Finding it Hard to Settle in Perth After 10 Years - Try Another City/State?

Hi All

First time poster here, so please be gentle I want to make it clear right away that this is not a Perth bashing post, as Perth appears to have come in for its fair share of criticism on PIO from what I have read.

Our family arrived in Perth 10 years ago. Since then, we have struggled to settle in the place, for many of the reasons that have been mentioned on PIO. We have moved suburbs 8 times, moved to the other side of the river, moved closer to the beach etc.. Our poor kids have been in quite a few different schools as a result. We have really tried everything, and we are really outgoing and sociable people, but have come to the conclusion that maybe Perth is not for us, an definitely won't retire here

This is not a we want to leave Australia thread, as we want to give it a real go, and going back to UK/Europe is not an option right now, as it would be financial suicide. We have travelled to other cities in Australia on holiday and through work, and always get a nice feel about Melbourne, but we hear mixed reports about it. We also like the look of places like Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, but want to be careful about not judging a place on looks alone, as I regard Perth as one of the most beautiful looking cities in Australia, but it does not do it for us.

We really do envy people who have moved to Perth and love it, as we would love to be in this position too, as the thought of the upheaval to another state is not something we relish.

So the question we are asking is, has anyone else on here been in the same position - moved from Perth to another state, and did it cure you?

Did it the other way round. Moved from Sydney to Perth.

The key factor will be jobs. Can you get a job in say Melbourne.

Be aware it was expensive. Probably on a par with moving from the UK to Perth.

Do you know what it is that you're looking for? Is it a general sense of 'this is not for us' or can you be more specific? If you're not sure what it is, then how will you know you'll find it elsewhere? The other thing to be aware of is that needs change depending on your age/kids age - what do you want for your kids?

Is it Perth or have you e.g been unhappy at work, at midlife crisis stage that you'd have anywhere? I know sometimes it's hard to put a finger on feelings of discontentment, sometimes you just want a change of scene!

I share a lot of your sentiments with regards to Perth. I wouldn't move to Sunshine Coast myself and not sure that Brisbane would offer enough that would warrent such a move. We have mulled over moving to Melbourne...and quite like the city...but ....there's always a but. The cost of moving there and at the end of the day there are only several areas I would want to live there. Some of the outer burbs look ....well not to my taste.

It's a hard one I've even thought about returning to Cairns at one stage.....but it would have to be without the need to work, I think. At the end of the day there are not many options in Australia,big as it is. Probably why I've done nothing about changing during the past few years......Do let us know what you decide......

Of course you should move. I had to move 4 times to find the right place, surely you can move once?

different places suit different people, what sort of people are you?? beach .. culture ...arts... foodies? the list is endless and I might be biased as a Aussie but I think there is a place for everyone. Adelaide is a good city as it is very much like the UK lots of churches and green area's and a lot of English there now too. Brisbane is good laid back and friendly but close enough to theme parks and night life and melbourne is great for people who like culture and food as the markets there are great. I guess it is the case of deciding what you want and what will suit you and choosing somewhere.. all I can say is if Perth isn't the place for you somewhere else might be and you wont know if you don't go

I can't comment on living but Adelaide and the sunny coast are very nice....might be hard to get work on the sunny coast though unless you find work in Brisbane! Depends on your job I guess though. I'd definately say give a different state a shot though good luck.

If you don't like Perth I have a feeling Adelaide might not cut it for you, either, because it can be a bit dull. I like it there, personally, but wouldn't want to live anywhere like that long term and I think after a few years it would give you the screaming ab dabs. Perth gave me them after a few weeks, though! I would guess you may be better with Melbourne or Sydney. Melbourne I think is more 'cerebral' or 'intellectual'if you know what I mean so if you like in-depth discussion type activities and people it might suit. Choose your suburbs carefully and you'll be right ( have a read of some of the old posts on the Victoria thread)

Do you know what it is that you're looking for? Is it a general sense of 'this is not for us' or can you be more specific? If you're not sure what it is, then how will you know you'll find it elsewhere? The other thing to be aware of is that needs change depending on your age/kids age - what do you want for your kids?

Is it Perth or have you e.g been unhappy at work, at midlife crisis stage that you'd have anywhere? I know sometimes it's hard to put a finger on feelings of discontentment, sometimes you just want a change of scene!

