Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Hi there

I'm Lisa, 32, married have two little girls under 5.

My husband has been offered a job in Perth and we are considering making the move, so I've started my research here! We moved from England to Switzerland 15 months ago and currently live in Zurich, I'm a qualified nurse but not working at the moment as I stay at home to look after my girls.

We are weighing up all the pros and cons so I would appreciate any info/advice on moving, living in Australia/Perth, how is the climate in Perth? Info on lifestyle, schooling, meeting new people & family accommodation would be helpful, I realise all this info is out there but I thought this would be a good place to start and I'm interested in others' personal experiences!

Thanks for your time!

Lisa

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Hi Lisa. Your topics are a bit vague, but I would say the following.

It is very laid back and chilled out atmosphere. Including at work.

Weather is generally good. Winter is cool and wet, summer hot and dry with temps getting over 40 at times. Spring and autumn are a bit like a UK summer, though slightly drier.

Lifestyle is what you make of it and to some extent where a bouts you live. For me, we live next to a beach so that is a big part of our lives.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

I would find Perth a little bland compaired to Zurich
(no offence Perthians ;) )

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Totally agree
I think it may be quite a shock coming from Zurich and experiencing Perth, but perhaps a slow down is what you're after?

You certainly have to make your own entertainment in Perth and it's very isolated if travel is one of your hobbies!

It will be what you make of it, but be prepared to slam on the brakes!

Good luck!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Someone is going to be along soon:rofl:

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Having lived in both places, with children, I would say you would find Perth a much more child-friendly place to live than Switzerland. Currently we live in CH, but are also thinking of mving back to Perth.

Whether to make the move? Well, depends what you are looking for. If you like mountains and skiing, stay in CH. If you like the beach and the ocean, move to Aus. If you like being in the centre of Europe, with multiple countries and cities just a couple of hours away, stay in CH. If you don't care about that, move to Aus. It all depends.....

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Thanks for your comments, I'm surprised I thought Perth would compete quite well with Zurich, we currently live in an apartment by Zurich lake so that's a big part of our life but living in a house with a pool by the beach is quite appealing!

My husband doesn't like the heat so much but I do so that's another pull for me and the language barrier wouldn't be a problem anymore, we are all learning german but I would be more confident that my girls would settle in at school with other English speakers.

How do you guys cope with being so far away from your families?, obviously visits to the UK would be less frequent than from here.
Moving to Sydney is also an option, how does that compare with Perth?

Do mind me asking why you are thinking of moving back to Perth from CH?

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Both options are nice, you'll get heaps more space in Perth though. But house,pool, near beach might cost you more than you realise.
Ok, so he may have a problem with Perth then. If he is not enjoying this weeks weather in Zurich then he will struggle in Perth. Summer goes on a lot longer and is a lot hotter!
Sure, no more Swiss German issues for you or husband. For the children, at the age of under 5, it does not matter so much, they will pick up German easily enough from their schoolmates.
Not easy. Thats one of the reasons we moved back to Europe from Aus. And why it makes a decision to go back to Aus so tricky.
Mainly education reasons. Younger daughter is autistic and we can't get the specialist therapies/schooling etc she needs here, in English. All available in German, but not English.
Also, a general feeling it is time to move on after 7 years. Tired of fighting the system here and struggling to communicate in Swiss German.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Oh dear that doesn't sound good ... what have I done?

Perth is great ... awesome ... wonderful

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Wish we had come out when the kids were pre school.... But that being said I think have small ones and being SO far away from home must be even more hard for extended family to cope with... Kids grow so quickly.

Living perf area, I like it.... But from what I hear the East Coast is better.... And if we had our time again I would have put my foot down and insisted on Esat coast....the West coast is very small town....

Its not too hot most of the year... i used to DIE if it reached 23 C in the uk.... But the different heat here means I'm very comfortable in the mid to high thirties nowadays.... In fact 23 C and I'm raching for a sweater.

Would you be comung permanant or just for a working stay? That may alter how you feel about coming all this way.....

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Then your husband is not going to like Perth in the summer at all. Weeks of 40+ with UV in the extreme can get to someone who isn't fond of heat.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Too different to compare but prepare for a bit of a shock if you come to Perth from Zurich.
Unless it's for a good reason I would stay in Zurich without hesitation.
Perth is very expensive,very far from most places that you may want to be and rather parochial.
Read through other threads on the matter and try and form a conclusion.
Do you enjoy suburban living? Driving everywhere? Hot summers and decent beaches?

