Beth and Lisette, two young women from opposite ends of the metropolitan area in Perth, meet in the city occasionally for special outings like dining or watching movies. They find the city more appealing and diverse for activities like exploring new food places in the CBD and Northbridge. They mention that older generations criticize the city for being boring and lacking activities, but they believe that social media and online content help them stay connected and informed about events happening in the city.
Leigh, who has worked in the city for 15 years, appreciates the changes in Perth over the years, noting the increase in food choices, bars, and cultural experiences. He enjoys spending time in the city, even though he lives far away, and believes that the city has improved significantly in terms of offerings and attractions. He mentions that while Perth still lacks some aspects compared to other major cities, developments like sinking the railway line and more niche bars are transforming Perth into a more sophisticated place.
Mireille, who moved to Perth from Brazil nine years ago, has observed positive changes in the city, making it livelier and more interesting. She appreciates the safety and convenience of getting around the CBD, noting the easy access to free buses and walkable distances. Mireille mentions that while Perth has made improvements, it still lacks live music venues and needs to address the housing crisis and infrastructure issues to accommodate a growing population. She believes that the city has the potential to become more vibrant with the right investments and developments.
Mireille compares Perth to Rio de Janeiro, noting the similarities in commercial centers but highlighting the safety and walkability of Perth’s inner-city areas. She enjoys living in West Perth for its convenience and safety, but expresses a desire for more live music venues and extended opening hours in the CBD. Mireille believes that the city can attract more people and tourists by being more flexible with regulations and encouraging businesses to operate later.
Overall, the perspectives of Beth, Lisette, Leigh, and Mireille reflect a positive shift in how the Perth CBD is perceived, with improvements in offerings, safety, and accessibility cited as contributing factors. While challenges like early closing times and a lack of live music venues remain, there is optimism about the city’s potential for growth and vibrancy with the right investments and changes in regulations. The younger generations, in particular, see value in exploring the city and staying connected through social media, contributing to a more diverse and interesting urban environment in Perth.