THanks for your reply Bob. In terms of being more specific, this will draw me into highlighting some of the negatves for us of living in Perth, which I am trying to avoid, as I want to more positive and constructive. If I had to look at what we are looking for in a place, it would be the following:

A bit more greenery and a few more hills and a bi more scenery, maybe with some rivers and streams ( I know I could be pushing it here);

A few more options for day trips and weekend trips;

A few more wordly people

A bit more of an international feel

A bit more vibe and buzz

A more integrated public transport system, allowing you to have a night out without being at the mercy of the taxis

A place where people don't retire for the night at 8.30

More of a student vibe and university scene for my kids

More of a community spirit, where people don't drive into their garages and you never see them again

A place where people go out and socialise more than entertain at home

I appreciate I am asking a lot here, and maybe what we are looking for does not exist in Australia.

THanks for your reply Bob. In terms of being more specific, this will draw me into highlighting some of the negatves for us of living in Perth, which I am trying to avoid, as I want to more positive and constructive. If I had to look at what we are looking for in a place, it would be the following:

 

A bit more greenery and a few more hills and a bi more scenery, maybe with some rivers and streams ( I know I could be pushing it here);

A few more options for day trips and weekend trips;

A few more wordly people

A bit more of an international feel

A bit more vibe and buzz

A more integrated public transport system, allowing you to have a night out without being at the mercy of the taxis

A place where people don't retire for the night at 8.30

More of a student vibe and university scene for my kids

More of a community spirit, where people don't drive into their garages and you never see them again

A place where people go out and socialise more than entertain at home

 

I appreciate I am asking a lot here, and maybe what we are looking for does not exist in Australia.

Gold Coast? Or Sydney or areas surrounding Sydney.

Looking at your list....Melbourne springs to mind.

Agree with Jodie, Melbourne could be the place but if you want more vibe and buzz it's going to have to be inner burbs but then you won't get the rolling hills, greenery, but you could go up to the Dandenong Ranges for days out, Yarra Valley etc.

However, the weather is very much like the UK, if you are wanting better weather then look at Queensland

THanks for your reply Bob. In terms of being more specific, this will draw me into highlighting some of the negatves for us of living in Perth, which I am trying to avoid, as I want to more positive and constructive. If I had to look at what we are looking for in a place, it would be the following:

 

A bit more greenery and a few more hills and a bi more scenery, maybe with some rivers and streams ( I know I could be pushing it here);

A few more options for day trips and weekend trips;

A few more wordly people

A bit more of an international feel

A bit more vibe and buzz

A more integrated public transport system, allowing you to have a night out without being at the mercy of the taxis

A place where people don't retire for the night at 8.30

More of a student vibe and university scene for my kids

More of a community spirit, where people don't drive into their garages and you never see them again

A place where people go out and socialise more than entertain at home

 

I appreciate I am asking a lot here, and maybe what we are looking for does not exist in Australia.

While it is impossible to know exactly the concentrations you are after, a lot of things you mention are the type of things we solved by moving from the suburbs to the inner city in Brisbane. For most big Australians cities this would be the case, it just differs in how wide the "inner city" line is drawn. Of course each city has a different concentration of the various bits you mention. Inner Brisbane obviously isn't as vibrant as inner Melbourne or Sydney but on the plus side you can live in a beautiful green setting next to a stream in hilly bushland 5km out and still have enough cultural pursuits going on to keep you happy depending on your priorities and stage in life. I find it a great balance between my various needs but everyone has a different wish list. My neighbours are a south african author and on the other side an amnesty international lawyer and seem worldly enough for most. They must complain about me

So I guess my point is where you move to is just as important as which city though I guess you know that...

THanks for your reply Bob. In terms of being more specific, this will draw me into highlighting some of the negatves for us of living in Perth, which I am trying to avoid, as I want to more positive and constructive. If I had to look at what we are looking for in a place, it would be the following:

 

A bit more greenery and a few more hills and a bi more scenery, maybe with some rivers and streams ( I know I could be pushing it here);

A few more options for day trips and weekend trips;

A few more wordly people

A bit more of an international feel

A bit more vibe and buzz

A more integrated public transport system, allowing you to have a night out without being at the mercy of the taxis

A place where people don't retire for the night at 8.30

More of a student vibe and university scene for my kids

More of a community spirit, where people don't drive into their garages and you never see them again

A place where people go out and socialise more than entertain at home

 

I appreciate I am asking a lot here, and maybe what we are looking for does not exist in Australia.

