Go West Young (?!) Man

you could try around Dianella although depending on what you are after it might be a bit out of the budget
regulations with camping are as per usual - the closer you are to the city and the more popular the spot the greater the regulations and fees usually apply
You will love WA compared to SA in the camping and destinations stakes.
No other state comes close with the diversity of places to go

G'day Pete, give me a yell when you get over here. I won't be going to sea until mid next year so will have a few opportunities to go bush. $450K is just below the average price for a house over here. It's getting pretty pricey in the housing department.

A mate of mine and I found a number of top camping spots just this weekend gone so yeah will have to show you around.

Yokine is pretty close to the freeway so that opens up your options greatly, esp if you are willing to travel for up to 60 mins. It's 12 years since I left Perth but still believe it has a great road network, although driving down to Dwellingup is not what it used to be - ye gods!

Can't comment on price though mate. Depends what sort of environmentsurroundings you like to come home to, beach/bush/river/concrete jungle. I believe house values have shot up in Perth in recent years.

Check out the real estate institure of WA site www.reiwa.com

it wil allow you to search the current market as per your requirments.

$450 should not be too much of a problem. Prices have plataeud at the moment, with some areas even going backwards. it all comes down to location, location, location. Inner city suburbs and the coast are obviously going to set you back alot more. The further you go out, the cheaper it will get. As you say, you dont mind 60min travel (although, why would you want to??), which opens up alot of areas, especially close to the freeway. Be mindful, our freeways arent the best, with peak hour sometimes seeing a 15min trip, turned into a 50minute one. Also, be sure to leave those pesky indicators in SA, they are not used here ;)

For interest, an area such as Ellenbrook, which is about 30km from the CBD, 20min from the freeway, $450 can get you a nice 4x2, basic yet very liveable.

My brother was transferred to Perth for 2 years. That was in 1994 and he is still there.

Recently when considering employment options he came across a job that attracted his attention in Sydney. His wife, who did not want to go to Perth in the first place and his teenage daughters, who really only know Perth threatend him with death if he even considered applying for the job.

If his experience is anything to go on you will love it. My brother is into most things outdoors, including cycling, sailing and camping, he is never stuck for something to do or somewhere to go.

Duncs

I'm tipping that your XO looked a lot better in overalls than the one in the HAMMERSELY!

What is the job Pete? It sounds like a great opportunity (Promotion? Payrise?)

Cheers,

Matt.

Traitor!!

Thanks for all your replies - except MN1 :o)

Cheers

Pete

Pajman,

A cuppla things to consider,,,,,,,,,,

One, have you tried tapping yer boss for a relocation allowance or a lump sum, bearing mind that Perth house prices are now the highest in Australia, perhaps highest in the Western World by now!! Worth a try,,,,,,

Second, if you decide on South of The River (SOR), bear in mind that there are some very nice places down this way and generally cheaper than North of The River (NOR). Plus, with the new railway from Mandurah into the Perth CBD (and beyond) due by late this year, possibly before Christmas,,,,,,,,,45 minutes and yer in Perth, 10 minutes more and yer in Yokine.

37 minutes more and yer in Darwin - nah just kiddin' ya,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bilbo

As much as I hate to talk about WA's best kept secret...

You could do a lot worse than look at Mandurah. 50mins from Yokine (I did the trip this morning, new grandson lives there), 45 mins from Perth on the new train (starting Dec), freeway being extended as we speak.

Heaps of beach fishing, 4wdriving around Collie etc, southwest vineyards (Margaret River) and the Peel Inlet for relaxed boating, crabbing etc. And from personal experience the house prices are dropping here. Try www.realestate,com,au and put in postcode 6210. $450K will buy you a beautiful 4X2.

If you move here you owe me a beer.

Welcome, freind. I would like to add that, while it's a nice place, Mandurah is a loooong drive at peak hour.

travelling along way to work absaaaalutly has knobs on it- closer to work the better. you will reeely apreciate the hour or so per day you get to spend at home rather than mixing it in the perth streets- they are pretty darn busy

Pete

Consider slightly east. Try the hills. Perth has grown North & South considerable distances because people have tried to stay near the beach, but have often forgetten the hills.
Suburbs such as Midland, Kalamunda, walliston, mundaring are all only about 20k's or less out. Midland has a trainline direct to the city. From there to yokine is probably only a 30 min drive accross roe hwy, onto reid hwy.

Prices have started to climb but there are still some good options with a bush lifestyle.


Alan

Pete, websites you may find interesting:

http://www.mymandurah.com/

http://www.mofsc.com.au/

http://www.peeldirect.com.au/

http://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/

http://www.mandurahwa.com/index.html

cheers

Go to realestate.com.au

It will give you all the up to date rentals and home sales...just choose your state, pick a price range...and magic happens.

That'll give you an idea of what you get for your $$$

Good luck.