44 thoughts on “Perth and Singapore”

  1. Hi Joan,

    Refer to your message and glad to learn that you are familiar with Perth. May I know whether you are permanently residing over there? I will be travelling to Perth once a month looking after a construction project over there and will be glad to meet up with you especially over in Perth and chat. Please let me know your contact email or mobile no.

    Regards

    Philip Soo HW
    email: pms.shw@gmail.com

  2. Hi Philip

    Yes, I reside in Perth. My hubby and me have been here since 2002 and as we like it here, we have been extending our visa. We are on a retirement temporary visa which allows us to extend 4 yearly.If granted PR, it will be something to look forward to though it’s not a crucial issue.

    Yes, do contact me if you are up and if I can connect you to some other people especially in the construction line, I’ll do so.What sort of construction industry are you in. An acquaintence who handles housing projects down south had contacted my hubby over a housing project she’s involved in.

    Presently I’m in the States, visiting my son and his family. I will be in S’pore from 17-28 May and then after that in Perth.

    You can email me at joanwong2002@hotmail.com

    Regards
    Joan

  3. Hi Joan #2,

    Based on a 3mth short-term retirement program, is it possible to stay in Australia for periods of 3months, extenable up to one year.

    If visa application and extensions are easily applied, then it makes good sense to spend the 3mth short term retirement program in Perth.

    And, if large suitable housing continues to be suitable for retirees, say with 3 or 4 large bedrooms for 8 people, then I think it makes more sense to go to Perth in bigger groups. Would u think this works?

    Terence Seah

  4. Hi Terence and Joan,

    Usually you get a 3 month permit to stay whenever you visit Alia without a visa. You can extend the permit for another 3 months while you are in Alia. But this practice can change anytime.

    You can rent s small house or apartment there but I understand that Perth is booming now and rental is up but I don’t know the going rate.

    I think the problem is that you need a car and the smallest will cost A$30-40 per day. If you foresee the stay by different groups of SHC members to extend beyond 6 months a year, it might make sense to pool a car for general use.

    The is no good tptn system in Alia and the taxis are very expensive.

    I am willing to explore this with you.

    Dennis W, M/M Ron Lai and a Stephen are meeting for lunch next Wed, May 7th at 12.45pm at Mary Gomes in Waterloo Str. Are you or anyone interested?

    Cheers

  5. Easy. Select a few possible options. Just contact an agent on-line.

    Get a group together to underwrite the full term all includive cost.

    Throw out the underutilise blocks of time open to members and public. Rental on open booking is at a premium, say 50% on cost. Minimum rental block is one week period.

  6. Hi Charles #4,

    I stayed in Perth since 2003 and return to Singapore once/twice a year. Like Joan, I love this place.

    You can check out rental rates at http://www.realestate.com.au

    Depending on where you stay, public transport can be a breeze. The north-south railway line has been opened since 26 Dec 2007 and travelling by train is fast and convenient. You can rent a van for 8 persons around A$70 a day or pool a van for A$4k-5k (can park it with me).

    Mary Lee (Perth)

  7. Hi KT @5,

    Thanks for the briefing on the ATM.

    You are right on the approach, ie to get some ‘founders’ who will pioneer the rental and perhaps the car/van and cut it up to smaller blocks of days each with a small premium. This is like buying a roast pig, cutting it up and selling it ‘retail’ much like buy wholesale, sell retail, except the retail mkt is your own friends. The losses will terminate the experiment, the gains will be pooled for the next year’s program. Like I said, I am willing to explore the idea, not for the gain but to catalyst the process forward.

    Hi Mary Lee, Thanks for your input. I have not been to Perth for some years but I heard it was booming some years back, riding on the commodities boom.

    I usually stay at the Victoria apts and could take the train to Fremantle in the south west and even to Joondalup in the north east. But even then I always thought it necessary to have a car in Alia. Actually when you share a car, it is very reasonable. In fact when you share, a lot of things are reasonable. I was thinking of being alone when I wrote the comment as I had this idea of making short stays in different countries, Alia included. Some countries you cannot drive and must rely on public tpt, like Bangkok and PRC, even KL eg, others you can rent a scooter or 100 cc bike like in Bali, Phuket and others where you need a car like I think in Alia and NZ. I will certainly remember your kind offer for the help in the rental and the van/car.

