Thank you all again for your replies ,

thanks Helen for the link, I haven't come across that website before. I have however come across some of those "suspicious" planning decisions in the papers.

Leven , it would be lovely to see some photos , googlemap can only get you so far.

BristolBeary - lovely to hear from a fellow briz, Im sure we will be in touch again , in particular for a more coalface opinion on cost of living comparisons with Bristol.

Ok, putting my cards on the table , I have reason to choose Bunbury as wife has family in Australind. however I think they would be so keen for us to move that I may not get a full rounded opinion from them , plus I wanted to do much more research before getting their hopes up. We wish to savour a more regional lifestyle and have had a fill of city and suburban life hence generally wishing to avoid Perth.

I have sufficient points for a 176 (both relative or state sponsor) but im holding out for a employer sponsor and would not consider move without employment in place beforehand. hopefully I will hear from Bunbury planning dept soon re their view on considering me for future posts.

Any further advice , bunbury related or otherwise is very much welcomed.

I think I'd rather go further south, around Dunsborough if possible. Not too far from Australind/Bunbury, but better scenery, lifestyle and beaches. You'd certainly get lots of visitors if you lived there.

If you like culture etc then forget Bunbury, the place is an absolute whole, it's idea of culture is Hungry Jacks!

Come on, be fair, haven't they got Target, Big W and Kmart now?

not sure about Dunsborough, looks lovely and all (albeit I read a bit of seasonal "spring break" type destination) but I do still want to be close enough to Perth should the fancy or necessity take us.

Im originally from a small town so have experienced generally life where every day feels like sundays. As long as I can get a doorstep City fix once in a while that may suffice. And the beaches would certianly help.

living is rural Australia is not like livign in rural England. Bunbury is a nice little town but has nothing to really do and is bogan as you could get. Having said that out of all the country towns in WA its the best and the closest to Perth.

Crystal Meth is your biggest problem with kids in these towns. Wouldn't be surpised if 50-75% on bored out of their brain teenagers are on this shit.

Really!
then again would you say that the drugs and the related crime problems would be any better in similar places in England. Being the victim of 3 burglaries in 2 yrs here in Bristol I for one am fed up with the urban city drug problems.

All country towns in Australia have issues with Youth bordem so to speak some are worst than others and Bunbury is on the lower side of Problems but theyre still there.

Dunsborough has much better scenery, no doubt. We live there too. Its a beautiful holiday place. Apart from sceneries there is even less things to do than Bunbury:-)

Bunbury is a bit depressing looking place to my taste. And correct re bogans:-)

Recall Bunbury being rated as Australia's most Aussie town.Depending on your opinion this could be a pro or a con.
What small town are teenagers not bored out of their nut?
Can recall when the main event on the weekend was young folj cruising up and down the main drag in souped up or other wheels trying to look mean and cool at the same time.
Wonder if that has changed?

I live in Australind and work in Bunbury. I have 2 teenage kids, ages 17 and 15.
We all LOVE it here and whilst the shopping is pretty limited if thats your thing, yest i drove 45 mins to Mandurah and then got a train into Perth for days shopping. Very quick and easy and only $9 for day return ticket.
Drugs? Yes of course there are drugs. Lots of drugs. Anyone who says there are no drugs in their area is pretty ignorant, but it hasn't impacted on our lives.
My kids are big into their sports and are always at some match, training, fixture etc.
Night life in Bunbury is busy BUT Im not really a goer outer so cant comment on that too much. There are a couple of good restaurants, and other less good ones . Guess we are all different - if you have family here have you been to visit before?

Hi Daunting

re traveling to Perth, I notice you drove to Mandurah first, and can probably guess why. I have already noted from my research that there are only 2 train journeys a day between Bunbury and Perth. That struck me as a serious underprovision. Is that something that is likely to improve in the near future do you know.

Im pondering now if your kids might even know my rellies kids in Australind, they are aged 18 and 16 , very similar age.

Never visited before, only just married into the these rellies.

Yes there is only a very limited train service from Bunbury but it goes every 20 mins from Mandurah. There has been some talk of extending the Mandurah line down this way but that is all it is at the moment Just talk In the short time we have been here the area has grown much bigger so maybe oooooooonnneee day

My kids both go to Australind Senior High school. One in year 12 and the other in year 10. Drop me a private message and I will ask them There are several kids at school with them whos parents are on this site.

What line of work are you in? (apologies if you have already mentioned)