Bridgetown, WA 6255

Supermarkets, local produce, and coffee shops (if you want the quick pick me up) and café delights are a few of the delights. There are many specialty shops along the high street, also including the local post office and if a Saturday paper and Lotto are the go, well the newsagents are only a couple of minutes away from the high street. Infact Bridgetown offers the best of both worlds set on the Blackwood River in a beautiful scenic town- Pauline

We lived in Bridgetown many years ago and have recently moved back. It has changed somewhat (especially the new estates) in the last 20 years and not all of the changes have been for the better. Still have those big double logging trucks crawling down the main street. It is however quiet and clean and pretty. Wood smoke can be an issue on cold winter mornings when the fog lays in the valley. Majority of locals are friendly, there is plenty to do if you want and the feeling of community is good. We have a decent sport centre but only an outdoor pool. House prices are good compared with much of WA but are starting to go up so get in quick if you want to. Rentals are hard to find, and job opportunities are limited. A new health centre has just opened up though I have had good service from current GP and hospital. If you want work done, be prepared to wait, things move on Bridgetown time here. For a big supermarket (Coles/Woolies) you will need to drive to Manjimup (25-30 mins) but we do have a decent IGA for day to day goods, and a good bakery as well as other speciality shops.

I do feel safe here and now have good neighbours and I would never move back to Perth (been here 8 years). However, be aware it is hard to get good well paid regular work, so don't come here if you are looking for a career as your options are limited, (unless you want to drive 100km to Bunbury each day). The cost of living is higher than Perth and other larger areas. Food is expensive at the local supermarkets and you have to travel for general affordable, clothing items. There are a lot of nice people here, however a lot of not so nice too! Houses are generally way over priced for what you get. I think it is a good place for people with young children or self funded retirees with plenty of money to get away for a break occasionally. Did I mention the trucks....they speed through town day and night without consequence!

Lived here for ten years. From the word go found the people friendly and welcoming. We have a larger social circle here than we had in the city. An easy place to live - great shops (two supermarkets and numerous small stores), medical centre with six doctors, hospital in town, good schools, always lots going on.

Bridgetown is a very pretty part of the world to live and is safe to raise a family. Basic services are available, however are costly and limited in supply. In particular grocery shopping is shockingly expensive and unaffordable. There is no public transport, no high school beyond year 10, no access to further education and the job situation is appalling. If a job is attained, expect it to be paid substantially less what would be received in the city. The town survives on outside people coming to Bridgetown for the idyllic lifestyle and then selling up property a few years later at substantial loss. Eating out has improved greatly in recent times and there is good access to "country pursuits". Medical practitioners here are incompetent. People are generally pretty good to one another and there is good community spirit. This is a good place for retireess only.

Bridgetown is a lovely little place where time moves slowly. Plenty to do here when you engage with the town's people and volunteer for community activities. Property is reasonably priced giving young families the opportunity to buy in rather than rent. Schools here are of a good standard and medical services are reasonable. Nature is right on your doorstep here. Wouldn't move from here - this town has become my home.

I have been here 9 years and have never regretted a minute of it. I had always lived in cities so had nothing to compare it to but it has met all of my expectations, exceeded some. You earn the right to be accepted here by contributing. Volunteers play a huge part in the success of the community and if you join them you will have a home for life. I wouldn't change anything about Bridgetown, I came here because I fell in love with it and I am happy for it to move at its own pace.

Good bits - peace and quiet, cheaper rent than city, housing slightly cheaper. Cons - poor grocery choice + expensive, everyone knows your business and no job opportunities for young people or those with a bit of drive.

Lived here for just over a year, glad to leave the place.
Very 'clicky' and closed environment.
Locals are suspicious of anyone they don't know.
Doctors are rude and unacaring, no optometrist, no dentist, no psychiatrist, no IGA - closed down as it went bankrupt - have to go to Bunbury or Manjimup for Groceries. No rubbish service have to take own rubbish to tip and pay exorbitant prices. No post service, have to get PO BOx - even then, they send mail back whenever they feel like it.
Local person takes charge of all non-Aust-Post Parcels and if he does not like you, does not bother to tell you that any packages have arrived. Goods arrive damaged - if they arrive at all.
Local shops will only sell goods to you if they feel like it, many stores refused to sell items to us such as stck feed,, wood and hardware as they did not know us. or we were not land-owners. Restaurants overcharge and deliver sub-standard fare I could cook better myself.

Bridgetown is about a 2 ½ - 3 hour drive south from Perth and is on the banks of the Blackwood River. The main industry here is forestry as well as a mineral company which has an open cut and underground mine as well as operating a mineral processing plant at nearby Greenbushes and employs about 300 people. Bridgetown has a good medical centre as well as a district hospital. There are also dentists, physiotherapists and a pharmacy. The town has a state and a catholic primary school as well as a high school which caters for students to year 10. There is a school bus which takes older students in the high school in Manjumup to complete their studies. There is a supermarket, butchers etc plus some smaller specialty shops in the town as well as a hotel. There is a swimming pool which is open during the summer months and other sports include golf, bowls, tennis and croquet. There are a number of bush trails for the bush walker. Bridgetown Jarrah Park is a great place for a family picnic with barbeques and picnic tables as well as toilet facilities. Buying a home in Bridgetown is still within reach of the average family.