MacGyver

As with anywhere, some love it and some hate it. Those that hate it and want to leave tend to be very vocal on forums and rarely balance their own negative experiences by discussing the positives it offers. Perth is a big town rather than a small city which can be a pro or a con, depending on what you're looking for. For me, living inner city Sydney or Melbourne is too big and busy, I prefer further out in cities of that size, and to visit the bustling parts when I want it. In Perth, I prefer to live close to the city for more of a "vibe" and visit the parks and go further out to the beaches when I want that quieter vibe. The biggest criticism of Perth is its isolation, but its not something I feel or notice. Monday to Friday you go to work like anywhere else in the world, doesnt matter if another city is a 5 hour drive or a 5 hour flight, you're not going there and the local neighbourhood is what matters. On the weekends there is plenty to do and (outside of Covid) a 3-5 hour flight can take you to Bali, Singapore, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. If you can handle the red eye flights you can leave in the evening and arrive before breakfast in another city on the east coast. Yes you can drive between the east coast cities if you choose to, but realistically you're going to fly between them anyway, just a shorter flight time. Within WA you can go North if you want subtropical or you can go South (as most do) to the South West region which incorporates many nice towns and the magnificent MArgaret River wine region. Perth also has the smaller scale Swan Valley wine region and you can get a river cruise from city to wineries if you're into that sort of thing. The biggest thing lacking in Perth for me is a mountain range/hills. Perth is a river and a beach, with a small hilly part towards Kalamunda, but it doesnt have the sort of geography you mught be used to in various parts of the UK so if hillwalking is your thing it might not be a good fit (although I know many people that enjoy hillwalking in Perth, just not the sort I'd be into). Perth is very much an outdoors lifestyle with people going to parks and beaches and BBQ's, with a concentrated mix of interesting bars and cafes etc, generally in specific areas (as others have said, outer suburbs tend to not have their own 'town centre'). To address some criticisms, I've never felt unsafe in Perth, ever. Like anywhere, if you're in certain areas at midnight you have to keep your wits about you or you might get into some bother, but thats just common sense. I've walked all parts of the city at all times of day and night and never had any trouble at all. I noticed recently that I've unintentionally fallen into a pattern of going out and leaving the front door unlocked if nipping to the shop or taking the dog out and I'd never, ever have done that in SCotland. Yes Perth has a drug problem, but day to day its not visible to you (assumign you avoid certain neighbourhoods) and I cant think of any city that doesnt have a drug problem. If you like living in inner city Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, London etc then its probably not for you. If you like a laid back, relaxed lifestyle then it might be a good fit. Thats not to say there isnt any nightlife in Perth, there absolutely is and you can be out drinking til 4am if you want to. It's just harder to stumble from place to place like you might in a UK city and instead you have to be more targeted in where you go. Yagan square has been mentioned as a failure above and thats partially true, but its also unfinished. The design of the food court was terrible and didnt draw people into it, plus there is already a food court right across the road in Raine Square so it was silly planning. A new university campus is being built in Yagan square which will change the shape and feel of that area, plus for every Yagan square there is an Elizabeth Quay, which is going to be absolutely fantastic when its finished (it already is excellent) and will be like a mini Darling Harbour, but arguably with better views. The only way to know is to try it really, you'll probably know within a few weeks whether its for you or not.

Does your Australian bank require an SMS code to transfer money to an Australian account? If not, you could set up a transferwise account and use it as an intermediary. Send money from Aus account to your Aus transferwise account, then convert/send from Aus transferwise to your UK transferwise account. Once in the UK account you can tranfer it to another UK account. The benefit of this method is all trasnfers are local to local (the conversaion/overseas transfer occurs within your transferwise app)

Yagan square has so much potential but lacks the foot traffic at the moment (which is odd for such a central location). The new University campus that’s being built will hopefully change that. It’ll occupy the empty space next to the bus port on both sides (incorporating the bus port entrance into the University building). That will finally join northbridge to the city and hopefully students with money to spend will bring more of an inner city buzz to the area, busy at all times of day and night (I hope).

