What would make Perth "unboring"?

Lancerx on 09/09/2015 - 00:51
Last edited 11/09/2015 - 12:39

I'm sure most of you would have heard of the term "dullsville" for Perth (whether it's true or not, I'll leave that to your interpretation).

I migrated here 15 years ago. Apart from the "everywhere is too far apart" and "only available to Eastern State" issues, I honestly haven't really got too much to complain about. First of all, I must sincerely ask not turn this thread into east vs west or "Bash Barnett" please! lol

In your opinion, what would you like to see in Perth e.g. business, franchises, activities or anything that would make Perth unique/interesting? I know there's a lot happening in Perth at the moment i.e. new stadium, new waterfront etc, but what you reckon would set Perth apart from the rest of cities in Australia cuz they all have those mentioned?

I am looking to invest in a new business venture in Perth with a few mates. At this stage, most probably a new franchise from Asia to Perth. We have the vision to start an AU first franchise in Perth, then slowly expand to the east if opportunity present itself. But honestly, nothing is concrete atm, so open minded to any ideas. But obviously the idea is to make it unique to Perth & go from there.

Love to hear your ideas! Please keep them coming! Thanks!

P/S Could we please get back to topic please? :P

Travel

Comments

        • Forfiet on 11/09/2015 - 01:31

          @Hotkolbas: It glides as softly as a cloud…

        • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2015 - 09:14

          @Forfiet:

          We're you sent here by the devil?

        • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2015 - 22:21

          @Hotkolbas: No, good sir, I'm on the level.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2015 - 00:06

          @YTW:

          What about us brain dead slobs?

        • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2015 - 20:01

          @Hotkolbas: You'll be given cushy jobs.

        • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 13/09/2015 - 22:50

          @YTW: The ring came off my pudding can.

  • cktftw on 10/09/2015 - 18:18
    +1

    Live in Adelaide for a while..

  • umoddbro on 10/09/2015 - 19:21
    +2

    Cheap food, everywhere is bloody expensive.

    • Lancerx on 10/09/2015 - 19:35

      Cheap food only possible with cheap wages…that's the problem here in Aus

      • gimli on 11/09/2015 - 07:52
        +2

        Not at 7-11

        • Lancerx on 11/09/2015 - 12:19

          They got done didn't they?

      • DeafMutePretender on 12/09/2015 - 18:20

        Cheap food only possible with cheap wages…

        Cheap food can also be possible if CEOs and shareholders are willing to accept slightly lower profits.

  • Gnostikos on 10/09/2015 - 19:27
    +2
    • Calibrating the world's ICBMs with live fire exercises on the metro region.
    • Independence Day-style hostile alien takeover.
    • A eugenics experiment of the most grand and thorough scale imaginable but with less science and more… firing squads.
    • Run-of-the-mil Zombie Apocalypse concentrated preferably on most of the Northern Suburbs past Mount Lawley (although the before and after photos would be difficult to tell apart; as would the zombies and the inhabitants).
    • More of those hilarious school fires as experienced by my old primary school many years ago when some kid was smoking cigarettes on the roof of the admin building, stuck a lit one into an evaporative air-conditioning condenser, set it ablaze, which then fell through the roof and set the entire admin building on fire thereby destroying most of the school's long-term records including student grades as well as giving the kids an extended summer holiday.

    Oh yeah, to be transparent, some disclosure: I live in Perth and have a mild dislike for it.
    Any of the above comments trying to sell you some of this lovey-dovey oh-it's-not-so-bad-we-have-good-parks spiel are full of it. Perth is a hole by global standards in every measurable way and at a minimum 8 years behind the largest cities of the nation.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2015 - 12:27

      Where do you live there if you don't like it?

      • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2015 - 17:59

        *why do u live there if u don't like it?

        • Gnostikos on 14/09/2015 - 00:12
          +3

          It's kind of difficult for a 6 year old to decide for his family where they should live upon migrating.
          Perth was chosen for me for entirely pragmatic reasons, being the nearest stop after the layover in KL (well there's Darwin but, come on) and being a city in which my family had connections that would be useful to get us on our feet.

          Yeah I lived here, grew here, was educated here and work here and owe some debt of gratitude to it (though I would consider that more a debt to Australia and its ideals, or the fruits of Western civilisation, than simply to the accommodations of one city) but I still have incredibly mixed feelings, leaning further towards negative feelings the longer I stay here. Funnily enough I liked Perth a lot more when it was less developed, even more remote and less pretentious, though I think that may be true for a lot of cities in general.

