Wow, thank you for your Input on those places!! Definitely lots to think about. What about if I was to look a little east of Perth? Most of the skydiving centres are along the coast line so I want to be close enough in that respect. I had looked at Busselton, however maternity hospitals appear to be scarce in that respect and mostly I need that to take priority in terms of places of living.

Xx

Busselton is a nice spot. I can't comment too much on the town as only made a few day trips there over recent decade. But I would say a lot of retired folk but haven't looked at the demographics. Probably you are right though. Not great in your line of work.


I spent years working in the eastern suburbs. Certainly some issues in a number of them, but certainly cheaper housing than western suburbs and areas of others. I forgot skydiving is your thing. I'm afraid I know nothing about this and any info would be only through the internet, which you can do probably better than me. Any area that takes your interest though, don't hesitate to ask and if I know it on a personal level I will give you my honest opinion.

Troubadour, I don't like Bunbury or Mandurah either and think people shouldn't bother moving there. However I feel you are seriously over-selling Albany (and I am right about population - my statistics come from the ABS, though as I mentioned, it is obvious just driving through both). It's also not even close to being the top tourism town in WA - that would be Perth, and then Busselton and Margaret River either. Though Albany is top 5.

However, it is very refreshing to find another person on this forum who understands the value and appeal of the regions. I have spent several years in the WA regions and would never live in Perth.

Busselton has a serious crime and drug problem and has changed a lot in the past several years, not all for the better. Clacfart needs to understand that this will be a recurring theme in regional towns, especially in regards to ice and meth - and that includes Albany. Unlikely to affect the OP directly but break-ins are common and statistically probably a matter of time for all of us. Police effectiveness is a serious political issue in the regions.

As the South West and Great Southern have been covered in previous posts perhaps looking a bit east and north could be of some use.

The Wheatbelt always has a need for health care professionals and can offer good value for money compared to the rest of WA. Most of it is not all that far from Perth either. People living in Northam or York are close enough for a (long) commute. However the Wheatbelt is suffering from long-term population decline and though people are there, it is not a cracking social destination. If you are quite outdoorsy than it is a great place; if you need your dining experience and social clubs it won't be for you (and neither will be Busselton or Albany). Plenty of skydiving though in the Wheatbelt. The local councils and tourism commissions are trying very hard to promote it as a tourism destination as well though with limited results.

Cervantes and Jurien Bay are nice places and Geraldton is the Mid West equivalent of Albany, though slightly bigger.

If OP is willing to go remote, the cash is there and those towns will probably surprise with their offerings (I have been to almost every shire in this state in the past three years). Kalgoorlie is about the same size as Albany and Geraldton and due to its place as a centre for gold and mining has a lot more than you would expect, especially in regards to restaurants. I quite like it.

We love Broome but that won't be for everyone, especially in summer, when the heat, rain and jellyfish arrive.

Rockingham and Mandurah have rough reputations - they are seen as cheaper than Perth and so are undergoing something of a boomlet as a moment as people look for cheaper houses etc that are still within commuting distance. The electorate of Brand is here and I read once that when Kim Beazley represented it, it had the lowest proportion of university graduates of any electorate in Australia. In terms of Perth suburbs I think you are better heading north first, then east, and south last.

I should also add: Karratha pleasantly surprises me, and it seems a place that strives to be a livable town. There are also some awesome national parks around there. Port Hedland in contrast strives to be the world's biggest FIFO camp and there is little to recommend it other than salary.

Sorry if you feel that I am over selling Albany. I can tell you I am not. I have already stated the ridiculous house price inflation there as well as the expense of dining out.
It is and remains though one of the more attractive small cities in WA. It should be recalled, we are a big state, but at the end of the day, there are not a lot of practical alternatives outside of the Metro area. I also suggested health issues, although the Albany Hospital has modernised, may still require treatment in Perth. Practicalities as these need to be considered though everywhere in country WA.


I have thought long and hard at locations outside of Perth, in my own situation but have yet to come up with a place that ticks all the boxes. Simply it doesn't exist.
It is hard enough attempting such a feat Australia wide, let alone sparsely populated WA.


