Quality of Life in Perth, Australia

While Perth is not perfect, it is definetely better than some cities I have visited.

A lot of the things the previous commenters were complaining about are due to a couple of factors:
1. We are one of the most isolated cities on Earth. We can't do anything about this. It's not like we can grab the city and walk over East.
2. Racism / mysogyny / etc. Avoiding the more old fashioned parts of Perth is easy. Just stay away from the poorer suburbs. Or the richer suburbs. Or just ignore them. Every city has places where people are really backwards in their ways. Let people be people. If you don't like it, find a way to fix it. Don't just endlessly complain on online chat groups.
3. The exact oposite of what I just said. A lot of you are being extremely racist, mysogynistic, and just generally discriminatory. And that isn't the Australian way. We are a very multicultural and diverse society, especially when compared to some other countries. Please stop. No one likes it, especially not the people you are targeting.

While I am by no means saying that Perth is 'Perthfect', as it definetely has it's faults (Extremely bad drivers, but most of all the climate), it definetely is not as bad as what some of you are saying.

P.S. A lot of you need to go back to primary school. Some of the spelling and grammar is atrocious. (Not you though @The Truth)

P.P.S. I feel like those of you who are saying that Perth is hard to leave are just plain wrong. You have a car. You (hopefully) have money. You (hopefully, if not I'm sorry) have relatives. I feel like anyone who has a lick of common sense can figure out how to get away if you really do hate it that much. ...Oh wait. I just realised why most of you haven't been able to figure out how to leave yet.

Perth is the most remote mainland capital on earth. With this you have to realise that for most people from elsewhere their paradigm simply does not apply, things are quite different.
Many sights such as the largest rock in the world (Mt Augustus) or the largest woodlands forrest on earth are a long way out. We have many world firsts but they are very remote from Perth and because of this they tend to be forgotten or ignored.
For such a remote place in such a dry climate the scheme water is safe to drink, unlike many other cities around the world with abundant water resources (shame on you).
The Perth metropolitan area is also very large for a population of 2.5 million, it is considered by some to be the worlds longest city at 150km.
Most of Perth's history is contained in the last 200 years and all the rest is thousand to billions. So no, we don't have historic culture like some other places, so don't come here for that, it is a different form of history.

I agree. What's with the whingeing about Perth but our population is growing rapidly. You know why people come here - jobs.
That's from overseas and other states. There are weaknesses but it's mostly from growing fast. If you can't handle that. Maybe the city is not for you. Growing fast and opportunity is a young persons forte. If you want to think like someone who is beaten there's a whole world to pick from. I won't bad mout other countries all have their challenges. It's up to the individual to make the most of the opportunites though. I know my family came here becausue of opportunity.

Perth is a lovely place.
Its reasonably affluent by regional standards, beautiful climate and great beaches/ocean.
Greater Perth population has grown from 238k in 1958 to 2.3mm in 2023
Its full of Interstate and foreign migrants with useful vocations building a future for themselves and their families
Its not Woke. Its a mining and natural gas town, which employs folk that get stuff done
Schools and Universities are good and so are the restaurants eg in Fremantle.
City has a large footprint, roads and rail links are good and airport is well connected with direct flights to Europe, asia , Dubai, etc
It reminds me of a growing USA city, without the guns, violence or racial tension.
Same timezone as most of asia which is readily accessible by lowish cost affairs. Sydney and Singapore are equidistant to Perth.

Perth is pretty awful. I moved from the UK to Butler in Northern Perth and have recently come back as things were so bad. As soon as I got there I noticed people acted differently to people in the UK. They were rude and often aggressive and had strange mannerisms. Not everyone of course, but I'd never experienced this sort of behaviour in the UK. Walking back from the supermarket I was surrounded by a group of African and Aborginal males. They were constantly harrassing me. Occasionally when I would go out I would be harassed by someone who may have been on drugs. They would sometimes ask for money and when I didn't give them any as I don't carry cash on me they would become aggressive. Someone hit me outside of the supermarket as I was standing in the shade. I had someone banging repeatedly on the front door after midnight and twice someone tried to break in. Police weren't interested. Africans sitting on the bottom of my steps at night was a problem. I also saw one viciously attack someone right in front of me shortly before I left. Graffiti all over the place and the odd smashed window. People parking their cars on my driveway more than once. I put a bin on the drive to stop them doing it. I had a few health issues and the doctors are very inexperienced. They gave me antibiotics that are banned in the UK as they're dangerous. Standards are lower than in the UK. The house I was staying in had no ventilation in the bathroom. No window and no extractor fan. That's illegal in the UK.

