Scot01 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Before we moved to Perth we met an estate agent at a party who worked in Perth and asked him the best place to live, the idea being worst house in best location and good State schools. He drew a map on a napkin with a line from the CBD across to City Beach and down to Freo and said anywhere in that area (known as the Golden Triangle, or the bubble) is Ok. We drove round when we arrived and found an old rundown house with a rent we could just afford in Nedlands. Three days in our new suburb and I was at a playground with the kids and got chatting to a lady who asked where I lived. Her reply "you do know that's the wrong side of the Highway'. No I didn't but soon found out that these things seem important. River views score extra points. As well as asking which street you live in, the perpetual question throughout primary school was 'which high school are your kids going to?'. many kids attend the excellent State primaries in Nedlands/Dalkeith/Claremont then head off to the $25,000 a year single sex prestigious private schools. Hushed silence if you say Shenton College which is one of the top performing State school and makes the top ten schools list almost every year. I met someone on holiday overseas who was from Perth. She asked which suburb, which street, which school. I almost said why don't you ask my income too! The point scoring continues into Uni. I asked a lady in my book club who had a daughter in Year 12 what she would be doing next year. Her reply 'she'll do something at UWA as she went to St Hilda's and we live in Dalkeith and I want her to stay with the same kind of people'. I nearly slapped her. The best experience for the daughter would be to get out of the bubble she lives in. I just wondered if this nonsense goes on in other suburbs, are you judged according to the street you live in or the school/ university your kids go to and continually asked these things or is this just a Western Suburbs thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arwen Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Before we moved to Perth we met an estate agent at a party who worked in Perth and asked him the best place to live, the idea being worst house in best location and good State schools. He drew a map on a napkin with a line from the CBD across to City Beach and down to Freo and said anywhere in that area (known as the Golden Triangle, or the bubble) is Ok. We drove round when we arrived and found an old rundown house with a rent we could just afford in Nedlands. Three days in our new suburb and I was at a playground with the kids and got chatting to a lady who asked where I lived. Her reply "you do know that's the wrong side of the Highway'. No I didn't but soon found out that these things seem important. River views score extra points. As well as asking which street you live in, the perpetual question throughout primary school was 'which high school are your kids going to?'. many kids attend the excellent State primaries in Nedlands/Dalkeith/Claremont then head off to the $25,000 a year single sex prestigious private schools. Hushed silence if you say Shenton College which is one of the top performing State school and makes the top ten schools list almost every year. I met someone on holiday overseas who was from Perth. She asked which suburb, which street, which school. I almost said why don't you ask my income too! The point scoring continues into Uni. I asked a lady in my book club who had a daughter in Year 12 what she would be doing next year. Her reply 'she'll do something at UWA as she went to St Hilda's and we live in Dalkeith and I want her to stay with the same kind of people'. I nearly slapped her. The best experience for the daughter would be to get out of the bubble she lives in. I just wondered if this nonsense goes on in other suburbs, are you judged according to the street you live in or the school/ university your kids go to and continually asked these things or is this just a Western Suburbs thing? The only people that ask me where I live and which school my children go to are usually British. My Australian friends couldn't give stuff, even one couple who are millionaires, live in North Beach and still chose to send their kids to the local state school. When I chose to take my 16 year old out of a reasonable performing private school and put her in the worst school for miles you could cut the atmosphere amongst my british friends with a knife. I don't stay friends very long with people like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Not experienced anything like this since we left London. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laz Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) One of the problems is that with the huge rise in the economy/incomes there is a load of 'new money' moving into the western suburbs, all building their McMansions (and changing the look and feel of suburbs like Nedlands).... Ask the book club woman if she went to St Hilda's herself? And if not, why not? Edited May 6, 2014 by Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plimthing Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I really don't care for people like that and i have an uncanny knack of telling them to their face, much to everyones embarrasment/amusement. I was born and bred in a hell hole of a neighbourhood, went to the worst school in the county (still is) , never went to college let alone university, i knew right from wrong and learnt to take the consequences for doing wrong. If you asked me if i would have changed anything, i would say no because everything i have around me is because of everything i learnt from that hell hole and crap school and not from being the owner of a certain school tie or crest and i appear to be doing quite ok. Sorry for the rant but that stuff really winds me up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7cdb Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I really don't care for people like that and i have an uncanny knack of telling them to their face, much to everyones embarrasment/amusement. I was born and bred in a hell hole of a neighbourhood, went to the worst school in the county (still is) , never went to college let alone university, i knew right from wrong and learnt to take the consequences for doing wrong. If you asked me if i would have changed anything, i would say no because everything i have around me is because of everything i learnt from that hell hole and crap school and not from being the owner of a certain school tie or crest and i appear