Perth - so many questions! Life, crime, suburbs etc.

[MrsJ]

Okay so with all this back and forth it looks like a WA state sponsored visa is going to be the easiest way to go. A bit worried as we don't have any family or friends in Perth! From all the research I have done it sounds like although most of the jobs are in mining, there are some IT jobs out there for my hubby, does that sound right?

A couple of things I would like to know about Perth. How bad is the crime really and what suburbs should I avoid? I have been looking through the Perth Facebook crime page (http://www.facebook.com/perthwacrime?ref=ts&fref=ts) and it has made me a little worried. There seem to be a lot of burglaries while people are home and quite a few bashings (people being bashed over the head/beaten up for no reason). I know it cant be as bad as SA but still at least in Cape Town you know the areas to avoid and I feel pretty safe in my house behind the electric fence. Also what people should I avoid, I guess groups of youngish boys looking like they are up to no good?

The areas I like the sound of so far are Edgewater (thanks Gizmo, been reading some of your old posts! Although there don't seem to be many rentals available at the moment), Duncraig, Hillarys, Joondalup and further out Butler and Quinns Rocks, are there any I am leaving out? Please if anyone has extra information or opinions on any of these suburbs please let me know. Money will be very tight in the beginning. I would love somewhere with nice, safe dog walking, near water would be a bonus! I think Butler might be place to start renting a nice new house for cheap. Does anyone know the area? It looks a little too new and I had heard that there are parts with government housing that I would want to avoid, which are the better parts to look in? Also is it very flat with no trees planted yet? How close to the beach are these suburbs and are there nice beaches for dog walking? Is Quinns Rocks maybe a bit far out?

The other thing is really worrying me is that we are hoping for our first child soon, either in SA before we leave or shortly after getting to Perth. Obviously I will have no family support, are there moms groups that get together to exercise, walk etc? Which would be the best area for joining something like this? Also what would my husband need to earn for us to be fairly comfortable living in these areas on one salary? We know the first couple of years are not going to be easy money wise!

Anything else anyone can think of would be great!

Thanks!

Mrs J

Edited to add: One more question I just thought of! I know Perth drivers can be a bit aggressive. I am not the most confident driver, so would also like an area that is pretty easy to get around - driving to the shops, no scarey turns into busy highways that kind of thing.

Edited April 10, 2013 by MrsJ

[claudiodr]

Hi MrsJ

My wife and I are in a very similar position, we are applying for SS from WA and are hoping to get out there for September. We're also planning on starting a family soon after we land so would love to find out about community support structures for young families (we don't have any family or friends out there either).

All my initial research was focused on ACT as that was originally who we were going to apply with...now we have to start all over again to understand job market, salary expectations and cost of living in Perth *sigh*. As and when I pull info together I will share with you and the rest of the forum, please feel free to do so too:)

Of the neighbourhoods you've mentioned above, we've looked at Quinns Rock and Joondaloop - They both look great and appear to be only a couple of km from the coast. The northern suburbs are where we're thinking of settling initially although we think you can only really make the call once you've experienced the town first hand. A great tip my OH heard - Once you arrive in the suburb, go to the mall/supermarket and walk around. You'll soon get the feel of the locals and whether the area is for you.

[Pertheption]

Yip same boat as Claudiodr hence my username ACTuality! But yesterday I officially applied for state sponsorship in WA and I am feeling really good with the decision. There are loads of jobs and things for us to do and the big plus is that beautiful ocean. The only problem seems to be the accomodation because there is a shortage of that in Perth especially. But we must all (Perth & WA peeps) stick together and share our experiences.

[Kath]

Hi Mrs J

We're moving to Perth early 2014 before schools start, so have started my 'research' re where we want to live, kids schools etc. Have found that by reading www.perthnow.com.au (Perth's online daily), have managed to get a better idea of what Perth is all about. Give a try; it might give you a better feel for the city.

Good luck with your planning.

