Living in Perth

Living In Perth - Western Australia's capital

Located on the coast on the Swan and Canning Rivers in the South West of Western Australia, Perth has a Mediterranean climate. Its summers are hot and dry, with an average temperature of around 25-30C during the day, and its winters are cool and wet. The average rainfall in Perth, falling mostly between May and September, is around 880mm each year.

There are on average more sunlight hours each day and fewer rainy days each year than in most other Australian capital cities. In the afternoons the Fremantle Doctor, a refreshing local breeze, cools the city and is particularly welcome in the summer months. Perth is a clean city with low pollution levels and low humidity - ideal for outdoor activities. Parks, beaches, rivers and other facilities throughout the city provide great opportunities to enjoy fun and action in this sunny, moderate climate.

Perth in particular has a high quality of life and is one of the most affordable of any Australian city. Perth is ranked as one of the best cities in the world for quality of life and affordability.

Generally, all modest living expenses such as rent, food, public transport, health and recreation, as well as miscellaneous odds and ends like laundry etc, can be managed within a weekly budget of $200-$300AUS, though this is naturally affected by one's particular location, lifestyle and choice of retail outlets.

Rental properties in Perth range from simple one-bedroom apartments to luxury mansions, furnish or unfurnished, with short term or long term leases. Demand peaks in summer, from November to March, so there can be some competition at this time of year and many properties are leased within a fortnight of being advertised, though some are even taken within days.

Rentals fluctuate not only with demand, but also the kind of property and particularly the property's location - river frontages, beachside and city accommodation will naturally be a bit more expensive, though Perth's prices are among the lowest in Australia, compared to other capitals. Look in the West Australian newspaper's "To Let" section (best on Wednesdays and Saturdays), real estate agencies and the internet for listings of properties.

Perth's public transport network of bus, train and ferry services is up-to-date and efficient, connecting all parts of the city to the centre. Most people living in Perth travel no more than 40 minutes or so from home to their place of work or study.