth will help you out, I’m up here in Brisbane, so I have no idea. But, I do have the following page…

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/17428/who-lives-where-migrants-settling-in-australian-cities/

      If you take a look at that, and click on the map for Perth, as I have just done, then you can see where migrants in various countries around the world tend to settle in Perth. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any suburb popular for people from Thailand.

      So, yes, we definitely need a local. Can anyone help Jeff with this?

    • Anton April 26, 2018, 7:16 pm |

      Hi Jeff, I’d have thought the eastern suburbs would be the areas holding the largest numbers of Thai’s. Suburbs from Victoria Park eastwards. Belmont for example as rather multi cultural these days, but probably nowhere where Thai’s stand out as a community.
      A number of born in Thailand folk, that come out in demographic threads (.ig is good for figures, they break down places of birth in many locations) are in fact of Burmese ethnicity, perhaps Karen born into refugee camps on the border, but come out as Thai.

      Perth would have a greater South East Asian population than Adelaide though. Just a thought we have a very popular rather up market, Thai restaurant here in Leederville. It could be worth coming in and your wife chatting to the staff. There are others in Northbridge as well. Good Luck with your return to Perth.

  • Monika September 20, 2017, 12:20 am |

    Hi, we may be relocating from Adelaide to Perth. We have only been in Adelaide about 8 months and love the calmness here and the beautiful scenery. We can literally be in the countryside within less than 30 minutes drive. The hills district is gorgeous and there are valleys and hills with green pastures everywhere… We might have to move to Perth for work, so I wanted to find out if there are more ‘rural’ areas in Perth too that could have a similar calmness to it? My husband might work near Kings park. Are there any areas that are more countryside but still not too far from Kings park? Any other comparisons between Adelaide and Perth that could assist? Thanks!

    • BobinOz September 21, 2017, 8:57 pm |

      I would have to leave this to somebody who knows Perth well, and that’s not me. I have been there for 10 days though, seemed to me it was quite flat, not many hills around like Adelaide. Margaret River was fantastic though, you will certainly get all the calmness you need down there, but it is about a three-hour drive.

      Hopefully a local will give you more info though.

    • Scott September 22, 2017, 3:34 pm |

      Hello

      I grew up in Perth and am in Adelaide now. Perth is certainly a little faster paced and has more of a spacious feel, which area are you in Adelaide? If you are looking to north of rivers areas in Perth I cannot really help as know south of river really well.

    • Jodie April 24, 2018, 1:38 am |

      Hi Monika,

      I’m not sure if this will be relevant anymore seeing the post is quite a few months old. The Perth hills are beautiful and peaceful – they aren’t close to Kings park, which is almost in the CBD. There are beautiful areas close to Kings park though, and you could be in the Swan Valley or the hills in about 30mins.

    • Anton April 26, 2018, 7:30 pm |

      Perhaps The Hills would suite? Kalamunda for example. Or similar. Perth will likely appear dryer than Adelaide. If not The Hills, the Western Suburbs are fine, but come with a price tag. That would be nearer to Kings Park as well.

  • Bob Marls September 1, 2017, 1:29 pm |

    Hi. It looks like we may have to relocate from Brisbane to Perth at the end of the year for my husband’s work. We have been in Brisbane for the past 3 years and really like it here. Previously we were in Europe for 14 years and Sydney before that.

    I am beginning to scout out possible areas to live. Work will be inner south.
    My main priority is schools for my girls 11 and 8. 11 year old will be starting highschool. I am looking for great public schools that are very multicultural, like the school they are currently in. Preferably a high school that offers Spanish as a language option.

    We will be renting for the first year and are happy to pay to be in a decent area that is no more than 30 mins from the beach and that has access to outdoor spaces and activities near by.

    Any suggestions re schools would be much appreciated! Cheers.

    • BobinOz September 4, 2017, 7:00 pm |

      Hopefully a local will see your question and help you out, but it is also worth skimming the comments already made here already for info. My page Which school? can also help a bit in researching schools.

      Yes, Brisbane is really good, but I think Perth is quite similar in many ways, but with better access to beaches. Work is harder to find, but that won’t concern you, you’ve already got that covered. Good luck, Bob

    • Rachel September 6, 2017, 4:54 pm |

      Fremantle, Hamilton Hill, Myaree etc – all nice places if you want to avoid traveling through the city. North of the river is generally nicer though with the upper class suburbs closer to the city and along the coast line (City beach, Scarborough, North beach, Floreat). Keep in mind the main working hubs with in Perth, outside of the CBD would be Osborne Park (NoR), Joondalup (NoR), Welshpool (SoR), Canning Vale (SoR) and Vic Park (SoR).

      Stay away from Balga, Mirrabooka, Gosnells, Armadale, Rockingham & Kwinana (including schools in those areas)

    • Scott Verney September 18, 2017, 11:15 pm |

      Hello

      If you google a map of Perth and look from the southern side of the river to Leach Highway (Horizontal) and west of Kwinana Freeway (Vertical), they are really nice areas. This is the area with suburbs like Ardross and Applecross, and I could assume they also have great schools. South of Leach Highway is still some nice areas, and above the river on the north around Dalkeith are also really nice too. All these areas are probably expensive though.

      The river is much nicer in Perth than Brisbane, I have not lived in Perth for a few years although know that people do go to the river for recreational activities such as kayaking and just playing around. The reason I mention this is Brisbane is really nice but I never seen this due to the size of the river and that awful colour.

      In terms of multi-cultural Fremantle like suggested or close to that area would be great, this is because there really are allot of Italian, Croatian, Greek people etc. Perth is probably just as culturally diverse as Brisbane I am assuming, having been to both places. Fremantle and surrounds are also obviously closer to the beach, like Cottesloe, City Beach and Como. I think you would enjoy Perth, it probably better infrastructure lay out than Brisbane, however not as warm all year round.

      • Scott September 18, 2017, 11:21 pm |

        Gosnells, Armadale, Rockingham & Kwinana

        I second this, however lived in Hamilton Hill for a few years, it’s not that great and neither are Hilton or Bicton. Stick to the coastal areas down that way until you get to Beeliar than inland from there is new suburbs around Hammond Park etc.

    • Pete October 7, 2017, 6:27 pm |

      Based on high school results, south of the river I would look at renting within the Applecross, Rossmoyne or Willetton High School catchment areas as this will guarantee your children a place in some of the best public high schools in Perth. If you live outside the catchment areas it will be much harder to get your kids into the better schools. Perth Modern is the best of the public schools but entry is via selection not catchment.
      You can search demographics from the 2016 Census by suburb here
      http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/Home/2016%20search%20by%20geography

      • Marlies Rodriguez October 8, 2017, 7:06 pm |

        Thanks Pete. That’s really helpful. The catchment thing us the same as Brisbane. We sought out schools and then rented in the catchment area too. Cheers

  • Jas August 11, 2017, 11:26 pm |

    Hello, do you have any recommendations on suburb areas to live there for a year, somewhere close to outdoor activities, restaurants, coffee shops? I’ll be moving from US to Perth, working in bullsbrook area, no family.

    • Anton August 12, 2017, 12:19 pm |

      Bullsbrook is far removed from a lot you deem desirable. Not sure about outdoor activities in that neck of the woods but eating establishments and cafes would require some travel.

      I’d have no idea about locality recommendations as no idea what you would consider a reasonable travelling distance.; Rather hard to think of somewhere more removed from the more usual Perth haunts for going out within the metro area. But being some 25 kms from Midland, the end of the train line, but reasonably developed centre gives you some idea.
      It may well be a case of a lot of quiet nights or longer drives in order to be closer to the action.

      • Mark January 4, 2019, 10:51 am |

        The swan valley is a bit suburbia meets country so there are plenty of restaurants and the new township Ellenbrook is close and is well developed. Consider that. There is plenty of sporting clubs up that way as well as paintball. The hills are nearby if you like to trek or kayak through the rapids also horse riding, rodeos, wine tours, motor-bike riding etc.

