Marina at Mindarie, an outer northern suburb of Perth
Sarah Johns moved to Perth six years ago from Hampshire, UK. She lives in Perth’s northern suburbs, and prior to that lived in the city. Here’s her take on life in Perth.
LIFESTYLE
Personally, I love the way of life here: Perth has some of the world’s best beaches, best food, best wine and most glorious weather. Australians and Perth people in particular are very friendly.
The lifestyle is relaxed – that is really the best word to explain the way things are here.
Perth people tend to get together a lot at one another’s houses: throw a BBQ together, drink some beers and enjoy each other’s company, all without spending much money. How much does a packet of sausages and a bottle of wine cost? This is one thing about Perth that I love, a social life without always having to go somewhere and spend money; much better if you make friends with someone who has a pool, or buy a house with a pool yourself. You still have all the bars and nightlife if you want.
Waterside in East Perth at night
And yes, Australians do mix with people from overseas. Most people are quite welcoming, and if they were having a BBQ at their place would not mind you bringing a friend or your partner etc. Many people say the more the merrier and open their house up to you. Of course you will find some miserable people or unfriendly people just like you would anywhere in the world, but generally Australians are a welcoming bunch. My group of friends has a New Zealander, a Scottish girl, and an Irish girl mixed in with Australians, to give you an example.
You will start saying “soccer” instead of “football” and “pants” instead of “trousers” before you know it!!
BEACHES
Western Australia’s coastline boasts some of the world’s best beaches, ranging from the small and secluded to large family ones; there’s good surf at some, and gentle waves at others. Take your pick of the one that suits you best.
If you would like to spend time on the beach, and you don’t live in a beachside suburb, most beaches have car parks and are easy to get to via train or bus. Parking is free at most beaches, other than the really popular/big ones where you might have to pay to park.
Cottesloe Beach, Western Perth. Image by Bram Souffreau
SHOPPING
One of the big complaints about living in Perth is how behind it is with many things. Until recently we didn’t have Sunday trading, supermarkets shut at 6pm on a weekday and if an international band toured Australia you could bet they didn’t come to Perth. Things are slowly getting better with the influx of fly-in-fly-out workers and immigrants making Perth re-think itself a little.
Now you’ll find supermarkets opening 8am – 8pm Mon – Fri, 8am-6pm Saturday and if you’re lucky 8am-5pm Sunday too.
While Perth might sometimes be a bit slower than other cities, the fashions a bit behind the times, and shopping hours not 24 hours, for some this is actually its charm. Western Australia or WA for short is sometimes nicknamed Wait Awhile (WA). So if you are after a bustling metropolis in line with Sydney or London, then Perth really isn’t the place to come. Not to say Perth doesn’t get busy, it does. But it’s no London.
The cost of living in Perth has shot up. Not so great if you are not in the mining industry earning all those dollars. Having said that, remember than socialising in Perth is cheap, if you adopt the BBQ-at-a-mate’s-place attitude.
Central Business District, Perth
FLIES
If you like swatting your hand across your face hundred times a day to wave away persistent flies then come to Perth! Flies and mosquitoes do come out in force usually during spring and early summer then lessen somewhat when the middle of summer kicks in.
Flies are a pain in bum but not enough to stop you going out. Most houses have ‘fly screens’ on doors and windows allowing you to open the windows but keep the flies and bugs out. Just take some fly spray/insect repellent if you go out when there are lots of flies about.
THE WEATHER
The middle of summer can mean weeks of warm weather and blue sky but it can also bring thunderstorms and lots of wind; it can also mean 40 degrees C, 7 days in a row. Not so good if you work outside, or do not have air con in your home. Sometimes, Perth really does just get way too stinking hot. I guess we do have the stunning coastline to head to when it gets too hot, but the heat can be an issue for some people. If you don’t have air con, sleeping at night is hard. Drinking in the hot sun can be dangerous: young people maybe having a Sunday ‘Sesh’ – Sunday afternoon drinking in the heat = not good! But mostly you acclimatise and just grin and bear it. Most of the summer in Perth is pleasantly around 30 degrees, we only really get the odd week or two of plus 40 degrees, so you get on with it.
Another blue sky day at the WACA, Perth’s cricket stadium. Perth is Australia’s sunniest big city.
Because of the heat during summer, the Perth landscape is very dry and brown, so if you are after lush green hills, you’re looking in the wrong place.
And the myth that Australia is hot all year round is false, unless you live in the Northern Territory I guess. In mid-winter the average daily max in Perth is 17 degrees C and the average nightly minimum is 9 degrees C: quite similar to May in London.
Perth winter may be milder than in the UK it can get as low as -1 degrees C at night. Some people do not have heating in their homes, which can make them uncomfortable in a cold spell. Perth pubs like to keep their doors open even in winter. This can be frustrating, because unlike the cosy, warm pubs in the UK where you walk in and are hit by a gust of heat, sitting in a pub in Perth in winter can mean keeping your coat on.
