Living in Perth Western Australia

If you already live on the East Coast of Australia and are thinking of moving into the West for visa or work reasons, or perhaps you're in Latin America and haven't yet decided which Australian city you want to move to, I invite you to read this article I wrote based on my knowledge and experience that may help you visualize what life would be like if you decided to move.

Perth is the capital of the state of Western Australia and the fourth-largest city in Australia. Despite the large size, its population is only around 2 million people, compared to other cities like Melbourne, which has almost 5 million. This makes life more relaxed, because there are less people, less traffic, less congestion, and more job opportunities, as we will see later. I moved to Perth from Melbourne for a full year, from 2023 to 2024, and I can give you my perspective on the key aspects.

The weather

The climate in Perth is Mediterranean-style, with sunny weather for most of the year. Winters are very mild, meaning not too cold, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 18°C, although it can get quite chilly in the mornings. Summers are extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 38°C, and there are flies. This climate is very attractive for those who don’t like the cold and enjoy the sun.

Finding a house

The housing situation has been a bit tricky in recent years across Australia, and Perth is no exception. Perth is a growing city, and many new families are looking for housing.

When we went to Perth for inspections to look at houses, we noticed many families arriving to see one single house. We imagined the competition would be tough. To our surprise, we found a house within eight days of viewing, probably because we both had stable incomes and didn’t have pets.

We also noticed that homes in Perth are much larger, so for the price of a small apartment in Melbourne, you can get a spacious three-bedroom house in Perth, meaning there's a better cost-to-benefit ratio.

The cost of a house varies depending on the suburb, but it ranges from $450 to $650 AUD per week. If you're looking for a room, the cost can range from $220 to $350 AUD per week. There are large houses with many rooms, so finding a room shouldn’t be too difficult.

The mining industry

One of Perth's largest industries is mining. There are mines for extracting minerals, oil, gas, and metals like gold and lithium, among others. The excavation sites are quite far from Perth, and you need to take a plane to reach them.

However, many people who live in Perth work in this industry, which influences the dynamic of families, lifestyle, and the state’s economy, as we’ll see later.

Transportation

Perth is a very vast and spread-out city. The roads are wide and in excellent condition, so there are no major traffic problems, although the freeway can get slow at times due to the number of cargo trucks.

However, since it's such a large city, distances are significant, and it takes at least 20 to 30 minutes to get from one side to another.

As with all cities, there is public transportation. The train is designed to go through most suburbs, but there are areas where there is no train, and buses are not very reliable in terms of punctuality. In my opinion, and if it’s within your budget, you definitely need a car to make your stay more comfortable.

Cost of Living

Overall, prices are comparable to those in Australia's larger cities. Some supermarket items are one or two dollars more expensive compared to Melbourne prices. Personally, I think this price increase might be due to the many mining companies around that provide benefits to their employees, which drives up the cost of food, flights, hotels, and other activities.

Also, many items come from the East Coast of Australia, so they have to cross the entire country to reach Perth, which means the final price includes the transportation tax.

Restaurants

Surrounded by water, Perth is not only known for its stunning beaches, but also for its vibrant and diverse food scene, with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood. Given its coastal location, the city has abundance of seafood restaurants, particularly near the gorgeous beaches like Cottesloe, Scarborough, and Fremantle. These eateries offer a range of seafood dishes, from casual fish and chips to fine dining experiences featuring local specialties such as oysters, blue crab, whiting, and Western Australian rock lobster. Many of these restaurants take advantage of the waterfront views.

There are also various cafés and bakeries located in different suburbs, same as Indian, Greek, Italian, and Asian restaurants, but honestly, in my opinion, the food scene is much more diverse in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

Employment

Here’s some good news!

Perth has many job opportunities across various careers and industries compared to other large cities. The fact that it is very remote makes it less attractive to many people, so the population is lower, and there are vacancies that remain unfilled.

