What is wrong with Perth? Nothing. I could live here as easy as i live in Sydney

[Marisawright]

8 minutes ago, Paul1Perth said:

I know because I see them advertised and get emails from ticketek. As well as getting the Fringe Festival magazine, Perth Festival, outdoor movies programs etc. 

Of course you do.   But if someone is interested in the arts, like me, it's not enough that there are shows on.  Most dance or theatre or music aficionados are interested in a particular style.  So although you may be able to see "lots of" shows, there may only be a handful that I'd want to see.  Even if there are "lots", there are LESS than in Sydney or Melbourne, so I'll have less choice.  

I don't know what you're being so defensive about.  I've told you a fact - I'm a performer and I know plenty other performers who never go to Perth because the transport cost is too high, and they couldn't recoup their costs.  It's just a fact of life, and it's one of the things that makes Perth a less-than-ideal spot for me, particularly as I'm into the beach lifestyle. However, I have friends for whom Perth is the perfect place, because they have different interests.  And that's as it should be.

[Paul1Perth]

6 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

Of course you do.   But if someone is interested in the arts, like me, it's not enough that there are shows on.  Most dance or theatre or music aficionados are interested in a particular style.  So although you may be able to see "lots of" shows, there may only be a handful that I'd want to see.  Even if there are "lots", there are LESS than in Sydney or Melbourne, so I'll have less choice.  

I don't know what you're being so defensive about.  I've told you a fact - I'm a performer and I know plenty other performers who never go to Perth because the transport cost is too high, and they couldn't recoup their costs.  It's just a fact of life, and it's one of the things that makes Perth a less-than-ideal spot for me, particularly as I'm into the beach lifestyle. However, I have friends for whom Perth is the perfect place, because they have different interests.  And that's as it should be.

If you are into the beach lifestyle Perth is streets in front of Melbourne on that score. Sydney would be better too.

Wasn't being defensive BTW. You asked a question and I answered.

Edited February 1, 2018 by Paul1Perth

[Marisawright]

1 minute ago, Paul1Perth said:

If you are into the beach lifestyle Perth is streets in front of Melbourne on that score. Sydney would be better too.

That's what I'm saying.  You've hit the jackpot because the Algarve-style lifestyle is paradise for you.  It would be for a lot of people.  But equally, there are a lot of people it wouldn't work for - specifically people like me who love the big city.

I think there's a myth that a beach lifestyle is heaven for everyone, because that's where most people go on holiday.  But give me money for a holiday and I'm far more likely to head to Vienna or Rome or London than Tenerife or the Algarve.  Similarly, Perth is great for some people and not for others.

[simmo]

6 hours ago, ali said:

How do you really know though if you've never lived there?  I couldn't assume to tell someone if they'd love/hate London for example.  How do we know what type of people will like a place - certainly the forum deals very much with stereotypes .. if posts on PIO are to be believed you'll only like Perth if you're old, not interested in anything other than and never socialise outside your backyard lol

Its true that a certain type of person likes a certain type of place.  Your example for Perth is spot on (based on the personality traits of most PIO members).   Using the same formula you can devise the following.

Brisbane: Slightly younger on average , more outdoorsy, rough around the edges, not as materialistic as the Perth lot.  They rarely eat out and socialise about once a month with back yard BBQs.  Natives are weary if strangers.

Sydney: a much younger and upwardly mobile demographic,  much busier social lives and more likely to be into cultural pursuits.  A much more transient place and so people are more open and friendly.

Melbourne: When living and working in Brisbane I met loads of Melbournites and never met a bad one.  We shared a lot of personality traits - similar sense of humour, a worldview.  We would laugh and joke at work, have a beer after, engage in banter- where the quenslanders would rather take their work seriously then go home.  I suppose that because the place has a semblance of culture we had the same programming.? or that we were both strangers in a strange town.

I might do some more another time.

[ali]

6 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

I know because I see them advertised and get emails from ticketek. As well as getting the Fringe Festival magazine, Perth Festival, outdoor movies programs etc. 

The comedy festival is really good too.  We've seen a number of big musical theatre shows here - didn't bother when the Lion King was on as we saw it in New York.

 

[Marisawright]

25 minutes ago, ali said:

The comedy festival is really good too.  We've seen a number of big musical theatre shows here - didn't bother when the Lion King was on as we saw it in New York.

 

For goodness sake, I'm sure the comedy festival was good and there are big musical theatre shows.  It doesn't change the fact that they don't happen as often as they do in Sydney or Melbourne. 

For you, they happen often enough.  That's great, it works for you.   It's not enough for me.

