We are thinking of emigrating to austrailia, which is best adelaide or perth?

Question

Me my husband and three daughters are thinking of emigrating to austrailia, but cant decide on adelaide or perth. My husband is a serving police officer with an outstanding performence record and a wealth of experience in many fields of policing, and is sure to be accepted into the Western Aus. or South Aus. police. The main reason we would be moving is better quaility of life, eg. weather and lifestyle. Its just too cold and wet here, but Ive heard conflicting reports saying that perth is too hot in summer and that adelaide has a lot of rain and is quite cold in winter. I dont want to swap like for like, so if anyone has any advice it would be very welcome, also advice as to which of these areas would be better for our young family, my kids are 8, 7, and 4. would like advice on what crime is like in these two places, especially compared to UK, what the people are generally like, education etc, in fact any info on either of these two wonderful places would be bery much welcomed

Answer 1

Surf the net for information on weather patterns and crime rates, official sites may be best. Also it's a good way to check out the education system.

Answer 2

British Expats.com

No one will tell you where to live but you can get a lot of info from this site

good luck

Answer 3

Queensland!!!!

Answer 4

I know with the points system for emmigration, you're probably stuck with Adelaide or Perth, hence not choosing popular Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.

Perth is a great city and has a good outdoor feel. You have beaches, a city the suburbs, a river etc. But once you get outside of Perth there isn't much else except for desert . Which is great for a change and a chance to see it, but in terms of living in Perth, it's something you have to be aware of - you can't easily escape!

Saying that, a few hours drive down the coast you have the Margaret River area (wineries) and up North you have more Beachy Areas (Monkey Mia) but that's about it (unless a local can correct me on that?). Oh and Rottnest Island is a nice boat trip (if it's not choppy in which case - don't go!)

Also from Perth, it's quicker (and cheaper) flight to go to Bali in Indonesia than to Sydney sometimes!

Adelaide would be closer to UK in terms of weather but it's still a small city. I've only been once many years ago (where as I lived in Perth when I was young) but it seemed like a nice city with an old feel to it.

If you are buying, Adelaide is a good spot as property there is likely to go up quicker than Perth as it is closer to the East Coast.

South Australia has some lovely country/bush areas to explore, beaches, wineries (Barossa Valley) etc. I've also experienced my hottest day ever in Adelaide! 47 degrees celcius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In terms of education, it's hard to say. Education is governed by the states (unlike the UK which is country wide and administered by boroughs) so it is quite different in each state - exams, entrance ages, even the number of years you total for schooling. Both have a few universities but Adelaide has probably got more internationally recognised institutes. They like to be known as the city of churhces but also and the city of education! But if any of your children are into Theatre/performing Arts, Perth has one of the highest regarded institutes to study it - Waapa (pronounced Whoppa. Acronym for Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts).

Crime? I'd say day-to-day crime levels (at a guess) are relatively the same, but Perth has more Indigenous (Aboriginal) issues that would change the dynamics in terms of policing. Not worse or better, just different. Kind of like comparing crime in Newcastle to crime in Bradford (WYorks). You can't deny that the Asian population there changes the way police approach situations.

For a holiday, I think Perth is great and is probably what you're expecting in terms of an "Australian experience". I know quite a few Sydney people who have moved there and love it.

But I'd say Adelaide is the most practical choice and one that you will feel more comfortable with straight off.

You can always come visit us in Sydney! Only a plane ride away to the most beautiful city in the world.

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

I think both cities would be good for you.  They are definately both hot and dry a lot of the time, both very safe by world standards and both have good educational facilities.  Perth has become outrageously expensive in the last few years (big mining boom/heaps of money around) so you might find it too pricey for you.  Adelaide is much more affordable.  I have holidayed a few times in both places and both have a lot of nice things to see and do.  By the way, Adelaide is desperate for rain.  They just set a record 2-3 weeks ago for the longest stretch of any capital city in Australia for 10 days in a row over 35 degrees Celcius and it wasn't even Summer.  Don't worry about it being too cold or rainy there!  Just remember too that when it is hot in Perth or Adelaide it is a very dry heat which is much more easy to tolerate.  There are a lot of English people in both cities who seem to love it.

I think the price of property will be your biggest deciding factor.  Definately look into that before you decide.  Good luck!!!

Answer 6

Perth/Adelaide will have better weather than England

Perth is a lot hotter than Adelaide in summer

i think Adelaide will suit you better for the first few years as it is cooler(but a lot hotter than UK) when you get used to the heat then decide weather to move to a warmer climate like WA.QLD.NT

Answer 7

Adelaide. It is a really friendly city with everything that you would expect from a larger city, but  with a nice 'small' feel about it. Easy to get round, compared to UK(we have been here a year) public transport is cheap & efficient. There are some really nice safe beaches, and the hills are lovely if you get a bit homesick for greenery! The weather on the whole is very like the Med, our first winter temperatuures didn't really go below 10 degrees, so not like scraping the ice off the car  in the mornings!!! Housing is much cheaper here too, Adelaide has an ill deserved reputation for being a backwater, but as I said earlier we have found it a nice place to settle. Your husband would have no problem transferring. If you do make it out here, remember, it will take at least a year to stop feeling weird and not wanting to run home and also to stop converting dollars to pounds! We have found the cost of living to be much cheaper than UK. I wish you luck with your decision making, it took us along time to decide, but we are glad we made it here, even our cat came with us and has settled happily.

Answer 8

I know Adelaide gets some real cold winds at times, so maybe Perth might be better if the weather is the reason for escaping where you are now. But if your after lovely warm weather, then you should pick Brisbane and there is lovely beaches close by.

Answer 9

All Australian cities are hot in summer!! and Perth and Adelaide are pretty much on a par.

Perth is better, however, as it has gorgeous beaches and a busier international airport. Adelaide is a bit of a black hole. Also Perth is in Western Australia which is vast and beautiful (idea for little holidays). Perth has more crime though.

You might like to think about a country city instead of a bigger capital. The opportunities for experienced professionals are boundless. Have a look at http://www.jobs.wa.gov.au/

Good luck...also check out http://www.bom.gov.au/

Answer 10

Neither. Brisbane.  Mango Hill/Griffin are new growth areas on the northside of Brisbane.  Everything is brand new, new schools primary and high, new library, shopping centres. Basically everything you need from birth to death.  Between June 2006 and 2007 there was a 22% increase in population in this area.  A bus        goes therre but I don't know exactly which streets, and not far from Petrie train station and this is about 40 minutes from the city and quicker if you take an express train.  I don't think the crime rate is as bad here as in other areas of australia.  your husb. may be able to access crime data from his work.   Take a look on google earth and see the development.  Look up Northlakes or Northlakes shopping centre.  It is huge and full of youn g families.

good luck.  Australia needs good people. Come on down.