Is Perth really as expensive

[VERYSTORMY]

This whole thing about people thinking Oz is some kind of Utopia, who thinks this? Who post such things? I think it's a cliche of PIO...we all know the pitfalls and negative points but because we prefer Australia and are in general very positive about the experience of life here doesnt mean we are deluded and unrealistic

 

Have come across countless posts from prospectives who think it is utopia.

[Guest guest17301]

I think hopeful and optimistic can be misread as utopia seekers...in all reality not many are so dumb!

[pablo]

I think hopeful and optimistic can be misread as utopia seekers...in all reality not many are so dumb!

 

Agreed,i think i'd sooner give peoples intelligence a bit more credit than to think theyre blind and naive,no member on here can have failed to notice the threads about the exchange rate,rising house prices in Aus,threads on cost of living being high,the "apparent" increase in "coming home" threads.

I think the amount of people who think its utopia is miniscule to the amount migrating,a myth in short

[Jake max]

Well said Pablo

who in their right mind after having to survive this down turn would think it utopia

the answer no one.The harsh reality of flights visas removal cost,estate agent fees and pet travel no I,m under no elusions that the grass is greener or easy street,like eveyone one else who is doing it and done it it is for hopefully a better family life ,not easy street or cheaper bigger mentality ,no for the chance to have a go at it that what it's all about.

i think to under estimate people's intelligence is quite frankly in this day and age ridiculous

Edited September 30, 2012 by Jake max

[Paul1Perth]

I don't think so. Given if we were in the UK we would eat at equivalent restaurants. The big difference being that lunch in the UK is normally, even in the best, is usually very good value. For example, it is possible to eat at Hestons new place in London for about £25 a head. That is what I find annoying as Perth charges rates up there with the best in the world but the result is far from.

 

Rockpool at Burswood has to be Perth's most expensive restaurant. It's not typical of restaurant prices at all and I would only dream of going there for a very special occassion.

 

I have a friend who's a chef and he's been to Rockpool and said it was fantastic and didn't mind paying the price as it was so good. He's been a chef in some pretty interesting places too.

 

My son suggested we go there for his 21'st but as soon as we saw the prices they were just taking the micky. You can get an excellent meal in a lot of places for a quarter of what they charge. Fine if you're over on business and work are paying.

[lottemarine]

Perth is definitely expensive, although remembering it is a city and comparable to places like London. Going out for meals, drinks, buying food, rent/mortgages are all pricey, but like some people say its all relative. WA is supported by the mining industry, so wages are big, only thing is people who don't work in the resources/mining industries find that they get left behind as prices tend to soar.

[roadie3rd]

We moved here in december 2011, and have found it hard to come to terms with how expensive Perth actually is compared to the east coast. The price of things is nearly 50% more than over East as they think everyone is on a mining salary and can afford to pay it plus its very issolated compared to the east coast cities.

We find we pay on average $200 every 2 weeks on groceries which is nuts compared to the uk we would bay £120 a month on groceries. Also eating out is expensive and booze is pricey a typical pint of beer is $10 but spirts and cocktails are stupid prices $15+

 

The upside is its an amazing place and you dont have to eat out all the time, we have it as a treat maybe once or twice a month. We eat down at the beach alot on the free BBQ's

 

Housing is alot to but if you look around a spend time looking and dont rush into things you can find a bargain.

[Guest51810]

£120 a month on groceries!? Is it just two of you?

[WeegieDave]

We moved here in december 2011, and have found it hard to come to terms with how expensive Perth actually is compared to the east coast. The price of things is nearly 50% more than over East as they think everyone is on a mining salary and can afford to pay it plus its very issolated compared to the east coast cities.

We find we pay on average $200 every 2 weeks on groceries which is nuts compared to the uk we would bay £120 a month on groceries. Also eating out is expensive and booze is pricey a typical pint of beer is $10 but spirts and cocktails are stupid prices $15+

 

The upside is its an amazing place and you dont have to eat out all the time, we have it as a treat maybe once or twice a month. We eat down at the beach alot on the free BBQ's

 

Housing is alot to but if you look around a spend time looking and dont rush into things you can find a bargain.

 

Thats totally untrue and a massive exaggeration!

[Guest51810]

Do they not have happy hours etc for cocktails?

 

They can be expensive here too esp in the cities

 

Thank god i dont drink often lol.

[WeegieDave]

Do they not have happy hours etc for cocktails?

 

They can be expensive here too esp in the cities

 

Thank god i dont drink often lol.

 

Na, haven't really seen many happy hours or anything like that over here. Everything is maximum profit in Perth.

[ukchris]

Its cheep as chips, try Singapore prices.

[kangaroo.bruce]

Rockpool Burswood. We had 4 starters between us, me an my son both had the rib eye steak and my wife a pasta dish for mains. Can't remember what we had for desert and then some petit fours. Went to Nobu earlier in the year and that was $380 for 2. So comparable. We had eaten at Rockpool in Sydney 4 years ago and it was about $400 for 2.

