Paul Pittorino

I moved here 3 years ago and have lived in various WA locations, the NT and Victoria. I was a GP and now am retired so work was never a problem for me but it can be a bit harder than the capital cities to find a job in some professions/jobs. Also worked in law enforcement prior to being a doctor for a number of years so have some experience with crime.

Pros/Cons: Cheap property by the beach, paid $170K for a very nice detached 2 bed townhouse 500 metres from the beach in a nice complex. Pub and shops over the road. No traffic to speak of and good range of shopping. Great cafes, library, sports facilities, shops. Being near the beach makes the summer heat waves much more tolerable, only have aircon running less than 2 weeks out of the year, the sea breeze keeps things cool enough (it is a decent breeze though). Suburbs a few kms inland can be more of a problem with heat. It is rarely cold and that is a massive bonus for me, board shorts, T-Shirt and thongs is my dress code unless going out.

Some areas have quite extensive social crime problems, lot's of social disadvantage, if you're racist don't come here. These areas are usually indicated by having really really cheap property prices. Having said that I have had no issues with crime and feel very safe. This is no different from any town of this size and I believe it is better than any other parts of WA including Perth. Drugs no worse than anywhere else I've every lived and I've treated quite a few people for drug addiction over the years.

You need to get involved in the community otherwise you may feel unwanted/not welcome. Plenty of ways to do that with sports, clubs, volunteering and the like. Once you get involved there is too much to do and I find myself saying no to things as I want to chill. The foreshore is that best I have seen in Australia for a town this size and is a credit to the council. I am down there everyday, walking, fishing, just chilling and love it. 4 hours drive to Perth if you need a big city hit.

The public hospital is busy and understaffed but then again so is every public hospital, it's no better or worse than Perth, Melbourne or wherever. Plenty of GP's. some good, some not so, but lot's of choice. They have the ability to do most health related things in Gero and have a great patient assistance travel scheme when you need to travel to Perth for serious stuff.

Without a doubt the best place I have lived in 60 odd years, everything I need and nothing I don't. Come have look, stay for a while, house prices are rising but still way less that equivalent areas in other parts of Australia.