It would be like me saying Paul1Perth should be perfectly happy in Melbourne because there are some beaches and the weather is great for a beach lifestyle some of the time.  That may be true, but he can get MORE of what he likes in Perth.   Why shouldn't he be entitled to say there isn't enough of the beach lifestyle in Melbourne to satisfy him?  Why am I not entitled to say there's not enough theatre in Perth to satisfy me?

[ali]

1 hour ago, Marisawright said:

For goodness sake, I'm sure the comedy festival was good and there are big musical theatre shows.  It doesn't change the fact that they don't happen as often as they do in Sydney or Melbourne. 

For you, they happen often enough.  That's great, it works for you.   It's not enough for me.

It would be like me saying Paul1Perth should be perfectly happy in Melbourne because there are some beaches and the weather is great for a beach lifestyle some of the time.  That may be true, but he can get MORE of what he likes in Perth.   Why shouldn't he be entitled to say there isn't enough of the beach lifestyle in Melbourne to satisfy him?  Why am I not entitled to say there's not enough theatre in Perth to satisfy me?

My reply wasn't to you Marisa - please don't make assumptions about me, I don't make them about you - and   I HEAR YOU .. you like Sydney and Melbourne ... good for you

[ali]

6 hours ago, simmo said:

Its true that a certain type of person likes a certain type of place.  Your example for Perth is spot on (based on the personality traits of most PIO members).   Using the same formula you can devise the following.

Brisbane: Slightly younger on average , more outdoorsy, rough around the edges, not as materialistic as the Perth lot.  They rarely eat out and socialise about once a month with back yard BBQs.  Natives are weary if strangers.

Sydney: a much younger and upwardly mobile demographic,  much busier social lives and more likely to be into cultural pursuits.  A much more transient place and so people are more open and friendly.

Melbourne: When living and working in Brisbane I met loads of Melbournites and never met a bad one.  We shared a lot of personality traits - similar sense of humour, a worldview.  We would laugh and joke at work, have a beer after, engage in banter- where the quenslanders would rather take their work seriously then go home.  I suppose that because the place has a semblance of culture we had the same programming.? or that we were both strangers in a strange town.

I might do some more another time.

Interesting

[simmo]

22 minutes ago, ali said:

Interesting

It is I know.

[s713]

I suppose you could argue that living in Perth gives you some things that you can't get in the UK.

Whereas, every time I have been to Melbourne, it's been pissing down and freezing. So, there might be theatres, shows and art coming out of it's backside, but then there is in Manchester as well. And you don't have to move 10,000 miles for that, or the shite weather.

[Gbye grey sky]

13 minutes ago, s713 said:

I suppose you could argue that living in Perth gives you some things that you can't get in the UK.

Whereas, every time I have been to Melbourne, it's been pissing down and freezing. So, there might be theatres, shows and art coming out of it's backside, but then there is in Manchester as well. And you don't have to move 10,000 miles for that, or the shite weather.

Little unfair on Melbourne which gets nearly double the sunshine hours of Manchester in an average year.

http://www.melbourne.climatemps.com/sunlight.php

http://www.manchester.climatemps.com/sunlight.php

Though it is somewhat behind Perth admittedly.

http://www.perth.climatemps.com/sunlight.php

[newjez]

On 23/01/2018 at 14:30, MARYROSE02 said:

I have been enjoying it so much I forgot to log into Poms in Oz and discuss my experiences.

I started off here in 1978 and I went east partly because i coiuld not get a job and partly because i was worried i might go home without seeing the SOH & SHB & Bondi Beach.

This is first time here in 21 years.What do I not like about it? The beaches which all seem to be blowing gales and all have signs to beware of snakes/effluent/submerged rocks/rips and pubs which close even earlier than Pommie pubs. The only place i can find to watch English football after midnight is the casino.

What do I like about it? What passes for a traffic jam in Perth would not even rate a traffic report on Sydney radio. I go out on the north south freeway regularly from my base on Mill Point Road in South Perth and it never seens to have a jam. i stood on the wharf at Mends St at 815 am on a weekday watching the non existent crowds getting on the 815 ferry to Elizabeth Quays (i think?)

i can go for a joy ride in Perth. In Sydney you endure the roads to get from A to B.

What did PB and others hate about Perth? Too isolated from the Eastern States? Who cares?  What do you need to go there for? And Europe is closer - soon a non stop 

i go in Windsor pub and have turned it into my local. Exactly as i did in Sydney ditto the cafes.

So? What am I missing?!

Tbh, Perth has changed so much I doubt perthbum would recognise it.

