My wife and I are moving to Australia in Jan and were thinking of Perth as our destination. Good employment prospects, affordable housing (compared to Sydney and Melbourne) and beaches parks etc

The only worry is that I have read numerous articles about the infamous "fremantle Doctor" the afternoon summer winds. We all know what costal Britain is like when the wind blows, its can be a real annoyance although I suppose at 30deg C its not quite so bracing.

Do these winds make the beach life in the summer a nightmare. How noticeable are they? and how dose it compare to Sydney or even costal towns in England in the summer.

Feedback would be helpful

We were in and around Perth in March/April. We found at its worst the wind was quiet annoying when led on the beach (scalp full of sand...) but overall it was a very welcome relief, and I understand why they call it the Fremantle Doctor! But I would not say it was at anytime comparable to the costal winds in the UK- Bracing and giving you ear ache!

Most people say in summer that the cooling afternoon wind is welcome.
We were there for 5 days in June and it was very windy all day long for 3 of those, but only seriously cold for one day when you consider that it's mid-winter.

Well seeing as Perth is one of the windiest cities in the world (2nd or 3rd) it could be a problem for you. But in the summer we all hang out for the Freo doctor to cool us down.

The wind is welcome when the temperature is up in the 40's.

To be honest, i hardly notice it and i wouldnt let something so small put me off where i was going to live.

Perth is great, come check it out.

I agree with you only been here since march but its nothing compare to what i am used too up north in the uk, its great here

We lived on the coast and regularly walked the dogs on the beach. We found the wind to be quite frustrating, bringing the temperature to seem a lot cooler than it actually was. However, when it is 40 odd degrees it is very welcome-although it is more of a warm wind then like when you open an oven door !!
However, it would not be enough to make me be put off Perth.
And get into sailing or windsurfing and maximise it !

As others have said, when the temperature is up in the high 30s or 40s the sea breeze, (as we call it here) is an absolute godsend!

It hits the coastal suburbs first and gets to the city, (where we are) about an hour or so later depending on how strong it is.
On a stinking hot day I've seen myself phoning my mates who live near the coast to ask if it's in yet!

What can be uncomfortable is when you get a summer easterly. That's when the wind blows from the desert and it's like sticking your head in an oven!

We live on the coast just south of Mandurah and although the winds can be frighteningly strong they are an absolute blessing in the summer. We have been renting a very new, two storey (for almost 2 years) which has no air con. The house is on a hill with large windows and patio doors front and back which can be fully opened. Being so close to the ocean we have found only 5 or 6 days really unbearable, the rest of the summer the sea breezes keep us lovely and cool but when the easterlies blow there's no relief. .

One of the reasons why I'm moving to Perth, regular strong winds for me to go windsurfing. Lack of it in the UK. I'm going to be sailing in a hairdryer for now on, not in a dull, over cast, cold fridge.

You will get use to it