Perth - Is it really that bad?

[Guest Progressive]

Been offered a really good job in Perth on a 457 visa. The money and package doesn't matter too much as I am very comfortable with it.

 

On doing some further research now it's looking likely I have started to come across articles, forum posts and rants regarding Perth.

 

These include:

 

- It's the most boring city in the world!

- Don't go to [insert area here]. It's rough, you'll get stabbed or robbed.

- It's full of undesirables.

- The CBD and surrounding areas are awful after 9.00pm (where I'll be working and maybe living).

 

 

As a young lad growing up in not the best of UK towns I could deal with this and to be honest take it with a pinch of salt. However, I'm looking to take my better half and 'live the dream' (cringe). We both know it will only be for a couple of years but these comments have put me off.

 

We're not massive party animals. Our objectives are simply to work hard, lead a better lifestyle, further our careers and see more of the world. We are already both fairly well travelled and open minded.

 

Could anyone who has lived it settle my mind?

[Guest Stu]

There are things to do, but you do need to go out and find them. I think this is partly because everything is so spread out. The nightlife, althoug it exists definitely isn't world class.

 

The reason you here so much about muggings/car accidents etc is because nothing much else happens and the newspapers still need filled. There are definitely worse areas though.

 

CBD shuts down after about 7pm (except fridays late night shopping).

[portlaunay]

There are countless posts in this forum about what it's like. Have a browse.

[portlaunay]

I should also add that we live in one of the areas in Perth with a higher rate of violent crime - Friday and Saturday nights have a reputation.

 

It makes me laugh, we have had a late night coffee at Gino's countless times on the weekend and walked home with our kids in complete safety.

Fremantle has the highest rate of gun crime in Perth - pretty scary eh?

There have been two shootings in the last 7 years, (apparently) and only one of those resulted in someone being shot.

 

I came from London - shootings and stabbings are ignored by the press - such is the frequency of incidence.

[verystormy]

Perth like all big cities has some areas that i wouldnt want to live in, but the majority of it is fine. Australia is not crim free, but it is nothing like the crime of a UK city or northern town (I come from Boro).

 

It is tagged as boring and the local press are known to call it Dullsville. But it depends on what you like. If you want the big buzz of nightlife that you might get in say Manchester or Newcastle or London, then you will be disapointed. But, if you dont mind a smaller choice then it is fine. There are lots of small bars that are very chic sprouting up and a decent smattering of good places to eat including internationals like Nobu.

 

It is though a different paced city. Much slower than most other cities in the world and yes, the city centre on a week night can feel like a ghost town. People are a lot more interested in things like going to the beach and having friends round for a BBQ than hitting the clubs.

 

It took a while for me to get used to it, but now i wouldnt change it. Love the fact that when i am not at work the feel is so non stress. The only thing that can be a pain with been so laid back is that service for things can be slow and poor. But, in some ways that beats London where its often fast and agressive.

 

You just need to adapt to the Perth way - chilled.

[Gollywobbler]

These include:

 

- It's the most boring city in the world!

- Don't go to [insert area here]. It's rough, you'll get stabbed or robbed.

- It's full of undesirables.

- The CBD and surrounding areas are awful after 9.00pm (where I'll be working and maybe living).

 

 

I have never lived in Perth myself but my sister has lived there for over 30 years and I have visited a few times.

 

The only time I have ever seen any violence was in the E-Sheds in Fremantle one night. We were there, enjoying a family evening out, when a man on his own came and sat at the next table. He wasn't the cleanest-looking character I've ever seen but he did not look like a tramp either. About 2 minutes after he sat down, three policemen burst in. They grabbed this man, got him on the floor and started banging his forehead on the floor.

 

I was dumbstruck. I don't expect to see this sort of thuggish violence from the police, not even in a Banana Republic. Banana Republics generally have enough common sense to ensure that Tourists do not see the seamier side of life locally and the E-Sheds are one of Freo's best-known tourist attractions. So the whole thing was quite bizarre, I thought.

 

However, since I was only in Perth for a few weeks, on a tourist visa, I decided to keep quiet and keep out of it. I've no idea what the man was supposed to have done to justify beating him up but I hoped that some of the local Aussies would make a fuss about this frenzied violence from the police.

 

That is the ONLY time I have witnessed any violence in Australia, though.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

[Guest Progressive]

Perth like all big cities has some areas that i wouldnt want to live in, but the majority of it is fine. Australia is not crim free, but it is nothing like the crime of a UK city or northern town (I come from Boro).

 

It is tagged as boring and the local press are known to call it Dullsville. But it depends on what you like. If you want the big buzz of nightlife that you might get in say Manchester or Newcastle or London, then you will be disapointed. But, if you dont mind a smaller choice then it is fine. There are lots of small bars that are very chic sprouting up and a decent smattering of good places to eat including internationals like Nobu.

 

It is though a different paced city. Much slower than most other cities in the world and yes, the city centre on a week night can feel like a ghost town. People are a lot more interested in things like going to the beach and having friends round for a BBQ than hitting the clubs.

 

It took a while for me to get used to it, but now i wouldnt change it. Love the fact that when i am not at work the feel is so non stress. The only thing that can be a pain with been so laid back is that service for things can be slow and poor. But, in some ways that beats London where its often fast and agressive.

 

You just need to adapt to the Perth way - chilled.

 

 

First of all, thanks for your reply. Very helpful.

 

Secondly, another Boro lad here! Small world...

 

Thirdly, I saw that Nobu had been introduced. My mouth is already watering!

[Redrobbersdog]

The pace is most definitely slower and it takes some getting used to.

Ive been here 12 months this weekend and I'm starting to love the slower pace of life.

As some of the others have said, it really is what you make of it, you can do as much or as little as you like.

