stm1971

I'm happy to disagree with you on this one. We have different expectations of Australia obviously. After 9 years, I have realised that Australia doesn't have what I want. (Still trying to convince the OH of that though)!!


You sound like you know what you want to do.

Do you really need any more convincing!

the troubadour

So there is far more to life than visiting exciting places, now there is a revelation,not entirely sure why you so felt the need to detail this but there you are.
I think what was being discussed was the lack of much in the way of alternative venues in a place such as Perth not being unable to go after work to Paris on a Friday for a weekend and to Brugge a few weekends later...nice but not what was meant.
But yes i knew people that did so often (remember cheap and quick to get out of London) and i did it quite often myself, lot more than once or twice a year at any rate.
Not really here nor there but as you so mention it....
Shall we subsitute exciting(as perhaps we are in some agreement the search is or can appear to be a little elusive in Perth) and move on to interesting. mmm i admit there are places of interest within the state... Perth i suggest one must dig a little deeper..
My recollection of life in Europe differs from your somewhat in that in the three big cities that i lived and worked i could never say that i had done it all(very far from it)There was always new exhibitions, theatre , fringe arthouse cinema,gigs,political engagements,and just wandering the parks and streets sort of not knowing what was around the corner.
Meeting a far greater diverse range of people whose way of thinking and speaking reflected the great menage of cultural diversity around one.
One can feel many things in such a setting.I can agree to confused,anxious sometimes wary but jaded never..routine seldom at least while one is younger...as for the social scene not being for me..are you serious Perth social scene , really gov what is that then??Actually have numerous hobbies also and accept what is on offer here, but do have an understanding when alternative views are expressed perhaps not always flattering of Perth but should be articulated never the less.

keel

Hear hear aussietobe don't know you from Adam but you this is exactly what I think.

But on the other hand that's because I'm a family man and Perth is one of the best places in the world to raise a family.

When I was single my home town of Ashington (population 60,000) had more going for it than Perth (population 1,500,000).

Keel

stm1971

Totally agree. I understand what you are trying to say.

When I lived in London (was born there) and the Home Counties, it wasn't so much of what can we do tonight, but what can we fit in tonight. A movie, a show, then drinks. Maybe a meal at 11pm!! Never had a meal in Perth at 11pm, it's all shut!!

Unfortunately as you say anyone who has not been out of Perth doesn’t understand this and when you mention it, sees it as a slight against their city.

jimbo_d

There are plenty of restaurants in Northbridge you can eat at 11pm. I really don't understand people trying to compare Perth to London, there is no comparison with things to do nor will there ever be, and the same goes for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane etc. Whether you are East or West coast you will never be able to have a quick trip to Paris or Prague. Perth living is a lifestyle choice, as is anywhere else in the world, depends if you like that lifestyle.

DianneH68

I adore Australia, and have just got my PR after two and a half years here, but I know exactly what you mean.
And no it's not just Perth - I'm in Melbourne, have travelled around Australia and have encountered that attitude everywhere.
I have now learned to never ever criticise anything about Australia to an Aussie - they don't want to know.
It's OK for them to slag off the UK at every opportunity though (even when they have never left Australia)

I should point out though, in the interest of fairness, that this is not the attitude of every Aussie - the ones that have travelled clearly know there is more to the world than Australia - but a large proportion really do think there is no other country in the world that can compete

stm1971

Depends on what you class as a restaurant. The only places I’ve seen open at 11pm are the little independent Asian outlets which are ok if that is what you fancy at the time. There certainly isn't plenty of choice.

I really don’t understand people who say you can’t compare Perth and London or wherever. If someone has lived in different places, comparisons are always going to be made between them, good or bad. These comparisons help would be migrants to Oz decide whether a city will suit them. Without them this forum wouldn't exist.