  • Rads August 7, 2017, 3:14 pm |

    Hi

    We are a family with 2 kids (8 and 1.5) who will be moving to Perth before the end of the year. We have lived in US and India so far. The move is giving me jitters to say the least. While we do like the idea of leafy suburbs, we are not too keen on pure suburbia. We do enjoy the hum drum of downtowns and plenty of shopping and cafes. Here is the biggest dilema that I have, a shoulder problem prohibits me from driving. Which means finding a locality which has everything in walking proximity, everything under 1-2 miles that includes a primary school, park, grocery store and a day care. Distance to CBD is also key (either by train/ bus or even a good 15 mins walk or Uber). Most of the popular suburbs are too spread out and probably do not meet my proximity constraint although schools are supposed to be excellent. South Perth or Vic Park seems to land on my radar. Please do pour in suggestions on whether these sound ok for a family such as ours ?
    ps: Cost of living is not a constraint and neither are we too iffy on being in the intake area for the best high school just yet, a primary school thats pretty good is sufficient for now.

    • BobinOz August 10, 2017, 8:40 pm |

      Have a look at some of the comments made here Rads, there is lots of information about the suburbs. There has also been quite a bit of recent talk about where to live for those who don’t drive and need to use public transport. Leederville has been mentioned and I personally really liked Fremantle, which has a real good buzz about it, when I had a holiday in Perth.

      South Perth has been mentioned in these comments and generally gets the thumbs up, Victoria Park, one person suggested, is a little run down and not as safe as elsewhere. This wasn’t mentioned by a couple of others though.

      Hopefully a local will come along and give you more information than I can.

      • Chantelle January 20, 2018, 4:54 pm |

        Plus one for the Fremantle recommendation! We moved here last year, currently renting and looking to buy. Some beautiful homes with character around, lots of parks, local primary schools rate very highly and great coffee shops and other beverage outlets within walking distance. Bonus are the outrageously friendly locals and quiet local traffic. Love it here – think we’ve found our forever space!

  • Laura July 25, 2017, 7:41 pm |

    Hi Bob, I am moving to Perth in a few months with my boyfriend once our visa has been approved. I will be working in the CBD. We are looking for a good area to live, we are mid-late 20s with no children, somewhere with lots of things to do, good walking areas, cafes, restaurants etc. My other half works offshore on rotation so I don’t want to be stuck somewhere where I won’t have anything to do. Any recommendations?

    • BobinOz July 25, 2017, 11:34 pm |

      Have a read of some of the recent comments here Laura, there’s been much talk about which suburbs to go to for a good cafe restaurant type scene with easy access to the CBD.

      I know where I would go if I were you though, and that’s Fremantle, I loved it. 25 minutes by train to the CBD and as lively a place as you will find in the area. It has a very long, what us British would call, High Street, lined with restaurants, bars and cool and trendy shops.

      For more ideas, as I say, check out the comments below.

    • Anton August 1, 2017, 3:20 pm |

      Leederville would definitely be the go for you, as I mentioned to another inquirer on here. Or Highgate/Mt Lawley . All rate high in walkability and are close to the city, great transport links, besides being close to what passes as night life in Perth. There is a 24 hour supermarket and safe. Not the cheapest, but a young locality and perhaps worth paying a bit extra for convenience?

  • Ibrahim H Ali July 23, 2017, 3:06 pm |

    Thank you for your contact, I don’t want any more about this comment.

    • BobinOz July 24, 2017, 7:18 pm |

      If you mean you no longer wish to receive notifications of comments made here, then you need to unsubscribe. Information on how to do this is underneath each comment notification you receive.

  • Reza July 1, 2017, 5:18 am |

    Hi everyone!
    I’m moving from Vancouver to Perth for two years to do anesthesia fellowships at both Fiona Stanley and Royal Perth.
    In an ideal world, I would like to be close-ish to a beach, close to skytrain should I choose to not drive to work, a fun/hip part of town, and somewhere close to one of those hospitals so I have the option of jogging or cycling to work once in a while.

    Would really appreciate any suggestions!!

    Thank you

    • BobinOz July 3, 2017, 8:59 pm |

      Well, this is one I will definitely need to leave to the locals, although it may also be worth you scrolling through the comments already made here as there is much chatter about the suburbs. Other than that, hopefully someone will see your question and help you out.

    • Planet Petey July 10, 2017, 3:47 am |

      If you are going to be spending time between Fiona Stanley Hospital and Royal Perth, know that they are in very separate parts of the city. Royal Perth is on the eastern edge of downtown Perth, easy to get to from any starting point, while Fiona Stanley is a brand new hospital in the southern suburb of Murdoch. There is a train station near Murdoch, with a 5 minute bus ride to Stanley. So if you want to also be a near a beach, I would think about living in Fremantle. It’s on the coast, close to several great beaches, and has the “funky” “hippyish” but very cosmopolitan vibe. It’s also full of charming old buildings, which is rare to find in Western Australia. From Fremantle ( Freo ) you can get the train to Perth in just 25 minutes, and an express bus to Stanley Hospital in 15 minutes. They are building a tram line from Freo to Murdoch very soon also. Cycle routes across Perth are plentiful, the views are extraordinary, and new cycle routes are a huge priority in public planning initiatives.

    • Darian July 22, 2017, 2:21 pm |

      Hey Reza. I live in Perth and absolutely love it. Im part Canadian myself, anyways I live in a suburb which is very close to wineries and is absolutely beautiful. It is not that far from the city either. I would suggest Morley. Even tho there r no beaches. It is a very lively and fun part of town. If u r interested in wineries I know for a fact that people r looking for students and houses to buy r very cheap. Anyways let me know.

      • sha July 23, 2017, 2:41 pm |

        further to Darian comment, Morley is an average area but fairly close to the city centre/Royal Perth hospital (about 8-15 minutes drive when it’s not peak hour if you live on the Galleria/Bedford side to Morley). It is also about 15 minutes drive to Scaborough Beach, so you wouldn’t have to drive that far in Morley to get to a beach. In Perth you either chose an area that is close to the city or the beach. There isn’t really an area that is right next to both the city centre and beach. It’s one or the other or pick an area close to the city that is still 15 mins drive from the nice beaches, which you would prob be looking at area that is north of the river. If you wanted to option of cycling to work at Royal Perth than you would need to pick a suburb close to the city like Mount Lawley, South Perth, Mount Hawthorn, Leederville or North Perth. The other option of cycling would to pick an area where you had easy access to a train station where you catch the trian and then cycle the rest of the way. Avoid the suburbs like Koondoola, Girrawheen and Balga, they are the more dodgy areas in Perth that are pretty close to the beach and city. Although those areas are still safe to walk around in holding a bag during the day etc. at night It’s not safe to walk around in and there’s most homes west (that what we call state housing in Perth) and drug addicts and Centrelink people (people on social security government payments). Morley isn’t the best area but it’s average and a lot better than near by areas like Girrawheen.

      • Reza July 28, 2017, 8:43 am |

        Thanks Darian! I will look into that area and get back to you!
        Just to clarify, did you mean to say you know people looking for students to rent to?

    • Sha July 23, 2017, 2:29 pm |

      Hi Reza,

      I have was born and bred in Perth. Fiona Stanley is a new hospital that is a bit far out for us from the city centre. Royal Perth is a hospital in the city centre. So both hospital you mentioned are not next to each other. There is a train line in Murdoch that takes you to the city centre and Royal Perth but depending on where you live in that surburb you may not be walkable distance from the train station. Perth suburbs are close to all the beaches. North of the river beaches are beautiful. Will you be working at Royal Perth or Fiona Stantely the most? What price are you willing to pay for rent and what sort of area? Trigg and Cottesloe are beach side suburbs but also expensive upper class areas of Perth full on people with who have either inherited their home or have a prestigious well paying job, so rent would be real expensive. There is also areas like Scaborough, Carine and Karriynup (still expensive) that are 5-10 minutes drive from lovely white sand beaches that are cheaper than the multi miliion area suburbs like Claremont, Cottesloe and Trigg. You then have your average working class suburbs that are pretty safe and are less than 15 minutes drive from all the lovely beaches and about 10-20 minutes drive to the city and they also have train stations like Hammersley, Warwick, Greenwood and Duncraig. You also have areas that are close to the city/Royal Perth (5 mins drive and also good public transport) like Mount Lawley, Mt Hawthon, North Perth and South Perth buzzing with metro/lots of cafe strips but they are bit longer drive to the beach like 20-25 mins. For us Perth people we don’t have to drive far for a beach like you do in other places. So no matter where you lived generally you would be no longer than 20 minutes drive from a beach. Perth is full of beaches. However, the best beaches which showcase some of Australia’s best beaches would be like Coral Bay, Exmouth and Esperance/lucky bay, so when you move here you certainty have to ENSURE you make the long drive to rural WA just to see those beaches, they are amoung the best. It is not a big city. Let me know what areas you are thinking of moving into and I will let you know what the area is like. Growing up there both north and south of the river I know alll the suburbs quite well.

