Innit? Still, nice to have colour TV eh? (I'm even typing Ozzie... "eh" after every sentence)
Not been to Adelaide so not sure what it's like.
You should give it a go - it's nice here.
Or Hobart. Hobart wins on just about every front apart from wine, weather, and international connections.
" yeah no" "but"
Or Hobart. Hobart wins on just about every front apart from wine, weather, and international connections.
Knocking the wine? Calls Kiwi John to the thread
There is also no shortage of weather as for connections you can fly to the North Island and sail to Antarctica is that international enough for you?
Knocking the wine?
I live in Adelaide. I could knock France's wine and still be in the right 😛
It's so chuffing cold in Tassie you guys have to add sugar to make the stuff ferment properly!
And whilst you're flying back to the bit of Australia where most locals only have one head, I'm already on my way back to the rest of the world....
I went to Queensland a few weeks ago..... I can say that I didn't [u]really[/u] understand what a bogan was until then. I thought I did, but they are taking it to a whole different level up there
Yeah, no...
Bogans are one thing. Cashed up bogans are worse. Rockingham was voted bogan capital of Australia. What an acolade!
Thanks all... Yes, Perth is the only choice. It is more about a particular job that I am chasing, rather than the city. Other options include Muscat, Ankara and Doha (I'm liking Perth best for lifestyle but the others win for earning potential) rather than anywhere else in Australia. Great to hear all the experiences, both positive and negative and to get an idea on what I need to read up on before any further talks.
Glad to hear so many people have made a big move and made it work for them!
I'm in Perth as well and personally I love it. However it's great to hear that others have similar views on making friends and the (lack of) ablity of the locals to drive, I thought it was only me.
One of the things I've found great since being here is the weather and the greater motivation it brings to get and do things. Although the MTB'ing is great, I've been road biking more and the improvements in fitness have been phenomenal and so much better than the UK.
It sounds like you've got plenty to mull over Neil, feel free to message if you have any questions prior to your discussions......
Now back to the important question: When are we having the inaugural 'STW Down-under division ride to the pub and drink (alleged) Ale mission'? 😀 😆
This is the age old question o_h_h, christmas break coming up, surely plenty of nights to choose from with no school the next day.....
Terrible place. Too remote, backward and bogan. Full of expat Brits lamenting the way the old country is going to hell in a handcart. To summarise, no thank you.
I think you may have spent time in Joondalup, and not the wider Perth area....it's like little Britain up there 🙂
Now back to the important question
That sounds like a good plan O_H_H/Marmoset, are you guys picking a day?
To summarise, no thank you.
That's fine, don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out
Bit of a latecomer to this thread, pretty much all been covered already, I've been here 4 and a bit years now and plan to be here for the long term, perth has its downsides like a anywhere else but on balance it's a great place to live.
I'd be up for a stw meet up over Christmas, pretty flexible on where and when,
Many thanks all, STW really is the font of all knowledge. Those of you that offered help, I will get in touch if the job turns up trumps.
Damn, got in late on another living in Perth thread, so most of it already covered...
Waves Hi to Marmoset - back healing well so might be up for some rides over the holiday.
As for Perth.
1. Great place to bring kids up, precisely because it is still living in the 1950s. They walk or ride their bike to small local neighbourhood school, play in the park or beach after.
2. Yes Australians are racist, but I think you Brits are over-sensitive about the topic - if the discussions here are anything to go by! Australian racism is basically just ignorance and a propensity to say what they think. Its not particularly aggressive or based on real hatred like in other places I've lived.
3. The driving is bad, but can't say it bothers me as I commute by bike on a fabulous series of purpose built cycleways - all year round because of the weather.
To sum up - I've seen many expats come to Perth, some like it and some don't. One of my best riding buddies threw in the towel and headed back to the UK just last month (common story - he liked it, wife didn't). It all depends on your expectations and attitude. If you expect it to be like England just with better weather, and for the Australians to bend over backwards to help you fit in - don't bother!
However, if you realise you're coming to a foreign country half way around the world, leaving all your friends and family behind and basically have to start over again, then you'll at least start with a realistic attitude. To get on here (or anywhere) you have to be flexible, like trying new things, make the effort, and be positive about what you're gaining, rather than complaining about what you miss about 'back home'.
I arrived on a student visa five years ago, now have residency and work on the waterfront in Freo, go mountainbiking every weekend, and camping in the national parks every holiday. Is it the promised land - no. Is life good - yes!
Waves back at Perthmtb 🙂 Let me know when you're up for a ride...
It all depends on your expectations and attitude. If you expect it to be like England just with better weather, and for the Australians to bend over backwards to help you fit in - don't bother!However, if you realise you're coming to a foreign country half way around the world, leaving all your friends and family behind and basically have to start over again, then you'll at least start with a realistic attitude. To get on here (or anywhere) you have to be flexible, like trying new things, make the effort, and be positive about what you're gaining, rather than complaining about what you miss about 'back home'.
This times lots.
Just because they (sort of) speak English, doesn't mean it's England. Skype etc helps a lot with keeping up with friends and family, but you will have to work hard to make new friends. I think it's fair to say that you'll really need to make sure your wife understands this also. Most people I know who've returned home: it's due to the partner who wasn't offered the job that facilitated the move. Ultimately I suspect if we ever end up moving back, it won't be me who makes that decision.
I'd be up for a ride, Sunday is my usual day pass from the family. I'm not an early riser though and it's an hours drive to KC for me, so preferably no earlier than 9. Easy enough to stop in at a pub afterwards.
