Considering making the move from Canberra to Perth? Perth offers a relaxed lifestyle, beautiful landscapes and a flourishing economy. But, before you get to delight in everything that Perth has to offer, you need to plan and execute a successful interstate move!
Our Canberra interstate moving and Perth interstate moving teams have helped thousands of individuals and families successfully relocate from Canberra to Perth, so we have the right experience and expertise to ensure your relocation is smooth sailing! Our moving guide has everything you may need to know such as living in Perth and how you can prepare for your interstate move from Canberra.
Living in Perth
Perth is known as one of the world’s most isolated capital cities, however there is much more to the Western Australian capital city. Perth is building a reputation for its combination of economic opportunity with a beach lifestyle. We break down every day living in Perth will really be like and how it may compare to life in Canberra.
WORK & CAREER
Historically, Perth’s economy has been centred around its abundance of mineral and energy resources. However, it has now expanded into a range of different industries. Due to the close proximity and more convenient time zone for Asia and Europe, Perth is home to many large Australasian corporations’ headquarters.
Manufacturing and tourism (still bouncing back from the COVID-19-related border closures) are major industries in Perth which are continuing to expand. There are also growing opportunities in the healthcare and medical science industries.
HOUSING
A significant benefit of moving from Canberra to Perth is the more affordable housing. The median property price in Perth is $855,000, compared to Canberra’s price of $1,042,730. Renting is more affordable in Perth, with BudgetDirect stating that Perth rent prices are 22.6% lower than in Canberra. The average monthly cost of renting a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Perth is estimated to be $2,638, compared to Canberra’s average of $3,128.
When you are choosing where to live in Perth, the suburbs close to the beaches and the city are considered highly desirable and are therefore more expensive. Popular beach-adjacent suburbs include Floreat, South Fremantle, and Scarborough. The south of Perth is popular with families thanks to the abundance of parks and schooling options.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting around Perth is easy, whether you are using public transport, driving or cycling! The public transport system includes trains, buses and ferries. Perth has its own version of the ‘MyWay’ card with ‘SmartRider’. As the public transport system doesn’t fully extend to the outer suburbs, having a car is very convenient and popular. If you are a keen cyclist, then you are in luck! The favourable weather and bike lane infrastructure mean that Perth is considered a bike-friendly city, so you can enjoy cycling on your commute or riding for pleasure.
CLIMATE
Another drawcard for Canberrans relocating to Perth is the great weather! Perth enjoys beautiful weather and holds the title for the most days of sunshine per year out of all the capital cities! Perth has warm and dry summers with an average temperature of 32℃. The winters are also warmer in Perth, with the daytime temperature averaging 18℃. Keep in mind that Perth doesn’t observe Daylight savings and follows Australian Western Standard Time so Canberra is three hours ahead.
THE CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
Perth truly is the best of both worlds, combining the benefits of city life and the beach lifestyle. The clear water, stunning white sand beaches, and favourable temperatures mean you can enjoy swimming, surfing and all the beach activities that Perth can provide year-round - but stick to the patrolled and shark-net beaches!
As City Beach is only 15 minutes from the Perth CBD, many locals can enjoy an afternoon swim after work. Getting tired of the beach? Then head to the thriving nightlife in Northbridge or check out the famous Little Creatures brewery in Fremantle. Sport is highly popular in Perth, with a range of professional games and local clubs for cycling, cricket, netball, football and soccer available.
There’s more than sport and great beaches, with a burgeoning arts scene offering a range of entertainment. Theatre and music festivals such as Fringe World, Listen Out and the Perth International Jazz Festival are becoming increasingly popular. If you are looking for a vibrant nightlife of bars, clubs and bars, head to the suburbs of Northbridge, Fremantle and Subiaco.
Planning your move to Perth
Before you get swept away with daydreaming about your new life in Perth, you need to begin planning your move from Canberra! Here is what you need to prepare so your interstate relocation goes smoothly.
PACKING BELONGINGS AND FURNITURE
Packing for a move is highly important so it’s not a task that should be left to the last minute. As your precious furniture and belongings will need to travel over 3,721 kilometres to reach their new home in Perth, you will want to ensure they are secure and safe for the journey. You can follow our helpful packing tips and moving checklist so you don’t forget anything. Need a helping hand? We recommend using a professional packing service as they will ensure that your belongings are safe and secure for the trip from Canberra to Perth, giving you peace of mind throughout the move.
MOVING A CAR OR VEHICLE
Being able to use a vehicle in Perth is highly convenient so you may wish to bring your car with you from Canberra. To move your car to Perth, you can either drive it yourself or use a professional vehicle transportation service that will relocate your car for you. To drive your car from Canberra to your home in Perth it will take at least 40 hours of driving time. There is also the incidental cost of petrol, accommodation and food along the way. Because of the additional time and effort involved in driving yourself, we recommend using the professionals.
RELOCATING WITH PETS
There’s no doubt that moving interstate is stressful for everyone, especially for pets! To help ensure a smooth relocation, we recommend taking them to the vet a week before the move and updating their collar and microchip information with your new Perth address. You may also want to get them used to their carrier by giving them the opportunity to sniff and explore it, and make it a comforting space by placing some familiar blankets and toys inside. Due to the vast distance between Canberra and Perth (and the long driving time), it’s highly recommended that you use a pet transportation service. They are experts at helping pets make a safe journey to their new homes interstate and will have the right expertise and resources to get your pet to Perth.
CONSIDER STORAGE
When packing, you may feel unsure about what items and furniture will work in your new home in Perth. We recommend using short-term storage as an ideal option enabling you to get settled in your new home before receiving the bulk of your belongings. Otherwise, you can opt for long-term storage to keep your items safe and sound for as long as you need.
Choose a storage provider like Allied that offers storage facilities in Perth as well as storage facilities in Canberra, plus can deliver your stored belongings and furniture to your new interstate home when you require them.
REMOVALISTS VS DIY
When you are planning to move interstate, you will need to choose the services of an experienced interstate removalist or tackle the move yourself, do-it-yourself style. The major deciding factor is often whether it is better value to use a removalist.
An interstate move involves so many different aspects to handle and manage so it’s often more valuable to use a moving company when relocating from Canberra to Perth. This is because of the time and costs associated when you move yourself. These incidental expenses are often forgotten when calculating the overall cost, and include the price of petrol, packing materials, the time taken to pack and move yourself (including taking time off work), and renting a truck or van. Because of this, it ends up being much more worthwhile to use removalists.
The main advantage is the time and energy you save when using a moving company. Interstate removalists like Allied Moving Services will have experience, a high level of training and the right professional equipment to handle your move to Perth from Canberra and will be significantly more efficient.
Not to mention, there is the added benefit of professional movers having multiple services (such as car and pet relocation) which can provide a more competitive deal compared to using numerous service providers. When comparing moving quotes - don’t let price fool you! Sometimes, the cheapest removalists may also be the most inexperienced ones and can end up costing you more if they lose or damage your precious items. Instead, look for an experienced removalist who is offering you the best possible deal.