Think of Perth and it brings up visions of long sandy beaches, inviting blue waters and a city skyline to rival some of the best in the world. Days spent sunbathing, hiking, exploring and being active is certainly a large part of the appeal for those living Down Under, and it’s no wonder that it’s such a popular destination with British expats.
Moving to Australia is a great way to escape the cold, rainy winters and find a better balance between working hard and having time to relax. It offers a great new lifestyle for the whole family and is one of the most popular destinations for relocating.

The merits of Perth

There are certainly plenty of perks to be had in Perth. Australia’s fourth largest city is growing quickly and is home to a huge expat population – an estimated 30% of all the people living there. Of these, the majority are from the UK, which means that there is a built-in community ready to welcome newcomers.
As the economy continues to grow rapidly, the government has been keenly recruiting overseas workers to fill local job gaps, particularly those in highly skilled areas, so here is a lot of opportunity, with good wages to match.
It is known as quite an isolated city, given its remote location on the large island that is Australia. It’s so far from other Australian cities, that it’s geographically closer to East Timor and Jakarta. Sydney is over 2,000 miles away, and its next-nearest large city is Adelaide, which is still well over 1,000 miles away. So, while it might not be perfectly located for travelling around the other large metropolitan cities in Australia, it is great for exploring the rugged terrain and natural beauty that surrounds it.
Despite its remoteness, Perth was 7th in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Ranking 2016. There is so much to do both inside the city and out, and a great lifestyle to be had, that there isn’t much reason to leave. The climate is a pleasant mix of warm, dry summers and colder, wet winters, but with a lot more sunshine than the UK experiences, all year round.

Practical perks

If Australia is definitely the relocation country of choice, Perth is a good financial move as, although it’s not especially cheap, it is more affordable to live in than Sydney or Melbourne.
It’s popular with families, due to its fantastic childcare provisions and good schools. There is a fee for certain visa holders with children enrolled in public schools, but this is fixed per family, making it more affordable than private or international schools. What’s really attractive for families though is the sheer amount of leisure activities on offer. It’s a great place for seeing animals in their native habitats and hiking through the valleys, as well as plentiful beaches for lazy days in the sun. There are opportunities to visit wildlife parks, museums and other cultural centres, or go wild with camping at the weekends. It’s a mostly outdoor-based lifestyle and healthy living is actively promoted.
Workwise, there are a lot of opportunities in the growing economy. A lot of trade is centred around the mining industry in Western Australia, as well as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, industry and the service sector.
Perth certainly hits all the right buttons with British expats and is a destination worth considering, particularly when moving with family.
Information correct at the time of publication.