 

Oh burswood aye, in other words you spent $60 on the food and blowed the rest in the casino......lol

[paul1977]

I'm returning to perth this weekend after spending 4 weeks in the uk, most things in the uk are between 2-4 times cheaper than perth. Seen it with my own eyes now. Not being blinkered by the " we earn loads more than anyone else rubbish" why an earth do we get ripped off so much down under...? It's all made in the same Chinese factory's with a longer shipping distance to Europe.

[Guest51810]

I'm returning to perth this weekend after spending 4 weeks in the uk, most things in the uk are between 2-4 times cheaper than perth. Seen it with my own eyes now. Not being blinkered by the " we earn loads more than anyone else rubbish" why an earth do we get ripped off so much down under...? It's all made in the same Chinese factory's with a longer shipping distance to Europe.

 

Did you have a good trip? Are you planning on staying perth or do you think you'll try a new part of oz

[paul1977]

Had a great time, don't really know why I even botherd moving down under. Made a mistake doing it, I may well earn higher wages but I'm worst off living in Perth, you can do far more on less in England. Just read the post on this site.. The sacrifices people are making just to live there, not going out that often, not eating out that often, driving old cars, shopping all over perth just to keep the weekly food bill down, poor television / radio, overpriced houses the list can go on. We all moved there for a better life but the things people are doing just to survive there is it...? How many families in perth can afford to take the kids aboard for a holiday...? Most people no chance .. Am I missing something about the place...? And I may well look over east but ill have a bette life in the end in England

[Guest]

paul1977 I think your right.

The guy who said Singapore was so expensive hasnt a clue. If he worked in Singapore he would also have said he propably didnt pay tax so in effect Singapore is cheaper but I will assume he has only been there on a stop over and thus shouldnt bother commenting.

[Paul1Perth]

Had a great time, don't really know why I even botherd moving down under. Made a mistake doing it, I may well earn higher wages but I'm worst off living in Perth, you can do far more on less in England. Just read the post on this site.. The sacrifices people are making just to live there, not going out that often, not eating out that often, driving old cars, shopping all over perth just to keep the weekly food bill down, poor television / radio, overpriced houses the list can go on. We all moved there for a better life but the things people are doing just to survive there is it...? How many families in perth can afford to take the kids aboard for a holiday...? Most people no chance .. Am I missing something about the place...? And I may well look over east but ill have a bette life in the end in England

 

Don't know where you are looking mate but when we go out, which is pretty often, I find most places really busy. Went out last Friday lunchtime to a restaurant in Cottesloe. Restaurants and the Cottelsoe Hotel all busy. Didn't notice many clapped out cars on the road, more your porsche, BMW, Merc 4 wheel drives mixed in with a couple of Ferraris and Lambo's.

 

We have just had the wifes Sister and Nephew with us for 3 weeks and the first time she went shopping she came back saying how she THOUGHT everything was going to be expensive but was surprised that a lot of stuff is cheaper than the UK. Came back with a few T shirts and shorts for the nephew that they both seemed pretty happy with. The nephew bought a couple of T shirts and hats here that he said would be a lot more in the UK. He's into skate boarding gear though so I just took his word for it.

 

As for taking the kids abroad I know lots of families who go to Bali on a fairly regular basis. We've not bothered yet as there is so much to see in Oz and our youngest has been to Queensland a couple of times, Sydney, Melbourne and down South here and up as far as Kalbarri. The difference in climate, things to do, coastline is amazing and you don't even have to leave the state, let alone the country to have a great time.

 

The SIL also commented on how cheap the meat seemed to be here, she's form near Stockport so not a particularly expensive place in the UK. We took her to the Indian Ocean Brewery in Mindarie last week and on the ride back home asked "where do people get all their money to live in these mansions". It was down the Coast Road admittedly, so there are a lot of fabulous places there.

 

I don't see many people doing it tough and you can go down the beach and have a great time for free, including free parking.

 

I think you must be missing something about the place like you say.

[Shovel Stu]

That entire post is a load of dogshit. Ignore.

 

Perth is expensive, and retailers do take the piss BUT there is well paid work everywhere. Working conditions are very good too compared to the UK so swings and roundabouts.

Exactly. 120 GBP on groceries! For a month?? I don`t know where you shop, but me and my missus would spend more than that for a weeks groceries in the UK. And no, we ain`t fat lardasses, far from it. My missus is a chef, so we eat very healthily, but not extravagantly. Just basic, good quality food. To spend as little as you do on food, you must be living on shyte......

[paul1977]

Don't know where you are looking mate but when we go out, which is pretty often, I find most places really busy. Went out last Friday lunchtime to a restaurant in Cottesloe. Restaurants and the Cottelsoe Hotel all busy. Didn't notice many clapped out cars on the road, more your porsche, BMW, Merc 4 wheel drives mixed in with a couple of Ferraris and Lambo's.

