Some realities of Perth.
Apr 16th 2007, 3:52 pm
#61
Here at last!
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 1,635
Re: Some realities of Perth.
We are heading for Perth but only because we have family there and just to set us up! We are then off to settle in Tasmania after having some reccie trips out there of course....wherever we end up we will be happy...I am happy wherever I live I just dont let life mould me at all. I am not perfect far from it but I try to just stay positive and I take whatever life throws at me. Yep I moan and whinge about the UK and will probably be very homesick as I am leaving my mom here....
I do what I want when I want and I have family to look after and I am lucky enough to enjoy my job immensly.
Life is a endless journey and if I dont travel I will regret it later in life. I have been given a great opportunity and of course it is good to hear differing opnions on Perth and Australia. But as others have said it wont be to all tastes but Oz isn't just PERTH! There are many diverse and exciting places to live in Oz not just WA!.....
I do what I want when I want and I have family to look after and I am lucky enough to enjoy my job immensly.
Life is a endless journey and if I dont travel I will regret it later in life. I have been given a great opportunity and of course it is good to hear differing opnions on Perth and Australia. But as others have said it wont be to all tastes but Oz isn't just PERTH! There are many diverse and exciting places to live in Oz not just WA!.....
Apr 16th 2007, 4:18 pm
#62
Happy migrant
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
Re: Some realities of Perth.
It's good to read threads like this when you are doing research 
I have friends who love it in Perth but I know it wouldn't be for me.
I'm hoping that I'll love Melbourne as I like to be near the action but I know others hate it and yearn for somewhere quieter.
It's horses for courses.
I have friends who love it in Perth but I know it wouldn't be for me.
I'm hoping that I'll love Melbourne as I like to be near the action but I know others hate it and yearn for somewhere quieter.
It's horses for courses.
Apr 16th 2007, 4:18 pm
#63
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 455
Re: Some realities of Perth.
I think one really has to follow his heart. If the heart is Oz then no matter how hard it can be in Perth or elsewhere it will be problemfree...
Certainly it can be of a shock when exposed to overnight changes and if not prepared this can be harmful. However I think one has to remain positive and one has to surround himself/herself with positive energy people to be able to succeed in a new country..
.
Certainly it can be of a shock when exposed to overnight changes and if not prepared this can be harmful. However I think one has to remain positive and one has to surround himself/herself with positive energy people to be able to succeed in a new country..
.
Apr 16th 2007, 6:03 pm
#64
Life is more than a dream
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Kings Moss, UK - it's a bit like Emmerdale
Posts: 1,389
Re: Some realities of Perth.
Your completly right people do have a right to point out the good and bad about places. I do think that we (english) do tend to whinge and moan about the smallest things and thats what annoys me. I also agree that people dont always have choice, freddom or time to check oz out but i do think some people give up all too easy and if they did go the extra mile in the first place to check things out it would have saved een more heartbreak money and time in the first place.
I firmly believe you make of life what it throws at you, well i certainly do anyway, i never dwell/regret any decisions i make even if they were wrong. My philosophy you only live once!!!!!
ps we have a westie called archiebald whos coming with us!
I firmly believe you make of life what it throws at you, well i certainly do anyway, i never dwell/regret any decisions i make even if they were wrong. My philosophy you only live once!!!!!
ps we have a westie called archiebald whos coming with us!
We took two westies with us and they are back with us in the UK now
Good luck with your move - hope it all goes well for you
Apr 16th 2007, 6:07 pm
#65
Life is more than a dream
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Kings Moss, UK - it's a bit like Emmerdale
Posts: 1,389
Re: Some realities of Perth.
It's good to read threads like this when you are doing research
I have friends who love it in Perth but I know it wouldn't be for me.
I'm hoping that I'll love Melbourne as I like to be near the action but I know others hate it and yearn for somewhere quieter.
It's horses for courses.
I have friends who love it in Perth but I know it wouldn't be for me.
I'm hoping that I'll love Melbourne as I like to be near the action but I know others hate it and yearn for somewhere quieter.
It's horses for courses.
Apr 16th 2007, 6:10 pm
#66
Banned
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: here there,fluck knows where?
Posts: 7,444
Re: Some realities of Perth.
Totally agree with you - we should put far more into such a huge move. Whilst I do regret the move for purely financial reasons I don't regret it at all in many other ways as it's been such a life changing experience - one that money can't buy - we've met some lovely people, seen some fantastic places we've learned so much. We are closer as a family and much stronger individually.