    I hope Terence’s idea will be realised and I am willing to explore it. Meantime there are many places to explore, let’s see which comes first.

    I must admit to being envious of your current lifestyle.

    Cheers

  8. Hi Terence and Charles and Mary

    what Charles #4 wrote is a fair idea of things here. Perth rental is pretty high. For holiday accomodation like self-contained apartments, chalets etc you can still get them at very reasonble rates as what I had mentioned earlier. Daily it may cost AUD $160 for 5-7 people and that’s why it’s great to go on self-drives in groups to see places.

    I believe a 3mth visitor’s visa for stay is given when you come. I’m not sure if you can extend to stay longer. What I believe is that immigration may want to know your plans and that you have enough finance. This is to ensure arrivals don’t try to work etc whilst on holiday here.

    Sorry, will write more as I’m called away now.

    Regards
    Joan

  9. Just came back from Perth few weeks ago.
    Hired a campervan and drove down south to Dunsborough.Visited a couple of Margaret River’s vineyard and did some fishing along the shoreline.
    Total cost ex air fare come up to aobut AUD$800/- for a week for 2 persons.

    Another alternative is to rent a car and visit the places you plan to visit and stay the night at a caravan park where they have chalets for rent.That is if you intend to drive down south.

    If you only intend to live in Perth, then it does not apply.Accomodation in Perth is not as affordable as before.

    my 2 cents worth…..enjoy

  10. Hi DanielK #9,

    Again to pinch something from your brain. Since you had just come back from Perth, do you see Perth as a possible 3 mth short-term retirement plan. I guess you must have seen some of the big houses. Do you think they are suitable low-rise, no stairscase residence for retirees.

    I guess AUD 400 per person per week is for someone on holiday. This works out to AUD 1,600 per person per mth. That’s a chuck for a retiree. In my mind, I think, not for you, but for me, as a retiree, it has to be AUD 800 per month, on share-basis.

    Need to keep thinking. How’s the weather?

    Terence Seah

  11. Hi Terence and all

    Back again. Regarding DanielK#9,that’s a typical holiday tha I would recommend to SHC members when they come. Down South, travelling is more scenic and has more things to offer. Howvere if one doesn’t want to spend too much or has less time, then keeping to Perth, there are many things to see and do eg Swan Valley where you can visit wineries, chocolate factory, boutique restaurants and fishing and golfing in Perth areas.

    Terence, if you are really keen to stretch the dollar for SHC retirees, based on AUD 800 per mth on a share basis or AUD 1.6K for couple, I’ll try to come up with something that included accomodation (B & B), transport, exc airfare, lunch, dinner and fees for activities. Howvere since I’m in States at the moment and a bit occupied with things here, perhaps when I’m back in Perth, I can give better figures. I can come up with rough estimates and if SHC members are keen, I can meet up and chat with you all in May. I’m there from 17-28 May. Contact me by email that I’ve given at #2. I think for AUD 1.6K a month/couple, it may be possible.

    Regards
    Joan

  12. Hi Terence,

    The question is what do you plan to do during your stay there? And then you can work out the costing.

    cheers

    daniel

  13. Hi Daniel #12

    I guess when one has 3 months at hand, the question is always what do you do there, in Perth? What does one do when one retires? Assuming one is fully retired, and has no grand-children to look after, and has no committments in Singapore, then spending 3 months somewhere else in the world makes sense. Better still with one’s partner or friends. After the 3 mths, go back to Singapore, and then maybe to Philippines?

    So, Perth can be one of these places in the world. 3 mths of doing nothing, or relaxing or touring and sampling the country. I think, at least, for those who really want to do so – nothing, no work.

