the troubadour

Indeed a big hit to Leederville. this was not any book shop, but something of a Perth icon. We are a suburb that should be 'booming' considering the limited options available in Perth night life and closeness to Perth CBD.
As mentioned there is less foot traffic day and especially night as well. Outside of Friday and Saturday night. We have lost what almost passed as having just a bit 'of an edge' with little sign of 'alternatives' compared to a decade and a half ago.
IMO. Leederville, needs to mark itself as something a little different from the normal 'hum drum' and mainstream that passes as norm in WA.

the troubadour

To the OP. My info is Perth will be nothing like (thank goodness) the previous labour intensive boom . Surely in a boom/bust scenario like WA tends to be though, other considerations outside of purely monetary should equally be of focus?
If you have lived in Perth for a considerable period are these 'other ' features warrant relocating back to Perth again? The whole so termed 'lifestyle' thing, from suburban living to weather and beaches and sports, if being enough to fulfil requirements, then probably little stopping you. I would have thought dentistry wouldn't be hard to slip back into. More than enough surely, until the engineering side sorts itself out, one way or the other.

Beoz

If you are a book reader who likes bookshops then to see them all disappear must be upsetting, however that's where technology has taken us.

Certainly not a Leederville thing.

Amazulu

I agree. I read more now than in recent times and hardly ever go to a book store - it's buying online or e-books for me

Good book stores are nice to have but the market reflects the reality unfortunately - even world cities like London and New York have markedly less book stores today

the troubadour

As mentioned, book shops are not yet done and dusted. There has been a slow down even decline in e book growth. A book obviously wins out most every time, apart perhaps when travelling. Books are cumbersome to carry and heavy, if carrying several.

Increasing more are finding a break from looking at screens appealing , unless totally won over by the dark side.

J___Mcewan

Anyone know how the civil engineering world is looking in perth?

Amazulu

Good

Plenty of mining and infrastructure projects on the go, starting up or planned. Rates are increasing

It's been building for a few years now and next year is going to be good in engineering in Perth

J___Mcewan

Thats good

Still Game

Just to give an update. Two skype interviews and two offers for my friend . She's chuffed, and has in her mind which one she thinks is better.

spouse of scouse

Great news! We'll be welcoming her to sunny Perth in no time

Still Game

Lovely thing to say SoS! Thank you - my pal hasn't joined this forum however I will show her your message when I next see her.

Still Game

It's one of the most isolated Capital cities in the world - not 'cities'. There is a difference :-)

the troubadour

When ever there is some upturn in the resource industry the same thing seems to apply, That being pressure on government for importing labour. I'm afraid it's just how it rolls here. Too little interest in training up local folk. Too much a casino economy , I guess. Better for employers to hire from abroad come an upturn and easier to lay off on the down turn.

Speaking with a English/Asian bloke from The Midlands, in oil and gas the other day, he prefers to remain based in Melbourne. More to do and his family enjoy the set up they have there. He flies to WA once a month, more if required and thought about buying an apartment to stay in when he, but will probably not go ahead and remain in hotels at company expense.
His take was this 'boom' will see nothing like the number of people of previous, with WA remaining a border line state. He gave his stay another three years then back to Middle East or possibly Asia.

Leederville has further lost its Dome, a chain coffee shop, which further is suggestive of poor economy. Noticed quite a few empty shop fronts in Mt Lawley/Highgate inner city along Beaufort Street today.

pomerz

the troubadour

I'd say weigh up all personal requirements as neither of you are in mining, of course you can follow your heart if that directs you to Perth , but the rolling of the dice, is something we really need to escape from, but appear unable to do. I'd say the economy is far from good, but the ALP government at least has got the books in better shape after years of waste by the Liberals. Unemployment is up, but more are in the work force. House prices continue to head southwards, but hardly only a WA thing. A lot hangs on foreign events that we will have little control over.
As you know WA already, (OP)you know pretty much the score. Just the economy is not as it was several years ago, unlikely to return to that state either. Lower Australian rather indicative of economy. No doubt good if coming from UK. That and lower rents and house prices are advantages, probably not on the radar on arriving previously on these shores.