As others have said, moving from Sydney to Perth will mean slowing down and readjusting - you won't be able to replicate the same lifestyle. Perth is more of a big town than a city, with lots of space and fresh air, parks, endless beaches and outdoor spaces. As with many places, the thing thats good about it is also the thing thats bad about it. Its laid back and peaceful, you'll always get plenty of space at the beach or in the park and it can be a very relaxing place to exist. But given it is so laid back and peaceful, the times you crave a big city buzz it can be frustrating as you have to know where to go and when to go there. It's getting better in that regard, and there are endless small bars, cafe's, restauarants etc to explore that will keep you busy for years. But people tend to fall into a routine of finding places they like and sticking to them. If you're looking for a balance between some 'vibe' and proximity to parks etc, and the budget allows, I'd be tempted towards South Perth/Vic Park. South Perth is the most under-developed part of the city in my view - it used to be Scarborough but they recently renovated the beach area and its prety good now. Sout Perth is in the process of multiple apartment complexes being built which will extend the shopping strip and food/drink/eat options at ground level. The cafe strip there is currently very small but absolutely beautiful and the walk along the river is fantastic, with huge parks along the forsehore for a few km. Vic park is uglier and more urban, but always busy and full of all the ethnic food you could want or need. It's also in the process of growing/developing with new buildings along the strip opening up new retail spaces on ground level that are slowly joining all the bits together. Both Vic Park and South perth are a 5 min drive from each other, with South Perth older money and Vic Park very quickly transitioning into a nice family area (but some parts still have to be careful of your neighbours). From the areas you mentioned, Sorrento, Ocean Reef etc aren't a pleasant commute into the city for work (if you're working in the city) and are more suburban. People drive everywhere but like it because they have bigger houses and are close to a beach, normally with one or two cafe's nearby plus a shoppign centre with entertaiment section. I'm inclined to think they wouldnt suit you based on what you'e previously said. Maylands has been up and coming for the past 8 years, but its still got a way to go and alwasy seems to be up and coming but never quite there. The problem with Maylands is the cafe strip and the river are very separate and neither of them are enough on their own...yet! Shelley and Riverton are quite nice but much quieter areas - the South East on the train line to Armadale has traditionally been a less nice area so be careful of drifting too far East if you go South. Another inner city option you might like is Mount Lawley, Mount Hawthorne or North Perth. Mount Lawley is very near the city and has a lot going on, but I personally prefer Mount Hawthorne just due to feel of the place. I also really like South Fremantle which feels like a quieter, nicer part of town but still with an excellent cafe strip, close to the beach etc and a shrot drive into Fremantle which I personally think is becoming very nice and will tip over into very exclusive in a few years. If I was lookign to invest and had the money, I'd be tempted by South Fremantle or South Perth - they're already expensive, but they should be even more expensive in my view and would be in any other city in Australia. I havent really helped but hopefully some useful info in there somewhere

I'm not disputing there is drug manufacturing and sales in these areas, just as there is in most suburbs in most cities unfortunately. All I'm saying is that for the average citizen they would never know and rarely witness anything of this nature, and as you say they go to great lengths not to be noticed. So for most people this hidden drug trade is less of an issue than visible crime like needles lying around their neighbourhood, break in's, car theft, assaults etc etc - things that I personally would consider to make an area "rough" and one to avoid. Where I gre up drugs were sold by people standing on the street corner with associated street violence and a number of other issues. Leederville, Fremantle etc arent like that. Areas in Perth I'd consider ones to avoid would be Armadale, Balga, Balcatta, parts of Hamilton Hill (although slowly becoming 'genrtified'), Midland etc. I wonder if those of us who grew up elsewhere are more hypervigilant to some of these things. For example the guy walking beside you with the bottle in his hand - I would also have kept an eye on him and been wary of him, but I know others who would have been in your situation and barely noticed him (at their own risk!). Meth is a hideous drug, I do agree with that

You've had a terrible time in Perth, but almost every place you describe, I've had the opposite experience. I was in Fremantle recently and it was bustling, full of life, felt completely safe and I feel the place is slowly improving with the investment and regenration thats happening (although of course like everywhere would be even better with the return of international tourism). Likewise with Leederville, I know you've had terible experiences, but I've been there hundreds of times day and night and never felt anything other than safe, enjoying the pubs and restaurants that are available. Went to dinner in Northbridge last night with my other half and again it was busy with lots of bustling restaurants and bars, felt completely safe, civilised and no trouble to be seen. I wouldnt go there at 2 am but I would say the same of most cities. Just providing my experiences for balance, in case anyone outside WA is in a panic after reading your posts.

Bit off topic - but just wondering why In flight entertainment isnt available on the flights for people?

