Categories > Guides and Tips
10 Reasons Why You Should Move to Perth
- A Safe Community Full of Friendly People
- A Great Place to Raise a Family
- Trustworthy Neighborhoods with Low Crime Rates
- Balanced Cost of Living
- Plenty of Job Opportunities
- Excellent Education Options
- Stunning, World-class Beaches
- Scarborough Beach
- City Beach
- Cottesloe Beach
- Fresh and Delicious Food Galore
- Cheaper Housing and Rental Properties
- Faster and Easier Commutes
- Are there disadvantages to moving to Perth?
- Conclusion: Is moving to Perth worth it?
Photo Credit: Unsplash
More and more people are choosing to move to Perth because it’s a great place to build a family and career.
The city offers quality job opportunities, safe neighborhoods, and a high-quality lifestyle plus low crime rates, great food, and gorgeous beaches.
Perth has all your needs covered. You can easily find medical services, like eye clinics and hospitals, and quality schools if you have children or if you’re a student.
Besides these, here are reasons why moving to Perth can be good for you.
A Safe Community Full of Friendly People
Photo Credit: Unsplash
According to the World Population Review, Perth is the fourth most populous city in the entire country after Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
While large populations might seem intimidating, Perth residents actually have a reputation for being warm and laid-back.
In general, West Australians are well-known to be highly personable. Moving to Perth gives you the chance to be part of a community that will welcome you with open arms.
This may be because of how much more stress-free life in Perth is, compared to many other places. Once you arrive, you’ll immediately notice barely any traffic or people looking like they’re in a hurry to get somewhere else.
A Great Place to Raise a Family
Photo Credit: Unsplash
If you’re a parent with young children or have been thinking about starting a family, Perth is a great place to consider. There are various playgrounds, activity centers, wildlife reserves, and parks that provide fun and open spaces for your kids to enjoy.
Perth has a devoted children’s hospital, highly qualified pediatricians as well as a wide variety of excellent school choices. Parents have a lot less to worry about when raising their kids in Perth.
Below is a list of some of Perth’s best hospitals, schools, and parks for you and your loved ones to use and enjoy.
Children’s Hospitals | Schools | Parks |
Perth Children’s HospitalNew Children’s HospitalFiona Stanley Hospital | Perth Modern SchoolChrist Church Grammar SchoolPenhros College | Kings Park & Botanic GardenHyde ParkKinkuna Adventure Playground |
Trustworthy Neighborhoods with Low Crime Rates
Photo Credit: Unsplash
The US Bureau of Diplomatic Security officially classified Perth as a low-threat location. In 2019 and 2020, the crime rate hit as low as 4.9 per 100,000 people.
Perth’s exceptional safety statistics contribute to the city’s general sense of comfort and ease. Residents and visitors alike will feel at peace knowing they are free to safely explore Perth, which is one of the safest cities in Australia.
According to the Australia Safety Review, Perth is among the six safest cities in the country. Here’s how Perth’s Safety Scale score compares with Australia’s two biggest cities.
SAFETY SCALEFrom Numbeo Crime Index | ||
Perth | Melbourne | Sydney |
58.17 | 56 | 65.91 |
Perth has a higher safety rating than Melbourne, which means it has a lower rate of criminal activity. It’s also not too far behind Sydney, which is famous worldwide for its high level of safety.
Balanced Cost of Living
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Like many expat havens, Perth residents get to experience a high standard of living with generous salaries. This allows community members to enjoy pricier goods and accommodation.
According to Salary Expert, the average base salary in Perth is around 80,906 AUD per year or about 6,742 AUD monthly, with an average hourly rate of 39 AUD. Meanwhile, the average cost of living in the city is pegged at 1,599.30 AUD a month.
Perth is also still a more economical option than many other major Australian cities. For example, an estimated 8,453 AUD in Perth would buy you the same quality of lifestyle that would cost 9,700 AUD in Sydney.
Plenty of Job Opportunities
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Perth was officially named a Regional Hardship Area in 2011. This meant that the city greatly needed workers to fill the number of available jobs, driving up the number of Perth’s career options.
A significant portion of Perth’s current residents is made up of expats. This has much to do with the fact that Perth is among the easiest cities in Australia to obtain a Skilled Regional visa from, especially if you’re from the mining or service industry.
To see if you fit the bill, below are five of the most in-demand jobs in Perth, according to the West Australian Skilled Migrant Occupation List (WASMOL).
