A move to Perth??
 

Hi everyone,

We emigrated to Australia 6 weeks ago now and currently stay with relatives in South East Queensland. After spending weeks behind the laptop searching and applying for jobs we are now looking at making the move over to Perth as I have secured a job on one of the mines in WA and to be honest nothing much has come up over this neck of the woods.

Having spent only a couple of days over in Perth I must be honest and say that we much prefer the East coast although well aware a couple of days isn't really much time for a fair assessment. We now need to decide on whether to play safe and go to Perth or hold out for something in QLD.

Please can we have some advise on what Perth is like as a place to live for a "young" childless couple and any recommendations for the best suburbs. We are looking for somewhere that is fairly cosmopolitan, close to bars and restaurants, safe and with easy access to the city and all this for around the $650k mark.

Thanks, Lance & Lisa

Re: A move to Perth??
 

IMHO...stay where you are and stick it out. Surely something will turn up eventually for you both. It's still early days.

If you are a childless young couple then being stuck in the outer suburbs here will drive you mental if you like a buzzy kind of place to live. Living closer to the city would be much better....if you have a load of cash!!

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Subiaco, Leederville, Floreat are all great for a childless couple Freo's really nice too. I also liked Victoria Park

Re: A move to Perth??
 

I think Vic Park would be the only one in their price range.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Depends what you are after - plenty of units and town houses in their price range.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Thanks for the comments,

Have had a look at the suburbs you mentioned and they look like the type of area we're looking for, Subi maybe a bit out of our price range though.

Do you have any idea what the mozzy / fly situation is in these areas being fairly close to Herdman lake.

Also is Perth classed as a "safe city" for going out in the evenings etc. The wife will be going out on the razz while I'm away...ha ha!!!

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Flies/mossies much of a muchness - snakes abound around Herdsmans though!! BUT if you are looking at units around Herdsmans - think again. I always think its a rather desolate area. Souless, with one horrid looking pub. There's a fantastic supermarket......... but other than that, probably best to avoid.

Have a look at Mount Hawthorn, Leederville, even Shenton Park, I like Viccy Park - it's got a good vibe and a lively high street. Cafes/ restaurants etc.

Good luck!

I'd say Perth was safe - although I'd avoid some parts of Northbridge on a Friday or Saturday night.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

I'd agree with webgum. I work in Subi - not noticed any mossies. Leederville is close to subi and is within your price bracket. I feel fine out with friends in Subi but don't go into town regularly so only a snapshot of the area at night.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

We are a young childless couple living in perth, we actually live in the northern suburbs (kinross) but we live 5 mins walk from the train station we go out every weekend to leederville, northbridge, suby all over, the trains run regular and late and we have the best of both worlds quite place to live but access to bars , granted some places lack the atmosphere but we have never had to que for a bar or a drink which was one of the things we complained about in the uk.

We are a bit thin on the ground here though most of our friends are older couples with older kids we have yet to meet a young childless couple I cant comment on queensland but we love it here and we are happy you have just got to get out there.

and live near a train station.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Hi,
Just notcied you are a nurse working in Subiaco... myself and the OH are moving out there to work in Subiaco next month at the Institute of Child health.. seemed like a very nice place when we visited last year.. looking forward to the change of scenary.

Cheers

Chris

Re: A move to Perth??
 

[We are a bit thin on the ground here though most of our friends are older couples with older kids we have yet to meet a young childless couple I cant comment on queensland but we love it here and we are happy you have just got to get out there.}


We are childless and still under 40 does that count!!
Been here (Connolly) just under 2 months If you fancy getting together at sometime

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Stay put is my advice. We have lived in Perth for 9 months and are thinking of relocating to the East Coast. Perth is great - if you have kids or are retired and we dont. There is no buzz or atmosphere here and a distinct lack of bars and restaurants. House prices are hugely inflated and you really wont get much for $650k. If you do want to move and be close to restaurants the only place is Subiaco. Perth City hasnt much to offer in our opinion and we dont go there unless we have to. We are coming to Brisbane in June to have a look around - any advice on good suburbs around the Gold Coast area??:)

Re: A move to Perth??
 