ACE

I can never understand it when I see threads where people get really upset because someone else has said that where they are living (usually Perth) is boring. It is just a personal preference thing some love it some don't and there is absolutely nothing wrong with you voicing you opinion. I understand 100% why some people find it boring and would not try to convince anyone otherwise. The thing I absolutely love about living here is the lifestyle. I have been here for almost 3 years and I still love doing simple things like crabbing on the estuary with the kids, taking the boat to the Lake and camping out, fishing, watching the sunset over the ocean, picnics, parties, barbies with friends and I still love the beach even in winter just looking at and being near the water gives me a buzz. We have always lived within walking distance or view of water, just being able to see or get out on the water everyday alone is enough to keep me here. I just love the slow laid back life I now I have, I live in Mandurah but we do go up to Perth fairly often usually for meals, concerts, (Ruby Philogene an international opera diva and friend who I worked with at Opera North in Leeds has just relocated to Mandurah so we will be able to enjoy some world calss opera in Perth very soon) Kings Park, exhibitions and functions; I don't enjoy clothes shopping and pubs so the lack of those things here is not a worry. I am so much more relaxed than I was before moving here I have a fantastic job that I really appreciate, we are building our own home, I have taken up boating (got my skippers ticket last year), Teakwondo (got my two stripe yellow belt last year), yoga, I exercise on the beach before work and these are the things that make my life fulfilling and exciting. I just have a different outlook on life I am really laid back and chilled. There are lots of things to see and do some take a lot of planning and money however, the WA lifestyle is just a lifestyle that you love or hate and one which is more suited to families or older people.

Good luck
ACE

Heljinder

Yes, you're quite right, but this is the very reason why I'm taking my two young boys away from WA, and back to England. I rather not be faced with two adolescent boys possibly resenting their parents for raising them in such a dull, claustrophobic and insular strip of humanity in the middle of nowhere, away from their extended family and roots. I'm not so sure of the philosophy behind the oft used statement 'a better life for the kids'. My kids were fine in England, they never asked me to move them to Perth so they could have a better lifestyle. If adults need to scratch the immigration itch, then retire here instead, but leave your children out of it. My own opinion, of course.

This wasn't directed at you ACE, I just wanted to highlight what you said about Perth being better for families and older people.

the troubadour

And not even a meal but just to even walk at night in the city streets taking in the buzz and the sights and sounds of an internatioal city and feeling part of something greater than oneself.

the troubadour

England is a fine country to bring children up in,in my view if one has the resources to do so.
If one is not perhaps as fortunate in life perhaps Oz can offer a better deal(?)
Life does present a certain degree of ease here...although less than previous generations of migrants had the good fortune to enjoy. Depends also on where home was in UK and the aspirations of the individual.
In some respects perhaps,if i had children i would move to a less softer option country as Australia(same language)and expose them to a different culture such as France or Germany that they may really gain something from,like becoming bilingual a true gift i feel for those that can become so.(Well i would like to think that i could establish the conditions that would facilitate a move as such anyway.Not always so easy with a family i know)

stm1971

That's exactly how I used to feel when I was out in London, it has a special buzz about it. I know some people hate it but love or hate it, it is one of the things that Australian cities don't really have. The closest I have come to it here is in Melbourne.

A friend of mine posted some pics of a night out in London on Facebook over the weekend of them just enjoying the city and taking in the sights. She has lived in London all her life.

She even managed to get there and home again on the tube without being mugged or stabbed, something some people who don't like London can't seem to comprehend!

fraser

but that can't be right London is full of violence.

Best city in the world IMHO, if I were single I'd be there

the troubadour

Yes i think i can agree with that only comment wouldbe once the child finishes say Uni will they want to stay in Perth?
I know of a European family whom arrived way back in the 60s, usual reasons better country to raise the kids.
Now they find that their daughter left to travel in Europe a few years ago met a guy in Switzerland and decided to sell her beach front house in Rockingham and live permanently there(Switzerland)
The son also will not return to Perth to live but may return to Melbourne or Sydney if he comes back from London.
These parents are seperated from their Grandchildren probably from both their kids and are alone here with no family and feel it is not possible to return to original homeland(Netherlands)owing to the time factor of being away and financial considerations.
As they stated why did they come here as both kids have returned to Europe.
I think this must be a very common occurrance in Australia and perhaps something for some to consider with perhaps children living overseas.

jad n rich

I visited perth and found it a nice, small, fairly new and pretty city. My aussie partner who had worked there for a couple years said I would go slightly mad there after 6 weeks. He was wrong I was finding myself thinking what the hell else is there after 2 weeks?

No I didnt see the whole of WA but I got the picture, and saw most of what there is mentioned in driving distance.

Its not good or bad its just a place people actually need to visit and think very hard will in 6 months time this place be for me and hold enough for me to do.

WIth teen kids, young adults you would have to be certified not to check it out IMO. I mean really, what there is to do, you can do in many other places in aus, but be within much better access to several other regions of australia. This is important as the cost of getting out of australia is pretty high Once here you can be stuck here so at least a $49 buck flight to syd or melb or a short drive to GC or a overnight drive to snow can save your sanity.

However say your had family there and loved living your life without much variety on weekends, hols etc it may be fab, were all different.