[Gizmo]

I wouldn't move further north than the end of the train line (Clarkson). Reason is that unless you are a director or very high up manager, your company will not provide you with parking. Parking is phenomenally expensive in Perth. You will be travelling with public transport

into the city. Train is best as the busses bypass bus stops when they get full (so you can wait for many busses to pass before finally getting one). Parking at the stations fill up very earl (before 7am), so best bet I would say is to move to a suburb where you are within walking distance to a train station. Second best is a quick car ride to the station (this eliminates Buter and Quinns rocks).

True Edgewater has very few rentals - (one of the big reasons we wanted to buy there). Other suburbs I would look at would definitely be Woodvale (first), Hillarys, Mullaloo, Kallaroo, Duncraig and Joondalup.

[Elmarie61]

Hi,

I can't comment on the areas you have mentioned as I live South of Perth, however I can give you some peace of mind. When you go for your pregnancy check ups you are offered the opportunity to join mothers-to-be groups in your area, sounds like this helps alot.

There is also a great site called 'meetup' (works all over the country ) where you can join groups like dog walking, social groups, basically anything you can think of. You can also create groups. Great to meet people this way!!

www.meetup.com

Crime happens, but violent crime is almost unheard of. Remember who are the people writing about the 'crime in Perth', their 'huge crime problem' is not the same as a South African 'huge crime problem, its all about perspective! I havent been on the facebook site you mention, I am just sharing what I have seen. I have to be mindful when Australians complain about their issues not to ever be condesending, because it is just so far from what I consider to be a problem.

I have had a couple of laughs with my husband as I am slowly turning aussie- I had a rant the other day about a rude hoon driver. And I was seriously worked up- like I used to be in SA, but the hoon barely did anything wrong... He was a bit close to me and he was inpatient. But back in jhb I would not even have noticed this guy in between the other rude drivers! It would have been normal. But my normal has changed and typically human nature I found something to complain about. Ai!

Just to be clear though, nothing in life is perfect, we are human after all, but I love it here, would never go back, I feel like I am living the life! it is better than I could ever have dreamt it. ! Warts and all!

Its all about perspective!

E

[Cranzy]

I wouldn't move further north than the end of the train line (Clarkson). Reason is that unless you are a director or very high up manager, your company will not provide you with parking. Parking is phenomenally expensive in Perth. You will be travelling with public transport

into the city. Train is best as the busses bypass bus stops when they get full (so you can wait for many busses to pass before finally getting one). Parking at the stations fill up very earl (before 7am), so best bet I would say is to move to a suburb where you are within walking distance to a train station. Second best is a quick car ride to the station (this eliminates Buter and Quinns rocks).

True Edgewater has very few rentals - (one of the big reasons we wanted to buy there). Other suburbs I would look at would definitely be Woodvale (first), Hillarys, Mullaloo, Kallaroo, Duncraig and Joondalup.

depends on when the move is...... as the butler train station should open towards end of next year.

It is very far from everything, unless you want to commute 1.5 hours one way ..

For jobs, there are IT jobs, mostly in the cbd, I am in IT myself. What work does your hubby do?

Edited April 10, 2013 by Cranzy

[Gizmo]

depends on when the move is...... as the butler train station should open towards end of next year.

It is very far from everything, unless you want to commute 1.5 hours one way ..

For jobs, there are IT jobs, mostly in the cbd, I am in IT myself. What work does your hubby do?

Honestly - working in the planning profession in Perth, I have my doubts. The trainline being extended "next year" all the way up to Eglinton has been the talk of the town for the past 6 years! Hasn't happened so far. As far as I know, I don't believe it was one of the Liberal Parties election promises - in that case, there is almost no hope of it happening until the next election (four years time).

I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but the extension of the Mitchell Freeway and rail line beyond Clarkson has been "about to happen" in Perth for years and years now without any movement.

[Cranzy]

Honestly - working in the planning profession in Perth, I have my doubts. The trainline being extended "next year" all the way up to Eglinton has been the talk of the town for the past 6 years! Hasn't happened so far. As far as I know, I don't believe it was one of the Liberal Parties election promises - in that case, there is almost no hope of it happening until the next election (four years time).