There are multiple well-paid positions available in the mining industry. Jobs range from welders, builders, engineers, electricians, and plumbers, to people working in cleaning, kitchens, as well as doctors and nurses.

In the mines, the work dynamic is as follows: people work in shifts, which could be three weeks of continuous work followed by one week off. The schedules may vary depending on the arrangement with the company; for example, it could be two weeks of work and two weeks off. This is known as FIFO (Fly In, Fly Out).

Workers live in camps (which are like apartments 15 to 30 minutes by bus from the worksite), where they receive all meals, laundry services, and other amenities.

If you don’t want to work in the mines, there are also options within Perth itself in the agriculture, marketing, health, childcare, and administrative or logistics sectors.

People and Culture

People in Perth are friendly, simple, and laid-back. They are very relaxed, both in their personality and in how they dress. There is a large young population, and you see many young families with lots of kids, giving the impression of a city that’s still growing.

Many families have one member (usually the man) who works FIFO, as we mentioned earlier, in the mines. He works for a period and then returns to rest, while his wife stays home with the kids or also works. It's important to note that this is not the case for every family, but it was the impression we got in the area where we lived.

The lifestyle is very casual, and it feels like the pace of people and workplaces is slower than in other cities. If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of big cities and a busy environment, this may not be the place for you.

Another point is that you won’t find as much variety in things to do, such as theaters, opera, art galleries, fashion shows, or ballet. This doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do, but what’s available is definitely on a smaller scale than in other cities in Australia. 

Activities

The climate is great for outdoor activities, so if you love the beach, breeze, and the ocean, Perth is your city. People here love hiking, camping, trekking, or just going to the beach to sunbathe, surf, or play volleyball. Many families own yachts and go sailing.

On weekends, you can explore Perth, and there are plenty of options in different areas, not all in one place. Some examples include:

Fremantle
Locals call it "Freo," located 30 minutes from downtown Perth, a small suburb still functioning as a port. It has many cafés, restaurants, breweries, and craft boutiques where you can find unique handmade items. There’s also a market offering everything from vegetables, baked goods, and pastries to food from all over the world.

Perth Hills
A cooler area in the mountains where you can have lunch and buy fresh produce at local markets. You can also walk some of the nature trails, enjoy the views, and visit waterfalls.

Cottesloe Beach
Strong waves, white sand, and a vibrant atmosphere. You can spend a morning here, have brunch, and enjoy the sporting activities organized near the beach.

Coogee Beach
One of my favorites! The water is aquamarine, like something out of a movie, the sand is white, and there are many seashells around. There's a shipwreck, which is a big attraction. Many people go to “snorkel” because the water is so clear you can see the fish.

If you want to plan something more organized, like a long weekend or vacation, there are plenty of options. There are many natural wonders near and not too far from Perth. Here are a few to fall in love with:

Margaret River
A village located in Swan Valley, two hours from Perth, with a magical charm. It's famous for its vineyards but also for its rocky landscapes with hot springs and natural pools.

There are many cafés, restaurants, and a small farmers' market selling organic products. It’s perfect for a weekend getaway, and if you like surfing, there’s good waves most of the year.

Rottnest Island
A very popular island, just 30 minutes by ferry from Perth. People visit for the beautiful beaches and also for the quokkas, small rodents found around the island. They have no natural predators and people say the quokkas are always smiling.

Ningaloo Coast
A coral reef famous for being the habitat of whale sharks. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and is 12 hours by car from Perth.

Karijini National Park
Perfect for nature lovers, it features extraordinary rock formations that are over 2,500 years old and is home to dangerous reptiles and snakes.

To finalise

Living in Perth will likely be a different experience compared to what you're used to in other Australian cities. I recommend you visit before moving—stay a few days and make your own decision.

Adapting to a city depends on your tastes, personality, and opportunities. So, if you love the beach and Perth is on your radar, don't hesitate to give it a chance. Remember, there are many opportunities to settle permanently in Australia through living in Perth.