Why is Western Australia so underpopulated? (expense, distance, places)

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Derek40

However dryness is not the only factor, as somebody pointed out over 40 million people live in the state of California in the US, so this is proof that this can be overcome with other economies and diversification.

Not all of California is dry, and only a small portion of the dry areas have large population centers. The water for the dry parts comes from the wet upper half and Eastern mountains.

[the troubadour]

Originally Posted by _Charles_

Given the course of world events and the sorts of things going on - I don't think the residents of Perth and the rest of WA mind (being geographicaly isolated and lightly populated).

"Splendid isolation" can't be all that bad.

Apart from contributing towards the sky high costs here, younger folk needing to relocate to have a career,expensive travel to anywhere else,not forgetting the parochial mindset,rather self evident in Perth.

[wrcousert]

I'll bet the land is cheap. It could be a great opportunity for someone with a lot of money (Donald Trump?).

[Vichel]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

I'll bet the land is cheap. It could be a great opportunity for someone with a lot of money (Donald Trump?).

You'd think it'd be cheap - it certainly should be - but unfortunately land is not cheap here at all. Real estate is stupidly overpriced, given the location.

[Derek40]

Originally Posted by cushla

Quite a few people from Perth have moved to Tasmania in recent years due to the summer heat in Perth.

That's an over-reaction by them.
There are plenty of more temperate climes in the Southwest and south coast, if Perth is too much.
Places like Margaret River are considerably milder, and places like Albany have very little heat at all - bar one or two hot spells.

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Derek40

That's an over-reaction by them.
There are plenty of more temperate climes in the Southwest and south coast, if Perth is too much.
Places like Margaret River are considerably milder, and places like Albany have very little heat at all - bar one or two hot spells.

Or pale people who don't like being "sun smart" in summer?

I met a bloke with the skin type that would make almost zero tan with any exposure.
He put on SPF 30 and went to a concert in Perth in February and was out in the midday sun for 3-4 hrs.
He was drinking but new he needed shade, yet couldn't find any.
After the concert, he had festering, blistering burns from the sun that required medical treatment
and it took him 2 weeks before he felt normal again.
Sunscreen is unrated for UVA protection, which is weaker than UVB but does deeper damage.

Not so much a problem for myself,
I was able to handle 1-2 hrs of Perth sun in February sans sunscreen unscathed.
I find the high solar exposure levels in WA summer more of a challenge
than simply comparing a 37 C day vs. a 25 C day.

[other99]

Originally Posted by cushla

Quite a few people from Perth have moved to Tasmania in recent years due to the summer heat in Perth.

But many people move from Tasmainia too esp to Melbourne as they see as Tasmania as boring and Melbourne weather is not much different from Tasmania so they can feel like home with the weather.

Anyway I have no desire to move to WA as I find it boring an not alot to do. There does not seem much to do in Perth and the culture of it is not appealing as the cities of the east.

[Vichel]

Originally Posted by other99

Anyway I have no desire to move to WA as I find it boring an not alot to do. There does not seem much to do in Perth and the culture of it is not appealing as the cities of the east.

In order to be happy here you have to have that Perthling contentedness that many have. You have to be content with what's here and not yearn for what other places have. Many love the lifestyle here and wouldn't live anywhere else. They want that same lifestyle they enjoyed as kids for their own kids, and grandkids.

Going to 'Rotto' in the summer, to Bali or Exmouth in the winter, camping down south, fishing from the beach, Sunday drives down to Mandurah, going to or watching the footie, cycling along the Swan, hiking the Bibbulman Track, etc. For their entire life. And many are happy with doing less than that. I've met some people who've never left W.A. and don't want to.

Nothing wrong with that and in some ways I envy that contentedness. But me, I seem to want to see and experience different places and people. I think most people, especially migrants, feel the same, hence the hoards won't be packing in this city any time soon. For that reason, as well as the heat, distance, isolation, expense, limited career opportunities, and/or some combination of those downsides.

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Vichel

In order to be happy here you have to have that Perthling contentedness that many have. You have to be content with what's here and not yearn for what other places have. Many love the lifestyle here and wouldn't live anywhere else. They want that same lifestyle they enjoyed as kids for their own kids, and grandkids.

Nothing wrong with that and in some ways I envy that contentedness. But me, I seem to want to see and experience different places and people. I think most people, especially migrants, feel the same, hence the hoards won't be packing in this city any time soon. For that reason, as well as the heat, distance, isolation, expense, limited career opportunities, and/or some combination of those downsides.

I agree it often takes some effort to find things to be enthusiastic about.
But in a way, I think that fosters creativity. I feel that way.
I'm also pretty content with the land, climate and sea here.
Most of Australia has been having worse weather lately.

Likewise I envy contentedness of Canadians who don't like cold,
yet don't seem to mind having 250+ days a year indoors.

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by Vichel

In order to be happy here you have to have that Perthling contentedness that many have.

Is Perthling the standard demonym for residents of Perth? Or is that a subversive term that has only gained recent favor? (Such as some use of the term Mainiac v Mainer for residents of the US state of Maine.)