I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but the extension of the Mitchell Freeway and rail line beyond Clarkson has been "about to happen" in Perth for years and years now without any movement.

hehe .. yeah, hoping to be pleasantly surprised - went to where butler station is/going to be ... it all looks good, tracks are there and built., station seems to be coming along nicely.

[MrsJ]

Sounds like a lot of us are in the same boat!

@claudiodr and @ACTuality: We originally thought we qualified for South Australia, so know how you feel. I feel like I know all there is about Adelaide and nothing about Perth Love the advice about going to the supermarket, will keep that in mind. My husband is hopefully going in as Project Administrator which leaves ACT and WA - after looking at jobs in Canberra, I was just too worried about the security clearance needed, is that also what swayed the two of you to WA?

@Cranzy: He is more of a Project Manager/Administrator that specialises in digital signage, we are hoping we can find something in that field but if not he will have to do something completely different! Does anyone have any contacts in digital signage/advertising industry? There seem to be a couple of companies who do it, but think it is bigger in places like Sydney.

There is also a great site called 'meetup' (works all over the country ) where you can join groups like dog walking, social groups, basically anything you can think of. You can also create groups. Great to meet people this way!!

Love the Meetup website had never heard of it before, spent a good hour looking through all the groups, thanks for the tip!

Other suburbs I would look at would definitely be Woodvale (first), Hillarys, Mullaloo, Kallaroo, Duncraig and Joondalup.

Thanks Gizmo, had a look at some of those suburbs, think Edgewater and Woodvale are my favourites, I would love to be near the Yellagonga regional park, so pretty! Although rents do look rather pricey in the areas you mentioned. For renting we are happy to be further out in a nice new house for cheap and then move to a not-so-nice house in a better area when we buy (if we can ever buy!). You are right about being near the trainline, we will definitely be using that as want to try and stick to having one car between us.

For all of you who have been in Perth for a while, have you noticed crime getting worse since you have been there?

Thanks all!

Edited April 11, 2013 by MrsJ

[RichtB]

MrsJ,

Crime? What crime? Have not been here that long enough to say that it is getting worse. What I can say is that looking at the news on TV, reading the newspapers (regional as well as national), I do not get the impression that there is a dramatic increase in crime. Perhaps people like Jordy & Gizmo is in a better position to give an opinion.

[MrsJ]

MrsJ,

Crime? What crime? Have not been here that long enough to say that it is getting worse. What I can say is that looking at the news on TV, reading the newspapers (regional as well as national), I do not get the impression that there is a dramatic increase in crime. Perhaps people like Jordy & Gizmo is in a better position to give an opinion.

These are just some from the last couple of days on the Perth WA Crime Reports page (http://www.facebook.com/perthwacrime?ref=ts&fref=ts), just making me a little worried. I know there is crime everywhere but some of these seem so pointless. Houses getting trashed, rocks thrown at moving cars. I know it is nothing like SA, I just want to hear from those that have lived in Perth for a while if it seems to be getting worse. Maybe just social media and everyone hearing about things instantly makes it seem like it is getting worse when things have always been like this? Do you need to make sure your rental has an alarm and security door?

18 hours ago

Please keep anonymous.

My back yard in Gosnells has been trashed and my white shitzu x maltese dog taken. Nothing was taken from inside but have a feeling the scum bags will come back….

18 hours ago

To all parents who children get the 490 bus two rocks/yanchep there has been a few males there sit right up the make that do everything possible to make your children especially girl feels unsafe….

20 hours ago

I'm so pissed off with how bad things are getting at the moment

So i've emailed Colin Barnett and added a few Cc contacts and Bc contacts who will be equally interested in the reply

Post please if you think it will be well recieved on the page

Mr Barnett, Crime is out of control in Perths metro area The Police can't cope The people that elected you and elected the state government to REPRESENT them can't cope Home invasions, Thefts from cars, a spike in violent crime away from northbridge all on the increase Just what is it that you plan to do to begin eradicating the injustices that are happening well away from your lovely Cottesloe?

