Home is Where the Heart is

I have lived in the same city for most of my life. It has always felt like home – I was born here, raised here, met my husband here, and we’re raising a family here. Where do I live? In Perth, one of the capital cities in Australia. You might be familiar with our city, because it was recently met with a glowing review in The New York Times.

The conflicting views of Perth

I’ll be honest, there are many places in this review that I’m yet to visit. There are restaurants, beaches and other locations that I, as a local, hasn’t been to yet. But I’m not too surprised at the positive feedback that Baz Dreisinger gave our city.

I know people who have visited Perth and been bored with the night life, or well, lack thereof. I know others who have named Perth people as the rudest in Australia. I know people who think Perth is too quiet, that there’s nothing to do, and that nothing is ever open late enough.

But I also know people who have travelled from interstate and loved the change in pace, the countless parks and how family friendly it is, the quietness compared to the other Australian cities.

Clearly, you can’t please everybody.

Everyone has different wants and needs

I believe what’s so great about travelling and moving interstate or overseas, is giving yourself the option to live where you want to live. It’s about giving yourself the chance to start fresh, to be in a new environment, to find a different place that better suits your lifestyle.

Although I’ve only lived in Perth most of my life, I understand this. I understand the need for the change in pace.

But I also believe that everyone has different wants and needs.

I believe some people are better suited to the quiet lifestyle, whereas some prefer the hustle and bustle of the busier cities. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to our choices. We choose to live a place that suits our lifestyle and our circumstances.

Home is where the heart is

One day, I’d love to visit America – it’s always been on top of my list for travel destinations. One day, I want to visit Germany. One day, I want to explore Hong Kong, where my husband is originally from. One day, I’ll go back to Vietnam and see where my parents grew up.

But until then, I’m happy with the quietness of Perth. The stability of a city that has been my home for the last 25 years. The city where most of my family are living, where my friends are. Where my heart is. Where I feel happy, safe and comfortable.

I think that we all settle on a place that suits us – and that choice can change within time, can change with different circumstances.

Maybe the New York Times travel review was written with slightly rose-coloured glasses and only discussed the best bits to Perth, but hey, doesn’t every town or city have pros and cons?

I think, in the end, it’s our choice wherever we choose to live.

It’s up to us to choose where exactly ‘home’ is.