We took two westies with us and they are back with us in the UK now
Good luck with your move - hope it all goes well for you
We took two westies with us and they are back with us in the UK now
Good luck with your move - hope it all goes well for you
good on you...
ast,,,
Apr 16th 2007, 7:17 pm
#67
Happy migrant
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
Re: Some realities of Perth.
I'm hoping to get a job in Frankston and live Frankston south or get a job at the Monash and live Eastern suburbs such as ferntree Gully.
I've never been to any of those places though so won't know for sure until I land
Where were you? I have read your threads and know you didn't settle - glad it's worked out for you back in Blighty
Apr 16th 2007, 9:15 pm
#68
Life is more than a dream
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Kings Moss, UK - it's a bit like Emmerdale
Posts: 1,389
Re: Some realities of Perth.
Hi Louise - it's completely dependent on where I end up working!
I'm hoping to get a job in Frankston and live Frankston south or get a job at the Monash and live Eastern suburbs such as ferntree Gully.
I've never been to any of those places though so won't know for sure until I land
Where were you? I have read your threads and know you didn't settle - glad it's worked out for you back in Blighty
I'm hoping to get a job in Frankston and live Frankston south or get a job at the Monash and live Eastern suburbs such as ferntree Gully.
I've never been to any of those places though so won't know for sure until I land
Where were you? I have read your threads and know you didn't settle - glad it's worked out for you back in Blighty
I thought Frankston was great - quite a few Irish bars and a nice shopping centre. The beach and front were lovely and have just been done up and the train line into the city was really good. Frankston didn't used to be a desirable place apparently but like I say it's all been modernised. and is really nice now. Plenty houses affordable too. It's a great base too for the city and the Mornington peninsula which is just beautiful. If I was to ever go back to Victoria it would probably be to Frankston. Wish you lots of luck, I'm sure you'll love it
Apr 16th 2007, 9:22 pm
#69
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Rockingham, Perth
Posts: 5,170
Re: Some realities of Perth.
They are only cyber people. You wont meet most of them in your life. Let their comments wash over you.
hugs Lace x
hugs Lace x
Apr 16th 2007, 9:23 pm
#70
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Some realities of Perth.
Thanks for your thoughts. Oz is a completely different country from England/Scotland/Wales/wherever, so one can expect a completely different culture.
Apr 16th 2007, 11:55 pm
#71
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Perth since 1997
Posts: 590
Re: Some realities of Perth.
It's been good to read so many replies to my post.
Like i said, it is only our thoughts and i knew that loads of people would not agree with them. Still it feels good now that i have got them off my chest.
Interesting to hear that some people are having similar thoughts.
As former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett said a few weeks ago-
Perth is antiseptic, devoid of life and lacks culture.
The Western Australian capital does not offer visitors enough incentive to make the extensive trip across the country.
The city has no heartbeat due to its lack of identity, culture or sporting prowess.
He goes into much more detail but i think you should get the picture.
Like i said, it is only our thoughts and i knew that loads of people would not agree with them. Still it feels good now that i have got them off my chest.
Interesting to hear that some people are having similar thoughts.
As former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett said a few weeks ago-
Perth is antiseptic, devoid of life and lacks culture.
The Western Australian capital does not offer visitors enough incentive to make the extensive trip across the country.
The city has no heartbeat due to its lack of identity, culture or sporting prowess.
He goes into much more detail but i think you should get the picture.
I do agree with your comments and your entry post. I'm living in Perth for 11 years. I'm from a European country and from were I lived there, I easily could travel by car to many neighbouring countries within 1-3 hours.
Before I moved to Perth, I had visited Perth several times since 1980 but never thought of moving to Perth because I would not qualify for a permanent visa (got married to an Aussie). The reason I came to visit Perth were my friends who I knew from the time when I lived in Singapore. After I migrated, I realised that these visits were very one-sided - I knew just the view of these people and their friends and relatives. They have different interests than me, different experiences and expectations. Allthough, in mid 90 the internet was not, what it is today.
Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined in 1997 that in 2007 i will drive past 'seas of rooftops', whereever I go, houses, houses and houses with no trees in between or on the road side. And there is no end to it.
No matter were one comes from, the moment we hopp of the plane, our brain still ticks in the way we are used to for a very long time. In our home country we attach value to other things as they do here.