The partner visa requires you to evidence you can financially support your partner by showing you have earned x amount over the last 2 years (I think), and also evidence you have a job lined up in the UK to continue that support. You also have to show evidence of having suitable accommodation for your partner and a host of other things. The burden is on you as the sponsor to be able to evidence you can provide all these things for your partner (which is a bit antiquated). If your partner is young enough to get a working holiday visa then that might be the simplest way to go. If you want to stay in the UK longer then you can apply for a partner visa later, but you’ll already be in the UK, have a job, somewhere to live etc which would make it a lot easier in terms of gathering evidence for the partner visa.

wrussel above is an agent - if he has mentioned the 602 it’s because he has a strategy in mind that might work for you. It might be worth contacting him to have a chat about your options

I think if we get to 70% - 80% vaccinated, pressure will start building to open the borders as unvaccinated will be in the minority and politicians play to the majority. At the moment, closed borders are popular so Mr Morrison keeps them closed, the second that becomes unpopular he'll throw them open to win votes. If 70% - 80% are vaccinated and agitating to travel overseas, visit family etc, then keeping the borders closed could hurt them at the election. Its anyones guess, but I think (perhaps hope) that a roadmap to 'open' borders will come out early 2022 - 'open' meaning to countries with high vaccination rates. So a two tier border system and quarantine for other countries, commencing maybe March to April 2022, assuming no vaccine resistant strains.

If an animal could destroy the crates we were given, it would be a very rare occasion and a dog I would be terrified to meet I read about the plans to permit airlines to allow dogs in the cabin, I wonder if it will be limited to those that can fit in a carry on size 'bag'? Or if any airlines will actually decide to proceed with that option

Just an alternative experience to some of the comments above. The crate our dog was transported in would be impossible to chew its way out of and had a water container connected to the outside of the crate which was also impossible to chew or destroy. The bottom of the crate had absorbent padding in case the dog couldn't hold its pee and food intake was limited prior to the flight with the aim of preventing the need to do other business during the flight. Of course there is stress involved in the process as it is an alien environment and experience for them, but with Emirates they are last on the flight and first off the flight and have a mandated stop in Dubai for several hours (cant remember the exact length of time). So after flight 1, they are taken to the pet centre in Dubai airport, checked by a vet, fed and watered and given the opportunity to stretch their legs out of the crates. The process then restarts for the second flight where they are given fresh padding to the bottom of the crate, fresh water and last on flight and first off again. The international transport is long but broken down as above and very professional, the issues often referred to on here and in the media seem to be the domestic travel/transport where untrained staff leave pets on the tarmac in the heat and seem to not care about the pets welfare. Our dog was completely fine, but if he was a very anxious or nervous dog we might have felt the process was too much for him and made other arrangements. Its a pity there are no cruise liners that allow pets on board for the long journey as I'm sure (pre and post covid) it would be a very popular option. We researched it and the only route for pets by sea was USA to UK, with spaces very limited and th eopportunity to see your dog once per day. If that had been an option to Australia we would have paid any crazy price they demanded, but in the end the flight was fine.

It definitely feels like an unusually wet winter in Perth this year, although some work colleagues have said its more like the typical winter they experienced growing up in Perth many years ago. The ground needs a good drink so I dont mind it at all as next week will probably be back to beautiful sunny winter days

We've rented many homes with a dog - as others have said, dont limit your search to properties that say dog friendly as it limits the search results on domain/realestate. The only ones I avoid are the ones that specifically say "pets not permitted/possible". All other properties I just contact them and ask if dogs are considered, most of the time they say yes (although considered doesnt mean accepted!). I think it very much depends where you look to rent, family suburbs seem to accept that their target demographic comes with a dog, so allow it - whereas inner city properties target a different audience, so generally dont permit dogs. In WA you have to pey a pet bond ($260 I think) so that might be a feature in QLD too. The transport of dogs internationally is very expensive and very stressful (for the humans), but ours came out the other side as if nothing had happened.

I think we have differing opinions on a number of points but I do agree the federal government failed in its duty to take responsibility for quarantine. It should have used existing quarantine facilities to safely manage returning residents/citizens while also throwing up new purpose built quarantine structures across Australia to enable larger numbers to return safely, without risk to the Australian public. Hotels were never a good idea and it feels like their time has passed with the arrival of the delta variant.