We are currently staying in Cleveland which is south of Brisbane and is in Redlandshire. It is a nice town but is very quiet and about an hour on the train to Brisbane (the last stop!!). There are a few restaurants in Cleveland but no bars etc so you would have to go to Brisbane for that. If we were staying over this side we would move nearer to the city. We havent really looked into that yet!! Brisbane is a lovely city with lots going on.

As for the Gold Coast we're not sure as we have only visited for the day but it seems a great place to live if you can get work there (depends what kind of work you do - I work in Marketing so would need to be near a city).

Good luck!!:)

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Leederville or Subiaco would offer you a glimmer of what you seek, although Fremantle would be the better option.

All "very" pricey now, but if you're up the mines cash shouldn't be an issue.

The mines usually do a 3 on 1 off (weeks) work pattern. Personally my wife wouldn't wear it, despite the huge cash rewards on offer up there.

We came to Australia as a family and the mines would rip us apart.

My advice ... stick it out bro.

3

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Go on, I'm sure she'll be OK, lots of ladies driving the dump trucks. :D

Re: A move to Perth??
 

LoL ... :thumbsup:

Re: A move to Perth??
 

A lot of them are pretty tasty too, not just the big lezzas that used to do it when I was on the mines.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

The girlfriend of a guy at work got a job driving the big trucks recently and she is a looker. There are a lot of Sheilas doing the driving up there - I think the firms prefer them as they look after the cab and are less likely to think they are Michael Schumacher.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Yep, that's the reason my OH hasnt signed up for the mines, sure the money is great but by the time you also factor in travelling to and from the mine (particulary in our case as they fly in and out of Perth so another 2hrs to get home from the airport) you only end up with a few days at home anyway.

I'd rather have my hubby home every night at 5pm and live on normal wages :)

Re: A move to Perth??
 

3 on, 1 off is a pretty poor package. They get as good as 1 on, 1 off. Even if you lose one of those to travelling 8 and 6 days is alright.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

My hubby thought of the mines when we were struggling with money but decided against it i couldn't bearhaving him away and no family here!!

kezx

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Some days I think it would be good to send the missus to the mines.....in China:lol:

Re: A move to Perth??
 

We are a young couple living in Subiaco and love it. Yeah its not Times Square or close to it - but its lively enough to keep us entertained - pubs, clubs, cinemas (+ outdoor in Kings Pk in summer!), theatre, market and there must nearly be 40 places to eat. Its also close enough to the coast and the city etc....and I think if you look hard enough thats a strong enough budget to get a property (apt/unit) in the area.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Before emigrating to Oz I was posted in West Africa doing a 12 - 16 week on 2 week off rota, was in agreement to giving up the rota / FIFO roles until I came here and discovered the rota's available. I'll be doing a 9 and 5 (days), perfectly reasonable although there are still the odd grumbles from the OH...

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Oooh, you're gonna be in trouble when she reads this!! :p :lol:

Re: A move to Perth??
 

I can get away with anything today - I let her buy a boat!

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Oh we may cross paths as I work in the perinatal mental health Mother and baby unit.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Saw the pic of it - it's great!
You'll have to take us for a ride:)
Sam could hardly contain herself but didn't want to come accross as bragging so kept it low key;)
But I think she really wanted to shout it from the roof tops:)
Tracey

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Not quite sure much interaction your unit has with ITCHR but given both places work on child health we might well bump into you.. if you see two pale Brits wondering around looking vaguarly lost next month it will probably be us!:D
Subiaco looks like a very nice place to work, good transport, close to the CBD and Kings park and loads of nice bars and restaurants for the after hours socialising.. and a stadium if we ever get in to understanding Aussie Rules! What more could you want!

Cheers

Chris

Re: A move to Perth??
 

You're forward! I like that in a woman;) :D

Re: A move to Perth??
 

"There is no buzz or atmosphere here and a distinct lack of bars and restaurants."

