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-   -   Perth- am I missing something here? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/perth-am-i-missing-something-here-597604/)

NKSK version 2 Mar 15th 2009 10:52 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by virginiec (Post 7381046)
The thing that gets me is the touchiness of the West Aussies. I have lived in a lot of cities all around the world, I am doing a project that has put a lot of money into the local economy and when I suggest areas where Perth could learn from other places I am met with a barrage of abuse: "if you don't like it then F**K off back"

Unbeliveably parochial!

Definitely.

But I'd say that about Australia generally.

Funky Monkey Mar 15th 2009 10:53 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by virginiec (Post 7381046)
The thing that gets me is the touchiness of the West Aussies. I have lived in a lot of cities all around the world, I am doing a project that has put a lot of money into the local economy and when I suggest areas where Perth could learn from other places I am met with a barrage of abuse: "if you don't like it then F**K off back"

Unbeliveably parochial!

Don't even try to suggest anything.
I see the way they build houses and some things are good and some are bad, overall they do not make life easy for themselves. I worked with a very good Aussie tiler and he would dismiss anything I would say might be easier. You are never too good or know too much and CAN sometimes learn from someone / somewhere else.
This " won't change " view is througout Perth and not just in the workplace, sadly I feel this is why some people could see them as backward.

the troubadour Mar 15th 2009 11:07 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by virginiec (Post 7381046)
The thing that gets me is the touchiness of the West Aussies. I have lived in a lot of cities all around the world, I am doing a project that has put a lot of money into the local economy and when I suggest areas where Perth could learn from other places I am met with a barrage of abuse: "if you don't like it then F**K off back"

Unbeliveably parochial!

Parochial indeed.One big thing find also which is hard to accept is the small town, gossipy preoccupation of many of the inhabitants with the mundane.
I like you have lived in quite a few places but we cannot in all honesty compare Perth with the likes of London.Paris or Amsterdam more , more a case of with Exeter,Nantes and Maasdricht. Difference being of course one can escape from what some may call regional backwaters with a greater degree of ease.

Merseygirl Mar 15th 2009 11:10 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by virginiec (Post 7381046)
The thing that gets me is the touchiness of the West Aussies. I have lived in a lot of cities all around the world, I am doing a project that has put a lot of money into the local economy and when I suggest areas where Perth could learn from other places I am met with a barrage of abuse: "if you don't like it then F**K off back"

Unbeliveably parochial!

This sort of thing isn't just confined to WA; it is similar in SA too. They have a small town colonial chip on their shoulder and don't like being advised by people with a pommy accent that there may be a better way of doing things. Those same people are usually the ones who criticize the UK when they have never left Australia.
Fortunately, not everyone has that mentality, particularly if they have travelled a bit....

the troubadour Mar 15th 2009 11:20 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by Funky Monkey (Post 7381091)
Don't even try to suggest anything.
I see the way they build houses and some things are good and some are bad, overall they do not make life easy for themselves. I worked with a very good Aussie tiler and he would dismiss anything I would say might be easier. You are never too good or know too much and CAN sometimes learn from someone / somewhere else.
This " won't change " view is througout Perth and not just in the workplace, sadly I feel this is why some people could see them as backward.

This dismissal of the unknown is quite common.I sometimes wonder why this country does not put to better use the talents aquired from the often highly skilled work force that is enticed to come here.
But after a few moments reflection the answer is too obvious.

ice mocha Mar 15th 2009 11:39 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by benlast (Post 7380461)
What, covered all the ground in only five different things?

Try http://101wa.com.au/ - 101 different things to go and see in WA. 23 of them in Perth.

On a more general point: Maybe Perth isn't the right place for those of you who don't like it. But that may be as much about the person as it is about Perth. That's not intended to be a criticism of anyone. But it does annoy me when people post saying "Perth is boring". What you mean is, "I find Perth boring". There is a world of difference in what the two sentences mean.

b

oo will have a look at that site...
so you're in perth now ben!! when did you get there..!

Amazulu Mar 15th 2009 11:42 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by stm1971 (Post 7380959)
I would say it is one of the MANY disadvantages. ;)

We'll have to agree to disagree on this champ.

For me the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

mohogony Mar 15th 2009 11:48 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 
Move to Victoria, no one gets bored there, theres millions of things to do and places to go in both Melbourne and the entire state.:thumbsup:

Catch Mar 15th 2009 11:48 am

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by virginiec (Post 7380310)
Have been on an expat assignment in Perth for the past 2 and a half years. Now looks like I will be here on a perm basis.

I know that this is one of the best postings I could have got. However, I 'm beginning to get a bit of cabin fever.

This is especially evident on a weekend, where I'm fast running out of new things to do:

- I have regularly walked along Cottesloe esplanade
- I have often been to Margaret River (a long way to go for a weekend)
- Been to Mundaring Weir
- Been up to Lancelin
- Done Freo to death

I love travelling (Sydney is my favourite city as a base)

I dont want to come across as a winging POM but am struggling to find new places to go.

Any tips/ ideas?