I do understand when you mentioned the 'no shoe' mentality. I disliked it too but not because of the appearance as such. What caused me eyebrows raising was and is the fact that people walk barefooted in the petrol station. With their filthy feet they hopp in the car (remember a car in Europe has a higher personal value than here) and then they go home and hopp with their petrol feet on the couch. But I guess the 'no shoe' issue was raised as an example of 'non-dressing up culture' in Perth in general.
I understand what you mean with no culture. Perth has no vibe, it has no distinctive flair, it doesn't even have a proper opera house or philharmony and any sort of it. In fact, besides the beautiful bell tower (architecture), Perth has failed to built any outstanding architecture at all. Perth has no icon(s) as many larger cities have (example Valencia, same size, http://www.cac.es/). We have no distinct cultural presinct such as a Chinatown or a farmers market as they have in Adelaide for instance or along the east coast.
For the staggering tax money the state government recieves now for years because of mining and the populations constant move from one house to the next one (stamp duty), I would expect something outstanding to happen to attract visitors for instance. A few years ago they built that horrible shoe sole convention centre at the river but with only one window to the river. Unbelievable ugly and stupidly biult at a prime location. Now the WACA will be dimolished, guess what they built there - highrise apartment buildings. That's what it is all about in the Perth, housing, hosuing, housing. All major events have moved east (except for the Hopman Cup) and the convention centre is not making money at all.
Take the casino. If somebody is interested in this sort of entertainment will be very disappointed when compared to other casinos eg Crown in Melbourne. Now they want to extend it. Well, the Asian gamblers will increasing play in Macau. Why? The wow factor. "Slot machines are no longer a novelty, and blackjack isn’t a novelty anymore. People aren’t going to fly 2,000 miles just to play nickel slots. What they will do though is they will fly 2,000 miles to have a great experience”. Do they get is Perth? NOOOO.
Margaret River. yep, that's the max what you get within a day. It takes me 10 min too to walk the main road up and down, and besides the information centre there is nothing else that catches my eye. Yep, there are wineries, a really nice new one on cave road, absolutely beautiful. But, at the end of the day, you just can drive from one winery to the next one. And then what? Ocean and beach we have in Perth too. How many times do I want to do that in a year? To cut it short: there is not much for day trips.
So, you are stuck with the beach, boating, BBQs, footy. Of course I can do other things such a cycling, knitting etc. But beach, boating and BBQs is not really a lot to justify a move from Europe.
And then after a few years you realise that you can't simply fly to Greece, New York or Marocco like all your relies and friends do back home. Even if you could afford it, sitting in the plane everytime for 20+ hours is not really the thing you want to do 3 times a year (remember in mainland Europe they have 6weeks hols, here only 4). The nearest you get here is Bali, not everybodies dream place for a hol, after all we got better beaches than they have (ok the water is warmer over there).
You commented on the few taxis that frequent Northbridge. It is not that there are not enough taxis but many taxi drivers refuse to take passengers at night from Northbridge. The driver and car get attacked and some passengers don't pay. On top of it, Aussies drink heavily and throw up in the taxi.
But, you have over 300 days of the year sunshine and that's it that makes the big difference to Europe. It's a nice feeling - blue skies and sun.
Last edited by Evelin; Apr 17th 2007 at 12:03 am.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:04 am
#72
(It's not my real name)
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Ilukapool. WA
Posts: 12,467
Re: Some realities of Perth.
Good post Evelin .
I think if you are NOT the sort of person who likes the outdoor life - camping, fishing, surfing, beaches, SCUBA, 4x4 driving then you will be disappointed with WA. if you do like that kind of thing (like I do, fortunately) it's a bloody brilliant place to live.
I think if you are NOT the sort of person who likes the outdoor life - camping, fishing, surfing, beaches, SCUBA, 4x4 driving then you will be disappointed with WA. if you do like that kind of thing (like I do, fortunately) it's a bloody brilliant place to live.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:36 am
#73
Account Closed
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,375
Re: Some realities of Perth.
Ditto 1000% to all this.
Praise the Lord ... We have sense in da house!!!
Praise the Lord ... We have sense in da house!!!
I do agree with your comments and your entry post. I'm living in Perth for 11 years. I'm from a European country and from were I lived there, I easily could travel by car to many neighbouring countries within 1-3 hours.