      • Reza July 28, 2017, 8:39 am |

        Awesome!! So useful! I will review the areas and get back to you for sure. I really appreciate the help 🙂

    • Anton August 11, 2017, 7:01 pm |

      Sky train? Are you getting confused with another city? Bangkok perhaps? No sky train in Perth I’m afraid. You’ll have to make do with the okay bus system and limited rail facility I’m afraid. You will notice a difference from Vancouver, a city, our former local mayor held as an example of how Perth could be.

  • Lully Caroline Ferraz June 30, 2017, 1:07 am |

    Hello, Bob!
    First, thanks for you site!!!
    I’m brazilian and I’m moving to live one year (from September 2017 to August 2018) in Perth to study at Murdoch University. I would like to know wich areas you think is good to live. I would like to share a house in a place where I can be not far from turistic and bohemian areas, so I can have fun in my spare time.
    I don’t need to be near Murdoch Uni if I can have easy access to it. A friend suggested Freemantle and Leederville, do you agree?
    Thanks!

    • BobinOz July 3, 2017, 8:57 pm |

      I don’t really know Perth that well but I have visited the city and also Fremantle and I loved the place. Fremantle I mean. It has so much going on, lots of pubs, yes, Bohemian as well I reckon. I wouldn’t mind living there myself 🙂

      That would be my vote, but someone with more knowledge of the area may have a different opinion. Anybody?

    • Planet Petey July 10, 2017, 3:58 am |

      While Leederville is certainly a cool area, with loads of nightlife and restaurants/cafes and shopping, it is also a very expensive suburb to live in. Rents are pricey. I would choose Fremantle ( Freo ) .. it’s closer to Murdoch and there are dedicated express buses in both directions. Great nearby beaches, include Coogee, Port Beach and Bathers Bay. “Freo” and it’s surrounding suburbs are a little cheaper than Leederville, and it’s certainly more bohemian in nature, very cosmopolitan with a huge influence from Italian, Greek, Balkan, Maltese and Asian migrants that mixed with its “port-town” spirit, and a deepening respect for the original Aboriginal people, make it my favourite part of Perth.

    • Anton July 28, 2017, 12:50 pm |

      Hi Lully,
      Leederville would likely suite you. It is a short distance to Perth Central, either one train stop or a short bus ride, or even a half hour at most walk.
      There is a lot of night life, at least in Perth terms around here. In the street I live, there has been a Brazilian student renting a room of the Swedish owner for a good few years. (He paid around $160 from memory, although the rates to share may be a little higher now, but rents in general are in decline)
      Our nearest beach Scarborough, has a Brazilian performance of music and dance and martial arts on weekends often.
      The Brazilian population is one of the fastest growing within Australia, although this comes of a low base it grew over 93% in the 2011 census and at least the same in the recent 16 census. So no need to feel alone. I’m sure it’ll be easy to hook up with fellow Brazilians if desired.
      Fremantle is also good especially if living close to the city. The city has a cool vibe of sorts, with a predominate Italian flair, although the Italian born population is fast in decline a Mediterranean feel lingers. There is very close to beaches. A matter of choice really.

  • Matthew Leach June 22, 2017, 5:22 pm |

    Free please, will of course.

  • roger jimmy June 20, 2017, 4:14 pm |

    Is it expensive to live in Perth? in terms of purchasing a property

    • BobinOz June 20, 2017, 8:09 pm |

      Have a read of the half-dozen or so comments that have been made directly below this, they will tell you much of what you need to know. If you want to specifically research property prices in Perth, my page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia will show you how to do that.

    • Anton July 28, 2017, 12:58 pm |

      Although rents have declined, Perth remains expensive to rent and purchase in most cases. Some say now is the perfect time to buy, which price declines, but I am far from convinced and feel certain Perth has a way to go in falling prices yet. This is due to the exodus of people out of the State post mining boom. Saying that prices remain high in inner city locations and don’t seem so impacted. Outer suburbs some have certainly sold at a loss.
      Far better to rent and ‘feel the way’ forward yourself when familiar with the local terrain IMO.

  • Ray June 13, 2017, 6:03 pm |

    Hi Angie,
    I am in talks with an IT company in Perth for a possible sponsored relocation from Europe and there is a lot of conflicting information on the internet about Perth which doesn’t really cover what I am interested in. We are a young family (well, the kid is young, 1yo, we are in our mid 30’s), not interested in nightlife and hubbub, instead looking for a quiet, safe place to raise our kid(s, hopefully), good education and open minded people to make friends with. How would Perth fit us?

    Many thanks in advance,
    Ray

    • Anton July 28, 2017, 1:07 pm |

      Close to perfect with present circumstances described. Perth is rather ideal for young families apart from the possible cost of child care, if at all required, but not something I am knowledgeable enough to state any true understanding of.
      Suburbs like my neighbouring Mt Hawthorn are ideal. (but many others as well) Have no fear with that. The possible ‘problems’ are in later life in late teenage years or early adulthood with possible limitations to career opportunities or even straight out boredom.

  • Kelley May 24, 2017, 3:51 am |

    Hi Bob,
    My family and I are seriously considering a move to Perth in 2018 from Canada and my husband is working on getting sponsored by a company as he is in the oil and gas industry. I was wondering if you knew much about the economy in Perth as of right now and if its starting to recover from its down turn. Also, any advice on any other areas in Austraila where this industry is relevant. Also- love your website! You popped up on google at the top of my list when I googled “best blogs about moving to Australia” and its been so helpful. Cheers!

    • Angie June 4, 2017, 7:06 pm |

      Myself and my husband and children live in perth, north of the river. The down turn is still down, just recently went into the city and the cafe right next to the Art Gallery has closed down, the view from Sci tec is a homeless shelter and house prices are still falling. So I would be very cautious relocating at this time. Yes Perth has ups and down however this down may flatten out for a while. With no real up for a good ten years. All of the geology companies have closed except three, that are based in Perth. Perth is a great place however the ups and downs are quite interesting, a very different dynamic to Melbourne or Sydney.

      • BobinOz June 5, 2017, 7:56 pm |

        I got really confused when I saw your answer here Angie, because I knew I’d answered this question myself and yet my answer is not here.

        So I searched my database, found my answer, it’s on my page about Inner Perth here, the same question had been asked twice…

        https://www.bobinoz.com/living-in-australia/perth/inner-perth/comment-page-1/#comment-61321

        Anyway, thanks for confirming, sounds like it still a fair old struggle in Perth.

      • Alvin June 7, 2017, 12:52 am |

        Hi Angie,

        Is Perth economy and biz environment really in a bad shape this time ? As i thinking of shifting over here.

        • Anton June 18, 2017, 1:35 pm |

          Yes the economy remains in poor shape with house prices still falling, although media is doing all possible to talk up the economy and suggesting a turn around is in the making.
          It does appear employment just may be on the rise, but still very early days yet. We have had false assurances before.
          Perth is still too over priced in going out IMO. More than Sydney or Melbourne, which I find amazing. Drop prices by twenty per cent plus and watch this place take off, given the right circumstances. The city could do with greater life and reason for going into the centre. It was on the right track but appears to have faltered in recent times.

      • Anton July 28, 2017, 1:18 pm |

        I agree, but isn’t it not a little sad that Perth and WA as a whole appears unable to rid itself of the ever ‘boom to bust’ scenario?
        We have just come out of the biggest alleged boom in possibly our history to empty government coffers with the spoils all spent, wasted or ‘disappeared’ to cutbacks in spending, population up rooting to greener pastures in considerable numbers, sky high rates in utility bills and apparently little idea what will get us out of the mess we find ourselves in.
        I personally don’t see tourism filling the void as I heard mentioned the other day. Perhaps I’m wrong and China will save the day again? That country apparently being the main source of alleged massive tourist growth.

