04/10/09

I was up at 6am this morning but no matter. It's just that no-one else was. Anywhere. Shops and things do open on Sunday in the city, but only from around 11am, so after pottering around for an hour or so I took my laptop to McDonalds and indulged in the free wifi. I found it quite annoying that, after being in Central America minus a laptop, there was free wifi in every single hostel I stayed in. However, in Perth hostels most certainly do not offer it for free. Anyway, off I trundled for what ended up being quite a productive day, from unlocking my mobile and getting credit sorted, to researching medicare and banks. I also upgraded my account on the EasyRoomMate website as I need to get serious about finding a place to live! I have contacted a couple of people so hopefully they'll get back to me....

For those of you who don't know, I have a 5year visa which, for the first 2 years, I have to live and work in a 'regional' part of Western Australia, i.e. anywhere that is not metropolitan Perth. This type of visa is available to encourage people with certain skills to help develop the economy in the more regional parts of the state. As I'm no city girl, this suits me down to the ground! After this 2 year period I can move to live and work anywhere in Australia. If I live and work in Australia for 4years, I could potentially apply for citizenship, but that's a long way off yet ;)

So, at the moment, I have narrowed down my choices to 2 separate areas. The first is the Southwest region, between the large town of Mandurah and the much smaller Margaret River, which are around 3hrs by car apart. The further south one goes, the less populated it becomes. This is less advantageous in terms of numbers of job prospects, but on the flip side, the lifestyle is arguably better – cheaper rent, better beaches (I know I know, I'm shallow, but I like a nice beach!) and better diving. Though it is cooler (still sunny though). However, on the complete opposite side of the coin, I'm also considering moving 'way out woop woop' (translation: 'in the middle of nowhere'), to a place called Ningaloo. This place is 1200km north of Perth, the nearest airport is 120km away, where shopping centres, bars and restaurants are so non-existent, that to those who don't escape the place much, they are all but figments of imagination, founded on the stories these foreign travellers bring when they visit. But, the marine life is fantastic. Whale sharks (whale sharks!) frequent these waters every year for several months. Manta rays are common. Whales come by as they reach the end of their migration north to give birth to their young, before heading back down to Antarctica. With my love of diving, and keenness to improve my underwater photography skills, this place sounds incredible. Did I mention it has some of the most stunning beaches in Australia??!! OK, Ill leave the beach thing for a bit. But there is less risk of being munched on by a shark. Unfortunately the waters up to 600km or so north of Perth are rather well known for their Great Whites/White Pointers. Makes my other region of choice a little less desirable. Still, I don't believe in not doing something just in case something happens! I'll still keep it in mind as an option.

Having said what I've said, I'm feeling more I inclined to stay south for 3months or so, just to get myself sorted job- and accommodation-wise. It's easier to find work in this area rather than trekking all the way up north to find potentially nothing. Then I can see how I feel and make the move up if I want. I'd want to be fairly assured of a job first.

So, this morning I woke up feeling Mandurah would be the best place to start. 60,000 people, brand new world-class marina (if I get back into sailing, or maybe I could work on some boats), fastest growing regional city in Australia, but full of retirees. Then lunchtime it was Bunbury – smaller but there were more accommodation adverts with people my age, still a decent size place and near to Geographe Bay where the whales are due to frequent for the next 3months. Then in the evening it was Margaret River, everyone says its beautiful, quite touristy so certain of a job of some sort, and the centre of WA's viticulture industry. What's not to like??! Ok, it's the coldest place so far and 15mins by car to the coast. I need the sea.

I really need to go and see all these places, but I am so keen to just find the right place straight away that I'm actually trying to make the decision without actually going to these places. There is a fundamental flaw in my plan, I know! I'll figure it out....