What is it like living in The Perth Hills?

[Akasully2]

Hi, this is my first post and I wanted to say hello to the existing members. I have been very impressed by the level of support and advise freely given here. How delightfully friendly!

 

My husband and I are applying for a 190 visa. Early stages and still waiting to hear back. Whilst we wait, I search this forum for fact finding gems of knowledge.

 

I have been researching where the 'best places to live' are. Still getting my head round if they are north or south of the river. I haven't seen much mention of the Hills, east of Perth. What's that like? How far would it be to travel to work in the CBD and to a fantastic family friendly beach?

 

In fact, I don't know much about South of Perth either. Just seems to be mainly about Joondalop (spelling?!). I watched Phil Spencer's program about moving to Perth and have based my initial info on that...yes that was around Joondaloop too!

 

Any advise would be read with great interest.

 

many thanks.

[gazza18]

Hi

My sis lives in Rolystone in the hills its to far out for me and my partner who are hoping to be over later in the year but its is a nice place to live with big plots its about 45 mins to the beach and the CBD obviously depends on the traffic

 

Gaz

[rob-c]

If you want to be close to the beach it's not for you but there is a lot going for it, look at Kalamunda end, forests, national parks, lots of open space. Time wise not a lot in it from joondalup / kalamunda area to cbd. My personal opinion northern suberbs great if that's your kind of thing, lots of people, houses close together, if you want space etc look to the hills

[Akasully2]

If you want to be close to the beach it's not for you but there is a lot going for it, look at Kalamunda end, forests, national parks, lots of open space. Time wise not a lot in it from joondalup / kalamunda area to cbd. My personal opinion northern suberbs great if that's your kind of thing, lots of people, houses close together, if you want space etc look to the hills

 

 

Thanks for that. Open space sounds wonderful. I'll have a look at the spot you mentioned.

 

I have read on here that you get more space in Perth. I take it that doesn't apply to the northern suburbs then, from your description. Is that correct?

 

cheers.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Akasully2
Misspelt word

[Akasully2]

Thanks Gaz. Being near the beach would be ideal. Just not so sure about being squished in on a small plot!

 

I read that the northern subs are 60% Brits. Whereas The hills were made up of long settled continental Europeans, Greek?

What do you make of that?

 

cheers

[StraighttothePoint]

Hills, depending on where you are, do mean a high fire risk so you would need to consider that as well. Kalamunda (town) was always one of my favourite spots though and I think gets the balance right between being within reach of the city and less of a fire risk.

 

As for 60% Brits that is probably the same south now was well in some locations. No hiding place !! The most recent release was that 5 suburbs in the northern area had 33% Brits in them but I am not sure how they arrive at that figure. If it is based on new voters, house purchases or what no idea. I think if you take the 33% being on voters and/or house buyers then you can add another large percentage for non voters, renters, temp visa etc and so the 60% may not be too far off the mark in some suburbs. Rest assured it will not be in all the northern suburbs.....times they are a changing - one word - Baldivis.

 

As for plot size then that could be down to either paying premium dollar in some suburbs, accepting a purchase is needed in a less loved suburb or going bush!!

[Guest firedart]

I used to live in the hills and after a year contract when we moved to Canberra we have returned to Perth "northern suburbs" and long to eventually get back to the hills.

We lived in Kalamunda, it is really lovely with a country small town feel but not too far to the CBD. It is true, people think that Kalamunda is the back of beyond but it takes as long to get to the CBD from where we are now (Carramar) as it did from Kalamunda. There are also other suburbs near to Kalamunda in the hills that are equally as nice. Lesmurdie, Gooseberry Hill, Bickley and Bickley Valley. I think years ago they were mainly Continental Europeans, there are a lot of Italians that live around the Lesmurdie area, they owned orchards and were a big producer of fruit. It is a very friendly area with a good high school. The town of Kalamunda has a couple of pubs, a few restaurants and shops plus banks and supermarkets. If you are not bothered by living close to the ocean which is where most Brits want to be when they first arrive then it is an excellent choice!

The blocks are bigger than the northern suburbs blocks but if there is any new housing development happening the blocks are smaller(at the bottom of the hills) but in Kalamunda/Lesmurdie areas blocks are readily available in acres but like anything over here...if it is a nice area with a good reputation it will be expensive. Kalamunda is certainly by no means a cheap area and the closer you are to the town the more expensive the housing is.

Kalamunda has a monthly craft market which is fab! It attracts lots of people from all over, it is very popular.

