bitzenpces

Hi jackieh23, for me a perfect summer home would not be in Perth but somewhere down south on the coast or even better, somewhere in Dorset, Devon or Cornwall. Either way, needs loads of $$$$.

jackieh23

You missed the point " perfect summer home set up in Perth." Maybe I should have said for Perth rather than in...

Even further down south, you need air con.

And I couldn't hack an English summer...

kips

Have to agree - $650K doesn't buy you much in Perth if you are looking for a house rather than an apartment in a good suburb with good schools. Houses in Mount Lawley, Duncraig and Floreat sell for a $1 million plus at the lower.

brits1

I suppose we were lucky we migrated to Perth when we did. I could not live in Perth without the very least Aircon we were lucky we had a swimming pool and reverse Aircon (very expensive to run though and I did not like it) honestly I would seriously have to consider migration if I could not afford to have and pay for those essentials (of course a swimming pool is a bonus point but not one I would miss) its like living in the UK without central heating. I have just googled (first time) my old home and next door's (much smaller than ours) sold in Sept for 140,000!!!!!!!!!!!! more than we sold ours......seriously some people must be making small fortunes as I know just how "little" our neighbours home/land cost to build 3.5 (ish) years ago!!!!!!

bitzenpces

No, but perhaps you missed my point, as I don't think that there is such a thing as a perfect summer home in Perth, because I don't think that it's a perfect place to spend summer. It is cooler down south, so even less need for aircon. I'll take an English summer any day over this fan-forced oven variety.

brits1

I honestly enjoyed the Winter, Autum and Spring in Perth but did not enjoy the summer its way to hot, we also use to head down south just to get away from the heat, I enjoyed Margaret River, Denmark etc all nice and a lot greener that time of year, I do much prefer the Summer's here in the UK (yep even with the rain lol)

Jacqui

Try not to panic about snakes, there are millions of people living here who will probably never see one their whole lives, especially city-dwellers. The chances of seeing one will be remote, but not impossible, just be vigilant. There are a lot of parks/reserves scattered throughout in the city where they will be plentiful, but generally hiding away from scary humans. You wouldn't want to go wandering off the paths in Kings Park into the shrubbery for instance! Also avoid the bushy areas in the sand dunes at beaches. But lots of people always about means you are unlikely to encounter one, the snakes are too scared to venture where there are lots of humans. With residential development encroaching on their habitat, there will always be the odd one that gets lost in suburbia, just like the odd kangaroo that might go bouncing up the street.

You should take a few precautions, wherever you live. More so in rural areas obviously, but also in the city. Keep your garden neat and tidy (no long grass) and don't leave old things lying around where a snake could hide. Never reach in under shrubs with your bare hands, poke around with a rake first. Wear thick gloves when handling bricks (in case of a spider hiding). We always have flyscreen screens closed on windows and doors which are left open, would hate for a snake to slither indoors. If you want a pet rabbit, don't buy rabbit food in bulk and store in the shed; this will attract mice, which will attract snakes.

Make sure everyone knows first aid procedures for snake bites (and spider bites), look on the St John website. And keep the phone number for your local snake catcher handy (it will probably be available via the local council). Don't go wandering through long grass wearing flip-flops, like the two people who were bitten last week accidently stepping on snakes!

Yes it was sad that my dog died, and I wasn't too chuffed to find another snake in the shed a few weeks after, but I am on 5 acres and it's to be expected. My daughter has just spent the last 3 years living on campus at uni in Perth, never saw any snakes and generally didn't worry about them. My other daughter now lives in Perth and doesn't let it worry her either, apart from just being careful when gardening. My son worries more about spiders in his job fitting tyres, and is a bit cautious feeling around up inside the wheel arches.

Aussies have a laugh at us Poms scared of spiders and snakes - but wait until you see a wasp enter the room! Ha, that really freaks them out!

northernbird

You forgot to add IN MY OPINION to the majority of that post.

bitzenpces

I would have thought it was obvious, or do you think every single post by everyone should contain that disclaimer?

Chan29King

Hi Neil

Sorry couldn't work out how to private message u as says I can't but my husband is a mechanic looking for work in Perth and needing some help to work out the best way of getting over there. You seem to know Lots about oz!
Any chance you could email him .. <<address removed>>

Thanks

And once again sorry for contacting you this way :-)

Pollyana

Not sure who you are responding to, but you can access the private message system once you have 3 posts. To email someone click on their username and f they accept emails you will see it listed there. For privacy reasons we don't encourage emai addresse on the open forum.

If you are looking at migrating to Aus, the place for basic into is www.immi.gov.au to see if you qualify for a visa

Turban Explorer

I wouldn't think twice about snakes unless you're out in the bush. When I first moved from Far North Queensland I gardened in big wellies and gloves to me armpits and people thought I was bonkers as I was used to snakes, huntsmen and cane toads. Perth is very tame.

$550 isn't much money to buy with in Perth - it's probably the most pricey place in Australia imo. It's expensive here if you want to live anywhere salubrious. There are cheaper outer suburbs but they can be quite bland in my opinion - it might be worth looking at Guildford, Bassendean type places? They aren't too expensive and still have character. I also wouldn't be too worried about a pool. It gets very cold here and stormy through winter and then in summer the flies (and mozzies) can be pretty relentless. Why not compromise and look at a nice outdoor spa bath? I'd insist on air conditioning - it can be very hot here in summer. It's expensive though so go carefully!

There's plenty of outdoors space and the beaches are great. There are lots of outdoor facilities.

the troubadour

I wouldn't touch another pool with a badge pole. Hard work to maintain and expensive these days. Besides not having one will make you less house bound. You get down to the beach more and out and about.

Unless living further out I don't see $550,000 going very far. We have some of the most over valued real estate in the world here in Perth.
From what you described something in the range of $800,000 sounds more appropriate. Unless you settle for less like a town house or move much further out.

bitzenpces

I like the older buildings and character of Guildford, but am not familiar with Bassendean. My main concern about suburbs around Guildford is aircraft noise - some are very bothered by this, others not. Perth airports do not have a night-time curfew, so you have jumbo jets and other planes taking off and landing throughout the night, as well as all day long.

I was visiting someone in these areas and we were sitting outside while the kids were playing in the pool. Not only could I wave to the pilot, but I could smell his duty-free aftershave.

Always worth looking into crime rates and any incidences on train lines (Midland in this case).

brits1

Guildford has some lovely character buildings and quite near to the Midland Shopping Centre but as you say it is on the Flight Path. Honestly though I cannot believe the price of homes now in Perth, even certain areas that were always much,much cheaper than the "popular suburbs" are now in the $550+ price range, on the plus side of things it might help bring these area's "up" but how can the youngsters etc afford homes?