Moving to Perth as a student

Perth is the capital of Western Australia and is about as close to Bali as the big cities on the East Coast of Australia. Home to universities such as the University of Western Australia and the lead campus of University of Notre Dame, Perth is a great city for students. With the best weather year-round of all the Australian capitals, Perth is a paradise for anyone who loves the beach, nature and the outdoors. The laid-back city seamlessly blends with the economic powerhouse of the CBD and the enormous Kings Park. Find out all you need to know about moving to Perth to study.

Outdoors in the city

Perth has its own identity as a city and the landscape is a big part of that. Kings Park is bigger than Central Park in New York and is a real slice of the Australian outback right in the city. Treetop bridges, skyscrapers and views over the Swan and Canning rivers; not bad, right? Perth’s coast provides a great variety of amazing beaches – try them all out to see which one is best for you. Rottnest Island is a short trip from Perth, and the car-free island is home to smiling quokkas, coral reefs and a trip back in time before technology! If city living is more your style, check out the Perth Cultural Centre or the Art Gallery of Western Australia for a taste of Aboriginal and modern art. Perth’s nightlife is not to be sniffed at: Sneaky Tony’s requires a daily password for entry (found on their Facebook page) and Metro City doubles as a club and a concert venue. Quirky eateries like Hummus Club, Wildflower and Bivouac span the globe’s cuisines and offer something for everyone.

Perth Australia Student cycle

Save money in Perth

One of the best ways to save money in Perth is to do all the amazing free things the city has to offer! As the cost of living is quite high – Australia is pricey, but Perth is even more so – it’s lucky there’s so many options right on your doorstep. Hiking, beach trips, picnics, free museum entry… Take your pick of the free stuff all around you. In warmer months, Perth hosts outdoor cinemas, street festivals and live music which all offer a cheap day or night out. Travel costs around Perth are fairly low, and SmartRider cards can get you discounted travel and free train trips within the free travel zone and free bus rides in the CBD for all users. Food can be pricey, but great value filling meals can be found at ethnic restaurants or grab and go places. StudyPerth has a great list of student budget-friendly places to eat. If you’re looking for student discounts, Student Edge is a great app to help students save money.

What type of accommodation should I choose?

To get the most out of your time as a student in Perth, it’s important that your find suitable, affordable accommodation that doesn’t eat up your whole budget for the month. The cost of living in Australia is quite high, so you’ll want to save wherever you can. To save money and help you get settled in the region, why not look for a flatshare in Perth or a spare room with a landlord. It’s a great way to make new friends and the local knowledge of a live in landlord or flatmate can make the settling in process a whole lot easier. You might even get an invite to a true Aussie Sunday Session!

Author: Roomlala

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