Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,054,732 times
Reputation: 11862
Advertisements
Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek40
People from Perth are probably the most well-travelled internationally, than anywhere else in Australia.
I know plenty of people in NSW, that have never even been out of the state - or if so, often only briefly or fortuitously.
You could be onto something here. It's kind of like how many New Yorkers haven't been past the Hudson. While most West Aussies have been over east (at least half), very few Eastern staters have bothered to come this way (although there's alot less to draw them here).
Either way, I think being Middle Class you kind of take it for granted most people have traveled overseas - to Bali at the very least, but there are a surprising number who have never left the country. Not that I look down on those people...either way we're one of the best travelled nations.
I've lived in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and have spent many a summer in Queensland.
Perth is more isolated, but extremely isolated is misleading. While it's more expensive to fly to the other Australian capital cities, it's cheaper to fly to the Asian capitals (which are in the same time-zone). I travel as much here in Perth as I did when I lived in the eastern states.
And Perth is more expensive for some things (housing), but cheaper in others (public transport). Due to the mining boom, Perth and Brisbane are both growing (Perth slightly faster), so there's plenty of opportunity in both. Perth has slightly more opportunity reflected by a lower unemployment rate (Queensland 6.0% vs WA 4.4%).
I'm very much scratching my head when you say "local elite". I find it no different then any other city I've lived in, so I have no idea what you mean. There's certainly no real visible class structure like in the UK.
There's something to love about all of the capital cities in Australia, and none are particularly bad. I lived in Adelaide for 6 years - and find it more 'cultural', but prefer the greater vibrancy in Perth. Brisbane is a nice city, and I loved the sub-tropical rainforests not too far away. At the same time I have friends here in Perth from Brisbane who say there's more to do in Perth, which I don't quite get (Brisbane is bigger). I do prefer Melbourne to Perth, but have found my employment opportunities better here in Perth (which has kept me here).
Vibrancy is not a word that immediately springs to mind when thinking of Perth, i must say. Although do admit a quickening of pace over the past few years.
Perth is isololated i would argue not only in geography but also in mind. The mind set may be slowly changing but still parochial and remarkably Anglo inclined for a place reliant on the Asian markets.
Indeed there is money to be made for now for tradesmen and some blue collar work,but i do wonder what the legacy of this boom will deliver to Perth?
An ever expanding outwards metropolitan area with estate after estate and rather lifeless burbs?
The continued flight of the young over East or to London or Asia in order to progress in their profession, as there is still limited opportunity in so many areas in Perth
What will be the outcome when the boom winds down? .
Actually found Perth to be over priced in a lot if not most things,for example eating out,cafe prices,coffee,clothes,electronics,dental care and on and on.
House prices as you state are high in fact i would say way over the top
.Even London prices reflected better on a whole range of things. Rest of UK more so...
Class structure in the local context is rather obvious i would argue and can be readily observed in a whole range of suburbs.
As i stated ok place for certain tradies,others may well do better elsewhere.
Indeed many here go to Bali,almost an extention of WA.
Last edited by the troubadour; 02-10-2011 at 03:26 AM..
Reason: add
Vibrancy is not a word that immediately springs to mind when thinking of Perth, i must say. Although do admit a quickening of pace over the past few years.
Perth is isololated i would argue not only in geography but also in mind. The mind set may be slowly changing but still parochial and remarkably Anglo inclined for a place reliant on the Asian markets.
Indeed there is money to be made for now for tradesmen and some blue collar work,but i do wonder what the legacy of this boom will deliver to Perth?
An ever expanding outwards metropolitan area with estate after estate and rather lifeless burbs?
The continued flight of the young over East or to London or Asia in order to progress in their profession, as there is still limited opportunity in so many areas in Perth
What will be the outcome when the boom winds down? .
Actually found Perth to be over priced in a lot if not most things,for example eating out,cafe prices,coffee,clothes,electronics,dental care and on and on.
House prices as you state are high in fact i would say way over the top
.Even London prices reflected better on a whole range of things. Rest of UK more so...
Class structure in the local context is rather obvious i would argue and can be readily observed in a whole range of suburbs.
As i stated ok place for certain tradies,others may well do better elsewhere.
Indeed many here go to Bali,almost an extention of WA.
