Studying abroad with DH and 2 children in Perth

[mrsfrazier]

Dh and I are planning on studying abroad in Perth next fall (we're from VT, USA). We will have a 2 month old (that was def not planned, lol) and a 2 1/2 year old. I am curious-

What is the weather like (Sept-Dec)?
Cost of living? Food? Short-term rentals?
Public transportation?
Beaches/ recreation?

I thought this would be the best place to get info from like-minded people

[mrsfrazier]

I forgot a couple of other questions:

Childcare options--is it easy to din part-time sitters, nannies, or preschool?
Vaccine requirements? (We don't vaccinate)
Are there any VPD that are common in Australia?

[Gunter]

we lived in perth last year. public transportation is awesome. you can buy a pass and ride the metro easily and inexpensively.

we are from USA and did not vax. none were "required".

there were a lot of parks and outdoor play areas. Kings Park (i think it's called) was super cool. there were open park spaces all over the place in downtown perth. we really enjoyed those. one of my fave sculptures in all the world is the peter pan sculpture in a downtown perth park that has a little pond and lots of geese.

it was sooooo expensive compared to NC though. that really threw me for a loop! and, target was more like marshall's (or ross); it was such an odd sort of target.

the museums in downtown were awesome, too. there is a hari krishna restaurant that is soooo yummy!

[mrsfrazier]

Originally Posted by Gunter

we lived in perth last year. public transportation is awesome. you can buy a pass and ride the metro easily and inexpensively.

we are from USA and did not vax. none were "required".

there were a lot of parks and outdoor play areas. Kings Park (i think it's called) was super cool. there were open park spaces all over the place in downtown perth. we really enjoyed those. one of my fave sculptures in all the world is the peter pan sculpture in a downtown perth park that has a little pond and lots of geese.

it was sooooo expensive compared to NC though. that really threw me for a loop! and, target was more like marshall's (or ross); it was such an odd sort of target.

the museums in downtown were awesome, too. there is a hari krishna restaurant that is soooo yummy!

That sounds wonderful! Are there beaches nearby as well?

Were your kids still in diapers? I'm wondering if they have a diaper service there or if disposables are expensive.

We're from VT so I think we won't be shocked by high prices. It is a lot cheaper in North Carolina--DH is from that area

[majikfaerie]

y'know, target australia is not affiliated in any way with target US. (slightly OT, I know)

check out domain.com.au or realestate.com.au to get an idea of house prices

[aussiemum]

I have never lived in Perth, so I cant give you any local advice, but I still think you may be shocked by the cost of living. A friend from Santa Cruz, CA visited us last year, & she was quite surprised by how much money she spent. For example, a six-pack of good quality beer (Little Creatures, from Fremantle) costs me A$18. A two litre (half-gallon) of biodynamic milk, which is locally produced, costs $4-4.50. A loaf of ordinary preservative free bread, just plain old mass-produced bread & not the crunchy hippy stuff, costs $3.50-$4. A dozen free range eggs costs upwards of $6.

I think disposable nappies (diapers) would be pretty expensive by US standards, although its been a while since I purchased any. Cloth nappies are pretty easy to do in AUstralia, & fairly common.

Also, Perth, & WA in general, is very well-known for beautiful beaches.


Majikfaerie- I did not know that about Target!

[majikfaerie]

I could be wrong, but I was looking at the target website recently, and I saw a little footnote to that effect.

[Gunter]

i was preggo with one and the other was 18 months. she was potty learning at the time but still wore diapers some.

we brought g-diapers with us on the flight and planned to buy more there...b/c we heard they began in aussie. we could not find them anywhere and no one had even heard of them! on the last week of our stay, we found a "healthy home" sort of store that had a similar diaper system! it was in fremantle.

fremantle is an easy metro ride about 30 minutes or so from perth and it has yummy food, cool shops and coffee places. easily walkable once you arrive. cool museum, too!

we brought out own cloth dipes with us but our luggage was lost for 3 days! ugh.

i did not know that about target either but it makes sense bc it seemed so odd to me at the time how different it was!

we took a day drive to joondalup, i think. i literally caught my breath at the beauty of that place!!! it is one of the most. gorgeous places. on earth. joondalup may have been more than just a day drive, even. so hard for me to recall. but, there is a big playground for kids there and shops, restaurants, too. it's a bit touristy, probably but the view is worth the tourist trap part of it all.

we drove down further south to more beaches but all the names escape my memory now!?

dipes were certainly expensive. we were there doing volunteer work and unemployed so that made everything seem even more expensive, no doubt!

[majikfaerie]

i moved to aus 18mo ago, and I was SHOCKED at how pricey things are, compared to when i lived here 10 years ago. cost of living is high.