Overall, I should say though that Perth’s weather is some of the best in Australia.
ISOLATION
Perth is the most isolated city in the world. It’s quicker to fly to Bali than it is to Sydney. Sometimes, you will feel homesick, and sometimes no matter how much the sun is shining, how good the wine is and how great the beaches are, it just cannot make up for the homesickness you may experience: you are so far from all your loved ones back in the UK. Most of the time, if you are happy with the life you have created for yourself in Perth and you know that overall you have made the right decision, then the wave of homesickness will pass. Things like Skype and low cost airfares make this easier.
Northern suburbs, Joondalup Library, Perth
OUT AND ABOUT
There is a lot of development happening here and in the surrounding areas, including new apartment blocks, new land releases and new job opportunities – the mining boom in WA has brought both advantages and disadvantages to Perth.
Out and about, the coast line right down the whole of Australia’s west coast, all the way from Albany to Exmouth is stunning. You have colder, wetter terrain in the South of the State, and hot, dry sunburnt country in the north.
Closer to Perth, the Swan Valley wine region and further south the Margaret River wine region offer spectacular views, scenery, red and white wines as well as some great food. Imagine a lazy Sunday afternoon at the Swan Valley sipping a Chardonnay.
If you are into thrill seeking then Perth has a V8 car track, bungee jumping companies and many other activities.
WA also has some fantastic bush walking tracks including day walks to week long hikes.
Sarah shares her thoughts on transport and education here.
SUMMING UP
Perth is not the place for you if you want a big and busy city or you are younger and want to “live it up”. But if you want a quiet lifestyle with a touch of city life then it probably is.
Perth lifestyle is best summed up as relaxed, changing, growing and warm.
Thanks for the great info. Could you please tell me if Perth has those brown indoor gekhos please? Here in qld they are everywhere. Thanks
No, not really. I live in a bushland suburb of Perth in the South Eastern hills and have probably seen two lizards the entirety of 2017 and never inside the house.
I believe that issue belongs to QLD alone. Whoever it was that illegally released the smuggled Asian ghekko in Australia must have done so in Brisbane.
This is so helpful! As an American in the US Military looking for a place to live after separation in a couple of years, Australia is on the top of my list! Mostly because of the weather and strong sense of community I have heard about from many people living there! I am now considering Perth, as it seems like a more family friendly location. I appreciate the honesty and the comments as well. Thanks all!
What do people living in Australia do for medical care. Is it a nationalized medical system like the UK and other European cities, or is it private purchase health insurance like the USA?
I have moved to Sydney only since 2015 and I love it. However, due to house prices going incredibly up, it’s hard to own a house. My husband and I are planning to move to Perth hopefully in couple of months. My husband works as a chef – is there any job prospect in this field? What are the best & safest suburbs closer to Perth international airport? I like having all facilities closer to home. Thank you
This is truly a wonderful article! My family and I are contemplating moving to Australia from Hawaii, but Australia is such a large place (and Hawaii is so little) it’s been hard narrowing down precisely where we’d like to move to. Perth has definitely been added to our list of possibilities!
I lived in Perth since 1998 and have worked overseas for 14 years and now planning for my retirement back in Perth. Just went back in August 2017, winter time. It was cold and wet but overall still a clean city. Perth, compared to Melb and Syd, is less crowded but still have the essentials. As a “close-to-retirement” person, this suits me. It will also suit someone who want to be focused on studies as there are fewer distraction. Recently there was news about Perth being a Meth Capital of Australia. Apparently drug has been a bit of an issue, but this happens everywhere I guess. Anyway, a good write up and describes Perth well.
Hi there,
We are moving to Perth before the end of 2017 and was wondering what are the best family areas as we have 3 teenagers. I the internet good over there and how expensive is it. I work in administration and my husband in construction is there jobs in these fields? What is the best high schools in the northern suburbs. Many thanks
Hi i wanted to ask a simular question. We are going by October 18 x
I’m planning to move to Perth in august 2017. I hope finding a job wouldn’t be a problem as I heard the mining industry a bit down now. excited yet a bit worried for I heard it’s hard finding a job nowadays in Aussie. Is august the best time to move to Perth as in weather condition ? Thanks 🙂
I visited Perth last year for a week and I fell in love with the people, the city, all this public places like parks, the public transport and everything else there is would love to have a year abroad when I am a student or go live there when I am older. Really great city and the kindest people I have ever met.
Thinking of moving to Perth in the war future. We’ve got a 2/3 yr plan in mind. Hoping to get there before our oldest son starts secondary school!
A little worried about the job prospects though, as I’m a PE teacher and my wife a social worker.