          A staggering amount of my peers, colleagues and acquaintances have barely set foot in other parts of Australia, let alone the world, and find my commentary on Perth bewildering, which is entirely expected and part of the reason Perth stays so regressive.

          The city itself, its amenities, its opportunities and idiosyncrasies are not even the problem; it's like any other city really but its geographical isolation and relative lack of importance or esprit-de-corps with the rest of Australia or the world does something to the minds of the people that live here. It's really like a big Stepford wives town that seems idyllic on paper, but with something very troubling teething beneath the surface that is continually cloaked with this cognitive dissonance about how Perth is coming of age. The people here are bizarre, that's about as simply as I can put it without unloading a literary corpus.

          I don't blame you if you don't understand; you need to be here since childhood and watch it change to really get what I'm saying. I've traveled extensively and have seen far happier and fulfilling places to live.

    • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 14/09/2015 - 09:27

      Still - at least it's not Adelaide.

  • tempco on 10/09/2015 - 20:10
    +2

    Moved across from Sydney to Perth for work and am loving it here. Great lifestyle (start early & finish early, and have a life outside of work) and looking forward to spending more time at the beach when the weather permits. In terms of food, I've found that Perth beats Sydney easily in terms of quality of Asian food (particularly Malaysian), and if you know where to look the prices are decent too. I have noticed a recent trend of some businesses trying to becoming more 'Melbourne-like', and my take on that is to stick at what you're good at rather than being a second-rate copy.

    • Eivad on 11/09/2015 - 13:48
      +2

      What are your go-to Asian restaurants in Perth?

      • tempco on 22/09/2015 - 22:13

        D'Nyonya in Vic Park for Malaysian - their laksa dish is great for those who like their dishes spicy.

        If you're looking for an Asian-style food court, I'd recommend Spencer Village, particularly the Indian-Singaporean shop near the back. Awesome prata dishes!

        • Eivad on 25/09/2015 - 10:42

          Thanks! I'll keep an eye out when I'm in Perth for work.

          I've grown up in Sydney most of my life and love the Asian food here (parts of Chatswood, Eastwood, Bankstown, Hurstville, Marrickville, etc). Was always wondering where the locals go in Perth though!

  • LurvinOZB on 10/09/2015 - 20:51

    Missing the weather in Perth, now relocated to Melbourne, everyone I talk to seems to frown at the idea of moving out of Perth to here.

    • LurvinOZB on 10/09/2015 - 20:56

      Oh … and to the OP's post … Perth do need to come off the mining and O&G boom and spend more on infrastructure and tourism activities.

      The money from the good years .. a pity that didnt get diversified into other industries. Now the bust came, no major O&G projects on the horizon, money is drying up slowly. I think Perth is geographically located well, near to S.E Asia (gateway to Asia). Could learn a trick or two from Dubai (glitzy desert) and iconic towers/ buildings/ beaches.

  • pennae on 10/09/2015 - 21:15

    Somewhere / something for school kids to show off. There's not even an edu pavilion at the Royal Show anymore. I'd like to see more forums for creative expression and the Arts - even if it is funny cat videos in the NB Piazza again ;)

  • Bludgeman on 10/09/2015 - 21:39

    I've got several friends in Perth and go there every few years to visit. The biggest difference I've noticed is there's nothing to do in Perth. Jk :P
    Melbourne has several hubs for entertainment, whereas Perth does not. So for example in Melbourne(East) you can head to several places any day of the week till midnight. Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Knox, Fountain Gate etc. Every time I've been to Perth, the only place you can go is really the city centre, and that's mainly weekends. Apart from that, everyone just seems to be used to going home and doing…whatever they do at home. The biggest challenge is to change the mentality of Perthians. If they knew there were places for them to go after 6pm, I'm sure they would.

    • whodidthat on 11/09/2015 - 08:55
      +2

      Apart from that, everyone just seems to be used to going home and doing…whatever they do at home.

      Population boom?

  • [Deactivated] on 10/09/2015 - 21:58

    Sorry but even chopper doesn't approve of Perth.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBrlqisHdYQ&feature=youtube_g…

    @2:57

  • freakatronic on 10/09/2015 - 23:14
    +2

    I live in Perth and I have had to battle a lot of negative sentiments toward this place. Given this is not a bashing thread, I will keep them to myself.