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Thats true

But not true of Perth

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/climat...t=site&lc=9225

We do NOT have weeks of 40+ (and well you know it ;))

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

So I was dreaming this past January when it was well over 40 for near on 2 weeks then? The old man and I built our gazebo during it, so remember very well being 40 by lunchtime every day.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Not suggesting you were dreaming at all but as someone like yourself who has lived here years, I'm sure you will agree the heat waves we experienced this summer such as the in you refer were record breaking.
To me your original reply Implied weeks over 40 were typical and to the OP and that's misleading because they're not.

It may have been 40 in your garden but BoM figures suggest nothing like that.

24th 39.4
25th 41.8
26th 43.1
27th 37.0
28th 38.9
29th 34.0

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

It was even over 40 in my pool! We had to keep adding water to cool it down.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Lets be honest, be it 38.4 or 43.1 that is is damn hot.

Temps quite a bit lower than that are also hot as hell to many people.

The extreme UV is a problem many dont even consider.

I wish people had been far more blunt about how limiting summer and the extreme heat and UV here can be.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

I disagree. It's all perspective I suppose and up to the individual. Me I like high 30's but over 40 that is getting too hot.
I guess for the op if they are knowingly heat adverse then yes, high 30s is hot.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Ok yeah I can see why you would want to move and agree that for my girls the language probably won't be an issue once they start school, I have been enjoying learning a new language but makes it difficult for me to to return to work when they don't need me as much. Thanks for your comments.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Thats one of my main concerns that my parents and inaws are going to miss out on them growing up although we get only got to visit or them to visit for a week at a time last year, collectively we saw each other for about a month which is something we would be able to afford to do if we made the move.
It would be a permanent move, we want to get some stability for the girls as my eldest daughter is 4 and I want her to stay in the school she will first go into ideally!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

I suppose we are a little spoilt for choice, we would be financially better off moving to Aus, Zurich is also very expensive and for what we pay for an apartment here we could afford a house in Perth.
I did enjoy suburban living in England, city living is new to me having come from a small town and although Zurich has alot to offer socially it's a bit hard to take advantage with small children and limited childcare options. We spend most day at the lake when the sun shines and I so miss having a car to use everyday!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Ok I get it's hot out there! We got highs of 34.0 in Zurich last summer and my husband found it hard to sit in the sun but enjoyed the heat in the shade, humidity not so much! I on the other hand would enjoy it even though I understand it must be limiting, especially if you have to work!

Thanks for all for your comments has given me a good place to start!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Think of it like this. At certain times in Perth, it is too hot to go out or do much at all. But here in CH in the winter, sometimes it is too cold to go out and do much at all e.g. February this year when we had those 2 weeks of -15 to -20. Eventually you get sick of the long spells of hot, or cold and want more moderate temperatures. Spring and autumn in Perth are glorious. Cooler temperatures, HUGE blue sky. End of the day, it's all the same, just different extremes of temperature!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Yeah that was the coldest Ive ever felt! We were literally stuck indoors the whole time because it was so painful to go out!
I think I would prefer a hotter summer and warmer winter and how you have described spring and autumn sounds lovely. I think my other half would get used to the heat if we decided to go, its not like it will be unexpected!
We get to find out the final package being offered today so will be able to start making decisions, the job offer is much more attractive and would be an excellent career move for my husband, open even more doors and secure our future which is the most prominent reason we are considering it.

Where in CH do you live dmarkd?

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

The thing about the heat, especially over in Perth is that it's very dry which lots of people prefer to the humid heat, I'm different in that I can't cope with the dry heat. Your husband will also be spending much of his time in an air conditioned office so whilst he'll be wearing a jacket during the day, it will be harder to acclimatise to the real temp. Not a problem if you can afford to be running the air con a lot at home but the going outside thing can seem worse than it actually is iyswim.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

I know it varies greatly between household but any guide as to how much living expenses to expect per month for a family of four, just to run and upkeep a family home?

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Actually I just found a great site with all that info on!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Kt. Schwyz, at 900m. Hence the extreme cold this February!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Yes,its called Be.:thumbsup:

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Wow yeah I bet you really felt it up there :ohmy:!