Vibrancy was comparing it to Adelaide, where I last lived. It is a vibrant city compared to Adelaide. I like the cafe's in North Adelaide, the old architecture, and festivals of the city. Perth is more modern, and it's changing every day. At last count I think there were 11 buildings over 20 floors either being built, or on the plans to be built. It is growing, and I do sense that energy where-as I didn't in Adelaide.
I do have to admit that in Perth, it more seems that if any building is particularly hideous and ugly then it is heritage listed and kept, otherwise, it's ripped down and modernized. And there are still plenty of pensioners who are adverse to change - but that's the same all across Australia.
Perth is less of a "big country town" than when I first arrived here. There is still an "us vs the east" mind-set which you can argue is isolationist, but there were similar sentiments in Adelaide also. Even when I was living in Victoria there was a Melbourne vs Sydney thing, although I'm too far out of the loop to know if that's still the case now.
I work as a software analyst, and my office is filled with particularly with Indian, Asian and English migrants. The English seem to be the most recent since many lost their jobs in London in the last couple of years during the financial crisis. I'm sure when the boom finishes in the next 20 years or so, me and all the others will move onto greener pastures. And I agree - clearly the house prices here are hideously overpriced. I sold both my house and my investment house over the last year since I couldn't justify their prices - I think they will fall.
Is the "class structure" any different compared to anywhere else in the world? While Perth has Kwinina, Adelaide has it's Elizabeth, Melbourne has its Sunshine or Noble Park. Every place has it's good and bad suburbs with stigma associated with them. I don't believe that Perth is worse than any other city for this.
Yes, the general Perth population is very very left wing.
Most of them prefer socialism (health and education) rather than progress and development.
However there are a lot of followers in Perth, if someone influential, or even if people hear the majority saying something, they will jump on-board, and try to be smart by stating their opinion which in most cases has already been said by someone else but they change the wording a bit.
However the younger generation are starting to be more right winged, and more into progress and development, but still keeping the left wing mentalities.
A classic example is that we spent BILLIONS on health and education within the last few years, and when there is finally a infrastructure project that will benefit the commercial side of Perth (that includes tourism) most people say we need more money towards health and education...
Also there are a lot of ignorant people in Perth.
HOWEVER. I feel personality, and since I've lived here all my life (currently 18) its an excellent place to raise a family. To be Perth will be a family Hub...
I plan to travel the world after university, and carry a career in another country most likely, or maybe over the eastern states (since I'm studying Mechatronics Engineering, it isn't in high demand in Perth since its a very high tech job) after which I concentrate on my career then I plan to settle back down in Perth to raise a family.
How you said a lot of the younger generation are going overseas, I find that its only the ones who get amazing academic scores and study either in the Eastern States or overseas, most of my mates are either doing Tafe or are just working, and I can see them staying in Perth all their lives, maybe travelling to South East Asia every few years, since like someone said Bali is like a second home to Perth
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,054,732 times
Reputation: 11862
Adelaide is no sleeper now. Walking down Rundle Mall feels even more vibrant than walking down Hay or Murray Street, with possibly even more foreigners, especially Asians. As a whole, though, there is still more development in Perth and the place is literally changing before your eyes.
I don't know if Perth people are particularly left wing when compared to others, since they tend to vote Liberal less than other states. I think we're becoming pretty pro-development again but are also sort of conservative minded.
Probably since I was about 14 I've longed to leave this place; while I've moved to country WA for now, I'm going to move out of the state first chance I get.
Yes, the general Perth population is very very left wing.
Most of them prefer socialism (health and education) rather than progress and development.
However there are a lot of followers in Perth, if someone influential, or even if people hear the majority saying something, they will jump on-board, and try to be smart by stating their opinion which in most cases has already been said by someone else but they change the wording a bit.
However the younger generation are starting to be more right winged, and more into progress and development, but still keeping the left wing mentalities.
A classic example is that we spent BILLIONS on health and education within the last few years, and when there is finally a infrastructure project that will benefit the commercial side of Perth (that includes tourism) most people say we need more money towards health and education...
Also there are a lot of ignorant people in Perth.
HOWEVER. I feel personality, and since I've lived here all my life (currently 18) its an excellent place to raise a family. To be Perth will be a family Hub...
I plan to travel the world after university, and carry a career in another country most likely, or maybe over the eastern states (since I'm studying Mechatronics Engineering, it isn't in high demand in Perth since its a very high tech job) after which I concentrate on my career then I plan to settle back down in Perth to raise a family.