Any advice on the job front would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Justin
Hi Justin, the teaching situation may be easier in a private school, as there are a lot of new teachers looking for work. As far as a social worker goes, don’t think there would be a problem.
Planning on moving over for a year working visa with my boyfriend hopefully get to stay forever if we get are full citizenship Perth sounds like heaven on earth to me ?
how well has perth recovered from the mining boom? thinking of moving there from the usa but a little bit worried about job prospects. my wife is a doctor, so she should be fine but im in the financial services/training industry and not sure how these industries have recovered. any thoughts appreciated..
Hi jabu, The Healthcare and Medical Industry is very popular in Perth and offers good job opportunities especially for Doctors, my wife is Employed in the Industry. The Financial Services Industry has seen a decline in numbers in the last couple of years though is starting to recover again as the employment in Mining has started to rise again. Please beware of the phrase ‘Mining Boom’ It was actually a ‘Mining Construction Boom’ there is a difference – but the Media will have everyone believing otherwise.
this sounds to be a lovely city for people that want a quite life. I cant wait to visit Perth and have an extra ordinary experience!!!!
Recently moved back to UK after living in Perth for 16 years, miss it all ready and hope to come back one day soon. Left in June 2014.
Loved reading this article described Perth exactly.
Thanks for your information.I m moving perth in 2 days. Got excited
It helped me alot thanks for your writing. I will move to Perth this summer and Im looking forward to it. Hope to meet nice people there
I would say this article is pretty spot on. If I ever have a bad day at work I just walk outside and think look where you are! My mood changes.This place is amazing and offers you the very best free things in life. Fantastic parks , beaches and trails and treks. The winter can be a bit cold , windy and damp but the place needs it after a hot dry summer.
Very honest description about Perth! That’s a first for me. Perth can be great for some but there is no perfect place as some people would say.
I have lived most of my life in (or near) Perth and this is a very balanced description. I have known many people who came to Perth for a brief holiday and never went home!
A word of warning … The vegetation in WA is very different and of ancient lineages, so people with hayfever should beware. A doctor once told me that even if you have never had hayfever in your life, you will acquire it in Perth within three years. But , Hey! Good weather, fantastic beaches, incredible food and wine…who cares?
Hi guys.
Thanks for the description. Very beautiful, exactly what I was looking for.
I was planning to move to Perth, looking for open people to share myself with. Be quiet and open not being misunderstood is not easy but australian people seem to approach the other without walls or have assumptions about “who you are”, “what you want”, situation typical in most places.
I will there soon I hope.. and so, see you all 🙂
I found people in Perth to be hospitable, friendly and just easy to get along with. As it was my first trip to the country, I thought all Australians were like the people in Perth. They’re not.
Perth is not a big city, and can feel quite suburban depending on where you are from, but the lifestyle there is pleasant. The whole area around the city is amazing too, very ‘Australian’ in my way of thinking. All the exciting animals, gorgeous coastline…. Margaret River is lovely too, and has fantastic wine. I give it a thumbs up. 😉
We are currently in qld mackay and have been for 2 years and come from uk… none of us except my husband who is Australian; have made true friends and been told better for my teenage girls to be in perth as 1 cheerleader and other in uni for hairdressing… so any ideas are most helpful into nice areas with not so many roads of traffic and nice walks and communities … we want to call it home… but not there as yet.
Been to Perth 3 times while I was in the U.S military and I was impressed by their culture and the Australian hospitality. I don’t mind living and staying in Perth very relaxed and the best weather ever.
Hi!
I have decided to move to Perth in September 2014. I’ve read quite something about the city and it just got me more and more excited. I’ve travelled around but mostly for 2 or 3 months. Now it’s at least going to be two years and it’s the first time I’m thinking about missing my friends and family back in the Netherlands. But, I’m really looking forward to meeting the Australian people and see what life’s gonna be like over there.
Thanks for the info and see you soon 😉
Best wishes,
Marten
As someone born in Perth (Bassendean) but brought up in the UK, this is a very comprehensive description of Perth. Well done, you have a talent for description and (more importantly) factual accuracy.
I am hoping to move to Perth within the year. I am coming from Houston Texas and am so very curious how different it is. I am excited about a change and looking forward to a new adventure. Thank you so much for posting this information … it helped me a lot!
Nice/honest Description of the place.. Thank you… Moving to Perth soon.. Coming from an Asian culture and country feeling bit worried… guess I have to experience it first and then decided.. 🙂
Me too!
As Canadians think of moving to Aus, your insights have been most interesting. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Greg and Alicia
Sarah this is the best description of Perth (or anywhere) I have found on the internet, fantastic – thanks very much. As someone looking to decide on a move to Perth this has been ideal.
Very well written well done. I enjoyed thay read
I moved here from NSW over 20 years ago and fell in love with perth. It is a beautiful place to live and I especially like the way you have described it. The pictures are great. Thank you….