[Guest guest9824]

I used to live in the hills and after a year contract when we moved to Canberra we have returned to Perth "northern suburbs" and long to eventually get back to the hills.

We lived in Kalamunda, it is really lovely with a country small town feel but not too far to the CBD. It is true, people think that Kalamunda is the back of beyond but it takes as long to get to the CBD from where we are now (Carramar) as it did from Kalamunda. There are also other suburbs near to Kalamunda in the hills that are equally as nice. Lesmurdie, Gooseberry Hill, Bickley and Bickley Valley. I think years ago they were mainly Continental Europeans, there are a lot of Italians that live around the Lesmurdie area, they owned orchards and were a big producer of fruit. It is a very friendly area with a good high school. The town of Kalamunda has a couple of pubs, a few restaurants and shops plus banks and supermarkets. If you are not bothered by living close to the ocean which is where most Brits want to be when they first arrive then it is an excellent choice!

The blocks are bigger than the northern suburbs blocks but if there is any new housing development happening the blocks are smaller(at the bottom of the hills) but in Kalamunda/Lesmurdie areas blocks are readily available in acres but like anything over here...if it is a nice area with a good reputation it will be expensive. Kalamunda is certainly by no means a cheap area and the closer you are to the town the more expensive the housing is.

Kalamunda has a monthly craft market which is fab! It attracts lots of people from all over, it is very popular.

 

Couldnt have put it better myself, but shhhhhhhh Firedart, its a secret, we dont want everyone to know about the little slice of heaven that is kala do we:biggrin:

[Akasully2]

Excellent tips there Firedart, thank you! Schools are important to us too, so no good going to a rough/unloved area but with bigger plot sizes. Need to have the balance of safe and friendly together with scenic views. Actually, that is really important to me....scenery/views. So where would have that?

 

As for the percentage of Brits over there, how does it work out? For example, some of the Brits are fleeing the UK for the perceived decline in standards. Once they get there are they settling and creating the 'way it used to be' or bringing those declining standards with them? A bit like when the Brits landed in Hawaii and brought their germs with them. Wiped out paradise! Or does the tight control of getting into Oz in the first stance eradicate the undesirables? Thoughts please....

 

Cheers

[Guest firedart]

Now....don't get me started on the Brits over here and creating the 'way it used to be' I could get myself in loads of trouble here lol.

I came over here 11yrs ago and I have my views on that. I couldn't comment on here but you will find out for yourselves soon enough!

What I can say is that I never found that in the hills. Seriously, there are good & bad in all wherever they might be from. )

[Guest dandy]

bit far out but looks really pretty...i like somewhere you can get a cab too after a night out though!!

 

Dandyone@livinglife

[Nutnudger]

We live in Roleystone with the in-laws at the moment as my wife is from Roleystone. We have just in the process of buying a house in Roley also. We did not want to live on a small plot and have bought a 4 bed house with garage and pool on 2717 sqm within walking distance to our little ones school. (which is the same school my wife went too!) We love the peace and quite and the lifestyle living in the hills gives you and you are not too far away from anything.

[StraighttothePoint]

Or does the tight control of getting into Oz in the first stance eradicate the undesirables? Thoughts please....Cheers

 

Please define the word "undesirables" first..........

Edited May 15, 2013 by StraighttothePoint

[Goat]

Just make sure your hills properties are maintained against fire and you have your fire plans ready

[Guest Vixibell]

Hi,

 

I live in Roleystone and absolutely LOVE it! Loads of people say that living here would be too far out for them, but personally I really don't see that and I'd not have it any other way. We've been in Perth for about 8ish months now, stayed with family to start with and moved into our own place in Roley in January. We have an acre of land, gorgeous views and so much wildlife to enjoy. It's peaceful and am amazing place to spend quality time. I'm 32, my husband is 37 and we have no kids yet. I still enjoy an active social life with friends I've made who live nearer the city. It's only 5 minutes in the car to Kelmscott station and cheap to catch a train into the city to socialise. I do that a LOT!

 

For us, we'd never have considered living anywhere nearer the city. We get the best of both worlds and (at the risk of repeating myself) absolutely love it

[portlaunay]

Hi, this is my first post and I wanted to say hello to the existing members. I have been very impressed by the level of support and advise freely given here. How delightfully friendly!

 

I haven't seen much mention of the Hills, east of Perth. What's that like? How far would it be to travel to work in the CBD and to a fantastic family friendly beach?

 

Hi and welcome to PP.

 

The Hills are beautiful. I'd love to be there when we move further out, it's just the kind of place I could have a smallholding, grow veggies, make chutney and cure bacon.