I'm sorry I stand by my demographics on Bunbury because it is fact. I know what Google says but that includes the electoral boundaries, not purely the city as such. It is hardly an important matter and see where you come from.


My praise for Albany largely rests around the improvements in recent years. Only being several years on the 'country scene' as I believe you wrote, you'd have limited awareness of how it was in times past.


Moving on. Geraldton is certainly a place I know reasonably well having lived there, but not in recent times. Not really a place I fancy. Further from Perth than other locations mentioned, some similarities to Bunbury in being more a working class city.... again crime an issue with certain burbs certainly incident prone. The time I was there probably jaded my perceptions as crime and race relations were not very positive shall we say.
Still a city beside the sea. Some pleasant beaches but very windy.


Just after I fired off the main yesterday, I thought about Northam and a connection with sky diving. I don't think it a viable place to live though. Gets stinking hot in summer due to its geographic location and rather limited in most areas. I decided against working there after spent a bit of time looking around.
I'm not sure such a place would be a great introduction for someone coming from UK?


Hence the long and the short of it all, considering my personal opinions on Bunbury, Geraldton ,Mandurah, Northam I'm not sure where outside doable Albany is really feasible due to size and work prospects or pure desirability to live. Esperance, very far, but quite pleasant, at least from a tourist perspective, could be a consideration. I met a woman from Scotland there last visit who loved the place. I suspect too small and isolated for me but worth a thought.


Interesting you like Broome. I find it somewhat spoilt these days. Although nice some decades back way over priced and a bit meh. I spent a spell in Derby, which I learned to like quite a lot, hence Broome was 'just down the road' and when in need of the bright lights went there,but too reliant on tourists and back packers. Not exactly safe to walk at night either.


I suspect after more consideration Perth or Adelaide would be better selections for an incomer at least on initial arrival in order to find their feet and consideration of outside localities could be arrived at some other time.

Another reason I mentioned Albany, is IMO, is has something of a quaint 'English seaside town' about it.


Its oldness, its grey skies and rain, Devonshire teas in the main street, British accents rather common...It has a cosiness....


Bunbury on the other hand, nor Geraldton would one ever consider any such resemblance. I seem to recall Bunbury was once voted the most Australian of towns in Australia.
Now that could be a positive or equally a minus, depending how you look at it and personal sensibilities.

Hi, this post was quite insightful so thank you! In regards to areas such as crime and drugs, I have to say it is an area of work I am particularly interested in therefore I am guessing work for drug dependency practitioners are needed (Just a thought?). Having worked in particular areas in the UK (not sure if you have heard of Bristol but I worked there once) and parts were rather socially deprived. I managed to get a lot of experience in caring for drug dependent childbearing families. It is a particular interest of mine. Different I suppose though to wanting to live in areas with high drug use. I much prefer the quiet areas with not too much going on but close enough to go on walks. I don't mind having to drive an hour or two to go skydiving on my days off!!

I have jut been looking into Wheatbelt. It looks good from what I can see. Close to plenty of dropzones, not too far from Perth to be fair. I'm not a partying sort of person. I am much more into having family and friends for a bbq haha.

All this is a little difficult I guess due to not being able to see for myself before I move out. Perhaps I should invest in a quick fortnight to have a wander around particular areas. Although I feel this still would not give an accurate feel to what it would be like living there.

There are some small, but surprisingly pleasant towns, not to far from Perth, one I was at recently being Wagin. For someone that prefers a quiet life, cheap housing, but accessible to the Big Smoke on occasional visits it would be a thought.


But I wouldn't over complicate things. Probably better at initial instance to keep focus on Perth and Adelaide. It will all be too mind blowing, looking at lists of strange names, in a country that don't know.


Yes there would be work in the drug area if have qualifications. I know many people that got their start in the social area through the drugs or justice or child protection areas.


You will need to go where the employment is most readily available so that may well be the deciding factor with regards to residence.


A shame perhaps more views on Adelaide and SA alternative possibilities have not been offered.


I would not disregard that state in your quest. Adelaide being rather nice and well within your apparent preferred life style.

