Observations from a holiday in Perth
I'm visiting my sister for Christmas and thought I'd list some observations from my first visit to Australia and Perth. I'm from Ireland. Travelling with 2 young kids.
Coastline & Beaches: The coastline is absolutely stunning, with incredible beaches. I loved the relaxed vibes and how friendly everyone was.
Space vs. Outdoor Living: One thing I noticed is how spacious everything feels—roads, houses, and neighborhoods are much bigger than back home. However, I was surprised that many houses take up almost their entire plot, leaving very little outdoor space. With Perth's amazing weather, I expected people to enjoy being outside more. Even new builds at home seem to have larger gardens than many of the ones I saw around Doubleview, where I stayed for a week.
Early Nights: It seems like locals go to bed very early. I’ve been walking my sister’s dog after 9 pm and rarely saw another soul in the suburbs. Even the NYE fireworks start at 9 pm!
Footpaths & Lighting: A lot of the suburbs don’t have footpaths or street lighting, which was surprising.
Camping Culture: I was amazed by how many people own caravans and seem to embrace outdoor and camping lifestyles. It’s accompanied by a love of large vehicles with stacked exhausts and big tyres. Can someone explain the purpose of these exhausts? I also noticed far fewer Teslas than I’ve seen elsewhere in the Western world recently.
Driving Standards: People here seem to complain about driving safety, but I found speed limits lower than in Ireland and the UK, and drivers generally stick to them. There’s also much better use of indicators!
Cost of Living: Living comfortably seems easier in Perth than at home. While I’ve heard the property market is challenging here, it’s also bad in Ireland. Other costs, like groceries, eating out, clothes, and childcare, all seemed cheaper in Perth. I get the impression that working families have a better quality of life here compared to Ireland or the UK and people have more disposable income.
Christmas in the Sun: Experiencing Christmas in the summer was great, though I felt like I was melting in the days leading up to it.
Overall, I can see why my sister loves living here. Perth has a lot going for it—amazing beaches, a laid-back lifestyle, and a family-friendly vibe. However, for me, it’s just too far away from home.