Perth has incredible weather, beaches, parks, plenty of places to explore and the people are so easy going and friendly, beautiful place to live.

I completely agree. And the prices are not correct either.

Australia is more priced like California, especially Perth and Sydney.

@Sandra on Oct 25, 2023:
The positive comments on here are all fake it's literally one person pretending Perth is a utopia when it's a complete dump!

It is a very regional place and has a very regional culture, as a oppose to a metropolitan culture. This translates into there being very limited things to do, and the people being insular and not inclusive. It feels very rural and quiet almost everywhere outside of the city centre. The city centre itself is extremely small and is dead outside of business hours, and yes with a lot homeless and drug addicts still even during business hours. Racism is present but it's more like they are not interested in engaging with you, instead of outright racism, again not a very inclusive place.

Can't say much about the rest of your questions.

Perth is only good for the following types of people.
People who have children, people with a close knit family, friend group or community, and people retiring. If you're outside of what I listed please seriously consider that it is very unlikely you will have a good time in this place because social isolation is a common experience here. Perth is really no different to any small regional city with a stagnant population.

Disgusting place filthy everywhere syringes just laying around parks and sidewalks dodgy crackheads everywhere what a dump!

Agree, the last thing we need is a homogeneous community of potato brains..welcum to pert

The positive comments on here are all fake it's literally one person pretending Perth is a utopia when it's a complete dump!

Been in Perth one month:
Place : beautiful, sunny, lovely beaches, clean air
People : Young girls dress like hookers, men dress and behave like dropkick bikies. There is a real feral-ness about a lot of people here. Maybe it’s the isolation and young people don’t know how to behave. Quite anti-social and immature.

Summary: lovely city but there seems to be a large uncivilised young population that is lost.

So many illiterate and/or anonymous idiots below. Sad... Or perhaps, it's only one or two who have mysteriously multiplied and spread like the plague?!
Whatever it is, it a matter of taste and preferences, you morons! And yeah, I forgot - respect to others and even yourselves. Do you know the meaning and applications of "respect"?
Anyway...
For me, the now 2 million small Perth with its laid-back lifestyles and nearly perfect climate is home. A conscious choice that I made, because believe me, I can compare with several other places around the world.
As for you lunatics, if you don't like Perth and WA, that's fine. Just shut up and f&#k off!

Perth just scored 12th as the most liveable city. That's fair comment.
Melbourne & Sydney are higher. Not in my book but it is expensive to live here relatively I guess.

I can't help it if you interpret something to mean the opposite of what it obviously means. Learn to ready buddy

"Mr Martis" maybe you should try reading before replying

The person who wrote this rubbish about needing to target 50/50 gender needs to get a life. This is not your forum for being a Karen, me-too or any other type of person who needs a life purpose because they haven't got one.

IN perth there are Any number of CEO's who are female and male mentors) . They just showed ability and have many tips for you how to get over yourself and get to the top if you're willing to make the sacrifice.

Can someone please explain how corporate entities (and government) in Australia and abroad targeting a 50/50 gender split amongst employees is a legal thing to do? It's simply not possible for the "best person for the job" to statistically be a person of one or the other gender, 50% of the time in every proffession, and depending on how aggressive your timeline is for achieving this target, you have to preference one gender group during the hiring process by x amount, thereby putting the other at a relative disadvantage, which is discrimination irrespective of any mental gymnastics used suggest otherwise. So, coming back to the original point, why is the S** Discrimination Act of 1984 not being enforced?

Perth is a ghost town with weak public transport after 6_7 pm city is almost dead. In the long run, it negatively impacts your mood and puts you down. I was there for around ten months a kind of depression developed within me the time I was there. The feeling of isolation was the worst thing. Residents of Perth are primarily white and British, and there is no diversity in a population similar to Sydney or Melbourne. For single immigrants is a poisonous place that should be avoided.

