Perth Travel Forum

Hi im moving to Perth in June 08, to become a Bricklayer, I dont really no anyone there and wanted to make new friends, learn about what everyday life is like over there (especially as a bricky). Are there many BIG BUGs etc lol.

Anyway hope to hear from someone soon...................anyone soon

ablebane

Hi ya - I don't live in Perth - I live way over the other side - but I am sure you will like the place and make friends without any trouble. It's a good idea to come in June during winter so you can adjust to the heat. (I am jumping to the conclusion you are from the UK).

I'm on the other side too but there's loads of Pommie immigrants (I'm one!) and the bugs are a myth. They have had a very hot summer but it is a dry heat, not humid like our side.

Keep an open mind and enjoy!

"no anyone." Could mean "know anyone" or "no--anyone!" or "no, anyone" or "no, anyone?" LOL. Of course you meant "know." Just funnin' ya.

Assuming you mean the Perth in the Land of Oz, my ex-Perth (Fremantle, actually) friend advises it's not the "big bugs" you worry about, but the little ones, aka redback spiders primarily, potentially deadly, and ubiquitous. She says work's there but strongly suggests doing other basic research about the city and the area; don't rely on VT only. Also says you'll make friends in due time, all else being equal.

Perth is dry, semi-desert, like San Diego USA, or southern Greece, etc. While Perth itself has 1 million+ residents, it's extremely isolated: a 5-1/2 hour flight to Sydney, for example, and outside the city, WA is very lightly populated.

A Bricky scared of BUGS!!!! :)

we have a lovely lot of VTer's from Perth.
They have VT get togethers on a regular basis. Through VT I would send an email to aussirose (Ann) she is always willing to help those coming to Perth and just loves an excuse to have a VT get together:)

Hi thanks for your reply and yes im from the U.K which sadly is one of the main reasons I am moving away. Sorry if this sounds like a moan but the U.K is kinda of like the Titanic, its a sinking ship and I dont want to be on it when it hits rock bottom. You may well be aware that crime over here is getting worse by the day with the likes of hoodies (children in hoods)causing havoc even to the point of stabbing and killing people. Our taxes are some of the highest in the world we are over run by ILLEGAL immergrants and people that dont want to work a day in there life and will do anything to avoid and claim money of the state by having children. I could go on but dont want to bore you. I mean i know everywhere has its pitfalls but the U.K is out of control.

Anywho what would you say Austraila as a wholes pitfalls are? Have you lived in Oz all your life?

With our going into all the politics of Australia, I would say that we too also have crime, taxes and people that don't want to work and live for the next cheque from the government, also we have racism, plus all the other pitfalls other countries have.
BUT most people that you talk to that have taken the plunge and moved here from UK and other countries are a happy lot.There are a lot of Pom's:) in Perth, plus Queensland and other states of Aus. There is lots of work, you can afford to buy your own home, it's a wonderful relaxed atmosphere, we have a very diverse country.
Overall our hospitals, schools etc are of great standard.

Western Australia is a wonderful place. It has an amazing coast line, lovely towns and Perth is a great city.
Once here you may decide to live somewhere other than Perth.
Perth is far away from other cities, but once you have explored this state you then can just jump on a plane and visit the rest of Aus.
We down under are used to going long distances to see something or visit people, this is something those from UK find rather strange.We drive for a few hours to have a BBQ:)

If I were you, I would look at all you can about Perth, check out what the Government requires, work wise etc, your trade is always needed.
There are a number of Australian states that are giving incentives for people with trades to come and stay.Check out the other state Government websites and you will be able to have a think about it and see which state is offering the best deal:)Check out South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and Northern Territory.

Hi, Col here, the Perth half of 2cities1love.

Have lived in Perth all my life and can guarantee you will love the climate once you get used to it. Most Poms I know feel this way.

The mozzies & the flies are the only bugs that are really annoying. Hence, the great aussie salute.

We do have problems of our own as far as law & order goes but doesnt appear as bad as you have described about the UK.

The economy is booming in WA so you should be able to make good bucks.

As long as you like the outdoors life you will have a ball. And Foxtel shows regular live premier league games.

Cheers
Col

Hi Andrew, Perth weather will be a breeze for you, especially Winter, when you're arriving.

Perth is a very friendly city, well, more of a large country town really. The people are open and generous. There is quite a good sense of community in Perth. Travel across the city is quick and easy, you'll love it! You can travel from about 12kms north of the city to 12kms south in about 20 or so minutes on a good run, which surprises out of town friends when they come.

