JoePerth

I travelled with my bike as luggage. Expected to pay excess charges but they Just put it in the oversized luggage section without charge. Didn't even weigh it. Realise that's a bit of a gamble though. Bike prices have gone up recently (presumably with the weakening Aussie dollar) so might be worth bringing even if you do pay extra. if you're moving soon you'll be straight into the mtb season so at least that way you won't be waiting to get out!

Agree with most above. Can find some great fish but they don't seem to know how to chop up a potato over here

Perth is a great place to be able to cycle to work. Although the total yearly rainfall looks high it tends to come down in heavy bursts. I cycle all year round and rarely need to wear a jacket. Any of the western suburbs from Nedlands outwards would be a great choice and they also follow the train line for the days when it is raining. Rents have come down a lot recently so you should be able to find something reasonable without heading south

If you missed being close to the city last time be careful choosing mandurah. It's still a long way from the city (over 70km) and the train station is nowhere near the town centre. Not saying it isn't a nice place but it's not somewhere you'll be popping into Perth from. It's like thinking you're in Leeds when you're actually in Hull

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You'll be fine on that salary. And as a single guy, go for the opportunity. Yeah there's a downturn coming but if you're comfortable with being able to move on if the worst happens then what have you got to lose. Subiaco is a good option. As is leederville, mount lawley and Cottesloe. Or you could even look at the city centre apartments. Your rent will be close to double your allowance but you'll be able to afford that. Plenty of football teams about in all those areas as well. Get foxtel or head to northbridge and you'll be able to catch plenty of newcastle games. Dont make the mistake of moving further out North or South just to get more for your money, you'll feel very isolated. And why come all this way just to live out in a housing estate? intruiged as to what you do that is so niche?

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I wouldn't think too much about courses at this stage unless an employer indicates they want something specific, otherwise you could just end up wasting your money. And yes, unfortunately you're right. Who you know counts for a lot here so it's really a case of getting your foot in the door so keep your options open. Job wise, could you look at something along the lines of a work pack builder for construction work? Or would your knowledge transfer into welding support? Not really sure but think along those lines

You can add the oil industry to that. The sub $50 a barrel price is going to lead to some drastic cuts and yet more people unemployed and searching for the few jobs left. Sorry to to sound negative. It's not that there aren't any jobs, it's just that you may have to take something lower that what you might have had in mind to get a foot in the door

Ignore the comment above. There's plenty going on in Perth, it's just that some people on this forum are a bit past it!