 

We have just had the wifes Sister and Nephew with us for 3 weeks and the first time she went shopping she came back saying how she THOUGHT everything was going to be expensive but was surprised that a lot of stuff is cheaper than the UK. Came back with a few T shirts and shorts for the nephew that they both seemed pretty happy with. The nephew bought a couple of T shirts and hats here that he said would be a lot more in the UK. He's into skate boarding gear though so I just took his word for it.

 

As for taking the kids abroad I know lots of families who go to Bali on a fairly regular basis. We've not bothered yet as there is so much to see in Oz and our youngest has been to Queensland a couple of times, Sydney, Melbourne and down South here and up as far as Kalbarri. The difference in climate, things to do, coastline is amazing and you don't even have to leave the state, let alone the country to have a great time.

 

The SIL also commented on how cheap the meat seemed to be here, she's form near Stockport so not a particularly expensive place in the UK. We took her to the Indian Ocean Brewery in Mindarie last week and on the ride back home asked "where do people get all their money to live in these mansions". It was down the Coast Road admittedly, so there are a lot of fabulous places there.

 

I don't see many people doing it tough and you can go down the beach and have a great time for free, including free parking.

 

I think you must be missing something about the place like you say.

I'm talking about new migrants to perth, the people who are at cottesloe will be either migrants who have been here a very long time or born and bread Australians who have been lucky by the mining boom. You won't find new migrants in in cars you mentioned, nor will you find new migrants jetting off here there and everywhere. Remember new migrants won't live the same lifestyle as people who have been here 10 years plus...! As for clothes are cheaper here than the uk...! Get real mate I've just returned from there and it's 2-4 times cheaper than perth unless you shop in target. ( no thanks )

[Rossmoyne]

I have just got back to Perth after a week in Sydney staying with friends so I have been able to see how prices there compared to Perth!~ I have moaned on this thread about paying $4 for a cup of coffee in Perth, but in suburban Sydney I paid $4.50, $5.50 and even $6 for a cup of coffee. I did a food shop in Coles with my friends and was surprised to see that prices of just about everything was in excess of what I pay in Perth. Wine seemed similarly priced to Perth as were cafe meals. Spent some time on my Retail Therapy PhD too and feel that prices compare between Sydney and Perth on just about everything from clothes, electrical goods, kitchenware, furniture etc. I suppose it is a case of knowing where to shop and comparing prices wherever you shop. My recent experience has changed my views that Perth is expensive... I don't think it is at all.

[paul1977]

I have just got back to Perth after a week in Sydney staying with friends so I have been able to see how prices there compared to Perth!~ I have moaned on this thread about paying $4 for a cup of coffee in Perth, but in suburban Sydney I paid $4.50, $5.50 and even $6 for a cup of coffee. I did a food shop in Coles with my friends and was surprised to see that prices of just about everything was in excess of what I pay in Perth. Wine seemed similarly priced to Perth as were cafe meals. Spent some time on my Retail Therapy PhD too and feel that prices compare between Sydney and Perth on just about everything from clothes, electrical goods, kitchenware, furniture etc. I suppose it is a case of knowing where to shop and comparing prices wherever you shop. My recent experience has changed my views that Perth is expensive... I don't think it is at all.

But with Sydney you have a huge city with plenty to do, see etc... It's one of the most famous cities in the world. Not some dusty old town in the arse end of knowhere where prices should be the cheapest in oz not the dearest

[Paul1Perth]

I'm talking about new migrants to perth, the people who are at cottesloe will be either migrants who have been here a very long time or born and bread Australians who have been lucky by the mining boom. You won't find new migrants in in cars you mentioned, nor will you find new migrants jetting off here there and everywhere. Remember new migrants won't live the same lifestyle as people who have been here 10 years plus...! As for clothes are cheaper here than the uk...! Get real mate I've just returned from there and it's 2-4 times cheaper than perth unless you shop in target. ( no thanks )

 

I was only taking the SIL word for it. As it happens they went to Target, K-Mart, BigW and Coles and thought the prices were good. Where did you shop in the UK to see cheap prices. Like you said earlier it's all made in China anyway so whether you buy it in Target or somewhere else with a brand name shouldn't make any difference.

 

You too posh to shop in Target then?

[paul1977]

Yes, cheap crap, looks crap is crap

[Paul1Perth]

Yes, cheap crap, looks crap is crap

 

Both for here and the UK!! No sense in complaining how expensive things are and then saying but you wouldn't shop in this shop or that shop, or for that matter making blanket statements about how people are struggling and then, when challenged, say "but I'm only talking about new migrants".

 

Fair enough, a lot of new migrants will find it hard, it always has been when you get here and have to lay out a lot to get going again. At the moment the exchange rate is against them, a lot have negative equity in their house, if they can sell it and the house prices here are high now. When you find work though, have your own place, a car to get round in it's just as cheap or expensive as you want to make it.