    And Joan, Mary, secretly at the back of my mind, I think that AUD 1,600 per month per 2 pax is reasonable for accomodation, 3 meals, local transportation, TV, internet and reasonable household expenses. And amount over can be a treat. Ideally, cost sharing to promote this concept makes even more sense. 4 pax to a car, 2 to a room, 4 pax when dining in, etc other economic benefits.

    Therefore, for Perth, I think AUD 3,200 per 4 pax per month could be a target. I dont mean to beat down the cost, I just want to think and make all efforts to bring down the 3-mth short-term retirement living idea to acceptable costs.

    For other SHC members, what do you think? I guess I am looking at whether we can beat the high costs in Singapore.

    Terence Seah

  14. Terence #13

    AUD 3,200 per 4 pax per month is reasonable.

    Last 4 months in Perth, I meet Singaporeans on holiday & they spent lesser as they travel in 4 pax & 8 pax during non-peaks. Agreed with Daniel, costs depend on activities here. Cheaper activities like hills-tracking & stay at ranger’s huts, fishing & stay at caravan parks, walking & picnic lunch at the lakes, or view property.

    Do come in autumn – cool and relaxing or
    late winter for wild flowers or late spring for cherries and to catch abalone.

    Mary Lee (Perth)

  15. Hi Mary,

    I think a good point arising out of these discussions is we have you and Joan in Perth, as well as Ron-Oz in Melbourne. My belief is we have the numbers; and we can have groups of 8 going to Perth. Knowing someone who has met other SHC members helps bring confidence to any organised activities.

    Thinking aloud, if you run an activity for one month, and Joan runs another activity the next month, maybe we can bring 8 pax x 12 months over to Perth. Let’s keep thinking aloud, and run this thread with sufficient information so that participants can back-track and understand the concept of spending short-term retirement overseas.

    One very important factor is travel arrangements which are obviously time-consuming and entails costs. We should discuss this at some time.

    Terence Seah

  16. Hi Terence,

    Besides leasing house, another option is stay with Singaporeans living in Perth, 1-2 rooms to lease for 3 months & near public transport & shopping centres within metropolitan area.

    For travel arrangements, car pools can be arranged with Singaporean retirees waiting for companions to travel out of Perth to Pemberton/Albany in the south, to the goldmines in the east, to Geraldton/Kalbarri in the north.

    We have a network of Singapore retirees here for bush-walks, fishing, makan, happy hour, courses, cooking, gardening, travel, games, charity projects…

    Gradually SHC retirees in Perth & Singapore can link up & share common activities.

    Mary Lee (Perth)

  18. Hi Terence,

    I have introduced SHC to some retirees here. The group comprises property consultants, doctors, principals, IT specialists, bankers, trainers, cooks, posties…

    Hi Daniel,

    Driving south is a wonderful experience. Have you tried driving north to Geraldton, Kalbarri, Carvarvon & Exmouth?

    Mary Lee (from Perth)

  19. Hi Mary Lee from Perth,

    I have not driven north of Perth. CAn you tell us what is Geraldton like? Is it Exmouth where you are allowed to swim with the dolphins or a town slightly south?

    Can you write a short travelogue about what to expect in those places?

    Many thanks for your sharing. G’day

  20. Hi Charles,

    Geraldton is 5hr drive north of Perth – beautiful coast, rock lobsters, Asian food, shopping, the place to buy land now.

    Kalbarri is 1 hr drive north from Geraldton – whale watching, fishing, scenic gorges to explore.

    North of Kalbarri is Monkey Mia – the place where you swim with dolphins. BTW u can swim with dolphins at Rockingham jetty in Perth.

    North of Monkey Mia is Carnarvon – agricultural area with scenic coastline, fishing, blowholes.

    Drive north to Coral Bay and then to Exmouth 1270kms from Perth – gorges, seafood, here you can watch the whale shark in the famous Ningaloo Reef…very beautiful place.

