You may think that Australia is all about Sydney and Melbourne. But tucked away on the West coast, much closer to all the major centres of Asia and sharing a timezone with Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore, is the nation's best kept secret: Perth, the capital of Western Australia.
From its uncrowded streets and open spaces, to its clean white beaches, beautiful golf courses and superb dining and entertaining choices, Perth is a secret you need to share.
There are so many reasons you should live in Perth, and once you get here you'll discover even more. But for now, take a peek at what makes life in Australia's most Asian city so enjoyable.
|
 Where do we begin? Let's start at the coast and work our way east. The first thing you'll notice when you fly into Perth is endless kilometres of clean, white beaches and beautiful blue waters.
Some of our beaches are world famous, like the surf haven of Scarborough and the calm waters of Cottesloe. Some are simply secluded and picturesque, like those in hidden bays on beautiful Rottnest Island, just off the coast near Fremantle.
But life in Perth isn't just about sunning yourself and swimming. You'll find public golf courses overlooking the ocean, fine dining and casual eating with spectacular views over beaches that glow in our evening sunsets.
The theme of excellence, accessibility and enjoyment continues as you traverse the coastal plain all the way to the hills overlooking the sprawling city of Perth. You can play golf with kangaroos on internationally renowned courses within and beyond the metropolitan area's boundaries. Dine in restaurants and cafes in quiet, out of the way places or bustling high streets alive with the sights, sounds and aromas of sophisticated living. And shop for fashion, jewellery and more in precincts as diverse and engaging as your tastes.
|
|
 If you're looking for a place for your children to gain a high quality education, Perth is a wise choice. There is a wide choice of public and private schools, many of which offer boarding facilities.
There is also an excellent choice of universities: according to the website australian-universities.com, Perth is "is regarded as Australia’s ‘Education City’. Students in Perth know they will experience the very best of what Australia has to offer in the higher education sector along with student support services that are second to none".
The city has five universities, including the University of Western Australia, ranked as number 5 in Australia and number 83 in the world, Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University and Notre Dame University. All of these universities offer places to overseas students, and most have representative offices throughout Asia.
In addition, the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) network in Perth is extensive, offering a huge range of vocational and pure learning courses, many of which offer pathways to university courses.
|
|
|
|
|
Students at Murdoch University
|
As soon as you arrive in Perth, you'll see why many people from around the world have chosen Perth as their home. People from more than 200 different countries live, work and study in Perth, speaking as many as 270 languages and identifying with more than 100 religious faiths.
Immigration has always been a key contributor to the success of Perth and Western Australia. According to the Office of Multicultural Interests, nearly one third of the Perth population was born overseas, and nearly two thirds of its residents have an ancestry other than Australian.
People are attracted to Perth because of its beauty, relaxed atmosphere and prosperity, and that has long been the case. The multicultural mix that generations of arrivals from around the world have brought to Perth has created a truly cosmopolitan feel that you'll find in the food, the arts, language and sport.
|
|
 If you get sick or injured, Perth is one of the best places in the world to suffer such misfortune. Private medical insurance is available that can reduce the costs of medical and hospital treatment, and the medical system offers a large network of General Practitioners, with a ratio of about 400 patients for every doctor (compared to 950 patients per doctor in China including Hong Kong).
Large, very well equipped public hospitals are easily accessible and in many cases offer free treatment, and there is another big public hospital under construction. In addition there are many private hospitals and clinics available, along with a great many specialists, healthcare providers, physiotherapists and other practitioners.
It isn't all western medicine either - with such a strong Asian community Perth has its share of traditional medical services, including herbalists and acupuncturists, naturopaths and homeopaths.
|
|
 The global economic crisis won't pass Australia by completely, but it is in much better shape to face the troubles than many other countries. And of all the Australian cities, Perth is perhaps best placed of all to weather the world financial storm.
That's because Perth is home to some of Australia's largest and most successful companies, including resource companies that have massive contracts backed by the economic powerhouses of Asia. This means that export dollars are still flowing into the Perth economy.
|
|
Property prices in Perth have subsided recently. This is actually good news for people wishing to move to this wonderful city.
The rental market in Perth is very attractive for investors. With net migration at high levels, the demand for residential rental properties (and rental returns) is expected to remain high for the foreseeable future.
Add to this the fact that BGC, Australia's largest home builder, offers a huge range of designs and a fast building process, and the Perth property market is one of the most attractive and potentially prosperous moves you could make.
|
