I'm just wondering, becuase i've met so many Singaporeans that have studied in Perth, why they go to Perth. whats so good about it? I've never been there myself and my friends say its boring.
So why Perth?
Why not Sydney or Melbourne
Perth is great for studying. No distractions, no life, boring city; virtually dead. Most shops starts closing at 5pm! =\ Rent is much cheaper compared to the bigger livelier cities too (but still really expensive none-the-less and rising due to inflation rates here). Public transport infrastructure is poor (whether its in Perth, Melbourne or Sydney), and expensive. Cab can cost you $30 or even $80 or even more depending on where you go, since everywhere is so far away and the rates are high. Overall, life is generally more relaxed, but you'll start missing the more exciting urban city life after awhile.
People are also
generally a lot friendlier in Perth compared to Sydney base on my personal experiences.
Cost of living in Australia, in general, is actually substantially higher compared to Singapore and even to America! Food costs 2-3 times as much, etc. and I'm not even factoring in the exchange rate (so you better learn to cook). Nothing is free in Australia (if you think $ingapore is bad) - You've even gotta pay for your packets of Ketchup at fast food places -- no free chillie/curry/bbq/sweet-sour sauce avail at McDonalds to go with your Chicken nuggets.
And their limited fast food chains generally taste crappy in comparison to the ones we have in SG. Hungry Jacks (i.e. BK) dun have Mushroom Swiss or Randang burger.
haha No MosBurger, or Yoshinoya. Food over here labelled as Extra Hot or "Super Spicy" are actually 'mild'. haha
Perth is comparatively "safer" than the larger cities simply because the population is so sparse and spread out. Even so, its advisable not to go out by yourself too late. Still lots of muggings and thefts, especially around my Uni.
My Aussie friend told me that there are just so many that they just can't be bothered to report it anymore.
My bicycle got stolen at my uni (lock smashed), and the bicycle-lights a couple of times too when I forget to remove them from my bike. Two of friends' had their car window smashed and ransacked, laptop stolen from home, and countless mugging incidents. My Korean friend was mugged and lost his assignments (his 3 months of hard work..lol)!!! Even in Perth there was an incident where a poor Indian girl got beaten up really badly near where I study. Another aussie mate was attacked in another mugging while waiting for his cab at night, and had his head smashed really badly, almost to the point of death, two years back. Part of his skull has to be removed due to excessive swelling. The two culprits only got 2 years sentence (they weren't even sorry)! Its a good thing that guns are banned here.
I've consider making myself a Taser, but my friend informed me that its illegal here.
Racism isn't a problem around the university area. But me and some other Asian students still experienced random harassments like being thrown water at by a passing car filled with drunk screaming idiots while waiting for our bus at the bus-stop, or retards showing us the middle finger yelling racial slurs as they drive by. While cycling home, a group of "bogans" made silly Chinese and Japanese sounding gibberish at me. My cousin and his friends got threaten by some guy with a baseball bat yelling for him to "go home" (i.e. get lost back to Singapore, etc).
But I guess it depends on your neighbourhood, and where you're in Perth. Don't go out after the shop closes, and avoid the train stations at night. But regardless its "still" safer than the bigger cities.
Many drivers likes to speed and do dangerous fast turns, and tailgate, etc and don't slow down at the zebra-crossings too. So you've gotta be more careful when driving or cycling around. Temperature's crazy in summers. Freaking 45degC!!!
I've stayed mainly because my supervisor offered me an irresistible research project and scholarship to keep me here.