Can anyone recommend any nice areas near Perth?

[Guest chezzle]

Hi

 

We are looking to move to Perth next year and are interested in Cottesloe and Freemantle and would appreciate any info on these places. We have 3 children (13,9 & 7) so wherever we choose to settle needs to have good local transport, shops and schools and being quite near to beach/river would be nice and not too far from Perth itself. We are quite a sporty family so football, boxing and dance clubs would also be a must.

 

Anyone any recommendations????

 

Thanks Cheryl

[portlaunay]

We've been here a few months now and started in Freo. An opportunity to move to a big 6 bed house with a pool etc came up in Willetton and we thought it would suit us. We don't hate it, it's just not us.

 

Moving back to Freo this weekend.

 

Coming from London the move to the 'burbs was just too much, (or too little depending on your perspective). If you want to go anywhere you have to drive. If you want to go out for a meal/beer you have to drive. If you need a shop etc etc.

We're used to not using the car other than for long journey's. We like public transport and Freo has an excellent free CAT bus and we can walk or cycle most other places. We love the community atmosphere and it's very creative with lots of artists, writers and craftspeople around. Our friends are there, my voluntary work and my office is there and we could spend the rest of our lives there.

 

I don't know Cottesloe other than for a visit and I like driving my '63 Bug along the coast road up to Cottesloe for early morning coffee but that's not helping really is it, sorry.

 

I meant to say also that I'm not sure what there is for older kids in Freo but our young ones are very happy there, especially the pancakes at the South beach cafe for breakfast on Saturday, a ride along the beach and a lovely pool in the centre of Freo.

[Guest chezzle]

Awwww thankyou for all that info, so you're definatly smitten by FREO Thats good to here. Its hard trying to picture the different places, we are moving from Ireland, we live in the country and depend on our cars for an awful lot. I dont mind the prospect of not having a car for a while as long as everything is kinda in walking distance or a short bus ride.

 

Can you recommend which part of FREO is nice? North, South?? What part do you live in and where would you recommend. Whats the beach like:) Is there any surfing for the kids locally??

 

Im full of questions, full of excitment and wish we were moving tomorrow but alas still in the early stages Im originally from busy Bristol but moved to Ireland over 20 yrs ago. I absolutley loved it here, so laid back, slow and beautifully scenic with the mountains and sea, but now its time to move to new waters so any hep and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks again for your response.

[portlaunay]

Hey Chezzle, no problem, it's good to be able to help.

Personally I feel North Freo (NOR) doesn't really feel like Freo. East is a little more residential but any of the roads off of George street are nice and it's close to East Freo Primary which is a great school. Property prices are expensive there though, there's a 70's looking 3 bed 1 bath for rent there at the moment for $725pw which I think is horrendously over-priced but someone will pay it.

South Freo is closer to South beach which has a lovely cafe as already mentioned and also a trendier, newer little restaurant which is also good. There's a playground for the young ones and long empty beaches but no surf really. (Going up the coast towards Cottesloe is probably closest for that).

 

We're going to be pretty close to the centre of Freo as we just prefer somewhere with a bit of a buzz bout it. I guess Freo is a little like Clifton village - a bit crooked and quaint, trendy and bohemian with some nice bars and restaurants, boutiques and markets. (At least that's how I remember Clifton 20 or so years ago)

 

Have a stroll around the place on Google maps, it's what we did before we came. Start at South beach and head up South Terrace into the centre of Freo exploring the side streets as you go.

As for houses, well for your family I hope you're going to be earning a good salary or have a chunk of cash to bring. This place;

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-beaconsfield-405914711

we are viewing on Saturday. It's a little out of our price range but we might stretch ourselves as we just think it's lovely. It's the 'wrong' side of Hampton road for us but properties like this don't come up very often.

 

When are you planning your move? If there's any way we can help from here please just say, we know what it's like being in your position.

[Guest Hassan]

I couldn't resist appreciating your generosity ! This is the way it should be!

 

Thanks

 

Hassan R Warraich

 

 

 

 

Hey Chezzle, no problem, it's good to be able to help.

Personally I feel North Freo (NOR) doesn't really feel like Freo. East is a little more residential but any of the roads off of George street are nice and it's close to East Freo Primary which is a great school. Property prices are expensive there though, there's a 70's looking 3 bed 1 bath for rent there at the moment for $725pw which I think is horrendously over-priced but someone will pay it.

South Freo is closer to South beach which has a lovely cafe as already mentioned and also a trendier, newer little restaurant which is also good. There's a playground for the young ones and long empty beaches but no surf really. (Going up the coast towards Cottesloe is probably closest for that).

 

We're going to be pretty close to the centre of Freo as we just prefer somewhere with a bit of a buzz bout it. I guess Freo is a little like Clifton village - a bit crooked and quaint, trendy and bohemian with some nice bars and restaurants, boutiques and markets. (At least that's how I remember Clifton 20 or so years ago)

 

Have a stroll around the place on Google maps, it's what we did before we came. Start at South beach and head up South Terrace into the centre of Freo exploring the side streets as you go.

