Top Ten Things I Love About Living in Perth (And Why I'm Never Moving Back East)

 Quokkas! (The Furry Celebrities Who've Mastered Social Media Better Than Most Humans)

Warning: May cause severe case of "why didn't I relocate here sooner" syndrome.

When I tell people we moved from Sydney to Perth, I get one of two reactions: either complete bewilderment ("But... why would you move further from civilisation?") or knowing nods from fellow escapees who've discovered Australia's best-kept secret.

Yes, Perth might be the most isolated major city in the world—we're closer to Jakarta than we are to Sydney, which says something about either geography or our life choices. But here's the thing: after living here, I genuinely can't figure out why anyone chooses to stay anywhere else.

Sure, we might be three hours behind the rest of Australia (which means we're perpetually missing the end of live TV events, but also perpetually avoiding Monday morning meetings). And yes, our idea of "just popping over to the next state" involves a four-hour flight. But trust me when I say that what we lack in proximity to other places, we more than make up for in reasons to never want to leave.

So here's my love letter to Perth—a city that somehow manages to be both ridiculously liveable and completely underrated. If you're considering the move, prepare to become insufferably smug about your lifestyle choices. You've been warned.

1. The Beaches (AKA Nature's Daily Reminder That You're Winning at Life)

Let's be honest—when your biggest daily dilemma is choosing between 19 different pristine beaches, you've pretty much nailed this whole "adulting" thing. The soft white sand and crystal-clear water look so ridiculously perfect that your Instagram followers will assume you're using filters. Plot twist: you're not. This is just Tuesday in Perth.

Whether it's a pre-coffee ocean dip (because apparently we're those people now), a sunset stroll that makes you feel like you're in a tourism ad, or pretending you know how to surf while locals politely look away—the coast isn't just part of life here, it IS life.

2. The Relaxed, Country-Town Feel (Where Everyone's Your Mate Whether You Like It Or Not)

Coming from Sydney, I was genuinely suspicious when strangers started saying hello in the street. What did they want? Were they selling something? Turns out, they were just being... nice. Revolutionary concept, I know.

Perth has that magical small-town vibe where people actually make eye contact, chat to you at bus stops, and remember your coffee order. It's like living in a feel-good movie, except the rent is real and you still have to do your own laundry.

3. Amazing Beachfront Cafes and Restaurants (Where Your Wallet Goes to Die, But Your Soul Comes Alive)

We're spoilt for choice when it comes to cafes. There are so many beautiful beachside spots that makes choosing where to have brunch a legitimate life crisis. First world problems taken to their logical extreme.

There's something deeply satisfying about complaining about your Monday morning while sipping flat whites with ocean views that would make European tourists weep with envy. Sure, you'll pay $22 for avocado toast, but can you really put a price on feeling superior to everyone still eating breakfast indoors?

4. Endless Travel Destinations (Your Weekend Plans Just Got Ridiculously Good)

Honestly, the travel options from Perth are out of this world. Within a few hours' drive, you've got Margaret River where I pretend to know about wine ("This one tastes... red?"), then there's Esperance with beaches that make you question why anyone bothers with Bali.

Head north and you've hit Kalbarri for gorge walks that'll make your legs hate you, or push on to Shark Bay where dolphins literally swim up to say hello at Monkey Mia. Keep going to Exmouth if you fancy swimming with whale sharks—which sounds terrifying but is apparently life-changing according to my husband David who won't shut up about it.

Down south, there's Albany with its dramatic coastlines and history, or Denmark for that hipster vibe and ridiculous bushwalking. The Pinnacles Desert makes you feel like you're on Mars, except with better phone reception and fewer space suits.

And here's the kicker—while your mates back east are spending their weekends stuck on the Pacific Highway or queuing for overpriced brunch, you're road-tripping to places that look like desktop wallpapers. It's almost unfair, really.

5. The Long Summers (Nine Months of Vitamin D Overdose)

This could legitimately be reason number one why people move here! Sure, it gets hot—like "your steering wheel becomes a medieval torture device" hot—but without that soul-crushing humidity that makes you question your life choices.

The warm weather starts creeping in around September (while the rest of Australia is still wearing jackets like amateurs) and hangs around until May. We've been swimming at the beach in May while Sydney-siders are already complaining about winter. It's almost unfair. Almost.

6. Outdoor Lifestyle (Where Indoor Activities Go to Feel Inadequate)

Perth locals are so obsessed with being outdoors that we've turned "watching the sunset" into a legitimate social activity. Every evening, half the city migrates to beaches and foreshores like we're following some ancient ritual. Scarborough's Sunset Hill looks like a daily festival where the main event is literally the sun going to bed.

The parks here are so well-equipped they make other cities' parks look like sad patches of grass with a rusty swing. BBQs, playgrounds, proper toilets—it's like someone actually thought about what humans might need to enjoy themselves outdoors. Revolutionary.

7. Family-Friendly Living (Where Your Kids Will Be More Cultured Than You)

I'm not exaggerating when I say there is ALWAYS something happening for kids in Perth. The local councils and WA Government are so committed to family activities that your biggest parenting challenge becomes choosing between seventeen different weekend options.

Scitech, WA Museum Boola Bardip, Kings Park's Rio Tinto Naturescape—your children will be getting educational entertainment while you're still trying to figure out what half these places are. They'll be discussing marine biology over fish fingers while you're googling "what is a quokka?"

8. Cost of Living (Where Your Sydney Salary Goes From Survival Mode to Actually Living)

Let me paint you a picture: we bought a house by the beach for what a Sydney parking spot costs. Okay, that's slight hyperbole, but not by much. Yes, prices have been climbing faster than a tourist rushing to catch the Rottnest ferry, but Perth is still refreshingly affordable compared to the east coast.

Having actual space, being minutes from the ocean, and not spending your entire salary on rent feels like winning the Australian housing lottery. Which, let's face it, is the only lottery that matters these days.

9. Quokkas! (The Furry Celebrities Who've Mastered Social Media Better Than Most Humans)

I'll be honest —before moving to Perth, I didn't have a clue what a quokka was. Sounded like something you'd order at a trendy café. But now? I'm basically a quokka evangelist.

These cute little marsupials have figured out something the rest of us are still working on: how to look genuinely happy in every single photo. While I'm over here taking seventeen attempts to get one decent selfie, quokkas just rock up with their permanent grin and nail it every time. It's honestly a bit insulting.

The whole world has caught on too. Tourists spend serious money flying to Perth just to get that perfect quokka selfie. Meanwhile, I can jump on a ferry any weekend and hang out with what are basically Perth's unofficial ambassadors of joy. Not a bad weekend plan, really.

10. Rottnest Island (Paradise That's Closer Than Your Local Shopping Centre)

And finally, the crown jewel: Rottnest Island. Sixty beaches, twenty bays, water so turquoise it looks fake, and the aforementioned quokka celebrities just wandering around like they own the place (which, let's be honest, they basically do).

It's a 30-45 minute ferry ride that transforms you from city dweller to island hopper. No cars allowed, so you'll be cycling around like you're twelve again, except now you can legally drink at the pub afterward. Just maybe pack some seasickness tablets—the ferry ride can be bumpier than your first relationship, and twice as likely to make you regret your breakfast choices.

The bottom line? Perth might be the most isolated city in the world, but once you're here, you'll understand why nobody ever seems to leave. We're not stuck here—everyone else is just missing out.