Hi buddy,i am very intrested in this thread as we are hoping to move to perth in january. your wish list sounds similar to ours,so are you saying that perth has none of these things? we want the chilled out laid back life style but also would like a bit of life,and was hoping perth was the place,whats it like for young families?

Perths great for young families , but this is AUSTRALIA not the uk. , you have to travel longer distances , the culture is different , embrace it and you're fine , I was a pub man every neet , here have to go travel to work longer distance , the pub is a longer walk and a good sight dearer , you have to embrace the lifestyle . Fair dos a lot of places shut early but every buggers up early (apArt from Fiona) I have a healthier lifestyle but love it , as the song goes this is Australia

OY Sis stop deleting my posts or I'll pinch your teddy ;-))

Jeeeeeeeeeeez. Perth sounds a tad boring. Never go to bed at 9pm even though up at 6am for work. Bed for me is 11 to 12 pm.

Got loads of friendly neighbours down our street in yorkshire. Always getting invited to parties and bbq.

Going to be a big shock when i finally get to perth. Bleeding hell, am i doing the right thing.

Jeeeeeeeeeeez. Perth sounds a tad boring. Never go to bed at 9pm even though up at 6am for work. Bed for me is 11 to 12 pm.

Got loads of friendly neighbours down our street in yorkshire. Always getting invited to parties and bbq.

Going to be a big shock when i finally get to perth. Bleeding hell, am i doing the right thing.

Don't listen to the stuff on here. That's just one persons opinion. Try it out for yourself and see how it goes for you.

Jeeeeeeeeeeez. Perth sounds a tad boring. Never go to bed at 9pm even though up at 6am for work. Bed for me is 11 to 12 pm.

Got loads of friendly neighbours down our street in yorkshire. Always getting invited to parties and bbq.

Going to be a big shock when i finally get to perth. Bleeding hell, am i doing the right thing.

Do you seriously believe everybody goes to bed at 9:00 pm in Perth/WA?

Try Canberra. Green & hills everywhere. 2hrs from coast, snowys etc. Uni area seems lively enough. Nice lakes. Near Mt Stromlo, tidbinbilla, cottor dam for days out. Wineries not far across the border in NSW.

No don't try Canberra- it is a lving death!

Whether folk believe it or not it is pretty much how it is as has been mentioned. Folk here in Perth do turn in pretty early,laughably so. You don't tend to phone someone after nine ...I live in the inner city about a half hour walk to the centre,but a few minutes walk fron me are a number of cafes and pubs and a bit of a vibe ....that's the reason we picked the area....but still pretty ordinary in the European context. It's nice to go out with people you know ..but not really a place to connect if alone.

There's not as much diversity as was used to.....but okay inself. If one is seeking a big city buzz though, as was stated Melbourne in a few select inner city areas or likewise Sydney would be a better choice.

Do you seriously believe everybody goes to bed at 9:00 pm in Perth/WA?

Well they are not out and about unless it's a Friday or Saturday. So while perhaps not in bed at least in their jimjams and not far off it...

No don't try Canberra- it is a lving death!

That proves you don't have a clue. Go back to sleep!

That proves you don't have a clue. Go back to sleep!

you really are a dickhead aren't you. Go piss off to another forum

THanks for your reply Bob. In terms of being more specific, this will draw me into highlighting some of the negatves for us of living in Perth, which I am trying to avoid, as I want to more positive and constructive. If I had to look at what we are looking for in a place, it would be the following:

 

A bit more greenery and a few more hills and a bi more scenery, maybe with some rivers and streams ( I know I could be pushing it here);

A few more options for day trips and weekend trips;

A few more wordly people

A bit more of an international feel

A bit more vibe and buzz

A more integrated public transport system, allowing you to have a night out without being at the mercy of the taxis

A place where people don't retire for the night at 8.30

More of a student vibe and university scene for my kids

More of a community spirit, where people don't drive into their garages and you never see them again

A place where people go out and socialise more than entertain at home

 

I appreciate I am asking a lot here, and maybe what we are looking for does not exist in Australia.

That sounds like somewhere in the U.K .....lol