Hey Danielle,

I'm a long serving kiwi living in Melbourne and I can't say I regret coming here. Where are you coming from in NZ?

If you are choosing between Sydney and Perth, Perth is the better option for kiting, the wind is awesome and so are the beaches, but I can't speak for the unis there.

Sydney has some kite spots and Sydney Uni and UNSW are great unis to attend - I'm currently finishing off my Masters at UNSW.

The issues you are going to have are getting around and the cost of living. Sydney is an expensive city to live in, and Perth is crazy expensive because of the mining boom. Both cities to kite require a car to get to the beaches (Leighton Beach in Perth is accessible by train) I don't want to put you off, I just want to keep you in the know.

I know Melbourne isn't an option but you could attend uni (Uni of Melbourne, RMIT and Vic Uni) and catch a tram to St Kilda pretty easily. The cost of living is still pretty high, but the accessibility to St Kilda beach and even Brighton can be done without a car. And St Kilda has a pretty tight crew, you get to know a few people through Kite Republic and you'll be getting lifts to the other spots.

I guess it all comes down to when you think you will be here, with first semester starting in March and all. By that stage the sea breezes are winding down in Melbourne and Perth.

Anyway, I hope you get some good responses from others here to help you make up your mind.

lostinlondon said...
Perth is crazy expensive because of the mining boom. .

it's not due to the mining boom , it's due to alot of things . The main one being isolation form the rest of the country

Just dont come to Brisbane as we dont have wind

Hi Dan,

I'm also at a beginner/intermediate level and can say that Perth is perfect for progressing your kiting. I've been out on average 3 times a week for the last two months and the season hasn't even officially started yet. There are plenty of flat water beaches (i.e.Pinnaroo) and wave beaches (i.e.Floreat) and also many awesome river spots such as Dawesville, Point Walter and Melville.

With uni's ive been to UWA and Murdoch and both are a short drive to kiting spots. They are both very good, with the latter being much smaller, friendlier and close to much cheaper accomodation options. Although eastern state uni's may be more prestigious there are more professional jobs here due to the mining boom which generally leads to much better career options anyway (as i've noticed among my friends around the country).

So.. having said all this i'd strongly recommend either Murdoch or Notre Dame Uni's and living in Fremantle for the most fun times and accessible kiting / study combo.

Good luck!

Dan

Thanks for all the advice guys, the more I think about it the more I want to move to Perth! I just want beach! Lucky for me being kiwi I do get a bit of the old special treatment and get to pay the same fees as the locals, only without any help. So will be thanks daddy for now!
Thinking I will spend a bit of time in both anyway and can always move, if one does not appeal. I was looking at UWA because being of a 'mature' age, normally I would have to do some sort of a course for 1 year to qualify for uni. But UWA they mentor you.. or something! For part of your first year.

When I was kiting in the Uk it was mostly in Scotland when I did a big tour with a bunch of other kiters all around. Was pretty cool, the wind was great. Just had to have a decent wetsuit ;) Wales was very nice to. Love Rhosneigr.

So are the sharks in Perth/Sydney really as bad as they say?

breakzmaker said...

Just dont come to Brisbane as we dont have wind

The few times wind has occured i have been at work and missed it