    I think Perth needs to give a damn about delivering quality for money. I have visited so many restaurants and cafes here where they serve a plate of slop for $30. That sort of thing would never fly in Melbourne. I have a short list of good places that Mrs. Tronic and I choose from on the weekends, but it's not growing fast. I'd love to see some sort of night market happening regualrly, where the serving size isn't insultingly small and the price isn't obscenely high. Given this is Perth, they would probably just dole out the $30 slops but hey. Worth asking.

    I think Perth could change its long term vision to be Australia's connection to Asia. We are on Asian time here, sharing the clock with HK, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing among others. That positions us well for business with them.
    Or we could give green / other technology companies tax breaks and benefits for being based here. Just like in Los Angeles!

    • ganymede on 10/09/2015 - 23:57
      +1

      I was at a "Vietnamese" restaurant on Stirling Highway, Nedlands a few weeks back for a function. $33 for the "buffet" and lousy is an understatement.

      • freakatronic on 11/09/2015 - 09:09

        Right? It's as if they think no one here will realise they're dishing up minimum effort garbage.

    • pyro love bird on 11/09/2015 - 09:40
      +1

      Lived in Perth and moved to melbs. Can confirm melbs has better quality food that's more affordable. But as a waitress in melbs. Wages are $10/hour, and although it's more affordable here, I am struggling to make ends meet.

      • bonezAU on 11/09/2015 - 09:41
        +2

        Wages are $10/hour

        ???

        Whoever is paying you is breaking the law.

      • JimB on 11/09/2015 - 10:12

        Are you a student on Centrelink benefits?

        I'm sure you can find a job that pays more than $10/hr, but I'm assuming that's cash on hand.

      • mousie on 11/09/2015 - 20:36

        Become a taxi driver

      • freakatronic on 11/09/2015 - 22:58

        How funny - I'm from Melbourne but moved to Perth for cheaper property.

        Also, $10 p/hour is definitely illegal. You should stop getting ripped off.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2015 - 23:44

        Wages are $10/hour

        That's almost as disgraceful as those 7-11 mongrels.

        Besides, I'm sure you would've gotten the hint by now that $10/hour for any job is illegal. And that's not a Melbourne thing, that's an Australia thing.

        Generally, people on wages like this are in a sticky situation. Without gross generalisation, chances are that you'll be paid cash in hand, a student, and more than likely not an Australian resident.

        People fitting this demographic are too frightened to speak up, in possible fear of legal consequences associated with taxation, immigration and the like.

        But it is worth noting that the law applies to everyone equally, and it is also important that you, a fellow ozbargainer, understand your rights in Australia.

        • pyro love bird on 12/09/2015 - 00:32

          Am in a bit of a sticky situation. Need the money, and it is cash in hand… Kinda. I'm an Australian citizen, born in Australia, but this was the first job that I got a reply to, and I've not heard back from Coles or woolies and the likes. I was offered $8 from another place. So this place was the better option. I'm not a student and I'm not on centrelink benefits either. I'm just trying to make ends meet and not having much luck as all the places I've found are just as bad or worse. The ones that aren't, I haven't heard back from or I don't qualify, experience wise or qualifications.

  • redraoh on 10/09/2015 - 23:24
    +1

    Perth has great beaches. Could be like the Gold Coast. Should have daylight saving.

  • 00 on 10/09/2015 - 23:44
    +4

    Theme Park where you get to drive one of those huge mining trucks.

  • ganymede on 10/09/2015 - 23:55

    "What would make Perth "unboring"?"

    Changing the mindset of Perthians! Seriously, I think we Perthians are so far back in time in everything and it is kinda embarassing! Fashion (every 12yo girls seems to have a pair of high waist shorts), food ($$$$$!), shopping (shopping? what shopping?), you name it.

  • centrelink on 11/09/2015 - 02:16

    Increase the population there. I think it needs more of a "city" feel with people and all. Just grab as many Syrian Refugees and dump them there. Thats a good start for progress.

  • LeavingTheWheel on 11/09/2015 - 07:42

    What about Australia's first Hyperloop. That'll make Perth a place to visit.

    • ba115d33p on 11/09/2015 - 10:10

      We actually will need one of these soon considering we already have south gero listed as one of our outter suburbs. In a few months time the new addition to our outter suburbs will be Karratha.

  • miss-t on 11/09/2015 - 10:01
    +3

    A venue that charges less than $10 a beer.

    Perth is lovely. It's just so bloody expensive to go out, eat and drink at.

    • ilikeradiohead on 11/09/2015 - 12:26

      A venue that charges less than $10 a beer.

      Tell him he's dreaming!