[newjez]

On 29/01/2018 at 07:54, Marisawright said:

Clever of you to pick Tenerife and ignore all the other, MUCH closer resorts you can visit from the UK.   So it's not a fair comparison, is it?  

Having said that, it's not the remoteness that bothers me about Perth.   The thing about Australia, for me, is that I have such an interesting life that I rarely bother to go on holiday, so I don't much care how far away places are.  But that's the thing with Perth - it's quieter.   I like theatre, shows, dance classes, art, music, writers' groups, etc etc.  All those things do happen in Perth, but much less so than Sydney or Melbourne.  A lot of shows never make it to Perth because it's too expensive to transport the show all that way (and I'm in the business, so I know this for a fact).   That's why I prefer Sydney or Melbourne, because they give me the luxury of choice.

You should have grown up there. Constantly disappointed as artists missed Perth off their list. Although it was easy to see them when they did come.

[newjez]

On 29/01/2018 at 09:35, starlight7 said:

I think it is high time a few towns between SA and Perth were developed- some very pretty areas round the coast could be extended and if we had an ounce of get up and go some of the desert areas could be developed.  Perhaps we should ship in a few people from Dubai?

Or Israel.

[newjez]

On 29/01/2018 at 10:30, lothar said:

My wife and I have applied for our 189, and hoping to get a grant in the next month or two.

I like open spaces and remoteness so going by this thread Perth is a clear choice

 

 

 

It's not exactly the islands of Scotland.

[newjez]

On 29/01/2018 at 11:06, lothar said:

Yeah, I believe it is what you were brought up with.

My wife and I are originally from the center of South Africa, pretty much nothing goes on there, most people don't even know it exists. I spent most of my time fishing and camping as a kid.

We have lived in London for the past 10 years. I have loved my time here, and I am glad we tried it for the experience. Definitely the capital of the world in my opinion, but now that we have kids we would like to go back to a quieter, more outdoor lifestyle.

I have friends in Perth who moved there 5 years ago, they come from the same town as me in SA and they are loving it there.

Although saying that I have been to Melbourne, and it is also awesome.

I thought Jo berg was like Perth but with high fences, barbed wire and attack dogs. Similar feel.

[newjez]

On 30/01/2018 at 09:41, ali said:

I get that Starlight .. but every time the places is mentioned?

It does get mentioned a lot.

[newjez]

39 minutes ago, Gbye grey sky said:

Little unfair on Melbourne which gets nearly double the sunshine hours of Manchester in an average year.

http://www.melbourne.climatemps.com/sunlight.php

http://www.manchester.climatemps.com/sunlight.php

Though it is somewhat behind Perth admittedly.

http://www.perth.climatemps.com/sunlight.php

At least in Perth you know whether you will need a jacket when you leave the house.

[Sandgroper]

On 1/30/2018 at 00:18, bristolman said:

If you like Perth then there is nothing wrong with it. Personally it does nothing for me at all and is far too isolated and hot but that doesn't mean others can't enjoy it. It would be a pretty ordinary world if we all liked the same things. 

Have you ever been to Perth?

[newjez]

21 minutes ago, Sandgroper said:

Have you ever been to Perth?

It is hot. I checked the BBC weather report. Although it is biased.

[Sandgroper]

On 1/23/2018 at 22:30, MARYROSE02 said:

I have been enjoying it so much I forgot to log into Poms in Oz and discuss my experiences.

I started off here in 1978 and I went east partly because i coiuld not get a job and partly because i was worried i might go home without seeing the SOH & SHB & Bondi Beach.

This is first time here in 21 years.What do I not like about it? The beaches which all seem to be blowing gales and all have signs to beware of snakes/effluent/submerged rocks/rips and pubs which close even earlier than Pommie pubs. The only place i can find to watch English football after midnight is the casino.

What do I like about it? What passes for a traffic jam in Perth would not even rate a traffic report on Sydney radio. I go out on the north south freeway regularly from my base on Mill Point Road in South Perth and it never seens to have a jam. i stood on the wharf at Mends St at 815 am on a weekday watching the non existent crowds getting on the 815 ferry to Elizabeth Quays (i think?)

i can go for a joy ride in Perth. In Sydney you endure the roads to get from A to B.

What did PB and others hate about Perth? Too isolated from the Eastern States? Who cares?  What do you need to go there for? And Europe is closer - soon a non stop 

i go in Windsor pub and have turned it into my local. Exactly as i did in Sydney ditto the cafes.

So? What am I missing?!