I believe national service should be brought back into Australia. Respect for law and order, love of country,
Would surely help restore order. As a Gulf War U.S Army Veteran;I feel that respect and manners are vital if we are to be a proper society. I have met some nice people in a church community. I got Citizenship in February 1994. Helping people to overcome difficulties is a joy. We need to reach out and help one another so we can be better people as a whole.i have seen the ugly reality of war and criminal plunder. Not good. I pray to be worthy as former soldiers, naval personnel, and airmen who gave their lives so we in Perth and all of Australia can live happy respectful lives. Freedom is paid in the blood of service men and women.

@ The comment below says the person who doesn't have very good punctuation themselves.

a bunch of all scumbags on this page people who have no friends gheez and u wonder why yous get killed i hear about a murder on the news every week i dont blame them you cant just go around harassing people honestly nobody wants to hear it people are just trying to live their own lifes this is the thing with the perth locals u wonder why yous get hurt stop forcing yourself on people leave people alone.

the comment below so what who cares people are just trying to live their own life so let me guess you probably a miserable waste of oxygen who forces themselves on strangers u dont even know but its likely that if u go around getting cheeky to people for not saying hi when people dont have to do what u say but u end up getting seriously hurt then thats your own fault society does not revolve around you go get help.

People keep saying that Melbourne And Sydney people are all pr*cks why? Oh I'm sorry so what then u want people to walk across the street and stop and say hello to you wow!! How very clinical it sounds like something a sick person would say look the truth is u cannot change the people in those cities if u don't like it then stay in Perth.

Calling northbridge an "entertainment precinct" is like saying shooting up heroin in the james street toilet should be a listed highlight on TripAdvisor

Umm Perth is far from even being like Sydney lol let's just it's a sh*t hole lol.

people say why do everyone hates perth honestly because its obvious even though i grew up still im not the kind of person going around annoying people i keep to myself and thats it someone told me the other day that most of the people here are clinically sick and need professional help.

I have lived in Perth WA for 37 years, migrating from another country with my family. When I first arrived for 2 months did not open our suitcases properly because I was sure I would go to somewhere else, Melbourn perhaps. But we stayed because my sister and her family lived here and we all wanted to be with family. Besides it was a good place to raise children.
However, after my children completed high school, each went somewhere else, my son to USA and my daughter to Melbourne.
I believe unless you have a small city mentality, stay, otherwise the idea of being a good place to raise children works against you and the whole family will separate in most cases.
However, we should not overlook our own attitude towards people, anywhere in the world. I never thought or felt I was castasized.Too much confidence and self-steem that runs in our family?
My experience tells me if you don't feel as a victim of racism, you don't see racism. On ther hand lest forget we all as human have some biases about other people and this appears in our behaviour in the community, hence we attract the same thing.
All and all, if you are happy with just nice beaches, Beer, bars and the sound of silence and isolation,then this is a great place to live. As for me, after 37 years, it is home now, a home that you never liked.

If Perth gets bulldozed then they'll have to get rid of the mentally insane and mentally ill people to clear the streets and rebuild the city all over again so things return to normal and then people can live their life's in peace

The worst city in the world if I could rate Perth to zero I definitely would not only that but the people here are very feral and sour and Hysterical and prejudiced I hope the Japanese comes and blows this place up with the people in it u can't walk around in peace without being harassed and Treated with ostracism and hostility that is one thing about Perth the locals here don't know how to mind their own effing business but yet going around antagonizing people and going around pushing people's buttons yet one day people are going to get sick of it unfortunately it's not Perth that is the problem but it's the people such as being old and white but yet doesn't necessarily mean to go around ostracizing people u don't even know Perth should be taken off the map or at least do something to bring this place back to normal.

Unfortunately WAPOL can't police culture but they are making an effort with some unruly behaviours. Still a long way to go. Only way to dilute it out of existence is with immigration in my view, but that will take a long time

White people are the most inhumane people anyone could ever come across this is not the 1950s anymore u gotta grow up and leave people alone.