Perth is quieter in the winter months, with a lot of private dinner parties and get togethers away from the cold, but in Summer, it's one party after another. The Sunday sessions at the pubs is probably what sums up Perth summer (after the beach and boating/water activities, that is).

Where will you be living?

G'day Andrew & welcome to the wonderful world of vt! First of all, I hope you stick around this site and share your holiday experiences. Hiya Anne & Col and the others who I've not met yet. vt is a wonderful site to get all your answers and make new friends. As Anne said, Hubby & I love meeting fellow travellers dropping by Perth and I would love to arrange a get together meeting to welcome you here :o) We have loads of Pommies migrating here because of our fantastic weather. Perth really has the best weather in Australia!
You're a brickie?...Excellant! You won't have any trouble getting work here :o) As Col said, Australia has loads of bugs & snakes etc, but most of them don't bother you if you steer clear of them. Col is right in that the only bugs that really bother us from time to time are the flys & mozzies.

I've lived in a few places in Australia and Perth has the least bugs I reckon :o) We only have to contend with non-venemous spiders that keep building webs in every nook & cranny in the house and occasionally ants. The eastern states have bad cocroach problems. I was glad to move here and not have to contend with those gross creatures :o)

Anyway, keep asking questions as they come up. We'll be only too happy to help out as the vt bunch are a happy lot :o) Keep in touch and hopefully we'll see you here in June!

Cheers, Ann :o)

As another sandgroper (native of Western Australia), and one who lived in England for 20 years as an adult and still visits very regularly, I guess I should add my bit here about life in the West.
Perth has the highest percentage of British immigrants of all the Australian states - there are whole areas of the suburbs that are virtually Little Britains.
All the building trades are in demand - the state is in the middle of a mining and resources-driven boom.
If you're into the great outdoors you'll find much to enjoy - plenty of fishing, boating, golf, bike riding, beaches, etc. You won't find much in the way of small local English-style pubs, but there are a few good places around town. Eating out is a way of life and there are cafes and restaurants for every taste and pocket. We're well served with cinemas, you'll need to ask someone younger than me to find out about the local night-life scene!
Bear in mind Perth is a smallish city a very long way from anywhere, the small market and distance means you won't find the choice and variety in many things that you take for granted in England. There are lots of compensations though .
You'll find people here are outgoing and friendly, very prepared to make you welcome as long as you accept us as we are.
Winters can be wet and windy here, and surprisingly chilly, which takes quite a lot of newcomers by surprise. You'll experience that, arriving as you are in June. Once summer kicks in the weather turns hot and dry, and goes on right through to April. Building sites start and finish work early in summer to deal with that.
The current mining boom is bringing new people to Perth in droves, putting a big strain on housing prices and rentals. Check http://www.domain.com.au for a good overview of up-to-date property information.
Big bugs? Flies and mozzies (as the others have said) can be a pain but generally don't cause too many problems, redback spiders are nasty - I've been bitten by one and survived to tell the tale - they like dark nooks and crannies though and won't come looking for you.
Perth's a spread-out place, with masses of open space. Public transport in and out of the city centre is reasonable both in availability and price, not so good cross-country (bear in mind what I said about the size of the population) but we love our cars and you really need one to make your way around easily. You'l hear folk moan about rush-hour traffic but compared to parts of England, it's a doddle.
Beer's always served cold but it's not all Fosters, there's lots of very drinkable local wine, we know how to make good fish and chips, Vegemite beats Marmite any day, GST (vat) is 10%, TV's pretty awful - as are some folk's driving habits, we have crime, drugs, illegal immigrants, dole bludgers, dodgy politicians, taxes and hospital waiting lists - we also have lots of sunshine, blue skies, gorgeous beaches, clean streets, and a warm welcome for anyone who's prepared to give us a go.
leyle

I love that, Leyle!

How are you going Leyle? Good answer matey! Thumbs up :o)

I don't want to sound facetious but I'm surprised you were allowed to migrate here. I looked at Canadian migrations a while back and you need at least a diploma before they'll think about letting you in. I see you're from the UK, there must be relaxed rules for Britons.

i think we've got a skill shortage in oz - maybe that has something to do with it

Hi Steve. Jen is right. WA is taking immigrants from the UK by the truck load because of a shortage of skilled tradesmen here. I know of a stack of people who have just immigrated or who are in the process of immigrating.
Hey Steve, your homepage & travel pages look interesting...just going to have a squiz now :o) Cheers, Ann.

How long ago was that? I think things may have changed. We are desperate for skilled workers in Australia.

Oops, somehow I just missed the other two guys' replies.