        • BobinOz July 28, 2017, 11:54 pm |

          It’s a good point Anton, but I’m not sure it just applies to Perth and WA. Many governments everywhere, whether state or federal, seem to have a problem with putting money by for a rainy day, as we used to say in the UK.

          In the good times, all the money just seems to disappear and when bad times arrive, there never seems to be anything in the coffers to help out or any Plan B.

          But, going back to your point, the boom in WA was quite spectacular, so where did all the money go? Fly in, fly out maybe?

          • Anton July 29, 2017, 9:32 pm |

            WA though is rather more a one trick pony. Come a resource downturn the entire economy suffers. We have been here before.
            We of course could have built up a sovereign fund during good times, much like Norway, to get as through the bad times.
            There was too much over confidence that the good times would roll on for decades. So little critique at the time as prices became astronomical. I have never witnessed such prices during previous ‘booms’ that took us to London type prices, many still yet to adjust to changing circumstances.
            No escaping we are a darn expensive city for still to much.

            • BobinOz July 31, 2017, 8:19 pm |

              I always thought that part of the expense of living in Perth was down to it being so isolated and therefore the additional transportation costs made things more expensive there. Maybe I’m wrong about that, but either way, I hope Perth gets their costs under control sometime soon because without the high paid jobs, high prices will drive people to move elsewhere.

              • Anton August 1, 2017, 2:50 pm |

                We all hope Perth gets its costs under control Bob. Some with longer memories of this city will recall pre boom days when Perth was a rather laid back and very affordable place to be. It is not entirely a question of isolation thought by many, but does play a part.
                I have just noticed a large number of WA postcodes included in Australia wide suburbs, where some of the 800,000 plus experiencing mortgage difficulties live. Few if any in NSW from memory.
                Resource prices are on the up though so more money than expected should be flowing into state coffers at a time when dearly required.
                I guess without a job to go to over East, cities like Sydney are even more unaffordable due to housing costs. Melbourne wouldn’t be too far behind. As thus where do people head for these days?
                I’d dearly love a return to the sanity once experienced in this country.
                A pipe dream or will so mentioned sanity return when people decide they have had enough?

                • BobinOz August 1, 2017, 9:13 pm |

                  As your comment suggests Anton, it’s not just Perth, nowhere in Australia seems to be ideal at the moment. So much has changed in just the short 10 years I’ve been here, I’m afraid Australia just isn’t as big an attraction today as it was when I arrived in 2007.

                  I’m glad I’m here, and I love it, but it’s a much less attractive place now than it was back then.

                  Where does one head to indeed?

                  Everywhere has its pros and cons. I always advise people to go where they have the best chance of finding work, guaranteed work is even better if they can secure it before arrival. And if they can get that work in say Brisbane, Adelaide or Hobart, then they have the advantage of affordable housing.

  • Megan O' Connor May 17, 2017, 6:19 am |

    Hi,

    My boyfriend and I are moving to Perth in August and we’ve started to look for places to live. Any suggestions on suburbs that are safe as well as reasonably priced? Any good websites for job applying too would be helpful, thanks 🙂

    • BobinOz May 17, 2017, 7:51 pm |

      My page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship will help you search for jobs but I will need to leave it to the locals to suggest suburbs for you.

      I think you will need to give more information about you want from a suburb though, I’m sure there are many areas that are safe and reasonably priced, so it would be useful if you could give more information about what you want.

    • Scott May 20, 2017, 12:31 am |

      Hello
      Are you planning North of South of River? Known as NOR or SOR based on location to places you need to go. That narrows it done best, online job websites are Seek.com, Indeed, and Career One, to a lesser extend Gumtree under jobs.
      I think living close to the beach near Fremantle or Como is nice, but it depends also if you like the area near the hills. There are allot of nice suburbs in Perth to choose from.

    • Anton August 1, 2017, 3:07 pm |

      Hi. There are countless suburbs out there that may fit the fill, depending on individual requirements. Will you prefer (a good idea) to be close to train transport? At least a bus route? Where will you work? Perth is very sprawling at traffic congestion can be severe at times on certain routes.
      It is probably easier to think of the less safer suburbs than the opposite which come up with a simple search.
      I personally prefer to be close to the city. Suburbia doesn’t suite all and not because of any particular danger, in the main. I’d look into personal requirements though first. Besides transport needs, closeness to shops, leisure, cafes, whatever may be important on a personal level. Study a map of the metropolitan area and research likely localities that take your fancy. Good Luck. There are loads of agencies about that rent out. No idea if any is any better than another. It is more a tenant market at the moment though. Hence make sure your rental is up to scratch. Some try and pass off some real duff jobs to the unsuspecting.

  • Varna suresh May 11, 2017, 12:14 am |

    Hello . I am from India.I’ll be moving to perth this february to take up my masters at ECU. Could you please suggest me a place to stay nearby ECU where i get good part time job opportunities to support me financially . I would also like to know about the lifestyle of the people residing at Perth, how friendly they are. I’ve heard that Indians face racial attacks in Australia. How safe is to live in Perth?

    • BobinOz May 12, 2017, 4:26 pm |

      If I’m not mistaken, ECU has four different campuses, so you will need to say which one you will be attending if a local is going to try and help you out with suggestions for where to stay.

      As for jobs, the job market in Perth is very difficult at the moment, lots of people are looking for work, so there would be no guarantees that you will get a good part-time job and I don’t think anybody would be able to estimate your chances.

      As for racial attacks, we had a spate of supposed racial attacks on Indians a few years back, some of which turned out to not be racial at all, and I think these events got a lot of publicity in India which was blown a little out of proportion. Australia is a very multicultural country and by large it is extremely safe.

    • Kap July 18, 2017, 12:48 am |

      I lived pretty much all major cities in Australia and Perth so far the safest city I found …Sydney out of reach or must say unaffordable ..Melbourne too crowded with higher crime rate including that famous racial attacks on Indians..

    • Anton July 28, 2017, 1:33 pm |

      Hi Varna, I wouldn’t bother too much about racial attacks, but like all of us, regardless of creed, remain mindful if out late at night at railway stations or in isolated localities. The attacks you wrote about were more Melbourne focused and backdated to several years ago. That city now has the largest Indian community in Australia and a third locality looks to being nominated to be an Indian focused area.
      We have a growing Indian community here in Perth these days closing on 50,000 permanent inhabitants and growing. So you won’t be alone, nor stand out even as would have been more the case several years plus ago.
      Perth folk are not particularly outgoing but the student environment will likely differ, not forgetting the huge numbers of international students studying here these days.
      Hence you’ll likely befriend Malaysians, Singaporeans, Chinese and a host of others at your Uni.
      You could perhaps seek out shared ‘digs’ at a student house? Or if preferred a household where the owner is present but rents out rooms to students.

  • Ben May 7, 2017, 2:26 pm |

    Hi All,
    I’m hoping to leverage off some local knowledge! I’m moving to Perth from Brisbane and have narrowed the suburb choices to Wembley, Mount Hawthorn, Inglewood and Mount Lawley (open to other options-maybe need a convincing argument for my wife!) working in the cbd and am keen to get an insight on lifestyle, amenities, schools/kindy, medical etc. we have two toddler aged children so somewhere safe with green space is also on the list! Grateful for any feedback and consideration!

    • Nannette LaRee Hernandez May 8, 2017, 12:36 am |

      Dear Everyone Australian: on Monday, 8 May 2017, at 10:30pm CST USA, I fly Qantas from LAX to Sydney, two days there and then to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast for a week for a conference and them to Perth, where I plan to stay forever. Doesn’t matter what part of AU you’re from or your moving to. Be thankful you’re Australian. As an American living in a country full of contradictions, negativity, anger and yes, hate, you cannot even begin to know how bloody thankful I am for Australia, and that I can leave the USA. I am not proud to be American. I’m sorry for how this country has treated its Allies and how it has further alienated it’s enemies. Anywhere Australia, is the best place on earth, to be. I. Can’t. Wait. Yippee!!

      • Anton July 28, 2017, 1:51 pm |

        I hope Australia lives up to your expectations. America is far from alone is disappointing large segments of its population due to policy enactments but take your point. The USA does appear to be going through an unusually ‘trying’ period in modern times.
        Nowhere is without ‘issues’ though Australia included. You must ‘know’ Perth rather well to want to stay forever? Good luck with your settlement.