In the 4 years I have lived in WA criminal activity has risen steeply and doesn't even look like it is considered a real problem! Not enough people want to join the police as they are not looked after and have mountains of paperwork for even the most minor of tasks (settling for easy target motorists is not crimefighting) please don't quote recruitment figures or current serving officer numbers as they don't take into account those of natural wastage equalling a none increase of officers the quantity required is substantially higher than current serving officers Yet state money still finds its way to stadiums, foreshore projects and other expensive luxury schemes and very expensive consultations such as our new (now not going ahead MAX light railway) Bills skyrocket for us tax payers and so does the states revenue! Yet the excesses of your state government have to be propped up by the tax payer, Whilst neglecting the real issues I am neither, Labor, Liberal or any other location on the political spectrum as none of you currently represent the true views of your electorate Sort Perths crime out NOW.

Observe what is really happening within our state not the spin that one of the hundreds of state government employed spin merchants feeds to you and us (Perth WA Crime Reports) is the name of the facebook page and after a week of observing the page tell me that crime is under control

Many thanks for taking time to read this email.

Tuesday

Please post anonymously

04:40 AM, BUTLER, Top end of Camborne Parkway, 2 pricks smashed a fixed glass panel on our front sliding door, lifted our half drawn blind up and took off with a handbag, laptop and iPad (that were charging in our computer nook). They must have been casing our place and know that I leave at 04:30 every morning. Wife was walking down our hallway (after settling our 2 year old) and heard the smash, went to investigate and started screaming when she saw 2 people grabbing stuff. She phoned police, then me…

Monday

Please post anon

Attempted break in Saturday night in Bayswater.

We heard a noise near the house hubby saw a man run from our drive way he opened the flu wire door to our laundry but luckily we locked the glass door. We were home with our 2 young kids at the time. Please be careful and make sure your homes are locked up

Monday

Anon pls

Guys if you know someone who lives in Ocean Vista Estate in Yangebup, please tell them to be vigilant. Front doors are being kicked in and houses are being robbed. Now i have been told they are dark skinned. If you you see any suspicious call the police or report it.This is the 5th break in 3 weeks...its getting ridiculous now!!

Kirstie O'Connor

my aunty has been broken into twice in 10days now, Rockingham area.

just a reminder to please lock up as best you can, they smashed a window the first time the second time they broke security door and door frames to get in, so if they really want to get in they will but try make it as hard as possible for them.

also please everyone read your insurance policies!!! some companies are extremely difficult to deal with and will not cover you for anything if you do not have reciepts or photo graphic evidence and have ridiculous excesses too

thanks

Megan Hannen

The residents of the apartments at Sheoak st Maddington are being harassed by Trolls,(bad people for want of a better tag)

who climb over complex walls after dark, and damage cars, break in to said cars, stealing change and valuables. Most of the residents here are senior and feel disquieted by the fact that people are invading personal territory.

I would like to start a public discourse about security and justice

Monday

Renee Poacher

Had my neighbour come over and ask if anyone had been hanging around, as they have been broken into three times in last few weeks. Bikes, lawnbowls and equipment, car was also broken into and left open on Friday night, last week. This is in Hovea court, Morley.

Monday at 09:15 near Morley, Western Australia

[Emille]

coming from south africa i would not worry about crime in perth

perhaps armadale, balga, westminster - but really this is not Khayelitsha

e

Edited April 11, 2013 by Emille

[RichtB]

MrsJ,

Yes there is crime in Aus, it cannot be denied. Houses do get broken into, cars do get stolen/damaged, murders does happen, people do speed, drink and drive etc. What you also do see in the newspaper a day/week or 2 later is that the police has apprehended the offenders.

In comparison to South Africa there is very liitle or no crime in Perth. You don't have to worry about that one. The exchange rate is a bigger worry!

Edited April 11, 2013 by RichtB

[vaughanroe]

Crime Schime no matter where or when there will alsways be some pond scum among us.

In relation to connecting with other young mums and community here is a hot tip.

There is a website called Buggy Buddies. it helps mums and is predimonantly Perth focussed with events and meetings.

The owner of the business/site is married to a Saffa boy from Slaapstad and she is a POM.

Hope this helps someone out there.