How you said a lot of the younger generation are going overseas, I find that its only the ones who get amazing academic scores and study either in the Eastern States or overseas, most of my mates are either doing Tafe or are just working, and I can see them staying in Perth all their lives, maybe travelling to South East Asia every few years, since like someone said Bali is like a second home to Perth
Perth left wing? Now that's a first for me. Perth is one of the most conservative places i have touched base in.
If you ever get to Europe you may well consider the populace to be hard core reds....
Don't consider that to be any sort of progress if true that the young here are becoming more right wing,in fact a definate negative in my book.
In actual fact i think you may well find it more a case of indifference.
Indeed there are a lot of ignorant people. Mostly found in those that have'nt been anywhere in the world
As a family place i wpould sat to an extent,especially where young children are concerned.
Not so for older kids though. Look at you your studies look to be going to ensure that you leave town. As with many others. Once out many do not return as Perth is seen as being too slow.
In my eyes, there are a lot of left wings in Perth.
But as Trimac said it seems to be changing.
Its the older generation mainly.
40-60s
@trimac, I want to travel all around the world (main places Spain, USA, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Canada, England again, Singapore again, Wales, France, possibly China, Greece and Italy.)
If you were talking about work, I would consider, Singapore, Germany, USA, Japan.
The more higher tech countries concerning Mechatronic Engineering, because all I know is that there is barley any work for Mechatronic Engineers here. Unless I change streams to Civil, but I think it wouldn't be as interesting as Mechatronics.
@troubadour; I do hope Perth start to catch up soon, I want to see Perth flourish as a city and become known to the rest of the world.
In my eyes, there are a lot of left wings in Perth.
But as Trimac said it seems to be changing.
Its the older generation mainly.
40-60s
@trimac, I want to travel all around the world (main places Spain, USA, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Canada, England again, Singapore again, Wales, France, possibly China, Greece and Italy.)
If you were talking about work, I would consider, Singapore, Germany, USA, Japan.
The more higher tech countries concerning Mechatronic Engineering, because all I know is that there is barley any work for Mechatronic Engineers here. Unless I change streams to Civil, but I think it wouldn't be as interesting as Mechatronics.
@troubadour; I do hope Perth start to catch up soon, I want to see Perth flourish as a city and become known to the rest of the world.
Still find it a little strange that you find folk around the 40 and over age bracket left wing. Perhaps we have very different perceptions with regards to the meaning of that?
Perth will more than likely not be a city of world note. To isolated,far and not very relivant to a lot of the rest of the world.
It could certainly lift it's game further though and look for it's niche,in the sense that gives more purpose to the existance of Perth.
Yes, I must have a different view of left wing too. I find Perthlings quite conservative. There's not much independent or creative thinking here. More of a herd mentality, everyone follows and is easily led by scare tactics and stories, paranoid of change. I even find styles to be very homogenous, everyone dressing quite similar, and building/renovating houses similar. Very little individuality or variety compared to other cities I've lived in and been in.
The ideas for development and progress are way beyond our needs and abilities, hence they never get off the drawing board. The Dubia-like structures on the foreshore are ridiculous for this sized city, we need to get more realistic. I doubt Perth will become anything world-class or factor big on the world's radar. The tyranny of distance is not just a figure of speech.
It's a nice city though with a lot of good things about it.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,054,732 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vichel
Yes, I must have a different view of left wing too. I find Perthlings quite conservative. There's not much independent or creative thinking here. More of a herd mentality, everyone follows and is easily led by scare tactics and stories, paranoid of change. I even find styles to be very homogenous, everyone dressing quite similar, and building/renovating houses similar. Very little individuality or variety compared to other cities I've lived in and been in.
The ideas for development and progress are way beyond our needs and abilities, hence they never get off the drawing board. The Dubia-like structures on the foreshore are ridiculous for this sized city, we need to get more realistic. I doubt Perth will become anything world-class or factor big on the world's radar. The tyranny of distance is not just a figure of speech.
It's a nice city city though with a lot of good things about it.
While distance means less and less these days, it still is a factor, but I was actually thinking Perth's isolation makes it MORE prominent than it otherwise would be. There are dozens of cities in the US and other countries as big as Perth nobody's ever heard of, while Perth is actually comparatively well known in the region.
I don't think Perth is aiming to be the next Sydney or Melbourne, I don't see the point in that, most Perth who come to Perth don't complain because that's what they want.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