I honestly think there must be another Perth that exists in an alternative universe, because I swear some people do not live in the same city as I do! :lol:

There are loads of nice restaurants and tonnes of bars, only yesterday we went to 'C' which has a revolving floor and amazing views of the city, reminded me of the London Eye (with food obviously)! I have been to numerous bars, a couple of music festivals and loads of nice restaurants and have only been here a few months.

Believe me there is PLENTY to do in Perth for a young couple, I speak from experience.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

I suspect there are people living in the far northern or southern suburbs who don't work in the city. so when they go out it is to Mindarie, Joondalup etc where there isn't that much to be honest. Like you say - get on a train to Northbridge, the CBD, Leederville, Freo, Subiaco, South Perth... and there is loads of action. That is why most Aussies live as close to the city as they can afford.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Mt Lawley seems popular with the young crowd too. I can't understand why people want to buy as soon as they come here though. Six months in a rental would give you a much better idea of whether Perth was for you.

Mark

Re: A move to Perth??
 

I haven't been to Mount Lawley yet, but we are getting around everywhere gradually.

When we came out prices were rocketing 25% so by breaking the lease and getting into the market we saved ourselves $100K. But prices seem to have plateaued so there isn't a need to rush in anymore, I agree.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

I agree, In my opinion, Perth is like a nana state, it totally lacks the atmosphere that the East Coast has, and young childless couples - We lived in Melbourne for 18 months then relocated her (long story why) but I have family here in Perth but we are so bored here. We miss the city and the little cafes and bars of Melbourne, and being able to go somewhere for the day, here you have to travel miles to go somewhere and need more than a day. Perth is great don't get me wrong, but I would deffo have stayed in Melly if I had of relised how quiet it is and how expensive it is.... there are a few places to go here Northbridge - which is very rough and Subbie which is good, but nothing like Melbourne, so we just don't bother. We will more than likely return to Melbourne in a couple of years time (much to my familys horror). Good luck

LAURA

Re: A move to Perth??
 

I actually walked through Perth city on a saturday night after going on one of the swan river cruises and couldn't beleive how dead it was!! 7pm on a saturday night it was like ghost town.

Done the same in Melbourne and the place was so busy jumping in fact!!

It doesn't effect me anyway dont get out as much as i would like having a 4 year old but dont think im missing much anyway.


kezx

Re: A move to Perth??
 

CBD is a real issue for urban planners here in Perth cos it dies at six. I was working on the early stages project for the Northbridge link a few months ago and the implict aim of that was to bridge the gap between the CBD and Northbridge. A lot of work went into creating the sort of north-south axis that would enable people to move freely between the two areas, with lots of Piazzas and mix-use stuff. Seems Ripper is ready to pull the plug on the whole thing now for cost-reasons (bit bizarre given the surpluses running in WA at the moment). One of the reasons cited is a shortage of builders to fulfill Gvmt timeline targets. Seems they are all out in the burbs building new homes, far from the life and soul of centre. All very frustrating

Mark

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Mt Lawley is good and has Planet Video + bookshop. Has a sort of Camden Town feel to it. There is a good noodle bar up beyond the Red Rooster. Walking down into Highgate has the sort of urban vibe young people from London, Manchester etc will be missing.

Don't think anyone is rushing to market here at the moment - only people arriving from overseas.

Mark

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Was there an AFL / Super 14 game on? Everyone would be at Subi or watching on tv!:p

On A Friday the CBD is humming between 4-8 but after that everyone migrates into Northbridge. I tend to go out on Friday and these days I cannot do two days running so I don't think I have been in the city on a Saturday. For those younger than me 7pm is quite early - nightclubs are open until 5am. So sometimes we stay in, sometimes Sam is out with the girls but socialising on Saturday tends to be a barbie at someone's house. Personally I'd much rather hang out with friends at a barbie drinking stubbies at $1.50 than crowd into a bar and drink $7 pints but I acknowledge that newbies may take a while to build up the circle of friends.

Re: A move to Perth??
 

Interesting. The WA gov. is pathetic. I've never know an organisation with so much money, which talks a good game but actually does so little.

Useless.