to be doing quite ok.Sorry for the rant but that stuff really winds me up. That'll do for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkoz Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I can relate to the OP, one of the things that was putting me off moving back to Perth was exactly that. When we were there people had would be constantly asking about which private school our boy would go to, explaining that at 3(!) we were probably too late. It became so commonplace we started to think it was a real worry. I'm glad the 'same kind of people' stick to themselves as they are certainly not the kind of people I'd like as friends. But Perth is small are there is definately a old school club of those raised and living in thoses areas with a very strong sense of entitlement and to some extent influence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) I have tried to reply to this thread a couple of times, but I felt sure if I replied with my original thoughts I may have rambled too much, So forgive me but does living in a nice area, having a nice home, and sending your kids to a private school, eldest now at UWA constitute me being a snob or elitist? Not everyone who does all of the above have to be a snob surely. I ask this, because I too was brought up in a rough area, went to a hellhole school, had nothing as a child, left school to go to work and 'bring money into the house' didn't get, nor did I want the opportunity of uni, It would have felt way out of my league I look after everything I have, things last forever in our home, my kids are polite, work hard, eldest is paying her own way through UWA (apologies for the elitism) but she chose it as she loved the feel of the place, felt right for her. I know and remember well where I came from doesn't mean I want that for my own children, albeit they are taught to respect, know the value of things, and have to work hard. Just asking... Pea Edited May 6, 2014 by guest9824 End added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkoz Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I have tried to reply to this thread a couple of times, but I felt sure if I replied with my original thoughts I may have rambled too much, So forgive me but does living in a nice area, having a nice home, and sending your kids to a private school, eldest now at UWA constitute me being a snob or elitist? Not everyone who does all of the above have to be a snob surely. I ask this, because I too was brought up in a rough area, went to a hellhole school, had nothing as a child, left school to go to work and 'bring money into the house' didn't get, nor did I want the opportunity of uni, It would have felt way out of my league I look after everything I have, things last forever in our home, my kids are polite, work hard, eldest is paying her own way through UWA (apologies for the elitism) but she chose it as she loved the feel of the place, felt right for her. I know and remember well where I came from doesn't mean I want that for my own children, albeit they are taught to respect, know the value of things, and have to work hard. Just asking... Pea That sounds wonderful and not wrong to want at all. And I'm sure you're not the sort of person who would look down on or belittle anyone who didn't or couldn't achieve those things,which is what I think the OP was commentin on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 If it makes you feel any better my daughter went to public school here and is at UWA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I feel sure if we had had a state school that catered for my kids, and was in the Shenton, Rossmoyne, Leeming standard on our doorstep then things may have been different, but as I have said before there were many other key elements to our choice, Im not saying that children from state schools don't go to UWA either or that all private school kids do, that would just be a silly statement, so just to reitorate.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laz Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I can relate to the OP, one of the things that was putting me off moving back to Perth was exactly that. When we were there people had would be constantly asking about which private school our boy would go to, explaining that at 3(!) we were probably too late. It became so commonplace we started to think it was a real worry. I'm glad the 'same kind of people' stick to themselves as they are certainly not the kind of people I'd like as friends. But Perth is small are there is definately a old school club of those raised and living in thoses areas with a very strong sense of entitlement and to some extent influence do you live in the western suburbs? We are planning to move back and I'm worried about living in the area I grew up in (western suburbs) because nowadays it seems like everyone is rolling in money. So much new money...it wasn't like that years ago. Yes, it was a well off area and most kids went to private schools, but I don't feel like there was so much keeping up with the Jones'. Anyway, I'm wondering how you feel about living in the area, if you do. I would add that I think people are right re the schools, if you want private. Even names down from birth doesn't guarantee a place. I put one child's name down at 18 months old (I delayed putting in the application as we were moving house) and one school said he was so far down the list he wouldn't get in for primary, and when the offers were finally made for another school (my old school) he missed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 OK firstly let's not totally knock Private Schools because for example my sons school costs $5800 a year so hardly on the same level that has been quoted. Its not just the academics though, some state schools do promote sports more and allow a more " free" style of schooling, this works probably for the vast majority of children but for some this style doesn't work and a more regimated approach.does. We are not rich so we chose to live in a cheaper suburb further out so that we could afford to send our son to the school he's at. Suburb snobbery is everywhere let's be honest. If you are happy where you are and the kids are happy and thriving who gives a fudge really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 The one thing I have noticed is when over in oz, everyone talks about property which I never seem to remember doing in my younger years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 My OH was working last year with apprentices aged 20 who both owned property. One on his own and one with his