Perth ???
Sep 3rd 2009, 2:05 am
#46
(It's not my real name)
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Ilukapool. WA
Posts: 12,467
Sep 3rd 2009, 2:06 am
#47
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Sep 3rd 2009, 2:07 am
#48
Sep 4th 2009, 2:33 pm
#51
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 238
Re: Perth ???
Perth is awesome, all I can say, dont fall into the over analyse everything mode that the disllusioned expats do.
Ignore this sleepy suburb bit, not like that where I am, although you will find it in the Stepford wive suburbs of the North where nothing really happens, as its all new and pomified....to meet expectations.
To live here and call home for me is a pleasure, as it makes me appreicate Europe and the rest of the world more for travelling and holidays.
Guess what too, I get to go home to Perth and not some grey, overpopulated crime ridden dump call England where I am back in the rat race......with no release.
Ignore this sleepy suburb bit, not like that where I am, although you will find it in the Stepford wive suburbs of the North where nothing really happens, as its all new and pomified....to meet expectations.
To live here and call home for me is a pleasure, as it makes me appreicate Europe and the rest of the world more for travelling and holidays.
Guess what too, I get to go home to Perth and not some grey, overpopulated crime ridden dump call England where I am back in the rat race......with no release.
If you are interested in leading a life that involves a bit more variety of activity and any sort of culture then Perth certainly isn't the place to be. It's dull, behind the times, insular. It's also very expensive. And there is no escape unless you travel for 5 hours. [I miss my cheap flights to interesting place round Europe or 30 minutes drives into wonderful countryside].
As for the debate about crime/violence. I lived for the last 20 years in a medium size city in the UK. I worried less about crime and violence there than I do in Perth. Unfortunately Perth is suffering from many of the problems that the UK suffered in the 80s/90s.
Sep 4th 2009, 3:55 pm
#53
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: with the Carnaby cockatoos
Posts: 526
Sep 5th 2009, 6:28 am
#55
A former regular of BE
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Carramar, Perth
Posts: 6,241
Re: Perth ???
Perth certainly polarises opinions. We've been here four year and I think it is a fantastic place. Like Amazulu, I hate Sydney but can see why people that love Sydney would hate Perth - choose your destination wisely - there are quite distinct characters to all the main cities. Perth is also a great place to raise a young family.
We live about 35km from the city in a fairly quiet suburb but I work in the city and find there is lots to do. The city does empty in the evenings though, apart from Friday after work. All of my hobbies are to do with being outdoors - I own a small old boat and go diving off it most weekends in the summer. We go camping, wakeboarding and off-roading etc loads too. If you want that sort of outdoors lifestlye you will love Perth. If you want pub crawls, museums, theatres, amusement parks etc then it probably won't be for you. They are here, but there are not that many, they are nothing special and they are generally located near the city centre. Perth has grown rapidly especially on the outer edges and so many of those places lack a little in character, it is true. If you like suburbia then you'll be fine.
We are very lucky that we have a large group of very good friends, although I reckon we worked hard at making contacts initially. Perth is a good place for that as there are lots of expats also looking to make friends and a few long-standing meets. I think having those friends means a lot - we rarely have a weekend where we are not meeting up with mates. Perth is also very multi-cultural with relatively little disharmony - most people I meet are from somewhere else, even if it is only rural WA.
Volunteering is something I strongly recommend. It is a big thing here and will help you get involved and meet people. I do accounts / websites etc for a couple of local associations. But we have friends that help the local State Emergency Services or Sea Rescue.
The one thing that annoys me about expats is those that expect Australia to change to suit them not the other way round. For example, I played badminton in the UK but it is not a big thing here so I dropped it. Instead I took up diving and running. I forced myself to get into Aussie Rules and these days love it but find soccer incredibly boring in comparison. Many people have a day that starts at sunrise and go to bed at 9pm because of the hot summers, especially tradies. So now I get up at 5.30am to go running before work rather than trying to do it at night. As the bumper stickers here say - FIFO - Fit In or F**k Off. That is good advice!