In Perth it’s was 4 days locked down, Queensland similar, so not quite as dramatic as the headlines sound. I agree the vaccine rollout has been slow (to put it mildly), but its starting to ramp up now with 30% having received their first dose. Not good enough yet, but increasing supply will see the rates shoot up in the next weeks and months as the demand is increasing now. I think from outside Australia it’s difficult to understand how popular the closed borders have been up to this point. The economy is doing very well (better than pre Covid and lower unemployment than pre Covid - compare to the Uk where the economy isn’t expected to return to pre Covid levels until mid 2022), there have been hardly any deaths at all and people have lived normal lives for the past 18 months (mostly Melbourne being the exception for a few months) while the world has been locked down and suffering. People are starting to feel frustration with the vaccine rollout, but I only ever see it referred to as a disaster for political reasons or from people outside Australia wanting to come in (which is completely understandable). They took an overly cautious approach to begin with, there was a lack of urgency and the issues with AZ have caused delays. But it does look like things will change considerably over the next few months and when the dust finally settles on this pandemic, i think history will be kind to Australia’s success in managing it and exiting it (maybe 4-6 months later than originally planned).

Great post and congratulations! You might find after a few very hot summers that you discover a new appreciation for the “long” winters and start to even enjoy them. Coming from Scotland I never thought I’d feel that way, but I love winter in Perth now, as a short respite/change is scene from the beautiful hot weather the rest of the year. Good luck on your second year!

I’ve been out in Glasgow at 2am and out in Perth at 2am. I felt much safer in Perth than I did in Glasgow, but all areas popular for late night drinking will see violence. The way to avoid it is to avoid those places at those times. We all have different interactions in life but our experiences of Perth are very different to one another. Meth is here, only a fool would not recognise that. In Glasgow it’s heroin and it’s absolutely everywhere. I think the average person wandering around Perth would be almost completely unaware of its presence.

Even if he was granted an exemption to leave Australia (which he wouldn't be), he will find it extremely difficult getting a flight to Australia never mind several this year, and he would have to pay for 2 weeks quarantine each time he returned. Until the borders reopen, this plan will not work.

Unsure what state you are in as each seems ot have different options. Australia post has this one that they claim can be used for airlines (better to check with airlines though): https://auspost.com.au/id-and-document-services/apply-for-a-keypass-id It states that "Applicants who are under 18 years old, can apply for a Keypass under 18 (minimum age to apply for a Keypass is 15 years old and is valid until you turn 18 during this time). For WA the below is an option: https://www.wa.gov.au/service/security/law-enforcement/apply-photo-card Again I would check with airlines regaridng state specific cards such as the above. I have family in New Zealand that applied for a UK passport renewal and I think they were quoted 6 weeks with priority processing - dont quote me on that though

I wonder how many will leave Australia permanently when the borders eventually reopen. I'm not one of them (I'm very happy at the other side of the world from family), but I think a lot of people migrated on the basis that they could fly 'home' every year to maintain a connection with family and the last 18 months has led to many re-evaluating their long-term plans.

I’m sorry I don’t know anyone that’s travelled overseas at all since the border restrictions were introduced. I think enough has been said about whether you should go or not, we all have our opinions on that but at the end of the day only you can know if you need to go. That’s not to say I would go if I was in your shoes, just that the only person who can decide is you. If you absolutely need to be there, you should go fully prepared to get stuck for months as it’s quite likely that will happen. Then consider what you would regret more in 5 years - not seeing your mum, or the consequences of getting stuck in the Uk for months (eg losing job). If you still want to go, perhaps consider how you could frame your exemption request to maximise the chances of success as they are unlikely to grant one for a short visit.

I don’t know the current care home restrictions in the UK, but just wondered if you are vaccinated yet? If not, would that prevent you visiting your mother and hugging her even if you were able to travel? I only mention it because you must have so much on your mind and it would be horrible to travel so far, at so much ‘expense’ (not just financial) only to find out you can’t visit when you get there.

Why’s that?

I share your frustrations Marissa, the vaccine rollout has started poorly. I am encouraged with the recent uptake in vaccinations and the abc tracker calculates that at the current rate, everyone in Australia will have had the opportunity for two shots by March 2022. I expect things will get faster over the next few months, but will then slow down as all pro vaccine residents complete their shots and only the reluctant remain. Even if everyone has only had one shot by December this year, the conversation will start shifting to the next steps and I believe the border will open in stages throughout the first half of 2022 (for countries meeting certain criteria). A shift in thinking will be needed within Australia before this happens as we are so used to zero cases, but will start seeing thousands of cases each week (but with only a few hospitalisations and rare deaths). When circa 70% of the population is vaccinated we shouldn’t be worried about Covid entering the country and media may start reporting only hospitalisation rather than daily cases at that time (as case numbers will become almost irrelevant)