Where to Live in and around Perth

[Guest TJB321]

I am looking for WA state sponsership at the moment and I am trying to find out about the places to live / work in Western Australia, ideally around the Perth area.

 

I know this is a BIG question, but has anyone any experience they could share about the towns surrounding Perth?

 

I am interested in industry, shops, travel links, social aspects, housing etc. Really anything that would help me make a desicion on where to look further to live.

[Guest pippa]

you're right - it's a big question. not sure how much you know about perth, so apologies if i tell you what you already know! there is perth city / cbd and the a massive area around the city dubbed the perth metro area. this extends about 45mins north, south and east of the cbd and about 15 mins west. the suburbs are a bit like english villages and there's a huge range. the "western suburbs" include a lot of the coastal areas closest to the city - scarborough, city beach, cottesloe... the "northern suburbs" are also generally close to the beaches, but a bit further from the city, hence tend to be newer developments, have less trees and are a bit more affordable. Fremantle is south and on the coast, close to the river and is a bit of a bohemian, hippyish, alternative area. the eastern suburbs extend to the perth hills, which have some lovely areas and beautiful views of the city. If you want towns outside of the metro area there's heaps more to look at.

Without knowing much about you I'm going to make a stab in the dark and recommend Leederville, Mt Lawley and Vic Park as places within the perth area that have great transport links, are close to the city and all have cafe strips with restaurants, pubs etc. They're not the most affordable areas. If you want less expensive then just move out further from the city. If you want to be out of the perth area - bunbury might be an option.

[ali]

Theres a section on the forum (in the WA part) on suburbs were people have posted about the areas they live. It really depends on what you want, for us an older suburb, close to the city and Freo were on our list.

[Guest TJB321]

Thanks - I will have a read through the WA suburb forum later today.

[Guest D4nnyB0y]

Just FYI

 

Perth doesn't really have 'towns' anywhere. You have the suburbs which sprawl every direction (except out into the sea - unless you count Rottnest). Imagine London, but with a far smaller city centre and you'll get an idea of how big it is.

Each suburb has it's own shopping areas ranging from a small group of shops up to big shopping centres, sort of like Lakeside and Bluewater, but not as big.

 

With regards social life, unless you live near the city, if you're a party animal don't expect much in the way of nightlife. Some suburbs have nightclubs (like Joondalup), but most don't. You'll also find a lack of pubs (taverns), as most people socialise at people's houses or at a public area with a BBQ and bring their alcohol along with them.

 

As for travel, there's a trainline runs North - South from Clarkson to Mandurah and a couple of lines inland, one goes to Midland and I forget the other. There is also a comprehensive bus service and a reasonable set of freeways (motorways) to get you most places

[Guest jimpy]

visited perth many times, cousins stay all over perth metro, kingsley woodvale areas really nice 20 mins from city centre tapping and joondalup 10 minutes away quite a few shopping malls close by hilarys beach area 10 minutes away, quite a lot of ex pats in these areas .