We live about 35km from the city in a fairly quiet suburb but I work in the city and find there is lots to do. The city does empty in the evenings though, apart from Friday after work. All of my hobbies are to do with being outdoors - I own a small old boat and go diving off it most weekends in the summer. We go camping, wakeboarding and off-roading etc loads too. If you want that sort of outdoors lifestlye you will love Perth. If you want pub crawls, museums, theatres, amusement parks etc then it probably won't be for you. They are here, but there are not that many, they are nothing special and they are generally located near the city centre. Perth has grown rapidly especially on the outer edges and so many of those places lack a little in character, it is true. If you like suburbia then you'll be fine.
We are very lucky that we have a large group of very good friends, although I reckon we worked hard at making contacts initially. Perth is a good place for that as there are lots of expats also looking to make friends and a few long-standing meets. I think having those friends means a lot - we rarely have a weekend where we are not meeting up with mates. Perth is also very multi-cultural with relatively little disharmony - most people I meet are from somewhere else, even if it is only rural WA.
Volunteering is something I strongly recommend. It is a big thing here and will help you get involved and meet people. I do accounts / websites etc for a couple of local associations. But we have friends that help the local State Emergency Services or Sea Rescue.
The one thing that annoys me about expats is those that expect Australia to change to suit them not the other way round. For example, I played badminton in the UK but it is not a big thing here so I dropped it. Instead I took up diving and running. I forced myself to get into Aussie Rules and these days love it but find soccer incredibly boring in comparison. Many people have a day that starts at sunrise and go to bed at 9pm because of the hot summers, especially tradies. So now I get up at 5.30am to go running before work rather than trying to do it at night. As the bumper stickers here say - FIFO - Fit In or F**k Off. That is good advice!
Sep 5th 2009, 9:03 am
#56
(It's not my real name)
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Ilukapool. WA
Posts: 12,467
Sep 5th 2009, 9:06 am
#57
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 866
Re: Perth ???
I can just imagine the uproar if people in the UK had this attitude, or those stickers on their car bumpers. Of course some people do have that attitude, but not I believe to the extent that exists in Oz.
Sep 5th 2009, 10:22 am
#58
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Perth ???
Volunteering is something I strongly recommend. It is a big thing here and will help you get involved and meet people. I do accounts / websites etc for a couple of local associations. But we have friends that help the local State Emergency Services or Sea Rescue.
The one thing that annoys me about expats is those that expect Australia to change to suit them not the other way round. For example, I played badminton in the UK but it is not a big thing here so I dropped it. Instead I took up diving and running. I forced myself to get into Aussie Rules and these days love it but find soccer incredibly boring in comparison. Many people have a day that starts at sunrise and go to bed at 9pm because of the hot summers, especially tradies. So now I get up at 5.30am to go running before work rather than trying to do it at night. As the bumper stickers here say - FIFO - Fit In or F**k Off. That is good advice!
The one thing that annoys me about expats is those that expect Australia to change to suit them not the other way round. For example, I played badminton in the UK but it is not a big thing here so I dropped it. Instead I took up diving and running. I forced myself to get into Aussie Rules and these days love it but find soccer incredibly boring in comparison. Many people have a day that starts at sunrise and go to bed at 9pm because of the hot summers, especially tradies. So now I get up at 5.30am to go running before work rather than trying to do it at night. As the bumper stickers here say - FIFO - Fit In or F**k Off. That is good advice!
Sep 5th 2009, 10:31 am
#59
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Location: Wrexham
Posts: 88
Re: Perth ???
Hi everyone, we are in the process of choosing a region for State Sponsorship. Can anyone share any information/advice on the Peel region? We are looking at Mandurah, Meadow Springs and Lakelands, can anyone tell me which is the "best area", which has good High Schools and work for a roofer.
I know loads of questions
but I'd be really grateful for any info you can share. Thanks
I know loads of questions
but I'd be really grateful for any info you can share. Thanks
Sep 5th 2009, 10:34 am
#60
Has left the building
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,079
Re: Perth ???
It's been a few years since I lived in Perth but I rarely, if ever, came across any gangs. Like every city, if you're sensible and don't go looking for trouble, you'll be fine. Kids have always hung around McDonalds since McDonalds probably first came to Australia. Unfortunately, you won't get 100% positive views about any location but ignore any of the negativity. Easier said than done but the positives must outweigh any of the negatives, otherwise you wouldn't be going. Good luck and don't worry.
If you go looking for trouble you will find it, such is life.