You are not missing anything, if you are the sort that needs the attractions (and issues/crime) of big cities like London or Melbourne (couldn't think of anything worse personally) then Perth definitely isn't for you though. Plenty to do and see if you look with more than enough travel options both domestically and internationally.

If you love the beach/hills/bush lifestyle, the outdoors and IMO one of the best climates anywhere in the world Perth is perfect. It's got a lot going for it if you can be bothered to look great place to bring up kids which is what I'm doing.

 

And you are absolutely right about the traffic..............a breeze even compared to some small towns let a lone big UK cities.

Edited February 2, 2018 by Sandgroper

[MARYROSE02]

On 25/01/2018 at 11:42, Drumbeat said:

I do feel that staying in South Perth for a holiday can't really be compared to living here in one of the suburbs. I live in the hills which I love but both the train trip and driving to work in the CBD takes almost an hour in the mornings. I believe  driving on the freeway from both North and South in peak times is a nightmare.

The population has doubled since I've lived here and the infrastructure is very slow to keep up with growth. 

As for the remoteness, it's not an issue at first as there's new places to explore but once you've visited them a few times it does get very samey. 

 

The equivalent of "the hills" in Sydney is 55 to 60km to say, Campbelltown or Penrith (double if it means the Blue Mts) which means a minimum of an hour on the train - 48 mins on the Blue Mts train from Penrith to Central, with another few minutes to Wynyard or Town Hall, and the drive in peak hour could be anything from an hour (if you are lucky) to two hours if you are not, and Sydney traffic is now worse on weekends when the clearway restrictions (6-10am and 3-7pm) are lifted. (So far as I could tell, the major highways in Perth - Canning, Stirling for e.g., appeared to be clearways at all times?)

I did the 5-7km from Mill Point Rd, via the freeway and Canning Highway to Ardross (Riseley and Canning Highway) in 15 minutes of less including at 7.30am. Of course there are traffic jams but a smilar drive from say Surry Hills where I live to Neutral Bay at 730 in the morning might be OK but would more likely involve jams on the Bridge or tunnel and approaches to them.

It's difficult to compare Surry Hills to South Perth but in terms of proximity to the CBD they are similar in that you can walk into the city in 20-30 mins. I did walk into the city once in Perth via the bridge over the Swan - I actually walked to Leederville although I stopped in Northbridge for drinks and a meal. Surry Hills is probably more like Northbridge or Leederville or maybe Subiaco???

I don't like "the burbs" although my brother loves living out near Camden 60km from me and he would never live in the inner city, although for many people real estate prices dictate moving further out from the city.

I was "taken" by South Perth, hence extending my leave to seven weeks and I'm now thinking of going back every three months for a month unless I can get a transfer over to there. If I do move there then I'll live in South Perth. The $500 plus I'd get from renting my flat in Surry Hills would easily cover a one or two bed flat in South Perth. 

I suppose it could be "samey" but I did like the cycle and walking paths which seemed to go just about everywhere.

 

[MARYROSE02]

The only thing I disliked about Perth were the beaches which, in the arvo or evening at least, always seemed to blowing a gale, and I found it distinctly off-putting seeing signs up warning about snakes, and in one case, effluent, submerged rocks, currents and just about every other "nasty."

[Sandgroper]

7 minutes ago, MARYROSE02 said:

The only thing I disliked about Perth were the beaches which, in the arvo or evening at least, always seemed to blowing a gale, and I found it distinctly off-putting seeing signs up warning about snakes, and in one case, effluent, submerged rocks, currents and just about every other "nasty."

It does seem to have been much windier this summer maybe I'm imagining it, I used to welcome the afternoon breeze but some days it has been a real pain. Which beaches have you been too? Much nicer South of the river IMO.

[MARYROSE02]

I''ve been back in Sydney for a week now and I slipped back into my normal working life easily enough. I was glad to be back at work and moving to Perth would be difficult if it meant quitting the job, though I could possibly get a transfer. I also have family here in Sydney though I don't see them very much. I find myself thinking nostalgically about that fantastic view over the Swan to the CBD from South Perth Esplanade.s

I used the same methods I did in Sydney to establish myself - going to cafes and pubs - Health Freaks Cafe in both Mends St and Ardross (or is it Applecross - still not sure of the difference), Summit Cafe in Mends St, Windsor hotel where by the time I left I knew most of the staff. I am sure if I stayed longer i would make some friends.

I know full well you cannot judge a place when you are on holiday and it seems like everybody else is also on holiday even if they are working. How many of us have been back to England, especially in summer, and thought how wonderful it is. Go back in January instead!?