Every tourist that has visited Perth at least once in their life must have noticed its laid back character. People walking with sunglasses on, smiles and beautiful faces everywhere, stores full of goods for surfing - these are the first visible signs of the city's mood. Perth is famous for its modern and reliable public transportation, brand new roads and paths for pedestrians and cyclists and this is what, among other factors, make the city a truly comfortable place for living, even in the city.
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The capital of Western Australia has many angles to look at and talk about. On one side it has an unspoiled beach vibe, nature that is unique to this region and a glowing medallion in the sky almost all year around, but on the other side, the city's government wants more than that, desperately trying to bring a financial importance and the Wall Street vibe, creating contradictory feelings about the lifestyle there.
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In this article I wanted to highlight points that were unusual and new to me, when I first arrived in Perth. They were not obvious in the first months of living, but became more apparent as I spoke, observed and lived there longer.
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1. Mining is the dominant industry and number one source of income for a vast amount of Western Australians.
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How is this factor related to the lifestyle in Perth?
Interesting, but mining has a direct relation to the lifestyle of Western Australians. Did you know that the actual mines are located hundreds of kilometers away from Perth and the distance is not drivable at all? The only way to get to the mining workplace is by plane. Considering the pros and cons, the companies determined that the best way to operate such work circumstances is by a "fly - in and fly - out" schedule. Workers would live at the mine for two weeks and then go back to their home in Perth for two weeks and then fly back to work again. Since the salary in this industry is extremely high, many people sacrifice their family time by agreeing to work with such an arrangement. Many entities such as airports, banks and housing operate according to the above "two weeks on - two weeks off " lifestyle. After living in the society with such living arrangements, I felt a great disbalance in life.
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2. Massive focus on healthy food, especially on the locally made produce.
Coastal living is already a motivation to sustain a healthy lifestyle in Perth. Free access to the beaches, running paths across the beach line and "small islands" of exercise zones with gym equipment definitely encourage citizens to exercise in the fresh air.
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As I briefly went over in the introduction, Australians look healthy and fit. They love local farmer's markets and are ready to spend a lot of money on natural food. Such tendency is partially driven by the trend brought from the rest of the world and people, earning more than a decent amount of money, are ready and willing to spend as much as needed to be in tune with a trend and to look healthy.
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Walk around neighborhoods and count the number of cafes offering super foods like acai bowls, read about microbreweries producing kombucha drinks in enormous quantities, or buy an extremely popular energy ball for 5 dollars or more.
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3. Wine Industry
Wineries in Western Australia have a long history and take their roots from all parts of Europe. Wine is a very popular drink here and people appreciate the moment and enjoy wine in restaurants or at home with dinner.
As I have mentioned before in my article about the Swan Valley, Perth has the whole trail dedicated to wine tasting and it is one of the attractions for tourists and activities for locals.
Local wineries do not expand to the outer market, therefore certain types of wine can only be tasted at the cellar door of the particular brand. Wine takes a special place in Perth's lifestyle, matching its bitey price and the excellent, singular quality and taste.
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4. Picturesque Beaches and Surf Lifestyle
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Picturesque is the best word I could find to describe what I felt about the beaches in Western Australia. All beaches are different from each other. Even the sand will vary between two beaches located just one kilometer from each other.
One oceanfront is more popular among the trendy crowd while the other attracts surfers from all over the world. But what is common among all the beaches here - is the perfect setting for a picture. No matter what side you take the shot, it will look - that's right - picturesque. Surprising as it may sound, as the water in the ocean is clear blue, the temperature is pretty chilly. In the hottest month in Perth, which is February, the water will reach a maximum of 23 C degrees. Sure enough the water temperature does not affect the most popular water activities such as surfing. Surfers wear well protected wet suits enjoying the moves of unsettling waves, which are plenty.
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5. Quokkas
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I am glad the above word made you smile right now, because this is what this local animal does to everyone who sees it. It a very special species in Western Australia which resides only on one island in the whole world - Rottnest Island. You are not going to meet this cute, somewhat kangaroo looking creature anywhere else, but only in this part of Australia.
Quokkas to me represent that quirky lifestyle that Perth has.
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6. Scarborough Beach $100 million Redevelopment Plan
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Scarborough Beach is a popular and trendy beachfront destination for people who live in and visit Perth. Its white, smooth and clean sand beach is the autograph of the spot. People like Scarborough beach for its family - friendly atmosphere as well as for its restaurant vibe. It is the greatest spot to watch sunsets.
Actually it was the greatest place to meet the sunset, until the local government decided to redevelop the area and invest $100 million into the project which includes the building of many attractions such as restaurants, shops, cafes, playground zones and a pool. Yes, a pool right next to the ocean. Do not ask me why as I will not be able to answer this question, but I can say that such projects are not new to the region. It is one of the portrayals of Perth and it's distinctive lifestyle which combines wilderness, being minutes away from the city and such projects like this.
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Enjoy Your Visit to Perth, to the city of contrast and contradiction !
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