Moving to Perth
Located in Western Australia on the southwest coast, Perth is Australia’s sunniest capital city. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Swan River and the Darling Ranges, Perth is quite isolated from the rest of Australia. However this has allowed the city to develop its own unique personality and if you’re considering moving to Perth you’ll soon discover it is very laid back and relaxed.
The warm climate and great location on the coast means the residents of Perth have a very outdoor lifestyle. If you do emigrate to Perth you’ll soon find yourself enjoying dinner at a restaurant overlooking the sea or having a BBQ in your back garden while the sun is setting.
Living in the city
You’ll probably want to rent a property when you move to Perth, not only because you’ll need to find your feet and get a feel for the different areas, but also because there are several restrictions and requirements on non-permanent residents purchasing property in Western Australia.
The residential areas of Perth are widely diverse; each area offers a variety of accommodation styles. Expats tend to prefer those areas that are near either the river or the ocean and particularly popular areas include: Rossmoyne (noted for excellent schools), Cottesloe (near the beach and sophisticated), Dalkeith (older-style homes near the city) and Applecross (with river views and newer-style homes).
To move into a rental home, you’ll need to pay at least at least two weeks’ rent in advance before you can collect the keys. You will also be required to pay a security deposit (known as a ‘bond’) equal to one month’s rent and a letting fee of one week’s rent before you can move in. The bond is held by a government agency until the end of the tenancy when it is returned if there is no outstanding rent or damage to the property.
Getting around the city
You’ll find that the majority of households in Perth will own at least one car as this is the most common form of travelling around the city. The roads are well laid out, traffic congestion is rare and driving is on the left-hand side of the road, so you shouldn’t have too many problems here.
If you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) you’ll be allowed to drive in Perth until it expires (they are usually issued for one year). If you have an overseas licence you’ll be able to drive for a period of three month’s after emigrating to Perth and you’ll then have to apply for a Western Australian driver’s licence. In order to do this you’ll need to produce your overseas licence, pass a computerised theory test on the rules of the road and possibly also pass a practical driving assessment.
If you’d prefer to travel by public transport there are a number of different options including trains, buses and ferries, which all service Perth city and the surrounding suburbs.