Before I moved to Perth, I had visited Perth several times since 1980 but never thought of moving to Perth because I would not qualify for a permanent visa (got married to an Aussie). The reason I came to visit Perth were my friends who I knew from the time when I lived in Singapore. After I migrated, I realised that these visits were very one-sided - I knew just the view of these people and their friends and relatives. They have different interests than me, different experiences and expectations. Allthough, in mid 90 the internet was not, what it is today.
Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined in 1997 that in 2007 i will drive past 'seas of rooftops', whereever I go, houses, houses and houses with no trees in between or on the road side. And there is no end to it.
No matter were one comes from, the moment we hopp of the plane, our brain still ticks in the way we are used to for a very long time. In our home country we attach value to other things as they do here.
I do understand when you mentioned the 'no shoe' mentality. I disliked it too but not because of the appearance as such. What caused me eyebrows raising was and is the fact that people walk barefooted in the petrol station. With their filthy feet they hopp in the car (remember a car in Europe has a higher personal value than here) and then they go home and hopp with their petrol feet on the couch. But I guess the 'no shoe' issue was raised as an example of 'non-dressing up culture' in Perth in general.
I understand what you mean with no culture. Perth has no vibe, it has no distinctive flair, it doesn't even have a proper opera house or philharmony and any sort of it. In fact, besides the beautiful bell tower (architecture), Perth has failed to built any outstanding architecture at all. Perth has no icon(s) as many larger cities have (example Valencia, same size, http://www.cac.es/). We have no distinct cultural presinct such as a Chinatown or a farmers market as they have in Adelaide for instance or along the east coast.
For the staggering tax money the state government recieves now for years because of mining and the populations constant move from one house to the next one (stamp duty), I would expect something outstanding to happen to attract visitors for instance. A few years ago they built that horrible shoe sole convention centre at the river but with only one window to the river. Unbelievable ugly and stupidly biult at a prime location. Now the WACA will be dimolished, guess what they built there - highrise apartment buildings. That's what it is all about in the Perth, housing, hosuing, housing. All major events have moved east (except for the Hopman Cup) and the convention centre is not making money at all.
Take the casino. If somebody is interested in this sort of entertainment will be very disappointed when compared to other casinos eg Crown in Melbourne. Now they want to extend it. Well, the Asian gamblers will increasing play in Macau. Why? The wow factor. "Slot machines are no longer a novelty, and blackjack isn’t a novelty anymore. People aren’t going to fly 2,000 miles just to play nickel slots. What they will do though is they will fly 2,000 miles to have a great experience”. Do they get is Perth? NOOOO.
Margaret River. yep, that's the max what you get within a day. It takes me 10 min too to walk the main road up and down, and besides the information centre there is nothing else that catches my eye. Yep, there are wineries, a really nice new one on cave road, absolutely beautiful. But, at the end of the day, you just can drive from one winery to the next one. And then what? Ocean and beach we have in Perth too. How many times do I want to do that in a year? To cut it short: there is not much for day trips.
So, you are stuck with the beach, boating, BBQs, footy. Of course I can do other things such a cycling, knitting etc. But beach, boating and BBQs is not really a lot to justify a move from Europe.
And then after a few years you realise that you can't simply fly to Greece, New York or Marocco like all your relies and friends do back home. Even if you could afford it, sitting in the plane everytime for 20+ hours is not really the thing you want to do 3 times a year (remember in mainland Europe they have 6weeks hols, here only 4). The nearest you get here is Bali, not everybodies dream place for a hol, after all we got better beaches than they have (ok the water is warmer over there).
You commented on the few taxis that frequent Northbridge. It is not that there are not enough taxis but many taxi drivers refuse to take passengers at night from Northbridge. The driver and car get attacked and some passengers don't pay. On top of it, Aussies drink heavily and throw up in the taxi.
But, you have over 300 days of the year sunshine and that's it that makes the big difference to Europe. It's a nice feeling - blue skies and sun.
Before I moved to Perth, I had visited Perth several times since 1980 but never thought of moving to Perth because I would not qualify for a permanent visa (got married to an Aussie). The reason I came to visit Perth were my friends who I knew from the time when I lived in Singapore. After I migrated, I realised that these visits were very one-sided - I knew just the view of these people and their friends and relatives. They have different interests than me, different experiences and expectations. Allthough, in mid 90 the internet was not, what it is today.
Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined in 1997 that in 2007 i will drive past 'seas of rooftops', whereever I go, houses, houses and houses with no trees in between or on the road side. And there is no end to it.
No matter were one comes from, the moment we hopp of the plane, our brain still ticks in the way we are used to for a very long time. In our home country we attach value to other things as they do here.
I do understand when you mentioned the 'no shoe' mentality. I disliked it too but not because of the appearance as such. What caused me eyebrows raising was and is the fact that people walk barefooted in the petrol station. With their filthy feet they hopp in the car (remember a car in Europe has a higher personal value than here) and then they go home and hopp with their petrol feet on the couch. But I guess the 'no shoe' issue was raised as an example of 'non-dressing up culture' in Perth in general.
I understand what you mean with no culture. Perth has no vibe, it has no distinctive flair, it doesn't even have a proper opera house or philharmony and any sort of it. In fact, besides the beautiful bell tower (architecture), Perth has failed to built any outstanding architecture at all. Perth has no icon(s) as many larger cities have (example Valencia, same size, http://www.cac.es/). We have no distinct cultural presinct such as a Chinatown or a farmers market as they have in Adelaide for instance or along the east coast.
For the staggering tax money the state government recieves now for years because of mining and the populations constant move from one house to the next one (stamp duty), I would expect something outstanding to happen to attract visitors for instance. A few years ago they built that horrible shoe sole convention centre at the river but with only one window to the river. Unbelievable ugly and stupidly biult at a prime location. Now the WACA will be dimolished, guess what they built there - highrise apartment buildings. That's what it is all about in the Perth, housing, hosuing, housing. All major events have moved east (except for the Hopman Cup) and the convention centre is not making money at all.
Take the casino. If somebody is interested in this sort of entertainment will be very disappointed when compared to other casinos eg Crown in Melbourne. Now they want to extend it. Well, the Asian gamblers will increasing play in Macau. Why? The wow factor. "Slot machines are no longer a novelty, and blackjack isn’t a novelty anymore. People aren’t going to fly 2,000 miles just to play nickel slots. What they will do though is they will fly 2,000 miles to have a great experience”. Do they get is Perth? NOOOO.
Margaret River. yep, that's the max what you get within a day. It takes me 10 min too to walk the main road up and down, and besides the information centre there is nothing else that catches my eye. Yep, there are wineries, a really nice new one on cave road, absolutely beautiful. But, at the end of the day, you just can drive from one winery to the next one. And then what? Ocean and beach we have in Perth too. How many times do I want to do that in a year? To cut it short: there is not much for day trips.
So, you are stuck with the beach, boating, BBQs, footy. Of course I can do other things such a cycling, knitting etc. But beach, boating and BBQs is not really a lot to justify a move from Europe.
And then after a few years you realise that you can't simply fly to Greece, New York or Marocco like all your relies and friends do back home. Even if you could afford it, sitting in the plane everytime for 20+ hours is not really the thing you want to do 3 times a year (remember in mainland Europe they have 6weeks hols, here only 4). The nearest you get here is Bali, not everybodies dream place for a hol, after all we got better beaches than they have (ok the water is warmer over there).
You commented on the few taxis that frequent Northbridge. It is not that there are not enough taxis but many taxi drivers refuse to take passengers at night from Northbridge. The driver and car get attacked and some passengers don't pay. On top of it, Aussies drink heavily and throw up in the taxi.
But, you have over 300 days of the year sunshine and that's it that makes the big difference to Europe. It's a nice feeling - blue skies and sun.
Apr 17th 2007, 12:49 am
#74
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: A land far far away
Posts: 1,149
Re: Some realities of Perth.
Good post Evelin .
I think if you are NOT the sort of person who likes the outdoor life - camping, fishing, surfing, beaches, SCUBA, 4x4 driving then you will be disappointed with WA. if you do like that kind of thing (like I do, fortunately) it's a bloody brilliant place to live.
I think if you are NOT the sort of person who likes the outdoor life - camping, fishing, surfing, beaches, SCUBA, 4x4 driving then you will be disappointed with WA. if you do like that kind of thing (like I do, fortunately) it's a bloody brilliant place to live.
I agree with this. Plus Ilukaville.............nuff said
Apr 17th 2007, 1:09 am
#75
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: WA but NOT Perth!!!!!
Posts: 3,318