WA Day: Young Aussies pen love letter to west coast as new survey shows Perth is better than OK

West Australian

30-05-2025

If Western Australia were a person, Gen Zers would be writing it love letters.
From the white-sand beaches and sunsets over the ocean, to the laid-back lifestyle and small-town vibes, young Australians are smitten — and they want the rest of the country to know it.
New research released ahead of WA Day on Monday has providing a glowing endorsement of the golden State's irresistible pull, finding that more than nine in 10 WA residents would convince someone to make the move west.
The inaugural Kleenheat All-In On WA survey showed that while 98 per cent of Gen Zers and millennials would convince someone to relocate here, there's no shortage of love for the State among the older generation, with 94 per cent of baby boomers saying they also wouldn't hesitate to encourage loved ones to move.
According to the data, almost three-quarters of baby boomer and Gen X residents consider WA beaches among the best in the world, while 90 per cent of millennials and Gen Zers agree that WA offers easy access to some of the best hiking and camping spots in the country.
Ninety-one per cent of us also agree that natural landmarks including Rottnest Island, Ningaloo Reef and the Bungle Bungles make WA one of the most scenic States in Australia.
'For me, I could not fathom living anywhere else in the world,' City Beach business owner Sophie Langer told The West Australian. 'I tell my family and my friends pretty much every day how lucky I think we are to live in WA — dead set, I'm not exaggerating.'
The born-and-raised Perth local said she regularly travelled to other Australian States but that none came close.
'For me it is the beaches. We've got the beast beaches in the country, one thousand per cent,' Ms Langer, the owner of City Beach coffee window Fred's, said.
'Then there's the people. I don't think the people in cities like Melbourne and Sydney are as friendly. Everyone's just wanting to go from A to B, whereas here it just feels a bit more community-vibes and everyone's willing to be friends with everyone and says hi to everyone.'
The 24-year-old spends most afternoons sitting on the sand at City Beach, her favourite place on earth, watching the water.
'I love Perth so much, I never want to leave,' she said, describing the small-town charm with the perks that come with living in a major city as 'really special'. 'It is very untouched. It feels like it's our own sort of sacred place.'
Speaking to the Iona Presentation College graduate would be enough to convince even the most hesitant to move west — she radiated love for WA, every word she used to talk about her beloved home State sounding less like a description and more like a love song.
'Margaret River, Yallingup, Dunsborough, the Kimberley, Broome, honestly the whole State is incredible. We are so fortunate,' she said.
Her close friend Brianna Goldsworthy couldn't have agreed with the glowing review more, adding that her own love for the State centered around the healthy, active lifestyle so many West Aussies lived by.
'You can be up before 7am and by that time most people have already done their exercise, have gone for their walk, have had their coffee. Everyone sort of shares those values here,' the 24-year-old from Wembley Downs said.
'Then there's the amazing sunsets over the ocean . . . the beautiful walks, and of course the really great coffee.'
Ms Goldsworthy, who is studying a masters in dietetics, also joked about how small WA felt despite it being the biggest State in the country.
'You definitely can account to bump into at least one person. It's rare if you don't see someone you know when you're out and about,' she said, laughing.
'And you can hop in your car and drive a few hours and then you're in a completely different environment, camping, wineries, beaches, forest walks.'
Fifty per cent of residents like Ms Goldsworthy and Ms Langer have never even considered leaving WA, with the majority crediting the weather and climate as their biggest reason for staying.
Ninety-five per cent of millennials also said WA was a great place to raise children, and more than 80 per cent of all WA residents surveyed agreed the State offered strong career opportunities, with it also being the top reason people have moved west.
One of those individuals is New Zealand man Daniel Gray, who moved to Perth just over a year ago and is now in the process of trying to convince his Melbourne-based girlfriend to make the move.
'She loves the beach and lives about two hours away from one at the moment, so that's the biggest thing I say when trying to get her out her,' he said on Friday.
The 24-year-old plumber moved to WA for the work opportunities and spends his time off-site surfing and camping.
'I love the lifestyle here, and everything's a bit more affordable, a bit more laid back,' Mr Gray said. 'It's really good — anyone thinking about moving here should just do it.'
Kleenheat's head of natural gas and electricity Rick Newnham said the report not only showed how much WA had to offer people of every generation, 'but has highlighted an underlying sense of pride in things that are unique to our State'.
Committee of Perth chief executive Paula Rogers said her heart 'bursts with pride when I heard about the recently released survey WA is better than OK which highlights our younger residents are leading the love for Perth and WA'.
'When I saw the results, I thought 'yes, yes, yes, finally some positive celebration of what we have here in Perth'.'
The survey results were released in the lead-up to WA Day celebrations on Monday, when residents and visitors are expected to descend on Fremantle to show their love for the State.
The Port City's free community event will showcase dragon dancers, unicorn stilt walkers and Latin music among the multicultural melting pot of entertainment that will transform Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach into a long-weekend holiday hot spot.
While Premier Roger Cook lauded WA's beautiful beaches and sense of community, State opposition leader Basil Zempilas praised the unique WA lifestyle.
He will be spending most of his time over the long weekend at the WA Netball Championships at the Matthews' Netball Centre.
'My oldest daughter Ava is playing, and I'll be watching her compete while also spending time on the scorer's bench,' he said. 'There is something very West Australian about combining family and sport while enjoying the WA Day long weekend.'