[ronfire]

Some Perth drivers can be dumb and ignorant of things like merging and indicating in roundabouts, but aggression isn't really a major feature. At least, for me, after years of driving in Pta/Joburg, I know what aggressive driving is, and this ain't it! My wife has been taking the freeway to the CBD for the last 5 years and she hasn't seen any real aggression either. On the N1, I say it all the time....and, not, it wasn't the taxis.

[MrsJ]

Thanks for all the tips!

Yes not trying to compare the crime to South Africa in any way. Just wondering if the houses need security and if there is anything particular to look out for when choosing a rental. The one thing I am so looking forward to is being able to trust the police and that people are usually apprehended for their crimes.

If anyone has any other Perth tips, please keep them coming

[AndreaL]

Mmmm, I don't think I have seen much security, lots of houses don't even have a front fence. some people install a motion light at the front door and usually windows have fly mesh on them.

We don't have window locks or anything, I haven't locked my front door in 5 years, i used to in Perth, or during the day I would have the front door open and the flyscreen door locked.

The houses aren't designed with security in mind, but functionality and living spaces, so open plan style is very popular as well as theatre rooms or rumpus rooms.

[ronfire]

You have the good and bad areas. Trouble is, even in the "bad" areas, you have the good parts and the bad parts! It gets a bit confusing, sometimes. Rule of thumb: If the asking rent price seems WAY lower than the going rate for similar properties in that and nearby suburbs - beware! Either the next door neighbours are aliens, or the floor of the house is close to collapse from termites, etc.

As AndreaL said, houses aren't really built with security in mind, its more about functionality and space. There are some basic rules you observe, with regard to security and personal safety, no matter where you are in the world. Even in ultra-regulated Singapore, I remember a tour guide telling us that crime may be very rare, but "don't walk around like a Christmas tree". Sage advice.

We had a culture shock when we landed here, on the first day. Most houses had no such thing as a fence or gate - you could walk right up to the door. Gasp!, we thought. Where are the electric fences?! It sounds so weird when I think about it now, but that was normal for us, coming from South Africa. All those security trappings are part of normal life there. Out here, they're not. Trust me when I say, you will experience a great relief in your stress levels when it comes to crime. Recognise that it DOES happen here. Recognise that you will NOT become immune to crime by moving to Australia. The thing is - here, it IS abnormal. It is something terrible to be dealt with swiftly. And, as far as I can see, it DOES get dealt with. Back in SA, if someone got mugged and didn't get shot, it didn't even rate a mention - that's how blasé South Africans have become about crime. We're so used to horrific violence and outrage that little things don't get our attention anymore. Prepare for that outlook to change.

There are lots of us thriving here with no family at all. We have made good friends, and while they're not a crutch, it is one of life's great pleasures to have people in your life that you can count on,and share your moments of joy and despair with. While it is easier to gravitate towards South Africans when you first arrive, since no-one else can know what the move means as much as we do, try not to limit your friendships to South Africans. There are people from all over the world here, and you can make wonderful friendships - and get to eat some exotic food! - if you try. We have South Africans, Australians, Poms, Kiwis, Indians, Sri Lankans, Malaysians, Brazilians and Hondurians who are good friends of ours, and we're a wide range of ages too. That's a smorgasbord on its own. Our little circle gets together sometimes for a potluck meal. Man, the variety of cuisine that these ladies (including my wife!) whip up is just out of this world. And the best part is - we don't worry about someone stealing the cars while we're all inside stuffing ourselves. I no longer worry about driving home with my family at 11.30 in the night. For the first year or two, I was still paranoid at red traffic lights at night. Keep an eye out, but let the paranoia go. It's not worth it anymore.

Anyway, I'll shut up now. It's a tough thing to move countries and "reboot" your lives all over again - let's not pretend otherwise - but it'll all be worth it. When you finally have those little bundles of joy, you'll look at them and you'll know that it was worth it all. Two years after you get here, you'll be saying this to someone else....

Good luck!

Edited April 13, 2013 by ronfire

[Gizmo]

Honestly, I cannot say that I have noticed crime increasing at all. Yes, there is crime and it is more prevalent in some areas, but it is ridiculously low compared to SA. When crime does happen, the police here are all over it like a rash!

