Residential Guide
Roberta Duman writes from personal experience of relocating to Australia from London together with specific research into the regional job market in Australia and a background in business. Her aim is to reduce the stress involved in making the momentous decision to live / work in Australia and provides valuable advice to save the reader both time and money. CONTENTS:
RESIDENTIAL GUIDE
Eastern region
Perth’s eastern region is currently home to over 260,000 people; the region’s population growth is forecast to be over 8% per annum over the next ten years. Residents come from diverse cultural backgrounds with over a third being born overseas, predominantly in European and Asian countries. This area offers a wonderful quality of life, and the vast natural attractions such as pristine national parks and the waterways of the beautiful Swan River are right on the region’s doorstep.
Subiaco
Subiaco is a thriving village suburb, only seven minutes from Perth and 20 minutes from Fremantle. It has a unique character and charm, which has grown in popularity in recent years due to its proximity to Perth. It offers residents excellent shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Next to the train station you will find Subiaco Oval, home of Australian Rules football in WA that has recently been renovated to hold around 40,000 spectators.
Beach towns
Beach suburbs are among the most popular and they include Cottesloe, Trigg and Swanbourne.
Riverside suburbs
Riverside suburbs such as South Perth and Dalkeith are also popular. These are also among the wealthiest suburbs.
South Perth
South Perth offers residents some of the best views of the city from across the Swan River. With the Royal Perth Golf Course and Perth Zoo, and only minutes from the Perth CBD, South Perth is a very desirable suburb which has seen house prices go through the roof in recent years.
Dalkeith
The prestigious suburb of Dalkeith is arguably the closest prestige single residential suburb to Perth, just some 7 kilometres along the river, with Kings Park one side and the Swan the other. It has many attractive features including the Parklands Reserve and the beautiful White Beach, which is the widest strip of white sandy beach north of the river.
Joondalup
Renowned for its cosmopolitan outlook, Joondalup is fast becoming a very desirable place to live and its residential area is growing. It offers a laid back and leisurely style of living and is becoming increasingly trendy. Pubs, café-bars and restaurants are springing up everywhere. Its close proximity to the freeway and great local transport will ensure its continuing popularity.
FINDING A PROPERTY
Prices
The average house price in Perth is now $240,000 (approximately £100,000), almost half the price of a home in Sydney, according to figures from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA).
Of course, prices will vary throughout suburbs to the north and south, with those overlooking the Indian Ocean being considerably more expensive.
In Perth you can buy or rent houses and home units (flats) direct from their owners as a private sale or through a real estate agent.
Local newspapers
The Sunday Times
This is the largest selling weekly newspaper in Western Australia and has a property section that includes rentals.
The West Australian
The website has a useful and detailed online rental property search tool and also has a comprehensive jobs section.
Other useful on-line property search tools
CHILDCARE
www.careforkids.com.au is a comprehensive website that covers all of Australia and allows you to search for childcare options in your chosen area.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ATTRACTIONS
Fremantle
Fremantle, known locally as ‘Freo’, is just 20 minutes’ drive from Perth city. It offers a charming alternative to the hustle and bustle of Perth, and its many galleries, shops, markets and museums ensure that it’s a popular place to live. The ferry makes it accessible for commuters. Locals refer to the ‘Freo feeling’ which they say comes upon you when entering the area from the city and remains until you leave.
Rottnest
Rottnest Island, or ‘Rotto’, is half an hour’s ferry ride from Fremantle, which makes it perfect for a day trip, or short escape from the city. The island is surrounded by many fine beaches and bays and is popular for water sports. As Rottnest is virtually traffic free thanks to a ‘no visitors’ cars rule’, the most popular way to get around is by bicycle. Dolphins are a familiar sight around the Rotto area, but those seeking the ultimate marine experience head a few hours north of Perth to the crystal-clear blue waters of World Heritage listed Monkey Mia. Here, the bottle-nosed dolphins come into shore daily to feed and play with the many visitors who stand knee deep in water under the watchful eye of a ranger.
Broome
Broome is located on the Indian Ocean’s doorstep at the South Western tip of Australia’s last frontier of pristine wilderness, The Kimberly. It is known as the Pearl of the North in reference to the time when it was the pearling capital of the world, and pearling still remains a thriving business and its roots are evident thoughout the town.
From the cosmopolitan character of Chinatown to the endless white sands of Cable Beach and the red sandstone cliffs, Broome is a multicultural and breathtaking delight to visit.
Wineries
As with most State capital cities in Australia, wineries can be found in abundance around Perth and surrounding areas. Wine country can be found just 30 minutes’ drive to the north of the city, where you can find yourself sipping the finest Chardonnays in the Swan Valley, which is the States’ oldest wine region.
Three hours south of Perth is the beautiful Margaret River, which has gained a reputation for being one of Australia’s premium food and wine regions. The area is renowned for its spectacular coastlines, limestone caves, and of course its wine, with many vineyards in the region offering tours and daily tastings to tantalise your taste buds.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Local time in Perth is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Unlike all the other Australian States, Perth does not practise daylight savings.
- British Consulate
Level 26, Allendale Square
77 St Georges Terrace
Perth
Western Australia 6000
Tel: (08) 9224 4700
