Many people seem to forget that Australia has a west coast. They think Australia stops when they reach Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne or Brisbane. Western Australia, and its capital city, Perth, has a lot to offer. Perth sits on the west coast and is billed as Australia’s sunniest capital city. It’s a city known for its glorious beaches, amazing sunsets, low pollution, green spaces and fine dining experiences to die for. Add to that a booming economy, efficient public services and a good standard of living and it’s a wonder the city isn’t bursting at the seams with new inhabitants.
Perth is the world’s most isolated city, the nearest city being Adelaide, which is 1,307 miles away. In fact, it’s much cheaper for Perthites to fly to Bali for the weekend, than it is to enjoy a weekend away in Australia.
Growth
Qantas have introduced direct flights from the UK to Perth, which will open up the city as the perfect place for a stopover. This has had a knock-on effect of upgrading parts of the city, building new hotels, including Australia’s only 6* hotel, and, opening new fine food restaurants and bars.
Perth has a population of around 2.25 million (June 2017 estimate) with a GDP per capita of US $82,653. It has a mineral rich microeconomy based on coal, oil and uranium. There are now over 30 international gas and oil companies who have their offices in Perth, which has obviously given the local economy a big boost.
Housing
Housing in Perth is more affordable than Sydney or Melbourne. Spread over an area of 3,100 square miles, it’s no surprise that much of the housing is detached, with good sized gardens. Obviously the closer you get to the CBD, the more likely you are to be living in an apartment. With over three hundred suburbs to choose from, it makes sense to rent somewhere on arrival to allow time to find the suburb that suits your needs.
Transport
Perth is a relatively small city, but it has an excellent transport system consisting of buses, trains and ferries. Given its size, many people choose to live in the CBD and walk to work.
Climate
Perth has more hours of sunshine than any other city in Australia. The summers can get a little hot, but the afternoon usually brings the ‘Freemantle doctor’ which cools it down a bit. June is Perth’s wettest month with 140mm of rain falling. This is followed by Perth’s coldest month, July, which has an average temperature of 13° C.
Leisure
Perthites or Perthonians enjoy their leisure time. It’s said that the weekend partying begins at lunch time on Friday and continues until late on Sunday evening. This could be because this part of Australia is home to some of the country’s best and oldest vineyards and it also has some excellent craft breweries.
Perth’s enviable climate means that outdoor activities are possible all year round. It’s pristine beaches and unspoilt coastline invite people to enjoy a vast array of water sports, including fishing. There are walking trails, cycle trails and a wealth of national, nature and marine parks to choose from. Golf is big in Perth. Golfers can choose from world renowned courses to more affordable public courses.
Perth certainly has a lot to offer anyone who decided to make the city their home.
News Items about Perth
Read more about Perth in our blog:
Perth named as one of the world’s healthiest cities for women
Western Australia is the most popular destination for British migrants