Girlfriend . Another one had two, one in NSW and one here he was the grand old age if 23 though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Before we moved to Perth we met an estate agent at a party who worked in Perth and asked him the best place to live, the idea being worst house in best location and good State schools. He drew a map on a napkin with a line from the CBD across to City Beach and down to Freo and said anywhere in that area (known as the Golden Triangle, or the bubble) is Ok. We drove round when we arrived and found an old rundown house with a rent we could just afford in Nedlands. Three days in our new suburb and I was at a playground with the kids and got chatting to a lady who asked where I lived. Her reply "you do know that's the wrong side of the Highway'. No I didn't but soon found out that these things seem important. River views score extra points. As well as asking which street you live in, the perpetual question throughout primary school was 'which high school are your kids going to?'. many kids attend the excellent State primaries in Nedlands/Dalkeith/Claremont then head off to the $25,000 a year single sex prestigious private schools. Hushed silence if you say Shenton College which is one of the top performing State school and makes the top ten schools list almost every year. I met someone on holiday overseas who was from Perth. She asked which suburb, which street, which school. I almost said why don't you ask my income too! The point scoring continues into Uni. I asked a lady in my book club who had a daughter in Year 12 what she would be doing next year. Her reply 'she'll do something at UWA as she went to St Hilda's and we live in Dalkeith and I want her to stay with the same kind of people'. I nearly slapped her. The best experience for the daughter would be to get out of the bubble she lives in. I just wondered if this nonsense goes on in other suburbs, are you judged according to the street you live in or the school/ university your kids go to and continually asked these things or is this just a Western Suburbs thing? I feel your pain, I really do. I also live in Nedlands (but on the river side of the highway so I guess that makes me more Western Suburbs Barbie than you dahhling!!) and I have never met so many pretentious, self-absorbed people as live here. I have some wonderful neighbours and have met others in the area who are down to earth and delightful, but every one of them is 60+ in age and been here for a generation or more. It is the speeding Chelsea Tractor brigade that are so unbearable. My son is at one of the $25k a year private schools and I have never felt so cheated out of money in all my life. So much so that we have decided to send him back to Scotland to complete his final years. Back to a school where it is not acceptable to call the umpire a 'F -ing C***' or for a Captain, in the company of others, to rouse his team to a win by telling them to pull their 'f-ing fingers out and f-ing' step up and make a 'f-ing' difference!' Oh dear............ On the lighter side of this though, an old school friend has just bought herself a new white BMW and I delight in telling her that she is to park it down the road because where I come from, only drug dealers and pimps drive such cars! You should try this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laz Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 The one thing I have noticed is when over in oz, everyone talks about property which I never seem to remember doing in my younger years they do in the UK too! Every second programme on TV is about property, and 'everyone' has a rental property...or 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 OK firstly let's not totally knock Private Schools because for example my sons school costs $5800 a year so hardly on the same level that has been quoted. Its not just the academics though, some state schools do promote sports more and allow a more " free" style of schooling, this works probably for the vast majority of children but for some this style doesn't work and a more regimated approach.does. We are not rich so we chose to live in a cheaper suburb further out so that we could afford to send our son to the school he's at. Suburb snobbery is everywhere let's be honest. If you are happy where you are and the kids are happy and thriving who gives a fudge really. I have to be honest GMAB, don't often agree with your posts, but this was very eloquently put... Fair play to ya. Pea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest6235 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Thought the pretentiousness of people was one of the things some moved away from the UK for.....it probably happens everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 they do in the UK too! Every second programme on TV is about property, and 'everyone' has a rental property...or 10. tv on the not so watched channels yes, but never found going out for a drink that was the main topic.I am old though ! and a maybe drug dealer driving a BMW and merc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I have to be honest GMAB, don't often agree with your posts, but this was very eloquently put... Fair play to ya. Pea Ah that might explain why I get the cold shoulder on here then! Thought it felt chilly over here sometimes , not sure how I've been disagreeble, but sorry if I've offended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Ah that might explain why I get the cold shoulder on here then! Thought it felt chilly over here sometimes , not sure how I've been disagreeble, but sorry if I've offended. Me....cold....? ....come over to the warm side GMAB.... x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Well it was in 2009 when I joined! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) Ah that might explain why I get the cold shoulder on here then! Thought it felt chilly over here sometimes , not sure how I've been disagreeble, but sorry if I've offended. I love your contributions GMAB both here and on PIO Edited May 6, 2014 by ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Thought the pretentiousness of people was one of the things some moved away from the UK for.....it probably happens everywhere. Yes it does Keefo because it takes all sorts. We're lucky that we have a good school in our suburb that has suited both the learning styles and needs of my two very different children. As Give me a break says - if your childs happy it's all that matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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