Is Perth better than Melbourne?

Question

My father has found a job in Perth, and we're all moving there (from melbourne) next year. Some parts of me want to start new there but it may be desolate and bad there too. perth seems tiny compared to the big city melbourne and I don't know whehter i can handle a small city with no people. Melbourne has been my home for my whole life and i don't know changing to a quiet area will make me crazy. Does Perth even have shopping centres? ice rinks and all the things that melbourne have?

Answer 1

Everywhere is better than Melbourne!

Answer 2

In some ways it's better than Melbourne- better weather, closer to better beaches.

but in some ways it's worse- Melbourne has better restaurants and shopping (but that's not to say that there aren't some good restaurants and shopping in Perth!). I'm sure you'll find plenty to do- Perth is a city after all.

Answer 3

I from Canada... but I visited Australia... Perth is a growing large city. It is not as small as you described. There are shopping centres, schools, lots of communities and people for sure. The same or similar things that you find in Melbourne will be in Perth as well. It is a good city to live.

Don't worry about this too much!

Answer 4

You seem to have the wrong impression of Perth, its a big city. (and growing even faster)

It has lots and lots of big shopping centers, ice rings and all the stuff Melbourne has. you'll love it there.

Answer 5

Oh my Gord.. How old are you? Have you ever left Melbourne... Perth is a city TOO with millions of people in a smaller area so you wont notice the difference in people from Melbourne to Perth. I live in WA but have never lived in Perth and have travelled to Melbourne numerous times so I have a pretty unbiased view... Perth is very pretty, fantastic beaches and very friendly people, after visiting all citys in Aus, it is reminds me most of Melbourne... The only thing I would say it doesnt have compared to Melbourne is the Aussie designer shopping and boutique stores and lots of AFL.... If fashion is your thing, Subiaco in Perth has lots of local boutiques as well as high end stores in the city (LV, Gucci, Tiffany's etc).

I think you would LOVE Perth.... yes of course it has shopping centres (biggest ones, Carousel, Garden City & Galleria). Yes it has ice rinks if thats your thing... Hope this answers your question...

Answer 6

I live in perth, its a beautiful city tho i'v never been to melbourne so I cant relate, I am moving to melbourne next year however. Perth has lots of good shopping centers and i'm sure there are ice rinks somewere...

I think it's a nice place to live tho it i quite quiet I quess compared to melbourne but im sure u'll enjoy living in perth.

Answer 7

I think that all depends on whether you prefer bigger or smaller!

I'm Canadian but lived and worked in Geelong for 6 years.  During my time there I had opportunity to spend time in Perth and the area around Scarborough Beach.

As much as I loved Melbourne, if I ever went back to work in Australia, I would definitely go to Perth.  It's got everything one would want or need and more and the beaches are definitely better on the west coast.

Of course you're going to miss where you are now.......it's all you know!.........but go to Perth with an open mind and I know you'll love it!.......and I discovered that Aussies are Aussies no matter where you go in your beautiful country.......so you won't have any problems making new friends!

Answer 8

simple answer is yes!

it annoys me slightly how many Perth people have been and know a lot about Melbourne but melbournians seem to know nothing about Perth! Perth is widely spread out mostly suburban but still with a big city center, great education system, great public transport, great city vibe with excellent  beaches.

Many people associate Perth as being boring, dull and isolated we get it all, only because its further away from Melbourne (which think they are the world) and you don't have to travel for hours out of the city to get peace and quite. i have lived here my whole life and have never had a problem. there is lots to see and do, northern suburbs for beaches and fremantle for shopping and culture.

BTW to be honest we don't have very many "ice rinks" its simply never cold enough, and on a hot summer day people would rather go to the beach then the "ice rink". and even if you decide not to move here, do still visit though, it will do you good.

Answer 9

I am a victorian who is going to be moving to QLD in the next couple of years.  At this stage I have never been to Perth but am travelling there in a couple of months.  My daughter has been there as described it as  a quieter city compared to Melbourne.

I think that you should not be worried and never be afraid to experience new things.  You will be fine there.

Answer 10

Of course Perth has shopping centres! Perth's population is about 1/3 of Melbourne's. Stop and think about how many people you know who live outside of whatever third of Melbourne you live in. For most people in Melb, its not that many. So Perth is smaller, but most people wouldn't notice the difference. And hey, if you have more than 1 million people who you know in Melbourne, then you probably should stay.

Answer 11

G'day from a Yank,

I have been to Perth, had to drive the Nullarbor twice,  but I digress.

Perth is a very loverly city.  I have a number of friends in Perth and down the coast.  

You do realize that there is much to do in Oz outside of the big smoke, I hope.

During my way too short stay in WA I drove it from Esperence to Coral Bay, with stops at Karikini NP, Cue, Kalgoorlie plus a number of places in between.  Like the place the "Safe" comes from.  Got pictures of the big fault line produced by the earthquake.

There is lots to see and discover off the coast.  Yes, you can go inland and still emerge in one piece.

The following is an observation, not a put down.  I rarely met on my travels Aussies who has gotten off the coast and gone in The Bush.  When Aussies go on holidays, either it is overseas or just up or down the coast.  If you do this, you will be missing a lot.

I like scenery.  It can be mountains, such as the Snowy Mts, yup, I did climb to the top of Oz on Australia Day <grin> and drive and hike thru some pretty deserted areas called National Parks.  

Oh yes, I love wombats, obviously.  Drop by www.yaminon.org

Have a go at Perth, you'll like it.