    • Davo1111 on 11/09/2015 - 12:28
      +1

      The Sentinel on St Georges Terrace has $9 beers during happy hour

      CASE CLOSED! /s

  • de22 on 11/09/2015 - 10:17

    I think once Elizabeth Quay gets up and running it should be a great spot to go and visit.
    Colin Barnett's gov't has done a huge amount of good things to improve Perth's appeal.

  • mousie on 11/09/2015 - 20:40
    +1

    I live in Sydney and had an awesome time on my family holiday in Perth.

    They need a formula 1. Maybe a tesla racing facility.

    Set up a district with 4am liquor licenses for a clubbing scene :)

    • Lancerx on 12/09/2015 - 01:45

      F1 will never come to us…I just gutted we lost red bull air race…such a wonder venue for the event!

      • Ramrunner on 12/09/2015 - 10:02

        See my comment below

  • Ramrunner on 12/09/2015 - 10:01
    +1

    Go further with the waterfront. Make it bigger and incorporate Riverside Drive. Then design an exciting racetrack that runs along the waterfront, includes Langley Park (so we can fit lots of people to watch) and maybe a significant portion of the new Elizabeth Quay.

    Seeing as the F1 and Indy are pretty tied up, why not invite the new Formula E (they don't have an Australian race yet) to race along this track and make it a big weekend that includes the V8s and support catagories?

    I personally hate we've lost the rally and the Red Bull air race and we NEED an event like this to put Perth in the spotlight.

    • Lancerx on 12/09/2015 - 10:55
      +1

      I agree, if only I'm a big developer, I would have developed the riverside drive to incorporate with Elizabeth quay…

  • slipperyslippers on 12/09/2015 - 14:14

    Starbucks! and stop the urban spread. Melb and Sydney have that cool inner city feel.
    We also need to utilise the Swan River more. Especially for commuting
    into the City. Brisbane and Sydney have the right idea. Wake up Snoozeville.

    • Lancerx on 12/09/2015 - 14:32

      I agree with utilizing river for transport, but it has to be the green option. Swan river is a bit different to Brisbane & Sydney's river..It's fairly shallow, and constant wave from boats will corrode the shore very quickly..

    • Davo1111 on 12/09/2015 - 20:44

      We also need to utilise the Swan River more. Especially for commuting

      why? The train line loosely follows the river anyway

  • LurvinOZB on 12/09/2015 - 20:46
    +3

    This thread is still going!

    Here's another one … Make WA the only state in Australia legit for recreational marijuana! The only state/ place in the southern hemisphere to legalise a plant that exist for centuries.

    Imagine the tax dollars, tourism dollars, in-flow of interstate recreational and medical migrants, economic flow-on, pharmaceutical R&D progression, riddance to the unsafe black market and so forth!

    Disclaimer: I have never smoked, or used or seen marijuana in real life before. But it is interesting read on the progress of legalised marijuana in the US and Canada.

    • Lancerx on 13/09/2015 - 15:23

      I like your idea!

  • Geekomatic on 13/09/2015 - 16:13

    Something for everyone such as rock-climbing, hosted nature-walks, CES (as in the USA), anything high-tech or nerdy (aka Thinkgeek, as mentioned previously)…More Indi film festivals, more shows.

    Most importantly, at prices people who do NOT work in mining can afford. Yes, MOST of us do NOT make $100,000 per year. Let Abbott know, eh?

    Lastly, Taco Bell!!!!!!!!!!

    Si!

    • Davo1111 on 14/09/2015 - 07:19

      hosted nature-walks,

      there are some on meetup.com. costs like $3 because meetup

      • Geekomatic on 15/09/2015 - 00:18

        I was replying to the OP specifically, as it sounded like they were after a score of things that might be a good "mix" of things to offer from the one place.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2015 - 20:37
    +1

    A monthly Ozbargain meetup? Probably the only thing that would make me want to fly to Perth atm.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2015 - 20:58

    A naked photo scandal involving Carrie Bickmore and her Gold Logie? Rove and his Gold Logie?
    Julie Bishop and Ben Cousins - with Carrie and Rove's Gold Logies?

    Sorry. Struggling a bit. Amar89 has convinced me of the malaise.

    HOLD THE EFF ON!
    Isn't Aldi coming to Perth, soon?
    Staff wearing lederhosen, year 'round Oktoberfest vibe. So much too look forward to.
    Surely, that'll be enough?
    Surely??

    Oh, and some more British retirees, named Shirley.

    Things are looking up, Perth! Things are looking up.

    :)

  • [Deactivated] on 15/09/2015 - 22:53

    Maybe a bit boring, but… Perth is OK

    ;)

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