Hey,
I've been in Perth for 10 years, formerly a Southern Sydney boy (loved it there). But I'd never go back. I like Sydney as a place to visit and holiday, but wouldn't ever live there again.
The congestion, pace and impersonality of the place is insane! Ethnic non-integration problems, traffic, and having to "drive forever to get away from it all".
On the flip side, amazing restaurants, cheap food, great clubs, RSL & Tradies clubs etc with subsidized drinks and food prices. You just can't go anywhere to get away from all the people.
Perth house prices just caught up to the rest of the country. I sold my little 2 bedroom cottage in Sydney and paid for a 4 bedroom brick place with a pool in '04 in a half decent suburb.
Perth is awesome if you don't try and impose your eastern state, big city ideas and expectations on it. Instead, try and blend in with what WA has to offer and it's a regular Shangri La IMHO. There is still so much freedom here. It aint for everyone, I'll grant you that, and stoked it ain't, it's already too crowded.
I started surfing here, Freedive Spearing, 4WDing, outback camping and started a business just 10 minutes from home. I drove 1.5hrs
each way to my former Sydney employment.
Perth reminded me of Sydney in the 70's and early 80's. A great place to grow up as a kid. There is so much opportunity here in WA if you are prepared to get off your arse and work at it. Just don't expect it to be like everywhere else. Thank god it isn't.
Perth is my home and always will be. I'll be buried here. Love it!
DM
