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Original poster

Does anyone know Bunbury in Australia?

72 replies

farawayplaces · 21/12/2022 07:47

DH wants to apply for a job there. It would mean relocating the whole family. We have two DC. I know nothing about the city other than its in vaguely the same area as Perth.

Any insider information?

OP posts:
Original poster
farawayplaces · 21/12/2022 07:59

Hmm that certainly doesn't sounds like a paradise

OP posts:
Original poster
farawayplaces · 21/12/2022 08:06

anyone actually been there?

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shivawn · 21/12/2022 08:08

I did a roadtrip along the South West Coast of Australia 12 years ago (how time flies!). I don't remember Bunburry specifically although I know we passed through it but the entire area was beautiful with gorgeous beaches. Would this be a permanent move?

Original poster
farawayplaces · 21/12/2022 08:10

It would either be about 5 years or permanent. Obviously we'd have to go out and explore but I want to know whether to nip it in the bud immediately.

Its a senior role.

OP posts:
custardbear · 21/12/2022 08:11

Yes I went there about 25 years ago, I seem to remember it was quite remote, most things in WA are remote though! My mum lived in Mandurah which was ok, but there's very little between towns, scrub land really and a few houses.
It's a big move if you're emigrating there without seeing it first!

VariationsonaTheme · 21/12/2022 08:12

It’s a long while since I’ve been there but it was definitely ‘town’ sized rather than city. Nice enough place, great beaches all around. I couldn’t live in WA though, it’s very isolated.

sm40 · 21/12/2022 08:14

I've driven through it! It's 2 hours from Perth and near the Margaret River wine region.
Great beaches!
Given that Perth is the remotest city on earth (it takes 6 hours to get anywhere else besides busy) and its 2 hours away it will be remote and probably not much going on. But Perth is lovely, the beaches are great but would I live there, I'm not sure.

GirlInTheDryShirt · 21/12/2022 08:14

I spent six months living in that area, albeit this was a decade ago. Bunbury is very insular, the people aren’t particularly welcoming of outsiders and it feels very remote. The culture is very boorish, casual racism is accepted (especially towards Aboriginal people but also anyone who isn’t Anglo Saxon). It’s not somewhere I’d enjoy living tbh.

Yarrawonga · 21/12/2022 08:15

I’ve been there quite a few times. In the context of WA I wouldn’t call it remote. I like it.

custardbear · 21/12/2022 08:21

Yarrawonga · 21/12/2022 08:15

I’ve been there quite a few times. In the context of WA I wouldn’t call it remote. I like it.

In the context of WA ... one of the most remote places in the world 🤪

Yarrawonga · 21/12/2022 08:25

In the context of WA ... one of the most remote places in the world 🤪

Exactly!

Anoushka1986 · 21/12/2022 08:27

I've actually heard Bunbury is starting to improve. I know of a couple of people who have moved there recently because they love it. I don't know much about it personally but it is close to some really beautiful spots along the coast.

shivawn · 21/12/2022 08:29

casual racism is accepted (especially towards Aboriginal people but also anyone who isn’t Anglo Saxon).

I agree with this and often not so casual, although I'd say it of any rural town in Australia. My experience is also a decade ago though so perhaps things have moved forward.

Anoushka1986 · 21/12/2022 08:36

@farawayplaces it's the biggest town in the southwest but it's also the kind of places most people drive through to get to the more picturesque holiday spots nearby.

Desperatelyseekingreason · 21/12/2022 08:38

My sister lives there. I've visited and its nice beaches, national parks etc. if you like the outdoors. Although its a city I would call it a big town by uk standards. It's fairly isolated but it has most of what you need.

Do research costs for healthcare and schooling. Even with good insurance she pays to visit the gp and lots of unexpected extras. The local hospital is pretty good but things are only available in Perth.

I just asked her what she would say
"Like everywhere, there is good and bad. The shopping isn’t great. But the council & government have & continue to spend money to upgrade community facilities. Lovely beaches. Depending on what they are looking for….they might want to look at Busselton. It’s got more of a holiday vibe about it. They have spent a lot of money upgrading the foreshore & it looks very good. They are building a new Entertainment Centre at the moment. Again….shopping is not great. Really for decent shops it’s Mandurah or Perth. Busselton airport also now operates flights to and from Melbourne. "

Original poster
farawayplaces · 21/12/2022 08:47

It's a senior medical role at the hospital. Should be able to afford to live somewhere fairly decent. We do love the beach but Im not sure how much down time DH will have and so it could be me and the DC on our own quite a bit.

OP posts:
Original poster
farawayplaces · 21/12/2022 08:48

Obviously he'd have to actually get the job first!

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Anoushka1986 · 21/12/2022 09:01

Agree with @Desperatelyseekingreason , Busselton is a great alternative nearby town to base yourself. Very cute pretty holiday town.

Original poster
farawayplaces · 21/12/2022 09:09

Busselton looks nice but I think Id be a bit concerned about living 50km away from the hospital and DH also having to commute. It would be even more time we would be apart. Its a very high level job so I'm anticipating the hours would be very long.

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Virginiaplain · 21/12/2022 09:17

I dont' know - how old are the DCs - there are sharks in the sea, not much competition at school as probably v small. I think you would spend a lot of your time online. Do you have qualifications for work in a small town?

custardbear · 21/12/2022 09:25

farawayplaces · 21/12/2022 08:47

It's a senior medical role at the hospital. Should be able to afford to live somewhere fairly decent. We do love the beach but Im not sure how much down time DH will have and so it could be me and the DC on our own quite a bit.

Hhmmm I'd be a bit keen to speak to anyone else in medical roles in more isolated parts of Australia, my DB worked in Australia as a medic (more junior) and found British medical staff were often pushed to one side/given the dregs type work. It was a long time ago now so maybe it's changed now

Virginiaplain · 21/12/2022 09:28

The population of Bunbury is 75,000 - that's smaller than Carlisle.

Yarrawonga · 21/12/2022 09:32

I dont' know - how old are the DCs - there are sharks in the sea, not much competition at school as probably v small. I think you would spend a lot of your time online. Do you have qualifications for work in a small town?

Obviously I can’t speak for the qualifications, but I doubt the rest will be a real problem.

Desperatelyseekingreason · 21/12/2022 09:33

My sister lives in Dalyellup. Sort of a Bunbury suburb. 10 minutes to the hospital and 2 to the beach. But it's not a beach you can swim from as it's far too dangerous. I think the safe beaches are in Bunbury itself.

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