Most In-Demand Jobs in Perth From West Australian Skilled Migrant Occupation List (WASMOL) | EngineerInformation Technology Specialist AudiologistTeacherAutonomous Systems Technician |
Excellent Education Options
Photo Credits: Unsplash
Some of the most prestigious universities in the world may be found in Perth. All five Western Australia universities are located in Perth; among these is the University of Western Australia, the only Australian university included in the Matakiri Group.
Perth has great education options from kindergarten to university. It’s an excellent choice for both local and international students. Notre Dame, for one, is known for providing Australia’s best international student experience.
To help you decide which school would be the best fit for you, we’ve listed each university’s top programs below:
University | Top Programs |
Murdoch University | Psychology, Engineering, Health Services and Support, Nursing |
Curtin University | Mineral and Mining Engineering, Earth and Marine Sciences |
Edith Cowan University | Business and Economics, Computer Science |
University of Western Australia | Agriculture, Land and Farm Management, Applied Mathematics, Astronomical and Space Sciences, Education |
University of Notre Dame | Business, Arts and Sciences, Philosophy and Theology |
Stunning, World-class Beaches
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Perth boasts one of Australia’s richest natural landscapes, with its sprawling parks and nature reserves. Perth would make the perfect home for those who love to be in the thick of nature.
Due to its location, Perth has more hours of sunlight than other Australian capital cities. Its climate is closer to that of the Mediterranean region, which means it’s got the perfect weather to enjoy the outdoors.
Perth has a total of 19 beaches. Below are three of the most popular coasts to check out:
Scarborough Beach
The white-sand Scarborough Beach is probably the most popular shore in Western Australia. All it takes is a 20-minute drive from Perth to reach Scarborough’s crystal blue waters.
City Beach
City Beach is aptly named because it’s located in the middle of the city’s northern suburbs. The coast is littered with shaded green areas, which is why sunset picnics are a go-to activity.
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe is often described as Western Australia’s answer to the iconic Bondi Beach. Bordered by vistas and a lapis lazuli coastline, the ambiance makes Cottesloe a great choice for people who aren’t fans of beaches’ usual noise.
Fresh and Delicious Food Galore
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Perth has some of the highest quality fresh food in Australia, which is why it’s quickly becoming a popular destination for foodies. The streets are lined with an abundance of must-try restaurants, cafes, and markets to enjoy.
Another great thing about Perth is that fresh food here costs a lot less than fresh food in other cities.
This is because Perth is surrounded by the ocean and farmlands. It’s much easier to source fresh local produce and fresh catches from the sea.
For example, Perth’s famous webster rock lobster, fresh from the harbor, costs around 50 AUD. In other cities such as Melbourne and Canberra, buying lobster would set you back as much as 77 AUD.
Cheaper Housing and Rental Properties
Photo Credit: Unsplash
According to The West Australian, Perth’s property prices have dropped by 20% since 2014. It has the cheapest housing options among all Australian capital cities.
The median house price in Perth is around 525,000 AUD, while it is 1.125 million AUD in Melbourne and 1.6 million AUD in Sydney. The majority of the houses in Perth are also newer than those along Australia’s east coast.
Faster and Easier Commutes
Photo Credit: Unsplash
According to the Royale Automobile Club of Western Australia, the average daily commuting time in Perth is about 30 minutes. Those living in regional areas clocked their average commute at 25 minutes.
The city has worked around the problem of its isolated location by emphasizing quality transportation options. There is a network of highways surrounding the perimeter; the best part about Perth’s roads is that there is barely any traffic.
Transperth, the city’s reliable integrated public transport system, uses trains, buses, and ferries. You can buy a reusable travel card to use on any of Transperth’s vehicles and vessels.
Are there disadvantages to moving to Perth?
Photo Credit: Unsplash
The two biggest possible pitfalls to moving to Perth are isolation and cost.
Perth, situated between the Australian Outback and the Indian Ocean, is one of the most isolated cities in the world. It’s technically nearer Singapore and Jakarta than it is to Melbourne and Sydney.
Although Perth is cheaper than cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, it’s still on the pricey side. The cost of living here is above average, with the Expatistan labeling it the sixth most expensive Australian city.
However, whatever cons there might be to living in Perth are balanced out: the high cost of living is offset by high salaries and a top-notch quality lifestyle. The city’s efficient transport options offset its geographic isolation.
Conclusion: Is moving to Perth worth it?
Moving to Perth may be worth it because it offers a holistically high quality of life. It’s an ideal place to build a future, especially with regard to career, family, housing, and education.