    • Vardan May 8, 2017, 9:36 am |

      Hi Ben . I live in Victoria park . It is only 3 minutes drive to CBD or 15 minutes on the bus. The closest beach is 35 m drive but if you like jogging or strolling then swan river is very close . The community is very diverse, with lots of asians a nd Indians, but mainly families with kids and maybe elderly couples. But I would say it is very quiet and peaceful. And on Anzac day you have the greatest previllage as you are of walking distance from the main site.

      • Ben May 11, 2017, 11:08 am |

        Thanks Vardan! Looks great- any thoughts on Kensington?

    • Scott May 20, 2017, 12:36 am |

      Hello Ben
      I am from Perth, and not too familiar with those areas however know some people that live there and used to frequent a music store around the area. I think those places you mentioned are very nice, and someone I knew from high school moved to Mt. Lawley specifically to be close to city for work.

      • Ben June 2, 2017, 5:35 pm |

        Thanks Scott

  • Henriette April 30, 2017, 10:12 pm |

    Hi!
    Im taking a semester in Perth at UWA this july and would like some advice on where to live. I’m 23 years old and would like to live not far from uni, but preferably in an area with bars and a lot of stuff happening. Hope someone can help!
    Cheers !
    Henriette

    • BobinOz May 3, 2017, 7:54 pm |

      Well I will need to defer to the locals Henriette, I only spent a week in Perth when I had a holiday there a while back so I’m not able to answer your question. If I recall, most of the night life was in and around Hay Street which would be the other side of Kings Park from the uni.

      I’m sure there must be some nightlife near the uni though, there usually is, and hopefully a local who knows the area well will help you out soon. Good luck, Bob

    • Planet Petey July 10, 2017, 4:12 am |

      If you want easy access to UWA and also nightlife, you’ll want to be around the Subiaco-Leederville-West Perth area, or the Northbridge-North Perth-Mt Lawley area.

    • Anton July 10, 2017, 6:45 pm |

      Hi Henriette,
      The main entertainment area is Northbridge area a little north of CBD, but now days connected to the centre without needing to cross the railway line.
      Perth can hardly be called a ‘night life’ city but here and Leederville (one train stop to city) is an alternative with a young, lively vibe.

    • Matthew July 18, 2017, 11:38 pm |

      Hey Henriette,

      UWA has a student’s village, or student boarding just across the road from UWA’s campuses. Both my parents (dad’s an engineer, mum’s a psych) went to UWA, and lived in nearby suburbs, usually renting before they met each other and got married. Of course that was during the early 70s where a computer close to the power of the everyday one took up an entire building using punch cards. My sister also went to UWA (doctor) but mostly lived at home with us until she moved out with her boyfriend. With the falling house prices, rentals should be fairly cheap, and may even open up a bit more with homeowners opening rooms to let. You can also get student visas to work in Australia, as I assume you can get student visas in most countries. Perth has an active nightlife, mostly in Northbridge, which is right next to Perth CBD, which can be reached by the free Blue CAT buses, which depart from both in the CBD and Elisabeth Quay bus station. Northbridge has a lot of bars, clubs and multicultural restaurants, as does Fremantle, which you can catch from Perth CBD via the Transperth Fremantle Railway Line, which is accessible in Perth Train Station which is right on the border between CBD and Northbridge. Late night shopping is mostly Fridays in the City. Fremantle is a bit more different as one of its main roads is considered the main Coffee Strip. There are also new-age stores, gaming arcades, bookstores, and particularly in Fremantle historical buildings. There’s also a bus that moves from Elisabeth Quay to UWA via Mounts Bay Road, which is right beneath Kings Park, the largest park in Perth as far as I know. Kings Park has cafes, interesting walks, good views, war memorials and a lot of native flora. Sorry about the extensive reply, but I hope this answers some of your questions. Also email UWA regarding more information regarding student lodgings.

      Hope this has been of some help

      Yours sincerely

      Matthew Bowron

      • Henriette July 20, 2017, 8:27 pm |

        Thanks so much!!!!

  • JohnO April 21, 2017, 6:59 pm |

    Hi, wanting to find the best suburb in Perth for our needs, looking to buy, have a good budget for this, run businesses from home so no commute, would like to be near the beach, safe(low crime) and family friendly, good schools(private or state)we like to do things as a family and me and the wife also like to go out for a drink or a meal, been looking at City Beach, Sorrento, Hillarys and Mullaloo. Thanks

    • BobinOz April 24, 2017, 7:36 pm |

      Well, one thing Perth has plenty of are beaches. Which beaches are best for what you’re looking for I don’t know though, but hopefully local will see this soon and give you a hand.

    • Rachel May 8, 2017, 5:46 am |

      Mandurah is just out of Perth but it’s beautiful surrounded by water and cheap to buy or build a house. I’d like to build there once I move back.

      • Anton August 1, 2017, 3:12 pm |

        Mandurah is cheapish, but remember there have been rather substantial falls in house prices in that locality. It is indeed surrounded by water, but high unemployment and social issues do factor with some severity.

    • Planet Petey July 10, 2017, 4:17 am |

      All the suburbs you mentioned are lovely, but super expensive. In fact anything right on the coast is… but if you have the budget for it, go for it. Swanbourne, Cottesloe, Scarborough and Triggs are also great places if budget is no huge concern.But consider looking one neighbourhood inland from any beach and you will be not just close to the beach, but will get a whole lot more bang for your buck.

  • Alastair Duncan April 4, 2017, 8:48 pm |

    Hi,
    My wife and I are planning our move to Perth from the UK this July/August. I’ve got a 12 month post at Royal Perth Hospital and was after some advice regrading where might be a good place to base ourselves for the year. We are combining back to the UK after the 12 months (most likely) and want to make the most of the 12 months we have out in Perth. Ideally, we’d like somewhere that the commute to RPH isn’t too hectic (shifts will mean I’m at work before traffic should be at its worst) and long, but has something about the area as well. The 2 areas that keep cropping up on the internet are Subiaco and Cottlesloe. We’d be looking to rent a 2 bed apartment (to allow for visitors) and wondered if anyone has any advice regarding where might be best to base ourselves and what sort of prices we’re looking at for rent. I did read Mike’s post at the top, but wondered if there were any other opinions/bits of advice out there.

    Thanks

    Ally

    • BobinOz April 5, 2017, 6:20 pm |

      Well, I’ve been to Subiaco, it looked very nice to me, and backs on to Kings Park which is a bonus. I don’t know it well enough to judge it though, so I will leave the opinions about the suburbs to the locals, hopefully someone will help you out.

      As for a rental though, you can do some research on my page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia.

      Enjoy your 12 months in Perth.

    • Pete April 5, 2017, 8:22 pm |

      Hi Alastair

      I guess as you are only in Perth for 12 months that you will be renting, looking for a 2 bedroom apartment within proximity to Royal Perth Hospital. In relation to transport, Perth is well catered for. You can drive into the City and park your car. Parking costs are not that cheap unless you get staff parking thrown in with your contract at RPH. Personally I would try to rent on one of the train / bus routes and use that means to get to work. If you search on-line you will find maps for the Perth Central Area (CAT) bus routes. The CAT buses are free so again, I would look at those routes and pick one of those options if the locations fit your needs. I’m pretty sure the red and the yellow CAT bus routes stop near RPH and if you are on a train route you can walk to the hospital from the McIver Train Station.
      So where to rent:
      Cottesloe, is a nice suburb between Fremantle and Perth. It has a train line to the City but you will need to walk a fair distance to RPH or catch a bus down Wellington Street. Cottesloe is basically full of ex prep-school people who now earn a relatively comfortable living along with recent mining boom workers. For me it is too far out of town, and the drive in during peak hour is a pain. (I drove through there today). The beaches are nice but you can get better north of the river. It is also on the wrong side of the City to where you are working.
      Subiaco is a nice older suburb, with some new developments west of the railway line which are very nice. As people have said Kings Park is close, as is the Freeway and the River. There are a lot of nice boutique shops, and cafes / restaurants. Shenton Park & West Leederville next door are also nice and I’d probably say to rent in these areas, if you working at SCGH which is nearby – but as you are RPH I think you would do better elsewhere.
      For options I would suggest looking at the east side of Perth on the transport routes. That means East Perth, Highgate and surrounds. These areas have apartments at reasonable cost, are close to work and the city and are in proximity to nice cafes and nightlife. (There are some nice new apartments opposite Queens Gardens in East Perth). If you wanted to be a bit further out you could also look at Burswood (5 min on the train to McIver station) or Victoria Park.
      You can get an idea of property rental prices on realestate.com.au and can find out a bit more about them by doing a ‘suburb profile ‘ report. You can also search for ‘Perth Crime Map’ which will tell you where not to live!

