Moving to Perth (WA)

Perth has more hours of sunshine than any other Australian city. Want to know more about Perth… read on…

The over 2 million residents have an amazing outdoor lifestyle – surf beaches, Swan River and Kings Park (400 hectare of protected park and bushland). From its beautiful weather to its endless day trip options, Perth has plenty to offer its locals.

The mining boom brought a wealth of opportunity and investment to Perth. The boom has driven house prices up and the cost of living. However, outlying suburbs on decent-sized blocks are still affordable.

Perth was also named the 7th best in the world to live in by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2015, and has made that list almost every year since 2004.

The 2 million population cover an area of over 5,000 square kilometers, so no giant concrete metropolis. A more suburban feel than urban.

Population: 2,140,000 people
Climate: sun, sun and more sun
First Home Buyer Award: $3,000 – $10,000
Top draw cards: Mediterranean climate and a relaxed lifestyle in a very beautiful, clean, spacious feeling city
Public Transport: free bus service, train and cars

The Economy

Perth is home to more than 30 international oil and gas companies thanks to the huge mining boom. This growing city is also one of only 19 cities to be a member of the illustrious World Energy Cities Partnership.

Innovative companies have been thriving, with industries ranging from 3D printing to sustainable energy production enjoying widespread success. There is a considerable amount of foreign investment, with agribusiness, manufacturing and retail among the strongest industries.

The majority of employment opportunities are in mining, hospitality, scientific and technical services.

Perth Pros:

• A sunny, warm, Mediterranean climate
• Surrounded by expansive white-sand beaches
• Easy to get to the airport
• Fun for all ages
• Relaxed outdoors lifestyle
• Beautiful clean city
• Excellent public transport and not a lot of traffic
• Warm seas and breathtaking sunsets over the Indian Ocean

Perth Cons:

• One the most isolated cities in the world
• Expensive (up there with Sydney)
• Summer can get really hot
• Swarms of flies in summer
• Highest burglary rates of any major Australian city

Introduction to Perth

Perth is a unique and beautiful city on the western coast of Australia. It is Western Australia’s capital city with a population of over a million people. Perth is a city built on the coast, on a flat plain, with the Swan River bisecting the city. It has the Darling Scarp as a boundary on the east and the coastline of the Indian Ocean to the west. It ranks fourth among the largest cities in Australia and is a delight for beach lovers with its uncrowded coastline and beautiful sands offering amazing views of the sunset.

Districts in Perth

Perth City – a junction where culture and business blend.

Fremantle – located at the mouth of the Swan River, it is a food and entertainment hub with incredible history.

Northbridge – has an amazing array of bars, cafes, clubs, restaurants and Art.

The Coast – is ideal for outdoor activities such as swimming and sunbathing.

Northern Suburbs – is characterized by a huge number of houses and an aquarium.

Southern Suburbs – is characterized by numerous residential buildings and the Zoo.

The Hills – this suburb is known for its wine, picturesque sceneries and a Weir.

History of Perth

The indigenous Nyoongar tribes inhabited the Perth region for over forty thousand years before the British settlers occupied the land. The British started as a free and small settler colony way back in 1829 and was a part of the bigger Swan River colony. The settlement was named ‘Perth’ on the lines of Perth, Scotland, as it was the norm in those days to name newer cities with the same names as of existing cities in the settlers’ homeland.

Beginning 1850, with the inflow of convicts, the settlement grew and their work helped frame the city’s architecture. The growth mushroomed with the discovery of gold in the eighteen nineties. The discovery of other mineral deposits down the line has been crucial to the growth of the economy of the city.

Perth became part of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 as the capital of Western Australia. Perth saw a great rate of migration following the World War 2 due to its mining prospects that eventually meant it could overtake Adelaide’s population in the eighties. Although the mines are located in the remote corners of the state, Perth acts as a hub to mining related activities.

Perth continues to be the fastest growing city in Australia and has evolved as a vibrant city from its more laid back demeanor of the past. As a relatively new city, Perth doesn’t have the Victorian charm of its eastern cousins but makes up with its brilliantly planned parks and open spaces.

People in Perth

Perth is perhaps the most isolated city in the world with all the eastern cities almost grouped together in comparison and yet boasts of a rich and diverse culture. The diversity is the result of continuous inward migration of people from all parts of the world with a large bracket of its citizens born outside Australia. Perth gets many migrants from close by places like South Africa, India, Thailand and Malaysia and this fact reflects in the wide variety of cuisine the city offers. For such a diverse population the city is surprisingly safe and has an excellent crime fighting record. A true cosmopolitan in every sense, Perth is a destination that you cannot dislike.

Climate of Perth

Perth is a very sunny city with almost nine hours of sunlight everyday and has a typical Mediterranean climate with summers that are dry and hot with the winters being mild and wet. Summer temperatures can reach into the 40’s (over 100 Fahrenheit) while winters are mild around fifteen. Rains are sporadic and limited but it does rain a lot when it happens. Being on the coast, storms can be severe with strong winds but generally don’t cause a lot of destruction.

Activities in Perth

Perth offers a whole range of activities including professional sports clubs, swimming, beaches, eateries, pubs and a whole range of amusement spots. Perth is home to the WACA (Western Australia Cricket Association) that boasts of a magnificent stadium with arguably the world’s fastest cricket pitch. Perth is also crazy about their football and hosts a match every weekend between March and August.

Perth offers some of the best beaches in the country that are best for swimming during the summer. Sunscreen is a must on these beaches. The beaches are patrolled well and provide facilities like shady grassed areas, refreshments, toilets and first aid.

More Information on Perth

Overall, Perth is a delight of a city that promises a wonderful and a safe life for families and aspirants alike and hence it is worth considering as a city to settle in.

If you are looking for more on information on Perth you can visit http://wikitravel.org/en/Perth, which includes information on getting into Perth, getting around, what to see, do, buy, eat, drink, sleep, getting gout and staying safe in Perth.

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