    The drive north from Perth to Exmouth during wildflower season is the best time – you travel in calendar scenery, cool air, wildlife, explore nature, fresh seafood, fishing…

    Mary Lee (from Perth)

  21. Hi!Joan & Mary,
    Greetings fr S’pore!
    I’m interested 2 join d others SHC members. I agreed wif their views on payment. However, I could only go 4 a short holi in 1st/2nd wk in June. Pls count me if there’s rm 4 me. Hope 2 bunk wif another female tho. Do keep me inform of the progress. ASAP.
    Tks & all the best.
    Cat (Bishan)

  22. Mary, Joan (Perth),

    I love the thought of you having spare rooms or spare houses, and able to rent them out to some of us for 3-mth periods. For every 4 of us, we can then rent a car, and drive around enjoying the sights and cities you have been enticing us with.

    Make sense? If you say “workable”, I shall work on this plan.

    Terence Seah

  23. Hi Catherine,
    Let me know as soon as you get your female kaki for your June trip.

    Hi Terence, workable.
    SHCians like Catherine to try this out on a short term and feedback to the rest.

    Mary Lee (Perth)

  24. Hi Terence,

    Since Joan is busy in the States now, we shall wait for her to meet SHCians in Singapore to discuss the interests, needs & work out costs.

    Meanwhile I have the retirees with rooms / house to rent and how much they charge.

    Mary (Perth)

  26. Hi Joan and Mary,

    I am interested in a short term stay in Perth/Australia for up to 3 months. Most likely next year. Do let me know if you could get a group together. Unfortunately I have no driving license as it expired some years back.

    I have been reading the comments with interest and would like to meet with you when you are in Singapore.
    Please let me know.

    Tks & rgds……………Jie

  27. Hi Jie,

    So happy to have you as the first supporter of the idea of 3 mths short-term retirement living overseas. Great start. I believe that only full time retirees can go for this option. Got your name down for next year.

    Terence Seah

  28. Hi Terence,

    Have always looked forward to affordable long term stay of any free and easy holiday. This one sounds good. My last trip to OZ land was 15 years ago.

    And so does your November Thai stay which I am really looking forward to. Hopefully an extension can be managed and that there are enough takers. I am sure between you and Kenneth something can be worked out.

    Tks & rgds………….Jie

  29. Hi Mary!
    Nice 2 hear that U may have a spare room. I can’t get any room-mate tho. Would be gd if we can work out on weekly basis since some of us could even stay til 3mths!
    I’m still working wait 4 retirement 2 stay longer!
    I’d been 2 Perth twice and the weather etc.Best to have some SHC members ard.
    God Bless U,
    Cat Ho

  30. Hi Catherine, I know some Singaporeans here who are willing to let out rooms, granny flats, houses on short-term basis. U hv been to Perth – where did u stay & what activities. Hv a blessed day! Mary (Perth)

  31. Hi Joan ,
    My dates are not suitable for u on this trip
    but if u need accomodation from August -November 2008 I have beds in dormitary rooms with air-con for u at $35 nett per night inclusive of laundry and breakfast…location at Alexandria Park with easy access to bus routes.It is 3 bus stops from Queenstown MRT and less than 5 minutes by taxi to Brunei Embassy on Tanglin road.Perhaps u may consider this onyour next trip if timing coincides.Call me or contact me when u are in town would like to meet up with u…maybe can help with U.S.A/Canada plans…is trip still on?

  32. Hi Patrick #31

    I will pass your info around to friends in Perth. How many people altogether to the dorm romm – something like backpacker’s style? Perhaps some info though I think it may appeal to those who enjoy backpacking. If so, I will contact you again.

    Yes, just got back from New York, Washington DC etc. BTW I’ve found accomodation in May when I’m there.

    Regards
    Joan

  33. Hi Terence, Mary (Perth),Catherine, Jie and All

    Just got back from my tour and pretty tired. Will catchup with the threads in the next few days and reply more.

    Mary, I can see that you have done quite a bit – info that will help SHCians and also the contacts in Perth.

    It’s good if we can discuss further and even meet. Hope to give more input next time. Meanwhile from #32 comment, I’ve been moving around and unfortunately, also caught a cold.