Perth and Gold Coast are classified as 'regional' to attract students and migrants (491 and 494 visa) Immigration minister David Coleman announced the Gold Coast and Perth will be reclassified as regional areas in an effort to attract regional migrants. This is just to let people know as they only made Perth being classified as regional for studying and working purposes so get off your high rocker regional means places that have very limited services but we are not a town we are a city so it doesn't mean to go around in public and being disorderly and disruptive and annoying people as u claim that people put their nose up at you so what? Why is it an issue when peoe are minding their own business your the ones causing the trouble if u don't like it then p*ss off back to where u come from this is a city not a town.

Many of the comments are true. Perth/Wa is good if you want to make a bit of money then get out before you catch the Perth Psychosis. You cannot critisise Perth the locals become very defensive even know they it sucks. Many people are mentally ill because of lack of community networks and everyone locked away in there fake little houses for too long. People here are never content they always have to show off to others what they have and what they have been up to. There are some nice people ther but think carefully before moving ther. The police and court justice system in WA is very corrupt and backwards with sentences nearly double of what you get on the East Coast.

My brother is a gang member so that is one thing people need to realise who they are talking to not just only me but every single other person stop going around hassling people because one day u gonna end up getting seriously hurt why is it a problem for people minding their own business? If u don't like it then that's your problem.

The Karen mentality is outdated now no one cares anymore this isn't the 1950s or 1960s we are in 2022 wake up and stop going around hassling strangers this is why u get into fights because u don't know how to stay in your own lane might even take my concerns to mark McGowan a current affair 9 news 7 news and To Scott Morrison what happened to Perth? Where people weren't so toxic? Might even suggest for the police to keep doing regular patrols arresting and detaining people who are a nuisance and a threat to society.

Most jobs in Perth are mainly working class,low-skilled or low-education type of jobs, which isn't good if you're a highly qualified professional. The demographics of Perth seem to reflect this too.

Perth can be a great place if you're looking for a quiet place to retire or raise a family. It has the character of a country town, although it's officially a city. Due to its remote location, Perth can seem like it's stuck in the 1950s. If you're one of the locals or a white person with similar values, Perth will be a good fit. I lived there for many years, and I lived in other parts of Australia and Europe. Perth was not the right fit for me: too much racism, bigotry, and nepotism. It doesn't matter how talented or educated you are, you will not make it in Perth unless you're accepted into the inner circles. Family relationships and family names are the only things that matter when it comes to finding a job or being promoted. Sure, the low paying jobs that the locals don’t want to do go to the ‘outsiders’. Making friends is difficult because Perth people tend to stick to their own, usually their high school friends. After a few years the locals befriended me, but those were shallow friendships. It’s hard to find people with whom you can have an intelligent conversation. The Perthian is anti-intellectual by nature and makes this very clear. Not to say that there aren’t any intelligent people in Perth; there aren’t as many as in Melbourne or Sydney, or in European countries. I’m talking about the average Perth resident. The thing that always struck me as odd was the separation of men and women at BBQs. For some reason, a woman talking to a man at those gatherings was seen as a sexual come-on. Women were to talk to women only and prepare the food for ‘the boys’. The men were gathering around the BBQ and drinking heavily. This is strange to everybody who is from countries where men and women are seen as equals, and who is used to having male and female friends. Safety was another issue. Despite living in one of the good suburbs, I did not feel safe going for a run in the morning. Many dubious characters and stray dogs were on the streets. My house got broken into three times, but unlike my neighbours, I was not physically harmed. I moved to Sydney a couple of years ago and I haven’t regretted it. My qualifications are appreciated and sought after here, which led to finding my dream job. There are more like-minded people here, which makes it easy to find friends. Even going for a run in the morning is not an issue. The quality of life is much higher in Sydney than in Perth. No place is perfect, but Perth wasn’t even acceptable.

Just got abused twice by car occupants whilst minding my own business going for a walk along the West Coast Drive footpath. What is wrong with Perth people. You can’t even go for a walk without being shouted at and abused. I think I’ll buy a treadmill and lock the doors.