 

It's not really that far from the beach, maybe an hour. The view over the city is stunning and the bush land and national parks are just lovely.

 

Generalising, if you're a hills person you're unlikely also to be a Joondalup person or a beach person or a city person; they all offer very different lifestyles and so attract different types of people.

 

As for Brits, they're (we're), everywhere but there certainly appears to be greater concentrations in some areas more than others which is probably why we live where we live

[Akasully2]

Now....don't get me started on the Brits over here and creating the 'way it used to be' I could get myself in loads of trouble here lol.

I came over here 11yrs ago and I have my views on that. I couldn't comment on here but you will find out for yourselves soon enough!

What I can say is that I never found that in the hills. Seriously, there are good & bad in all wherever they might be from. )

 

 

Dear Firedart,

 

I have obviously touched on a sensitive subject! You can't leave me hanging like that!! In your most PC manner, what exactly has been going on? Come on, dish the dirt....warts and all.

Edited May 15, 2013 by Akasully2
Typo

[Akasully2]

Please define the word "undesirables" first..........

 

'Undesirables' my definition: people who do not show the same standards of respect for themselves or others or their environment.

[Akasully2]

Hi,

 

I live in Roleystone and absolutely LOVE it! Loads of people say that living here would be too far out for them, but personally I really don't see that and I'd not have it any other way. We've been in Perth for about 8ish months now, stayed with family to start with and moved into our own place in Roley in January. We have an acre of land, gorgeous views and so much wildlife to enjoy. It's peaceful and am amazing place to spend quality time. I'm 32, my husband is 37 and we have no kids yet. I still enjoy an active social life with friends I've made who live nearer the city. It's only 5 minutes in the car to Kelmscott station and cheap to catch a train into the city to socialise. I do that a LOT!

 

For us, we'd never have considered living anywhere nearer the city. We get the best of both worlds and (at the risk of repeating myself) absolutely love it

 

Sounds wonderful. So pleased you have found your little bit of paradise!

[Guest Vixibell]

Sounds wonderful. So pleased you have found your little bit of paradise!

 

I absolutely have found paradise as far as I'm concerned! Thank you

[Gerald Knight]

Gooseberry Hill is great. We live on the edge of Gooseberry Hill and we are walking distance to Kalamunda town centre or a 2 min drive. Kalamunda is a lovely town with a country feel but all the amenities you need. A great Farmers market each weekend and a craft market every month. It's only a 30 min drive to Perth city centre. The house prices are not cheap but you can pick up a nice place on a half acre block for the price you would pay for a townhouse in the suburbs closer to Perth. In Kalamunda they have a shop that sells all things British. They even sell real Marmite, that they import from UK. They dont have it on the shelves but you have to ask and they get it from under the counter. I work at Bibra Lake south of Perth and the drive takes me about 45min on Rowe highway.

[verystormy]

Gooseberry Hill is great. We live on the edge of Gooseberry Hill and we are walking distance to Kalamunda town centre or a 2 min drive. Kalamunda is a lovely town with a country feel but all the amenities you need. A great Farmers market each weekend and a craft market every month. It's only a 30 min drive to Perth city centre. The house prices are not cheap but you can pick up a nice place on a half acre block for the price you would pay for a townhouse in the suburbs closer to Perth. In Kalamunda they have a shop that sells all things British. They even sell real Marmite, that they import from UK. They dont have it on the shelves but you have to ask and they get it from under the counter. I work at Bibra Lake south of Perth and the drive takes me about 45min on Rowe highway.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

Just to to let you know this thread is over 3 years old.

[Gerald Knight]

Oops sorry.

[pegg]

Hey nice post though @Gerald Knight …. Sounds fab ! - i think we need to explore more areas )

[Tigerbalm]

Gooseberry Hill is great. We live on the edge of Gooseberry Hill and we are walking distance to Kalamunda town centre or a 2 min drive. Kalamunda is a lovely town with a country feel but all the amenities you need. A great Farmers market each weekend and a craft market every month. It's only a 30 min drive to Perth city centre. The house prices are not cheap but you can pick up a nice place on a half acre block for the price you would pay for a townhouse in the suburbs closer to Perth. In Kalamunda they have a shop that sells all things British. They even sell real Marmite, that they import from UK. They dont have it on the shelves but you have to ask and they get it from under the counter. I work at Bibra Lake south of Perth and the drive takes me about 45min on Rowe highway.

 

its nice to see old threads resurrected sometimes, especially when they contain info about different areas to live or visit. Thanks for this, I enjoyed reading it.