  • Mike March 14, 2017, 11:19 am |

    I’m 5th generation West Australian and was born in Perth and I’d have to say that your weather ratings aren’t that accurate. It’s defnitely hotter and the sun is defnitely more intense than any of the other 32 countries I’ve been in my life so far. I was there in late January 2017 and it was 45/46 degrees on one day. Especially if the Freo Doctor doesn’t come in and you have a slight Easterly blowing all day.

    Also, since the Mining boom the cost of living went through the roof. Definitely the most expensive city I’ve ever been in. However, sine the mining died and the Government spent there contingency budget killing the economy it’s died down a bit. Aldi also moved in and brought some prices down in Woolworths and Coles thank God. Rents have also dropped a bit.

    Things like utilities are a rip off. Mainly because there’s not competition. Like only one eletricity provider. I was paying 43 cents KiloWatt in perth compared to 14c/KW in Melbourne.

    Also, flooding never happens and there’s only been one earthquake in like forever which was in Meckering out int he wheatbelt (middle of nowhere) east which is miles and miles from Perth and that was in the 60’s. Even that was puny. The worst things are bushfires and storms.

    Because the city is so sparce and mostly one and two story housing on large blocks of land, the public transport is almost impossible to cover the whole city. Unless youw ant catch 2x trains and 3x buses and take hours to go only 30+ kms. So you have to have a car to get around. Oh and watch out for the millions of hidden speed cameras around the place.

    Close and cheap to go to Australia from Perth now. I’ve been to Thailand and Malaysia 17 times because it’s so cheap and close.

    One of the most multi-cultural cities in Australia now. Probably lost it’s identity a bit. When I was growing up you knew everyone, ya next door neighbours were ya good mates, you could have a long chat to your local shop owner and everyone was friendly. That’s changed now a fair bit. Not so “True Blue” anymore.

    • Mike March 14, 2017, 11:30 am |

      Sorry for typos I smashed that out at work and people kept interrupting me with real work too. LOL. IE: Close and cheap to go to Asia from Perth now, among other typos like there instead of their.

      • BobinOz March 15, 2017, 12:08 am |

        No worries about the typos Mike, but really, you should be working on putting a stop to those real-life work interruptions!

        Those average temperatures along with the ‘On a really hot day’ numbers came after me pouring over pages and pages of data. I think this year though, records have been broken almost everywhere in Australia. It’s certainly been the hottest summer I’ve experienced since I came here in 2007.

        I’m not surprised you’ve had 45 to 46° this year, and you’ve probably had it in other years as well, but my ‘On a really hot day’ numbers are really just an average top temperature, they are not the same as ridiculously hot days we sometimes get, or heatwaves.

        Anyway, thanks for your look at life in Western Australia and in particular Perth, it’s good to hear it from someone who clearly knows the place well. It’s appreciated. I’ve only been there once, so I don’t know what it’s really like. 43 cents for a kilowatt of juice is ridiculous though! I’m paying 25 cents here in Brisbane for peak. Cheers, Bob

    • Scott Verney April 16, 2017, 10:01 pm |

      Hello Mike
      I am from Perth too, as far as the electricity prices it seems you have not lived in South Australia yet haha. Confirmed highest in Australia, and a bit of a joke now with the state wide black out and more blackouts projected next summer. Where I work they even purchased a generator because they cannot afford to close paying of and investing in property etc.
      Perth certainly changed, it used to be the big country town vibe, I left in 2013 and was around 19 when the boom really hit. The city did change allot, I felt like a stranger in my own suburb after a few years, so many new people around etc. Last I heard the housing rental had the highest vacancy rate, and one of my family members got a reduction on rental price! That is insane really, I have never heard of that happening in Australia, it is usually on the rise.
      Everyone knew it was going to happen though, the mining boom is what accelerated everything in and around Perth, the houses, the road works, the population etc. I have family there who go to Indonesia four times per year, but never seen Sydney or Cairns for example. Having travelled all of Australia except for NT, it is a bit of a shame really, but it’s so cheap.

  • Naomi February 28, 2017, 11:31 am |

    Hey there!
    My partner and I are looking to move to Perth and are not too sure where to set up. We love beaches with surf and come from a hospitality background for work.
    Do you have any suggestions for areas that might suit us?
    Thanks heaps! Great website 😀

    • BobinOz March 1, 2017, 11:39 pm |

      No, I don’t, I just don’t know Perth well enough being from Brisbane. What I did want to mention though was that there is a beach in Margaret River, that’s about three hours drive south of Perth, that is great for surf.

      So good, they held one of the world surf championship rounds there…

      https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/17131/margaret-river-a-real-surfers-paradise/

      Margaret River is very much a tourist area, so maybe some hospitality jobs are up for grabs as well? Apart from that, maybe a Perth local will give you their advice and is also worth having a quick look through the comments already made here for some tips.

    • Kate March 10, 2017, 2:12 pm |

      If you’re after Surf I’d head for Brighton, it has some crazy high waves! There will be loads of hospo jobs in Brighton as well there’s quite a buzzy scene there 🙂 hope that helps, Perth is my favourite city in Oz and WA is so beautiful in general you’ll love it!! I’ve been to every state and territory and WA is my favourite

      • steve mckay April 12, 2017, 5:20 pm |

        Hi I like to move to Perth but they say no job available I’m in hospitalty industry so what you recommend.Thanks

        • BobinOz April 13, 2017, 8:38 pm |

          Who are ‘they’?

          I can’t imagine there are no jobs available, there must be some, but maybe it’s just difficult to get one. See my page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship to research jobs available in Perth.

  • Jal February 25, 2017, 12:00 am |

    Sorry, my comment was posted twice.

    • BobinOz February 27, 2017, 9:45 pm |

      Ah, yes, I see it has been and it’s also been answered twice in different places. So I will leave them both up then and it’s good to see that as I hoped would happen when I answered the first comment, a local has come to help you out. (Thanks Scott!)

  • Jal February 24, 2017, 11:57 pm |

    Hello.
    I am shortlisted for a PhD scholarship in Australia and need to decide between Wollongong Uni and Edith Cowan Uni. There are also European countries like Austria etc which I can choose, however, I am more inclined towards Australia and Edith Cowan Uni, Joondalup campus. However, I am hearing stories about abundance of snakes and spiders in Perth which is multiplying my stress levels. I am already pursuing PhD so I need to be very clear before I transfer. I will be living in student accommodation. I will be grateful for your advise, mate. Also, how is the life in Perth for an Asian?

    • Scott February 26, 2017, 10:56 pm |

      Hello

      I have lived in Australia my whole life and your comment is amusing because I am doing a Tourism course and some overseas people have a misconception about the dangers of insects and animals in Australia. Sure they do exists, however spiders and looking for other insects just as they would usually do so it’s very rare for someone to get bitten or be in danger.
      Snakes are the same, you just have to be somewhat educated when you are bush walking or what to do if you see a snake which is again rare, I have only seen snaked three or four times and never had anything except been stung by a bee. People are more likely to be injured playing sport or something of this nature to be honest.
      I grew up in Perth and have been to Wollongong, Perth is a great city very hot in summer, mild winters with rain and nice beaches. Great foreshore and river plus Fremantle heritage tourist area. Wollongong is about 1 hour from Sydney and more of a semi-humid climate, not too hot or cold all year round with higher rainfall. I am not sure if there is allot to do around Wollongong itself however if you have a car you can drive into Sydney.

      • Jal February 28, 2017, 2:06 am |

        Thanks for your replies, Scott and Bob. Some of my concerns have been eased. So, am I correct in saying snakes do not roam around freely in Perth uni i Joondalup? I mean do I have to check for them every time before I sleep ?
        I am more introvert so I will not be usually going outside uni accommodation. Also, I am a little scarred of lightning, heavy thunders, and earthquakes. I read news about severe recent thunderstorms in Wollongong so I do not think I will apply there. How is the situation in Perth with regards to lightning, heavy thunders, and earthquakes?
        I will be very grateful for answering my queries and any advise.

