Karratha, WA 6714

3.6(7 reviews)

Ranked 1st best suburb by locals in Pilbara Region, WA

Great for

  • Resale or rental value
  • Lack of traffic
  • Childcare
  • Internet access
  • Neighbourly spirit

Not great for

  • Public transport
  • Cost of living
  • Parking

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families With Kids
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers

Reviews of Karratha, WA

"Pity about the people"

Karratha weather, surrounding area, wildlife, boating, islands, snorkelling, stars etc are absolutely spectacular. If you love the outdoors, it's fabulous in that regard.

However, oh my goodness the people are feral! It is very bogan (the arrogant kind) and not very forward thinking. It's an EXTREMELY misogynistic culture and even the women tear each other down. Women have babies and men buy stuff. Seems to be the jist of it. :-) It's extremely clicky, superficial and fake. People can be quite nasty and you will be hard pushed to find any genuine people or lasting friendships. They only befriend people who they can get something from/out of.

Education at secondary school level is awful if your child isnt pursuing a trade. The teachers are poor quality. We get several emails with terrible grammar from the teachers. Primary schools however seem fine.

If you can take the positives and block out negatives, I'm sure you can make the most of your time here.

0
chilltimec

Sad comments, plenty of long-term genuine folk live in Karratha you're obviously a little precious and can't find "Real" people is that why you moved here?

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"K-Town Review"

My wife and I lived in Karratha for 4 years. She cried when I said I was leaving my work and leaving Karratha. Its not just a town its a community. It is in many ways a highly unique place. Almost no-where has as many highly skilled,positive and forward thinking people as Karratha. The Spirit of the North west is a real thing. Every thing we touched turned to Gold in K-Town from property investments to lasting friendships. My wife and I agree that spending those 4 years in Karratha was in essence a "Privilege"

Great for

  • Amazing Vibrant and Pulsating
  • Wickham Back Beach
  • Spirit of the North West

Not great for

  • Stinking Hot
  • Expensive but youre getting paid a motsa
  • Very social, theres no relaxing in K-Town

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Country Lovers
  • Beach Lovers
0
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"Can't wait to get up there"

My husband and I are moving there through his work in Mid April 2011 and I can not wait.. We do know a couple of people there already and have visited the place before(although it was an overnight stop). We did live in Port Hedland for three months but did not enjoy it (mainly work). But I have heard so many positive things about Karratha so I am not hesitant in the slightest.. First thing will be buying the new boat!!!

0
TenilleP

how have u settled in since your move? pros? cons? we are looking at alive early next year...

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"Karratha, I love it!"

We love Karratha. Great weather (especially if you love a hot summer!), great people, plenty to do on the weekends. Karrijini is not far away and there are heaps of beaches and camping spots close by. Broome is well within reach either by driving (8hrs) or flying so we can have a holiday/ weekend away at short notice. The only downfall is the expensive rent and property prices. Great for the investor but not so good for the renter/ 1st home buyer. Make sure your employer is subsidising rent before you move up here, even caravan park powered bays are over $550 p/week plus power.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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"Safe & peaceful living"

I have lived in Karratha for over 30 years & seen it grow from a temporary mining town to a great town which people are making there home in.
There is everything you need except extended family which is why I am now on the move.
It is not the town you could retire in because of the lack of public transport, medical facilities & aged care services.
While the cost of living is high so too are the wages to compensate.
It is a safe place to bring up a family & a great place to earn a living.
So many people leave only to come back a short time later realising they were much better off in many ways.
The area surrounding Karratha is some of the most interesting land in Australia with lots to see & do.
You can go 4 X 4 driving or biking. Fishing & all other types of water sports. Camping & treking. The area is great for prospecting too.
Nearly every type of sport is available to participate in & there are several well appointed ovals & club houses.
One of the best things is that you can get to anywhere within the town without the traffic problems & there are no traffic lights.
The other pleasing thing is there are no class distinctions within the town as everyone there is there to earn a living.
The shopping is good for being out of the city. We have Woolworths. Target, Coles, K Mart, Bakers Delight, EB Games, Betts & Betts, Red Dot, Thingz, Retravision, Harvey Norman, Trax, Video Ezy, Prouds,
On the food front we have McDonalds, Chicken Treat, KFC, Subway, Perth Noodle Wok & several local food outlets.
There are 2 seasons which are hot & dry or hot & wet. The wet season which includes the cyclone season runs from Oct to May each year.
When the wet season starts & after the first rain the place is transformed from a red dust bowl to a lovely green carpet of grasses & trees. In aout August there is a great wild flower display in the vast land surrounding the town.
It is a short 2 hour plane trip to Perth or if you prefer to drive it will take you 16 hours generally with 2 fuel stops.
People tend to move around within Karratha because if you change jobs more than likely you will need to change homes because most are provided by the company you work for although a lot more are privately owned now compared to a few years ago.
Out of all the north west towns I prefer Karratha as it has a lot more atmosphere than the rest.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
2
MelindaA

Hi - we are possibly locating after Christmas - shall I bring my 100's of potted plants? and can I create a native garden? Is there a nursery and what about bulbs? - Phew!!

Cheers

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Rentals in Karratha

"Great relaxed lifestyle"

I would move there in an instant if I could but I love being able to holiday there for months at a time. Great fishing, camping, and good access to sporting events for children. Has the best of both worlds with the hills and the beaches. Great investment opportunities for new starters.

If you are looking for a nice quiet suburb with low crime and low traffic then I highly recommend Bulgarra.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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"Long way from Perth but has everything you need."

Karratha is located between Exmouth and Port headland and is approx 1557 kms north of Perth. The climate here is very tropical with a monsoon and cyclone season. Karratha is a large town and is the main administration centre for many businesses and government departments in the Pilbara area. There is a very large shopping centre here with department stores, supermarkets, specialty and boutique stores as well as a food court. Sporting facilities here are numerous with most sports being catered for. There is a large recreations centre, swimming pool, tennis courts, golf course and bowling greens as well as playing fields for many sports. There are sporting clubs and associations to join as well. The fishing here is great and many people also enjoy snorkeling, and diving or just lazing on the beautiful beaches. Visiting the Millstream-Chichester National park is a great day out with pools, forestry and historical sites. Karratha has primary and secondary schools both state and private as well as a TAFE college and a campus of Curtain University. Property prices have risen and can be a little on the expensive side given the towns distance from the capital, yet bargains are always there to be had. Karratha has a good medical centre, a modern hospital and many allied health professionals.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
1
CigdemC

Thank you, I'm looking forward to live in Karratha.

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