I know Wagin well. While I agree it can be pleasant, it is seriously in decline and lacking in amenities (the closest supermarkets are 50 km away in either Katanning or Narrogin - I don't count the IGA Express or FarmWorks in Wagin as they are not full-service supermarkets). I think OP would be well-served taking a look at a few larger Wheatbelt towns like Northam, Narrogin, Jurien Bay or Merredin.

None of those places qualify as "large" by any means but there can be a massive difference in amenities between a Wagin, with a population of about 1,500, and a Narrogin, with about 4,500. The difference being a supermarket, a few acceptable restaurants, longer hours for petrol stations, a senior high school rather than a distrcit high school, more shops for essentials, etc.

A good idea might be to download the list of government schools in the Wheatbelt (there is a page with that) - that can be a good indicator of what you can find in a town. If the town only has a primary school - it is going to be TINY and may not have anything more than a general store (and might not even have a petrol station). If it only has a District High School (that is Kindergarten to Year 10, in the same campus) - it likely will have a few shops and a few co-ops like IGA or FarmWorks but not much more than that. If it has a Senior High School - then it will have a supermarket, more shops, a bank, and so on. Northam even has a McDonald's! You laugh but I was on the road this morning, very early, skipped my breakfast and arrived in Collie at 6 AM, cranky and hungry, and they have one there and this morning it was a life-saver for me.

That is not to quibble with Troubadour, he is quite right that a lot of small Wheatbelt towns are worth investigating.
Commuting from Wagin if you don't have work there to some larger nearby towns is certainly an option. I routinely drive over 100 kms one-way depending on where I need to be on a given day. Large numbers of Wagin kids give the school there a miss and take the bus daily to and from Narrogin Senior High School. Similarly it would be possible, easily, to live in York or Toodyay and commute to Northam, etc.

I agree 100% with Troubadour's advice that looking at a zillion place names will be too mind blowing. Australia is just too big to investigate everything. If you are interested in the Wheatbelt - do a recce, hire a car, and directly visit places you think might have some employment leads (you can just show up unannounced). The managers will talk to you and give you an idea of what the hiring situation there is like and what you have to do. Country WA is very good like that. You do have to visit in person though -
e-mails aren't likely to get much of a response.

The Wheatbelt is also famous for its granite outcrops, many of which are awesome to climb and scamper around, though not too taxing. The "Wheatbelt Way" is a guide you can get online. Wave Rock in Hyden is the most famous, though Elachbutting Rock near Mukinbudin is fantastic as is Kokerbin Rock (a rock) near Bruce Rock (a town).

One other thing to keep in mind, and to investigate in your field. Traditionally in some sectors new employees work Outback for a few years first, then get transferred into Perth or a nicer regional place (like Albany or Geraldton) from there. Don't know what your field is like but it's worth seeing if that applies in your sector - some Wheatbelt towns offer more "transfer points" than others etc. You could probably skip Outback and go straight to a place like Wagin or Mukinbudin instead as people aren't exactly beating down the doors to be sent there from Perth.

From what you have written the type of work available may be regional rather than town based - ie, you live in Town X but your schedule is Monday-Tuesday in Town Y, Wednesday in Town Z, Thursday-Friday in Town A. A lot of positions in the Wheatbelt look like that as the towns are often not big enough to have a dedicated person there full-time.

You can, also, as Troubadour pointed out, start off in Perth (or Adelaide) and then go regional later. Though regardless I would do a recce (to Perth, the Wheatbelt, or wherever you decide to prioritise) and speak to hiring managers directly before making any decisions.

Worth remembering as well, I suppose, that Australian towns are quite removed from many of their UK equivalents by a considerable margin.


Another reason I would probably suggest finding ones feet in a principle city (can be hard enough) before thinking elsewhere. Sorry I deflected, largely me anyway, from the two cities OP enquired about.


I note on the news last night Adelaide was confirmed the 'ice' capital of Australia. Perth and Regional South West Australia, not too far behind.
Hence there could well be work in the area, depending on funding availability, of course, which changes year to year.


On the other hand some commentator, I suspect drug free, suggested Perth was the 'coolest main city' in Australia. Not sure where they find them, but I suspect Perth will run with that.


Keep it simple OP and run on your original idea, Perth or Adelaide. Either will be adequate. Just keep in mind where work looks most promising.