FWIW I reckon Perth is pretty good. If you make an effort and have the financial means it can be fantastic. I've got a better lifestyle, home (which we built), and job than I ever had in London. I had travelled round Australia previously so I knew what I was in for. There's an uncouth element, but I don't see much difference between your bogans and your yobs from other countries.
If we're talking remote and unconnected, nowhere in Australia competes with London for excitement and culture for me, but I'm not 20 and single anymore, and I never seemed to have much disposable income there anyway to actually access most of those things that mark it out as a world city. The things I miss most is the green English countryside with actual soil (instead of sand) and the London cycle scene. But warm weather and being able to put in a ride in the hills and a swim in the sea on the same day, and then chase down an ocean sunset with a pint or two is pretty good living I'd say.
Hello all, so I got the job, the wife's agreed to move, contract is signed and visa is pending. If all goes well with that, I'll move down in May and the family will follow in June. Can't wait, looking forward to it. Looking at job sites for the wife, places to live and a car to buy. Will have help when I get down there but any suggestions welcome. Currently looking north of CBD and towards the coast. Easy to find properties online but hard to know the area. Will be based on St George's Terrace so looking for an easy commute by train or bike. Damn it's expensive down there, and I'm comparing to Copenhagen. Ah well, hoping the benefits outweight the downsides.
Thanks all for your help.
Neil
Been living in Melbourne for last 18months - one thing you might want to check out when looking at areas to live in is the availability of pre school childcare - mine are school age but I know people with younger kids and they talk about waiting lists for kinder and I don't think this is unique to Melbourne. Check out "little athletics" running and field sports on a weekend morning in local parks (reserves in the local language) good way to meet parents of similar age kids - most parents stay and help run - also "little nippers" is like mini surf beach life guards and is great fun.
Check vaccination requirements for Kinder/School - not sure about WA but some states insist have a certificate before can start - here in Victoria a bit lax but getting tighter and they have some vaccinations that UK don't do - I got a copy of vaccination record from UK GP before leaving.
Think you said daughter 3 so got a bit of time to work this one out - school starting age is a bit random - here in Victoria seems to be sort of "when parents think child is ready" but can't be over 6 or under 4,1/2 - so kids in a year group can be nearly 2 years apart in age!
If looking for riding groups try googling a suburb or city area and BUG for "bicycle user group" most do recreational group rides as opposed to serious chain gangs with roadie clubs - also a lot of bike shops run evening rides
Hope the move goes well and don't forget to clean and disinfect your bikes to avoid paying a huge fee to have them jet washed at quarantine
Check out bicton which is where I lived or anywhere on the Stirling highway. Easy access into the city and beaches / Fremantle ect
Have you got kids? Check whether you get the childcare rebate or have to pay international fees for school. (Did I say this already?)
Check out the schools first then see if you can commute easily from there. Bring some warm clothes as it can get cool in winter, when we moved over in August we only had 1 jumper each and got very cold on occasion.
Bus & Train routes
http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/
Bike Maps:
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/activetransport/24024.asp
Feel free to PM me if you want any advice.
Richard
Perth had some rain this morning! About 10 mins worth admittedly but it does exist. As someone who has been fairly critical of Perth in the past, and still not totally convinced its for me in the long term at the moment its awesome.
Bits of WA might be a bit mired in the past but with the fringe and Perth festivals on at the moment, beer gardens and hawkers markets and lovely warm nights it doesn't seem so bad.
Trails are actually a bit too dry though, jumps and bumps just crumbling away in places.
Well congratulations on the job, I was over last month and had a good time, nice to sit on a rooftop bar and have a beer after work 🙂
Perth isolated and backwards? Try living in Kalgoorlie!! The council last week passed extend shopping hours mon-sat, shops are now open till 7pm weekdays and 2pm Saturday. They wouldn't pass Sunday openings though.
Ill be in Perth in 6 months once my PR comes through and I can't wait.
I use this [url= http://bettereducation.com.au/school/Primary/wa/wa_primary_school_rating.aspx ]Link for schools[/url]
Obviously there is a lot more to picking a school than a few scores, but it at least gives you a start, and I find that the numbers correlate roughly with what the general public opinion of the school is.
Congratulations Neil.
You mention the Nortern Suburbs to live, that's where I am and can throughly recommend it. I'm 3km from the beach, 1km from the train and 9km from work by Bike. Get in touch if you need any recommendations on areas.
Yes the benefits do outweigh the downsides.
Schools, transport, amenities, lifestyle, affordability; there's so many variables.
It sounded to me like the OP meant the Western Suburbs along the Fremantle railway line. Generally the most expensive suburbs in Perth on the coast or the river, with a lot of the private schools and no doubt better state schools. I think the traffic is extra busy coming from that direction probably because they can afford to park or get a space at work, plus the inlet they're building cutting off Riverside Drive is going to stuff the CBD traffic further. From what I've heard though the Fremantle train is nowhere near as packed as the other lines.
If you meant the Northern Suburbs that can include anything North from adjacent to town, to all the way up the Northern corridor beyond the Northern Beaches. I live at the current end of the Joondalup line which is 30-35 minutes by train to the CBD plus short walks either end. Round my way Mindarie, Iluka, and Burns Beach would be more expensive lifestyle options within walking distance of the beach with a short drive to Clarkson or Currambine train stations. I've no idea about better schools though since I can't imagine we'd be able to afford more to move or pay privately, so my 4 yo daughter just goes to the local state primary.
For something a bit more European and city like, you could consider East Perth around Claissebrook, Subiaco, and Fremantle. Then you're walking distance to restaurants, shops, and in the first case, work.