Here are some personal examples of the opposite of crime here:

1. Frequently while I am shopping I hear messages over the loudspeaker to the tune of "if anyone is missing a mobile (cell) phone, please come to information as it has been handed in". Now when have you EVER heard something like that in SA - as if anyone there would hand in a lost phone???

2. I accidentally left my handbag on a street bench and another time left it in a coffee shop. Both times, my bag was handed in - all of my cash, cards, phone etc were there. Nothing touched!!!

3. I have left my pram on the pavement 3 times now and driven off. (I put my baby in the car, then get in the car and drive off, forgetting to put the pram in the boot). I have a very nice pram. Every time the pram has been handed in. Twice to the school office and once, one of my neighbours spotted it en route to work - turned around and brought it to my house!

4. I am embarrassed to admit how many times I have forgotten to shut the garage door (our garage is open to the other side of the house) and it has been like that over night - also for hours on end during the day. Nothing ever taken.

5. Again, I am embarrassed to admit how many times I have left the house and not only left the front door unlocked, but wide open. Nothing taken.

6. My daughter constantly leaves her beautiful flashy bicycle on our front lawn (no walls, fence or any boundary in between the house and the road), not to mention her scooter. Nobody takes it.

7. Whenever my daughter loses an item of her school uniform - be it her jacket, hat or shoes, it always winds up in lost property. Nobody would dream of taking it and keeping.

8. I have been here for almost five years and have NEVER been cut off, hooted at, tail gated and I have always been let in. I love drivers here. Honestly, my only mildly negative experiences have been people with a certain side-ways "Y" flag sticker on the boot (ie South African drivers).

[rikamarie]

Hey there, thanks it was interesting to read these posts. We are planning on going over early January 2014 to Perth as well. We will first stay with some family in Rivervale and will then start looking for our own place.

Is Rivervale NOR or SOR?

Thanks!

[ronfire]

Hey there, thanks it was interesting to read these posts. We are planning on going over early January 2014 to Perth as well. We will first stay with some family in Rivervale and will then start looking for our own place.

Is Rivervale NOR or SOR?

Thanks!

Rivervale's just SOR along the Swan, actually. Close to Burswood. If you're going into the CBD it's not a bad location to be, but traffic might be a bit hairy.

[AndreaL]

@ Gizmo, I'm so happy it was only the pram you left and not baby and pram......

My Mother left me outside a shop whan I was a small baby and went home and started preparing dinner etc, a couple of hours later she realised I was not there and ran down to the shops to find me still sleeping.

My experiences have been much the same as yours. At my front door I have a little bench with cushions on, a very expensive statue of a lizard, metal green tree frogs hanging on the wall etc and the kids bikes, scooters are just left on the ground and are never touched. Shoes and expensive work boots are sitting there too, the unlocked shed has 3 sets of golf clubs, tools worth who knows what, unlocked and often open, although I do try to remember to close it.

We have had a few episodes of fridging (youngsters raiding your fridge for beers) in our town, not me personally. This fridge sits on my back patio and is full of drinks and the freezer section is full of food, nothing has ever been touched.

We have occasional times of petty theft in our town, but the person is usually seen or caught and in the case of youngsters, their parents might make them return the goods, apologise and do some yard work to make good.

[Gizmo]

Another one I thought of.

Amazon and wine club deliveries are just left on my doorstep (open to the street). Never had an issue.

Kids play in our street, walk or cycle to school, play in the park across the road from me - unsupervised by adults!

[ronfire]

We used to get grocery deliveries from Aussie Farmers. Your order is waiting for you when you wake up on your delivery days. One morning we woke up, and - no delivery. Called them and we both figured out someone had decided to swipe it. That is an example of crime, if you can call it that. We have now stopped ordering until we can sort out something more foolproof. I will say that we've had no other trouble. I've had things like modems, phones, etc delivered and left on our doorstop with not a problem at all. It was probably not someone living on our street, I would venture to say. All kinds, after all....