There is lots to do and see so I wouldn't say it was boring, it's just a hell of a lot slower.

If its partying every night that you are after then I would say that Perth probably wouldn't be for you.

Having been here 12 months I'm on my first works night out (which I had to arrange to get people out) next Friday so I'll keep you posted!

[portlaunay]

I have never lived in Perth myself but my sister has lived there for over 30 years and I have visited a few times.

 

The only time I have ever seen any violence was in the E-Sheds in Fremantle one night. We were there, enjoying a family evening out, when a man on his own came and sat at the next table. He wasn't the cleanest-looking character I've ever seen but he did not look like a tramp either. About 2 minutes after he sat down, three policemen burst in. They grabbed this man, got him on the floor and started banging his forehead on the floor.

 

I was dumbstruck. I don't expect to see this sort of thuggish violence from the police, not even in a Banana Republic. Banana Republics generally have enough common sense to ensure that Tourists do not see the seamier side of life locally and the E-Sheds are one of Freo's best-known tourist attractions. So the whole thing was quite bizarre, I thought.

 

However, since I was only in Perth for a few weeks, on a tourist visa, I decided to keep quiet and keep out of it. I've no idea what the man was supposed to have done to justify beating him up but I hoped that some of the local Aussies would make a fuss about this frenzied violence from the police.

 

That is the ONLY time I have witnessed any violence in Australia, though.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

 

He'd parked facing the flow of traffic.

[verystormy]

First of all, thanks for your reply. Very helpful.

 

Secondly, another Boro lad here! Small world...

 

Thirdly, I saw that Nobu had been introduced. My mouth is already watering!

 

Now then. Good to see another is on his way over.

 

If you like your food then Perth has some very good places - Rockpool, also in the Casino is excellent. The loose box is a great french place - a bit expensive but very good. Amuse is excellent. A bit like the Fat Duck. A load of others. Then Margaret River is only down the road with all the wineries and a lot of which have amazing restaurants.

 

I went to Nobu a few weeks ago and have to say that it was amazing. Had a fair few dishes between us including the famous black cod and that alone was worth the visit. Not cheap at $350 for two and didnt go over board on the drinks, but worth it.

 

What are you comming out to do? Who are you working for?

[Gollywobbler]

He'd parked facing the flow of traffic.

 

Hehehehe! You are probably right!

 

My sister Elaine married an Aussie when she was 21 but they didn't have children until Elaine was 36. Elaine and I were both educated (ie dragged up) at private girls' boarding schools in England, which I loved but she hated.

 

As far as I am concerned, the best thing to do with a girls' boarding school is to find and exploit the St Trinians Element of the place! So we were horrible little brats. One Housemistress had a horrid little miniature French Poodle called Pierre., who was the love of this spinster's life. We used to nick Pierre and shut him in a cupboard somewhere. The Housemistress would then say, "Girls! Girls! Pierre is missing! Have any of you seen him anywhere?" We told her things like, "I saw Pierre about an hour ago. He was in the main drive. You know - near that steamroller that is doing something to the drive. He was piddling against the steamroller when I saw him. He might be a bit flat by now but he might still be in the drive." Off she would go, in a hell of a panic etc....

 

Teenaged girls can be incredibly spiteful, I now realise, but at the time we thought that tormenting this poor Housemistress was hilarious.

 

However Elaine hated the environment and didn't see the funny side of being trapped in the place. Many years later, when Elaine was in Perth and her children were small, she told me that she intended to send both of them to private schools. I was surprised, since she had hated that environment herself, so I asked why private schools for the boys? Elaine said darkly, "Because I don't want them becoming policemen when they grow up."

 

I've never asked her what she meant by that statement but she obviously felt strongly about it.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

[jackboots]

I think its horses for courses , yes its a slower more laid back place and sometimes it feels like your in a bubble from the rest of the world ( well i do ) .

but i think it depends on what you want from your lifestyle here , i mean if your for clubbing every week and doing the bars etc maybe its ok in Perth or freo or better yet over east , there are some great places to go out , eating etc. For us we have a young family and its brilliant for us in that category we live in a suburb thats got a couple of restaurants/bar and thats it ( no pubs of sorts in most places ) , if we want more we go to freo or perth .

There is city life , beach life and rural area's all sorts to choose. I think there are less desirable area's any where in any country to live , personaly i feel safer living here .. if its a place thats a transition in your life then use it as a stepping stone

[nicolac34]

Hello!

 

I think from your post we'd probably sit ourselves in the same sort of boat. We are a youngish couple (under 30) and we came out to Perth to see some of the world and further our careers somewhat, and - yes - to 'live the dream' (lol). To tell you the truth the first 3 months we were here we thought it was rubbish, we couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. We were working dead-end jobs and it was raining and cold (we arrived in July) and it felt like there was nothing to do.

 

Fast forward 8 months and now we have learnt to love the place. We live in Subiaco which is a great place to live, close to the bars, restaurants and little shops and only a 10 minute bus ride to work (when it shows up - another story!) Our careers are going from strength to strength now we are in jobs that are permanent and we are always doing something at the weekend. In fact we've just got back from Jurien Bay swimming with the Sea lions (amazing) - something that my Australian work colleages didn't even know you could do!! We do far more things here that we did in the UK, we are always on the beach and doing 'outdoorsey' things. We live by the lonely planet and buy the Scoop Traveller (a local WA book/magazine that comes out twice a year) which we get all our activities from - there's loads to do here you just have to go out and explore!

 

As for crime, well yes it's always on the news - but that's because nothing else is going on that's worth writing about, I haven't really seen any since we've been here.

 

Nights out, well we go to Subiaco and have been into the City which has been good fun, there's also Fremantle which seems quite busy on Friday and Saturday nights. We aren't clubbers though, tend to do bars and restaurants more and there is plenty of that for us.