        • BobinOz February 28, 2017, 11:13 pm |

          Here’s what you need to know about earthquakes in Australia…

          https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/6982/australia-and-earthquakes-surely-not/

          And no, you do not have to check for snakes every time before you sleep, they do roam freely, but generally speaking, not close to humans. I see about one a year and I live in Brisbane’s leafy green western suburbs known for its higher snake population.

          Thunderstorms and lightning though, yes, we get that quite often.

          • Jal February 28, 2017, 11:38 pm |

            Thanks for your reply, Bob. I guess this means that there may not be snake risk in Joondalup, Perth given that it is not leafy green.
            So, I guess I have to contend with heavy thunder and scary lightning sounds.
            Also, I have decided Perth would be comparatively better given all circumstances.
            Thanks again.

            • scott March 4, 2017, 12:02 am |

              Hello

              Yes you are more likely to be on the lookout for idiot drivers than snakes haha. Australia is mostly outback and desert where you might need to check. The early settlers planned cities around river, good soil and living conditions. So nearly all cities are like this, no outback or remote areas for hours.

            • Matthew July 19, 2017, 12:09 am |

              Hey Jal,

              At most universities there’s also student counselling if you need any to get over your fears. Most universities, like Australia itself, are very multicultural. There are also many student groups, some specializing in people from similar countries-of-origin or religion or interest or subjects of study. I went to Murdoch for a BA in English, and often at the Ref (Refectory, our equivalent to a cafeteria), there are foods from multiple cultures as well. There are also meet up groups in Perth. Joondalup uni is also accessible to nearby large shopping centres, cafes and restaurants, as well as natural areas like the lakes near Joondalup, although I’d recommend closed in shoes and long pants in case you encounter a snake. I live near a small park where there has been only a few snake encounters. Most snakes though are afraid of noise, sensitive to vibration, and if you ever see one, just keep an eye on it. You don’t bother the snake and the snake is likely not to bother you. But snake sightings are rare and if encountered aren’t all that likely to be dangerous or venemous. The more dangerous animals in Australia are either much further inland or further out to sea, regarding sharks. If you do have problems with increasing fears, I’d recommend getting a Mental Health Care Plan where you’re allowed ten free appointments with a psychologist, although I don’t personally know if you have to be on Medicare or be an Australian Citizen to get it. Earthquakes will probably only happen in one particular place in WA, and that’s Kalgoorlie, as the natural fault-line there is what provides the area we call the goldfields, with said gold, Kalgoorlie-Boulder being near the pit, the largest gold mine in WA. I lived there for three years, and the worst the only earthquake I’ve ever lived in for my entire life did nothing more than make the plates and saucepans rattle for a second, I personally did not feel a thing. But don’t just take my word for it, go on the ECU website and query what the university can provide. You also should be able to get a student visa to be allowed to work here in Australia, should you choose to. Anyway, best of luck with the PhD, and I hope you enjoy your time here in Australia. I just hope our Asian food can be considered as good as your native country. Also ECU Joondalup campus is near the Joondalup-Mandurah train line which stops right in Perth CBD. The CBD has the most stores, and is right next to Northbridge, the local late-night party club, pub and grub place. Another trainride away from Perth CBD on the Fremantle line, takes you to Fremantle, coffee strips, new age stores, local markets, historical buildings, bookstores and restaurants. Also on the Fremantle line is the place of Cottesloe, which a bus ride will get you to Cottesloe Beach, a place with great swimming and surfing, and a shark sighting life saving group with their own helicopter. I hope this has helped ease some of your fears and helped answer some of your questions. Sorry for the extensive reply.

              • Matthew July 19, 2017, 12:15 am |

                To Jal and alem,

                By the way, Jal, pardon for the Asian food comment, I got your question mixed up with alem as he’s going for the same university campus. Also to alem, I hope some of my answers have been suitable to answering your questions as well. Asians are fairly common in Australia, some going back before the recent migrations from Veitnam in the 1970s all the way to the 1800s when they came over from China looking for gold in places like what is now Kalgoorlie-Boulder or the goldfields. There are as mentioned student clubs in Joondalup ECU campus based around country-of-origin as I’ve mentioned previously, and there is again multiculturalism in most universities as well as the country at large. Hope this has been of some help.

    • Mil March 27, 2017, 11:46 am |

      Hi Jal
      I livedin Wollongong for a year pursuing my bachelor of education. It is a wonderful city, you should have no concerns! There may have been 1 or 2 storms with lightning and thunder, but nothing catastrophic! The campus is beautiful and its a scenic walk if you live not far from campus. It is a reasonable train ride to Sydney also. I have not been to Perth, so I cannot comment, but I absolutely loved living in Wollongong and now, several years later, am considering moving there again with my husband (from Canada). Good luck with your decision!

  • alem February 24, 2017, 11:57 pm |

    Hello.
    I am shortlisted for a PhD scholarship in Australia and need to decide between Wollongong Uni and Edith Cowan Uni. There are also European countries like Austria etc which I can choose, however, I am more inclined towards Australia and Edith Cowan Uni, Joondalup campus. However, I am hearing stories about abundance of snakes and spiders in Perth which is multiplying my stress levels. I am already pursuing PhD so I need to be very clear before I transfer. I will be living in student accommodation. I will be grateful for your advise, mate. Also, how is the life in Perth for an Asian?

    • BobinOz February 27, 2017, 9:41 pm |

      While I couldn’t really tell you what life is like for an Asian in Perth, because I’m not one, I suspect it’s very similar to life for all the other inhabitants. Australia is a very multicultural country. I certainly would not let your concern about snakes and spiders prevent you from choosing Perth, our snakes very much keep themselves to themselves and spiders are not really a problem in this country.

      If you want hot and sunny weather, great beaches and a laid-back lifestyle, then Perth should be your choice. If you want a snowball fight, go to Austria 🙂

      Hopefully a student in Perth who knows the uni you are considering will see your comment and give you more information than I can. Good luck, whatever you decide.

    • scott March 4, 2017, 12:09 am |

      To be hones Alem, not that it matters to anyone as it is multicultural here, there are actually allot of Asian people in Perth, usually in the wealthy areas. If that is what you mean? Finding friends of same area? I don’t notice here in Adelaide until family point it out during visits, it’s mainly Australian born people.

  • Rouviere David February 24, 2017, 7:02 pm |

    Hi, received PR 189. Currently reside in South Africa Durban. We have visited Melboune, Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast last year but hubby has job offer in Perth ! kwinana area – any pros and cons. We will migrate if he gets the job as a family 2 adults, 2 kids (5 and 3). Any tips will be much appreciated..

    • BobinOz February 27, 2017, 9:29 pm |

      I don’t live in Perth, but for what it’s worth, here’s what I think. At the moment the biggest problem with Perth is finding a job, that problem is already solved for you. From what I know about Perth, it’s got great beaches, it’s a fantastic place to bring up kids, has good transport facilities and wonderful weather.

      Some people say it’s a little isolated, I’m not sure that matters too much. Drive a few hours south and hit the marvellous Margaret River region, or just drive 25 minutes south and visit the very trendy Fremantle.

      But as I say, I don’t live in Perth, and I don’t know the specific area you mentioned, so hopefully a local will see your comment and give you more information than I can.

  • David Harrison January 17, 2017, 1:19 pm |

    For me Queensland is the best place to live in Australia and I moved to Cairns nearly 16 months a go. I grew up in Hobart Tasmania and I’ve lived in most major cities except Perth, Alice Springs and Darwin, but personally I think Australia is quite overated when it comes to being able to make a good life. Hard to find work and to make friends. High crime and a lot of deadbeats! No real culture and run by heavy laws. I’ve lived and travelled in China and have family and many friends there. A more friendly people and cultural country and far more efficient in getting things done. China is definitely where I prefer to be, especially south east China.

    • Mike March 14, 2017, 11:58 am |

      Hi David.
      I totally agree, definitely overrated for good living. Work is out there if you find the right career with good opportunities. Yep, heavy laws taking away our freedoms to be responsible for our own lives. One thing or mistake happens in Australia to one silly person and they enforce a law for everybody. I’ve probably got more friends in Asia, South America and Europe now than in Australia too.