Who really cares people are people if people walk past you and u attack them because they didn't respond or say hello then that's your issue as you know Perth is a city with a population of over 2 million people and will continue to grow to 4 million by 2050 yes the place is changing and I'm pretty sure people do not care and everyone has better things to do with their life's fyi u cannot change people if u don't like it then move to a country town.

The problem with Perth is the single women. In Sydney I am often approached by girls at bars and clubs and they are friendly. Try talking to a Perth chick and unless you play for an AFL team you have no chance. Perth women are the shallowest that I've ever met.

Perth is what you make it. If you can manage to make friends with normal people in amongst the pretentious inner city snobs and cashed up bogans it's a great place. Seems to be full of Poms, south Africans and Kiwis, which isn't a bad thing Perth is a multicultural city. Born here and never left I can assure you most the comments on here are quite accurate. If your skill is not in very high demand you need to know someone if you want a good job. People are antisocial in general and a lot will not even greet a stranger. Try talking to a woman at a bar and 70% chance shel look at you like your trying to attack her. And yes a lot of the people I went to school with still only socialize with the same crew 25 years later, and it is true a lot of people will only befriend you if you can benefit them eg owning a boat or swimming pool. The beaches are great, pay is good and housing is cheap compared to rest of country.

Perth is Okay

I'm from Sydney, been living in Perth for around three years now because of work.

There is a lot of truth from what people have mentioned on here, albeit a bit too much negativity.
Yes locals can be anti-social, insular and rural like. Perth can feel lifeless, there isn't much to do and people usually stay home. But that’s how Perth is and it’s unfair to expect Perth be like Sydney or Melbourne. Don’t expect Perth to be a very sophisticated or vibrant place, it simply is not. Come to Perth understanding it’s a small, sleepy, regional city where locals are very laid-back. Any attempt to change that will be met with hostility or ostracism, so don't try to change it.

When I first came, I loved how quiet the streets were, not seeing a single car on the road is common and driving here is so easy. I loved how laid-back the locals are, made me realise sometimes I need to slow down and enjoy life a little. I found it very peaceful and a breath of fresh air from fast paced Sydney.

However, I do miss Sydney. I miss the vibrancy, drive and exciting nature of that city. But Perth is okay, and I will have fond memories of it when I leave soon.

Agreed with everything in the last comment.
The locals and the people that settle in Perth are boring, simple-minded and unreliable. The city is dull and the description that it's a country town pretending to be a city couldn't be more accurate.

Have moved to QLD, and it is SO much better here. Have only been here for 1 week and people are extremely friendly, helpful and actually smile when you walk past them in the streets, plus there are tons of jobs. Perth is full of narcissists and has a toxic work place environment, get out while you can.

Disgustingly evil city full of evil horrible people.
Not worth a visit.

I live in Perth, capital of the Hermit Kingdom. We are ruled by a Premier who locks us in the State and I cannot leave. WA is a prison fortress locked away from the world. If we escape we are told that we can never return. Life is good living in a prison hermit fortress I keep telling myself. All I need is a lobotomy to keep reminding myself how great WA is.

Wait Awhile state
Once again WA people have to Wait Awhile before it’s border opens up to the rest of the world due to Covid. It’s Premier is a one trick pony : shut the border! WA has not only become the laughing stock of Australia but the rest of the world too. Wake up WA and join the 21st century instead of Waiting Awhile (WA).

Perth People who attended the COVID protest at Perth Forrest Place and Kings Park:

Pro-gun/War/Military/Afghan war/China War
Anti-Vaccinations/Muslim/Mask/Semitism/Asia/Redscare/Yellowperil/Communism/Lockdown
Anti-multiculturalism/globalism
Proud Boys/Trump America
Extreme Vegans
Australian Red Ensign Flag/Union Jack flag/Australian Flag Upside-down
White Supremacist/Keep Australia White policy
One Nation/Pauline Hanson

Brad Beames and Brett Mitchell you should be disgusted with yourselves. I am so sorry to anyone that has had to deal with this in Perth…we aren’t all like this. I was considering moving to Perth and so were my parents. I was also hoping to there with friends. I don’t want to go with a pack of bullies. Peace love light.