Haha yeah BE is very good! I think if we do go it will become my best friend! I only just discovered the English forum.ch and wish I'd found it sooner like before we made the move to Zurich! :D

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

There was just a report I heard on the radio that said on average 60% - 70% of your net income will go on just household running costs. Seems a bit high to me, but depends on what is included

Monthly (again this is ball park and just a VERY basic guide to give you an idea)

Mortgage - $3000 or Rent - $2000 (on a $450k mortgage)
Land Rates $120
Water Rates $120
Excess Water $30
House Insurance - $150
Health Insurance - $200
Car Insurance / Rego - $100
Food - $1300
Power - $250
Gas - $50
Internet - $50
Home Phone - $60
Mobile phones x 2 - $150
Foxtel - $120

Of course there are non essential items in there, and it all really can vary a whole lot. For example my actual power bill in summer was $1100 for 2 months (running air con, pool and spa), but my house is quite big.

I've probably forgotten things too. Eg go out for a 'cheap' meal with a family of four (not including fast food) would cost you anywhere from $100 - $200 depending on the age of the kids and what drinks you have. (Considering I went to the breakwater and paid $14.50 for a pint of beer :eek: )

Hope that helps a bit, people may be able to help with things I've missed

Cheers

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Thanks JBJ14!:thumbsup:

The cost of living in Zurich is quite high about the same for rent and for eating out etc but mobile phones and insurance seem to be more affordable.
Not as much as a shock to the system as it would be if were moving there from the UK I think!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Hope this will help.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=576705

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Hahaha :rofl:

Briliant I can imagine that being a true reflection of my husband if we do decide to go!!

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

I agree - that really, anything over 35 is pretty warmmmm....having said that MP makes a good point about humidity - personally I find that the lower humidity means it all feels less than it does.
25 in the UK can feel like 30 in Australia.

Whether it gets to 40 is something else - 37, 38 are hot. Here in Melbourne we might get 1 or 2 days of 40, after it has climbed up from 35. But not much more than a week at a time.


To the OP -we have Swiss friends and they say that the cost of living in Switzerland prepared them for Australia.

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Yes we have long since stopped converting everything into English pounds, it is what it is and you have to get used to it wherever you are! It's not like we eat out much really anyway two kids and no babysitter takes care of that! ;)

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

I have been to Zurich and found it extremely bland. It is a grey, cold city with bland food! But horses for courses and all that...

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

People believe what they want to bleieve, facts be damned...

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

I like dry, warm weather and find perth is only too hot for a few weeks of the year... and the hot days mean glorious warm nights!

the weather is a definite plus for Perth, not a negative...

Re: Should we make the move to Perth?
 

Hi Lisa,

My name is Jason. I am from the UK. I moved to Perth 3 years ago now and I must admit it is the best decision I have made in my life!

In regards to the climate, it it has mild wet winters with temperatures around 17-20 degrees celcius in the day (low of 5ish) with hot long, dry summers (about 5-6 months long) of temperatures between 28-35 degrees Celsius (however it frequently creeps to 40).

Due to the temperature, Perth allows for an outdoors kind of lifestyle and has beautiful beaches and rivers. I am a teacher, so have experience in the private/public schooling system. It is like most developed countries where you get your good and bad schools (depending on where you live). Public schools can be very good, whereas private schools are also very affordable and are also good.

I found it very easy meeting people here, however when I moved I was single and led a different lifestyle to yours. Now I have settled down a bit, I have already made my group of friends. People are friendly and you usually meet friends through work, so I would suggest that as a nurse you at least get a part time Job so you can meet people. Standard of living is high here, with things generally costing more than in most parts of Europe, however, Wages are generally higher too e.g. as a teacher I get paid more than double what I earned in the UK for the same role so things do even out.

The lifestyle here is not for everyone, however I am a believer of trying things out. You will never know if you don't try it. Whats the worst that can happen??? you don't like it so go back to Europe, whereas if you dont do it, then it will be a case of "what could have been!".

Good luck on your decision... I am Pro Perth, so you know what my opinion, but your the people who have to make it, so what ever you decide, good luck and hopefully I have helped give you some insight into life here in Perth (from an expat point of view).

Kind Regards
Jason