The Transperth website will give you a lot of info. There are a lot of bus routes, and the buses seem to be pretty frequent, and match up with the trains. If you were in a suburb well away from either, I think you'd find it more difficult, but if you choose where you live based on availability of transport, I think you'd be okay. We both drive, but there's a decent IGA within walking distance, and a bus route a couple of streets away. We actually tend to take the train into Perth because it's cheaper than parking (and easier)!

Cheers
b

I think there's two different issues here.
One is isolation and not liking that feeling and the other is getting around using public transport and how that will fit in with your lives.
I think the public transport issue, if you're careful where you live, should be fine. The isolation thing is going to be down to who you are and how you think... how you make friends, who you network with, what you do with your time....
It's possible to feel isolated in the busiest of cities for example... and yet secure and happy in an out of the way place.

Thanks for the messages of help and ideas.

As i said in the 1st post, i can drive, so it's only really going to be the school run, and odds and ends at a grocery store, that my wife will need a bus for. Or if we're lucky enough to find a suburb where everthing is on the doorstep us all the better. So if anyone knows any children friendly locations in and around Perth area we'd appreciate any feedback.
It's not as if we've got 3 toddlers, oldest son 13, next son 9, then our daughter just turned 2 years old.

Thanks again for any info in advance.

Steve.

Hey Pazza, your positive outlook will definitely help.

I lived in NZ for 2 years and I must admit I did feel isolated as I couldn't drive. I put off learning for years due to a slight disability on my right side (right hand & foot) but in the end I did it - although in an automatic car. Most people don't even know I have a slight disability and I get a bit of stick for driving in an automatic and taking 5 times to pass my test but who cares?

In England there is a system called Motobility or something that helps disabled drivers to learn & get adapted cars if necessary, maybe your wife should contact them? Not sure how her vision in her left eye would affect the driving but worth a go. Good luck. X

Hi Mrs Kiwi,

Maria is exactly the same. To look at her you wouldn't know anything was wrong with her.
Not going in too much detail, but she's blind in both eyes, but only to the left of them. She can see straight ahead and everything to her right out of both eyes, but nothing to the left when she's looking straight ahead. Obviously she can turn her head to the left, when she wants to look that way, but has a blind spot there when looking straight ahead.
It's funny sometimes because now and again she'll ask where one of the kids have gone, and they'll be on her left side, and they'll say "i'm here mam"
So i'm not sure if a car could be modified to suit her. She's got by for the last 30 year like this so she knows no difference really.

Pazza,

you and Maria sound very strong as a couple and as individuals so try not to let her car situation prevent your emigration.

It won't be easy but shes survived this long in the UK with kids and no car so I'll bet she'll be ok in Oz - just live near to transport links as the other posters say.

Good luck & let us know how you get on

Kelly

Mrs Kiwi,

Thanks for the kind words, and i think we will go for it.

Not driving is a drag wherever you are - Sunderland or Australia. Thing is here as you know is everything is quite far apart so you just have to be a bit more careful where you live.

I lived in Sydney for a couple of years, absolutely loved it, didnt need to drive at all.

Brisbane was ok too but getting the kids on the bus when they were all in nappies was hard work.

I lost my license because of fits when living on the Sunshine Coast and it was a bit of a drag with 3 kids then under 3 but it was ok. I lived near the childcare and about 10 mins walk to Mooloolaba so although my husband works away I was ok. got a bit fitter - I could get to the beach, the shops and to post office etc and it was nice and a bit of a community so I felt safe and happy walking around even at night (not late but up until around 10). Last year we had these really terrible storms and it was a drama when it rained so much.

You are just going to do your research. We chose our house so there was a shop within 10 mins and a childcare at the end of the road. It was part of our selection criteria because although I now have my license back I was not sure if I would be able to keep it.

Vivienne