As for houses, well for your family I hope you're going to be earning a good salary or have a chunk of cash to bring. This place;

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-beaconsfield-405914711

we are viewing on Saturday. It's a little out of our price range but we might stretch ourselves as we just think it's lovely. It's the 'wrong' side of Hampton road for us but properties like this don't come up very often.

 

When are you planning your move? If there's any way we can help from here please just say, we know what it's like being in your position.

[Guest 4YearItch]

Hi

 

Fremantle and Cottesloe are both great places, but I like Cottesloe better - purely a personal preference!! I have friends in both areas and have spent time in both areas but I think Cottesloe just pips the post in terms of it being a cleaner, safer area. Don't forget Freo is a port and has clubs/pubs ... Don't get me wrong though, my family has spent many an afternoon down on the Freo foreshore, or having a beer in Freo at the weekend!

 

Cottesloe it's very expensive though ....

 

Umm - hope I haven't confused you too much

[Guest chezzle]

Thankyou for your post, Everybody has their different opinions and I like to hear all of them and hopefully it will help us make our decisions a bit easier. We are not used used to living in a city, we are a more community, countryside kinda family but who like to be quite close to a town and activites for the kids. We have never been to Australia which is what makes us even more inquistive... Any info is greatly appreciated..

[Guest chezzle]

Good Luck with the viewing tomorrow, hope its "for you". Yes would be lovely having someone over there to correspond with. Then well have an excuse to meet up and buy you dinner or share a "barbie" in thanks

 

So four months in Australia and how have you found it? How many are in your family ? How are the kids settling? My 13yr old daughter is a little nervous about leaving all her friends but i've assured her it will be easy to make new ones in Perth. Can you recommend a good secondary school for her? She is used to a Catholic upbringing but its not essential for it to be a catholic school. (I hear school fees for private schools are very expensive?)

 

 

The other two are boys 9 and 6yrs. They are very adaptable and quite outgoing! My husbands brother, Wife and their 1yr old baby girl are also moving out with us, so its nice to think we are not doing this totally alone.

 

What visa did you apply for? Did it take long to get? We were originally going for a 457 employer sponsored visa but having reviewed all the pros and cons we have decided it will be better for us to take the longer more expensive route of GSM, at least there is no risk involved and we will have permanent residency. We cannot apply for the visa until Dec/Jan as my husband is in the process of getting his skills Assessment sorted. He is a Carpenter and has had his own timber frame housing company for the past 12yrs. What do you guys do?

 

Ohhhh Ive so many questions.... just bursting with excitment..

 

We are trying to decide on what to pack, what are the essentials? What is expensive or hard to get over there that we might miss??

 

Thanks for taking the time in responding, it makes this whole thing a bit more personal which I like instead of random answers from people you never hear from again.

 

Again good luck tomorrow let us know how you get on!

 

Oh, and the comparison to "Clifton" creares a nice quaint picture in my head of FREO thanks x

Cheryl

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Chezzle, no problem, it's good to be able to help.

Personally I feel North Freo (NOR) doesn't really feel like Freo. East is a little more residential but any of the roads off of George street are nice and it's close to East Freo Primary which is a great school. Property prices are expensive there though, there's a 70's looking 3 bed 1 bath for rent there at the moment for $725pw which I think is horrendously over-priced but someone will pay it.

South Freo is closer to South beach which has a lovely cafe as already mentioned and also a trendier, newer little restaurant which is also good. There's a playground for the young ones and long empty beaches but no surf really. (Going up the coast towards Cottesloe is probably closest for that).

 

We're going to be pretty close to the centre of Freo as we just prefer somewhere with a bit of a buzz bout it. I guess Freo is a little like Clifton village - a bit crooked and quaint, trendy and bohemian with some nice bars and restaurants, boutiques and markets. (At least that's how I remember Clifton 20 or so years ago)

 

Have a stroll around the place on Google maps, it's what we did before we came. Start at South beach and head up South Terrace into the centre of Freo exploring the side streets as you go.

As for houses, well for your family I hope you're going to be earning a good salary or have a chunk of cash to bring. This place;

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-beaconsfield-405914711

we are viewing on Saturday. It's a little out of our price range but we might stretch ourselves as we just think it's lovely. It's the 'wrong' side of Hampton road for us but properties like this don't come up very often.

 

When are you planning your move? If there's any way we can help from here please just say, we know what it's like being in your position.

[Guest Hassan]

Dear Chezzle;

 

Wish you all the best and thanks for liking my post and the lead indicators are reflecting :3/10(03 likes Received and 10 Given) Hope you would like that post too....

 

Thanks

 

Hassan

[Guest Issy<3]

The fremantle market is cool to live next to!

[Guest chezzle]

Thanks Issy, do you live in Freo? I have a daughter who is 13 and she is looking for penpals to help make friends before we move over next month if youre interested or know anyone who would be. She was a gymnast and is mad into hiphop dance, fashion etc..