Perth, Australia

What It Is Like to Retire in Perth

Perth is the capital and largest city in Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in the country, with an estimated population of 1.9 million living in Greater Perth. The Central Business District has recently seen a mining-induced boom, with several commercial and residential projects due for completion. Author Bill Bryson states that Perth is the most remote city on earth, with the nearest city being Adelaide, over 2,100 kilometers away. Perth is home to four public universities: the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University, and Edith Cowan University. There is also one private university, the University of Notre Dame. Kings Park is one of the largest urban parks in the word. For more about retirement see our Retirement Guide to Australia.

Where to Retire in Perth and Home Prices

Perth is such a big city there are many places to live. Numbeo.com estimates that the cost of an apartment in the city centre is $632A per sq. meter, $441A outside the centre. The Consumer Price Index including Rent from Numbeo is 96.

What Is Special about Perth

Perth is a beautiful place and the capital of Western Australia. It has an amazing array of universities, parks, and cultural institutions.

What Is Not Special about Perth

As Bill Bryson said, this is the most remote city in the world, over 1,000 miles from the nearest city. People who live here and/or visit describe it as quiet.

Who Will Like Retirement in Perth

People who want to live in or near a city with a lot to do. If you are from this part of Australia this would make for a good urban retirement spot - plenty to do but not crazy busy.

Local Economy Is Driven by

Perth's growth and relative prosperity has resulted from its role as the main service centre for the state's resource industries: gold, iron ore, nickel, alumina, diamonds, mineral sands, coal, oil, and natural gas. Whilst most mineral and petroleum production takes place elsewhere in the state, the non-base services provide most of the employment here.

Climate and Physical Environment

Perth is located on the coast in southwestern Austraiia, far from most other places in the country. The temperature throughout the year is relatively moderate: the average temp in January is 24C/76F and the average July temp is 14C/55F.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

The Perth Cultural Centre is the location of the city's major arts, cultural and educational institutions. It includes the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, State Library of Western Australia, State Records Office, and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA). The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, located there, is the home of the Black Swan State Theatre Company and the Perth Theatre Company. The Perth International Arts Festival is a large cultural festival that has been held annually since 1953, and has since been joined by the Winter Arts festival, Perth Fringe Festival, and Perth Writers Festival.

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Transportation