      • BobinOz March 15, 2017, 12:27 am |

        I totally agree about the heavy laws, somebody gets fatally punched on a night out in Sydney, which is of course a tragedy, but then everyone suffers, including the city itself, with the ridiculous lockout laws…

        https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/18835/what-i-really-hate-about-australia/

        A child drowns in a swimming pool in Queensland, another real tragedy, but one more related to a lack of parental care, and then everybody in Queensland has to build a fortress around their swimming pool…

        https://www.bobinoz.com/blog/9127/pool-fence-laws-queensland-australia-most-ridiculous-in-the-world/

        I hear that the latest law change here in Queensland, following a tragic house fire which claimed 11 lives, is that we are all going to need to get interconnected smoke alarms for every bedroom in the house, either hardwired to the mains or with a 10 year battery life. These things will cost $100 + per room to have them fitted professionally, maybe more.

        The joke is that some people get one punched fatally and the perpetrator isn’t even drunk, or its 10 o’clock in the morning. The child who died in the swimming pool grabbed a chair or something and used it to climb over the gate, none of the swimming pool fence law changes will ever stop that. The house with the fire didn’t have any smoke alarms even though you can pick them up for about $10 each, so what makes the authorities think the same family would have invested $700 or more to fit out their house?

        People should be made aware of the risks with these things, be educated about them, but then allowed to make their own decisions and not have these ridiculous laws thrust upon them. It’s a pet hate of mine, and I’m sure that’s clear to see from this rant.

  • Chakshu behl January 16, 2017, 11:06 pm |

    Hi
    I am planing to move to Perth on study visa with my wife and 2 kids . Suggest the best but economical area to live nearby ECU.

    • BobinOz January 18, 2017, 12:17 am |

      ‘Best’ is hard to help you with because it depends what you want from a suburb. Economical is easy though, you just need to find a suburb close to where you will be studying where accommodation is cheaper than elsewhere.

      My page Cost of Buying or Renting a House in Australia can help you with that.

    • vale January 18, 2017, 3:50 am |

      ECU Mount Lawley or Joondalup? Mt. Lawley itself is a good place to live and quite economical as well plus it is very close to perth city..cheers

  • Faye January 16, 2017, 4:52 pm |

    Hi I’m contemplating to move to Perth with my hubby an kids from Darwin. My hubby currently works for inpex an is concerned about gettin work that won’t mean leaving for days. Guess I’m wondering if the mines are close so he could come home everyday.

    • BobinOz January 18, 2017, 12:08 am |

      Yes, I believe the mines have been closing, but the consequences of that are higher unemployment in the area which means that jobs are harder to find. The danger then is that your hubby doesn’t find a job at all and is home every day, but doesn’t earn any money.

      I would suggest doing some research into this, to see what kind of job opportunities might be available to your husband before you make a move, particularly if he currently does have a job in Darwin.

      • Vicki Edwards January 21, 2017, 8:37 pm |

        The mines are not closing but the majority of the construction phase has beeen completed and the mines are now in production mode where less staff are required. Depends what skills your husband has but Perth is a wonderful place to live!

        • Mike March 14, 2017, 12:10 pm |

          China’s not buying and the cost of resources has dropped significantly which means that the mining sector has been putting off hundreds of workers. Which means they are leaving Perth. The State Government’s coffers and budget is at an all time low especially since they spent all their money building Perth Stadium and Elizabeth Quay. The last couple of years they were putting people off with involuntary redundancies and dissolving public sector roles in attempt to raise money. The economy is pretty low in Perth at the moment and maybe only just starting to show some small signs of movement just now in March 2017. So much so that I went and worked in New Zelaand 2015/16 and now I’m working in Melbourne where there’s heaps of work for what I do.

  • Nicolina Leone January 6, 2017, 5:42 am |

    Hi Bob, thanks so much for the information. I’m moving to Perth middle-to-end of March and am looking into areas I’d like to live. I think Inner or West (because of proximity to the beach) would be great. I’d love to be as central as possible but still in a reasonably priced area (doesn’t everyone?). If you have any suggestions on where to start, that would be so helpful!

    Thanks!
    Nicolina

    • BobinOz January 11, 2017, 8:27 pm |

      I’m afraid I don’t know enough about Perth to help you with this, I live in Brisbane and I’ve only been to Western Australia once for a holiday. Hopefully a local will see your comment and help you out though, but it may also be worth you having a quick look through the comments already made here as there is some chatter about the suburbs.

      Good luck, Bob

    • Mike March 14, 2017, 12:33 pm |

      A place definitely to consider is Joondanna, Nollamara, Stirling, Westminster, Balcatta, Osborne Park areas. These places are older areas with larger quarter acre or more blocks of land. Most people are building new modern homes here and subdividing making them cheaper and newer. About 15mins to city, 15mins to Scarborough Beach, 10mins to Lake Monger, large shopping centres everywhere, freeway and trains closeby also so you have easy access to anywhere in Perth.

  • Charmaine December 31, 2016, 2:01 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    How are you? My husband and I have recently been granted a 190 visa to Western Australia and we are plannung on moving soon. My husband is a hotelier my profession and we were wondering which regions in WA would give us better job opportunities. Would appreciate your advise.

  • Sandy December 28, 2016, 7:35 pm |

    Hi there. We are immagrating to Perth from South Africa my husband my two kids and I. I am looking for nice areas for us as a family and any other information 🙂 thanks so much.

    • Paul Truebig December 29, 2016, 12:05 pm |

      Hi Sandy
      We live in Cairns it is a great spot for family, it is like paradise. The ocean has salt crocs so we have a number of public pools. It is hot and can be humid. Lots of professional South Africans in Cairns.
      Lot of the work is fly in and fly out pending on the occupation.
      Good luck with your migration.
      Paul

      • BobinOz December 29, 2016, 9:52 pm |

        Cairns is a long way from Perth though Paul? 🙂

        Sandy, Perth is very much a family orientated city so you will probably need to be more specific about what you’re looking for for someone to be able to help you. Alternatively, have a good skim through these comments, you will find lots of talk about what it’s like to live in various parts of Perth.

  • sherri December 23, 2016, 5:08 pm |

    Hi there
    I currenlty live in Christchurch New Zealand and am thinkg of moving to Perth in a few years time. Can anyone please recomment good family suburbs to live in we have two primary school age
    Thanks

  • Ashleigh December 9, 2016, 9:27 pm |

    Hi. I’m looking at relocating to Perth region from Melbourne and al looking for advice on suburbs/places that aren’t overly expensive. I’ve heard Mandurah is okay, but I really have no idea. Any tips would be helpful 🙂

    • BobinOz December 12, 2016, 6:34 pm |

      Mandurah has had a couple of mentions in these comments, it has been said it’s a bit far away from the city I think but nobody has said anything bad about it. That said, hopefully a local will be able to give you a better answer than I have.

      Anybody know Mandurah?

      • Julia December 17, 2016, 6:02 pm |

        I live in a suburb just outside of mandurah, as with any area there are some lovely parts and not so nice parts…on the whole though we love it. If you like water sports it’s a great place to be. Coastal town so always close to a beach. About 50min train journey to the city from mandurah. Not a great deal of work in the area though so may end up having to commute.

    • Ali December 18, 2016, 12:41 am |

      Close to where you will be working would be ideal. North is comperatively expensive as compared to South of Perth. Willeton and Rossmoyne have one of the best school’s. Byford is a new fast growing housing which is 30min drive to Airport and 37min yo the City with good primary and high scools. Cockburn is also a very good suburb not far from Perth city

  • Flyaway December 9, 2016, 5:02 am |

    Hello,
    I’m going to live as a student in Perth and would like to now what is the cheapest accomodation there?
    Thank you

    • BobinOz December 9, 2016, 6:56 pm |

      Google gumtree and then try searching for rooms to rent on there, that would the about as cheap as it might get.

  • CHIA HUI MING December 7, 2016, 12:03 am |

    HI, I plan want go Perth travelling next year. do not know how to plan my routes. Perth look like very big.

    • BobinOz December 7, 2016, 7:06 pm |

      Perth is not really that big, Western Australia is though. I think this is something only you can plan though, because only you know the kind of things you want to see. A good travel site like Lonely Planet would undoubtedly help you with that. Good luck, Bob

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