    Regards
    Joan

  34. Joan (Perth) and Mary (Perth)

    If you are reading this, please give us a date so we can chat up. We will invite others who have interests in Perth too. I think a sit down would be great.

    Terence Seah

  36. Terence and Joan (Perth)
    You go ahead with the meeting. I will continue with the discussion on this thread. A couple of home-stay accommodation is available now.

    Jie,
    Try to get your license before Oz trip. Looking forward to fleamart & drive around WA with you.

    Good’day everyone.

    Mary (Perth)

  37. Hi! Terence,Mary & Joan(Perth),
    I’m very interested in going to Perth this June holidays.i.e. 1stJune- 15thJune.Pls keep me inform. e-mail address ho_siew_cheng@moe.edu.sg or sms 98415990.
    Mary, I had been to Perth twice on conducted tour. It’s very short stay 1/2 days only b4 going to other places like Gold Coast etc.
    Tku. Pl keep me inform thru e-mail or Hp.
    Regards,
    Catherine

  38. Dear Catherine,

    Glad to hear you are coming in June which is early winter with temp 8-20 deg. If you are keen on home accommodation, I can arrange a taste of local lifestyle for you.

    Mary (Perth)

  39. Hi Terence, Mary (Perth), Catherine, Jie and All

    The best time to visit Perth is Mar – Dec though the weather can act up and gets either hot/cold when it should’nt. Maybe I like the cooler months.

    Catherine, it’s great that you are starting the ball rolling. Mary, though we haven’t met should have lots of info for you. June is winter and warm wear will be needed but agin it maybe just like an aircon room condition.

    Terence, I leave it to you to arrange a date as I will be in S’pore form 17-28 May. I may not be able to access the website so easily later but if anyone wishes to call me when I’m there, my S’pore MB No. is 82764272 and can chat too.

    Regards
    Joan

  40. Hi!Terence, Mary & Joan,
    Nice to hear from U all.
    Pl sms me when U’r going to meet.
    Been on the mail with Mary recently. Hope be successful to visit her.
    Tks to Joan for the tips.Been asking ard for the price of tickets which varies a lot.
    Regards,
    Catherine

  41. Hi Joan {& other interested parties},

    Guess you are packing up or already on the way here from the US.
    Call or SMS me when you are free to meet during your stay here in Singapore, for at least a cup of coffee or a meal.
    HP # is 9160-9535.

    Hope to hear from you soon.
    Tks & rgds………….Jie

  42. Hi! Terence, Joan & Jie,
    I’m confirmed in going to stay wif Mary (Perth )31stMay- 6thJune.(subj 2 getting tickets only.
    Anyone of U interested in going so as to cut cost & at the same time some fun tog.
    CHo

  43. Hi Catherine,

    Unable to join you this time.

    Do have a good time, and tell us all about it when you return. I suppose the winter should be pretty mild in Perth as opposed to maybe Melbourne.

    Hopefully I get to discuss with Joan about the Spring {plants & flowers} or Autumn {fruits}
    season for next year.

    Have a good and safe trip……………….Jie

  44. Hi Terence, Jie and All

    I’m back in Perth but not before I had a chance to meet up with some SHC members at the vegetarian lunch at Chinatown Point.

    Catherine is now in Perth and am hoping to meet her here too.

    Jie mentioned Spring wildflowers. The season begins in Aug and ends around Oct. Those who are interested in just being around Perth will have a chance to see the wildflowers at King’s Park held annually from Aug-Sep. Jie, I will let you know if I’m planning a trip either down south or up north to see the wildflowers next year.

    I’m planning to make a self-drive trip to Adelaide/Melbourne/Sydney and surrounding places next year around Mar/Apr. Esther mentioned that she’s keen to go this year and is looking for someone to co-drive. If there’s a group keen, I may join in. Are others interested?

    I will continue to post future trips I intend to make under Travel and anyone who is interested in visiting Perth or joining, just reply to me.

    Regards
    Joan

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