[mrsfrazier]

Originally Posted by aussiemum

I have never lived in Perth, so I cant give you any local advice, but I still think you may be shocked by the cost of living. A friend from Santa Cruz, CA visited us last year, & she was quite surprised by how much money she spent. For example, a six-pack of good quality beer (Little Creatures, from Fremantle) costs me A$18. A two litre (half-gallon) of biodynamic milk, which is locally produced, costs $4-4.50. A loaf of ordinary preservative free bread, just plain old mass-produced bread & not the crunchy hippy stuff, costs $3.50-$4. A dozen free range eggs costs upwards of $6.

I think disposable nappies (diapers) would be pretty expensive by US standards, although its been a while since I purchased any. Cloth nappies are pretty easy to do in AUstralia, & fairly common.

Also, Perth, & WA in general, is very well-known for beautiful beaches.


Majikfaerie- I did not know that about Target!

Wow those food prices are cheaper than what we are paying here in Vermont...It is $5 for a half-gallon of regular milk and $4.99 for good bread without HFCS. Good eggs are only $4/doz here tho.

DH will be happy about the beaches!

[Ms Apricot]

I moved to Sydney from Canada last year - and I was astounded at how expensive everything is compared to Canada. I can't imagine the sticker shock that an American experiences in Australia, since Canadian prices are generally higher than in the U.S.. From everything I've heard, western Australia is even pricier than eastern.

We haven't visited the west coast yet, so I can't help with the other questions, sorry. We've only heard good things, though.

[aussiemum]

Yes, that's more expensive than here for some foods! Also, I think it feels expensive to me because I just seem to be spending more & more on groceries as the kids get older. My family just eats so much! And we do like good organic food where we can get it so that adds a bit to the overall cost.

Good luck with your decision.

[Gunter]

from what we understood, perth is so isolated that things are more expensive there than in other parts parts of australia.

[battymama]

I am from perth, its lovely here, you are comming at the best time of year weather wise, although it will be very hot by the end of december.
Cloth nappies are no problem:
http://nappyexpress.com.au/khxc/ccp0-catshow/hire.html this is a nappy hire service that cleans them etc. i think there are a couple of others i remember looking at a couple before poppy was born, i can look for more if you want.

cost of living is quite high although we get by on next to nothing, you may have trouble finding a rental as they are in high competion as everyone wants to live here public transport is fairly good within the metro area, if you have a consesion card it is cheap.

Beaches- the best in the world really they are nice, although they will be busy at that time of year. other receration is pretty good, lots of sheap and free stuff to do, as you will be here for at least part of the school holidays there will be lots of kids activities. Oh and you will be here for the arts festival in northbridge, pride parade and a few other things going on.

Childcare can be difficult, i would suggest you pre book, if you are interested i can help you find the better childcare centres as i used to work in the industry, although all must meet certain requirments to be open.

Vax no issue i doubt you will be asked, childcare may ask for a vax record but that consists of you telling them none, basically its just so they can tell you if there are any outbreaks. No rampant VPDs that i can think of

I dont use sposies so cant help with price, but if you want i could go and look? there are plenty of laundromats and things though, and for that length stay it might even be worth buying some flat nappies here they are fairly cheap, and i know the best brand

Feel free to PM me if you need more help, and make sure you visit Freeo like the other posters suggested, it is the heart of alternative.

[baltic_ballet]

Here are some links which might help:

Tourism Links
www.wavisitorcentre.com
www.westernaustralia.com
www.watourismawards.com.au
www.experienceperth.com
www.countrywide.com.au
www.whatson.com.au
www.cityofperth.wa.gov.au/web/Visiting

Perth Attractions
http://www.adventureworld.net.au
www.aqwa.com.au
www.araluenbotanicpark.com.au
www.bgpa.wa.gov.au
www.burswoodpark.wa.gov.au
www.captaincookcruises.com.au
www.cavershamwildlife.com.au
www.perthmint.com.au
www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au
www.rockinghamwildencounters.com.au
www.fremantleprison.com.au
www.museum.wa.gov.au
www.thebelltower.com.au
www.scitech.org.au

[mrsfrazier]

I have not posted for awhile; my husband passed away completely unexpectedly about a month ago. thank you everyone for your replies. obviously, we wont be studying abroad now

[aussiemum]

Oh my, I am so sorry about the loss of your husband! : What a huge & tragic shock for you & your family-

[majikfaerie]

[battymama]

i am so sorry! lots of love and hugs, please look after yourself.

[mrsfrazier]

I hope one day we will go to Australia though...we were so excited about our trip