Having lived in Bunbury for 2 years for work commitments,(No offence to bunbury)Perth feels like NewYork,Always find things to do and we are not "Outdoor sporty types"

aussietobe Mar 15th 2009 1:39 pm

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by the troubadour (Post 7380881)
Yes all very nice for what it is although a number of things are to a greater or lesser extent similar,especially what is on offer by the sea.
Perhaps it is me but i find Mindarie Quays, Hillarys,and the like, a little stirile,even sanitized and just a tiny bit boring.
Swan Valley is good,enjoy DuckStein,A german eating and drinking place there but again how many trips can one make there in a year?

Is that what life is all about? Just visiting "exciting" places every weekend? That is not real life. Very few people I know in England go off travelling to Europe every weekend or even every second weekend... they have hobbies and friends they go out to the pub with or out to dinner with, they play sport, go shopping etc. They might go to Europe once a year for a week etc. I don't think Perth is perfect but if someone thinks that it is a place where you visit some exciting place every weekend, then the only cities I can think where they will be happy is London or New York... I lived in London for years though and once you have visited the museums and other touristy places, you have done it... life then becomes routine and revolves around socialising etc Anyway, maybe the social scene and people are not for you... but I think you have be active in Perth and join clubs etc, just like anywhere

aussietobe Mar 15th 2009 1:41 pm

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by Merseygirl (Post 7381152)
This sort of thing isn't just confined to WA; it is similar in SA too. They have a small town colonial chip on their shoulder and don't like being advised by people with a pommy accent that there may be a better way of doing things. Those same people are usually the ones who criticize the UK when they have never left Australia.
Fortunately, not everyone has that mentality, particularly if they have travelled a bit....

Probably because there are so many things that the UK does poorly... the UK has that kind of reputation unfortunately

aussietobe Mar 15th 2009 1:42 pm

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by Merseygirl (Post 7381152)
This sort of thing isn't just confined to WA; it is similar in SA too. They have a small town colonial chip on their shoulder and don't like being advised by people with a pommy accent that there may be a better way of doing things. Those same people are usually the ones who criticize the UK when they have never left Australia.
Fortunately, not everyone has that mentality, particularly if they have travelled a bit....

Funnily enough a lot of Perth people I meet who travel come back to Perth with a new found appreciation of it... not that Perth is perfect or could not do some things better... but that has been my experience

aussietobe Mar 15th 2009 1:47 pm

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by the troubadour (Post 7381182)
This dismissal of the unknown is quite common.I sometimes wonder why this country does not put to better use the talents aquired from the often highly skilled work force that is enticed to come here.
But after a few moments reflection the answer is too obvious.

Honestly, do we live in the same city?? Perth is a highly organised, effecient city with excellent infrastructure and comes top in ratings all the time! Aussies do have a problem with "Poms" telling them how to do things because it is often said in a superior attitude, and many Aussies have visited Britain and not found it that advanced! Sorry that is just my viewpoint. We also have to recognise that Australia has 21 million people in a vast land, and therefore will not be the most advanced nations in all areas of specialisation.... again my two bobs worth!

virginiec Mar 15th 2009 1:57 pm

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by aussietobe (Post 7381476)
Honestly, do we live in the same city?? Perth is a highly organised, effecient city with excellent infrastructure and comes top in ratings all the time! Aussies do have a problem with "Poms" telling them how to do things because it is often said in a superior attitude, and many Aussies have visited Britain and not found it that advanced! Sorry that is just my viewpoint. We also have to recognise that Australia has 21 million people in a vast land, and therefore will not be the most advanced nations in all areas of specialisation.... again my two bobs worth!

What frustrates me is that Perth has got absolutely nothing to show for an unprecedented 6 year resource boom. No Northbridge link, underwhelming river front (compare this to Melbourne/ brisbane river) In addition this arrogant, parochial attitude still exists.

In addition this is the only city in the world that I have lived in where the government regulates opening hours. If we lived in a truly free economy it would be up to the market to dictate when they would open: basic economics..

virginiec Mar 15th 2009 2:02 pm

Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
 

Originally Posted by aussietobe (Post 7381466)
Is that what life is all about? Just visiting "exciting" places every weekend? That is not real life. Very few people I know in England go off travelling to Europe every weekend or even every second weekend... they have hobbies and friends they go out to the pub with or out to dinner with, they play sport, go shopping etc. They might go to Europe once a year for a week etc. I don't think Perth is perfect but if someone thinks that it is a place where you visit some exciting place every weekend, then the only cities I can think where they will be happy is London or New York... I lived in London for years though and once you have visited the museums and other touristy places, you have done it... life then becomes routine and revolves around socialising etc Anyway, maybe the social scene and people are not for you... but I think you have be active in Perth and join clubs etc, just like anywhere

I would add Sydney onto the list. Within an hour and a half drive I could visit

- Blue Mountains
- Northern NSW Coast
- Illawarra Coast
- Southern Highlands

Absolutely stunning and excellent variety. Most accessible by public transport.

Compare that to the same distance from Perth:

- Bunbury (at a real stretch)
- Lancelin
- Avon Valley

Absolute chalk and cheese. In which case you'd expect Perth to counteract this with some interesting local attractions, this is the stuff I cannot find for love nor money..


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