Stay With A Local And Make Friends In Perth
How to stay with a local and make friends in Perth
One highlight of my solo travel adventures in Australia was staying with Airbnb and making friends with the locals. There are many ways of getting to know the locals, but a genuine way to stay with a local is to book your accommodation with an Airbnb host. Last year I tried out Airbnb in two locations. I tested out in Cairns and Jervis Bay this year and was always happy with my experience.
Beginning of November, after travelling on the Indian Pacific from Adelaide to Perth for two days and two nights, I was looking forward to using Airbnb for my Solo Trip to Perth and staying with a friendly local.
Why stay with a local host?
To stay with a local to me means more than just renting a room in a private house. It means staying in a top location, a comfortable home, with someone who is local and is friendly, helpful, and willing to share her/his knowledge about the place and is also genuinely interested in getting to know me and maybe even having some time to show me a bit around.
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My stay with an Airbnb Host in Perth, Claremont, was successful from all points of view. I picked a beautiful home with a verandah garden filled with tropical plants and many flowers, from climbing roses to native Australian flowers.
I like roses and am happy to share this passion with my host, Maureen, an American Expat who left the States to live in Western Australia. At my arrival, Maureen’s welcomed me warmly.
We had a friendly conversation about being or wanting to be an ex-pat in Australia, as she learned about my Australia Solo Travel.
Waking to the smell of roses and fresh homemade bread
Maureen’s home is so lovely that I could quickly call home! Located just five minutes walk from the bus stop and 20 minutes walk from the shopping centre in Claremont, it is a pleasure to walk around the area or go on a bike ride to the nearest beach, Cottesloe.
Every morning I woke to the smell of freshly cut roses and freshly baked banana bread. I love Maureen’s special treat, the homemade nuts-and-pineapple muffins! Breakfast is part of my arrangement, but Maureen always ensured that everyone (me and the couple sharing the house during my stay) was taking muffins or a sandwich with our daypack on our daily explorations! How lovely was that! It felt like being looked after as if I were staying at an old friend’s home.
Stay with a local in Perth means meeting more locals
As our conversation develops over the days, Maureen and I discover a shared passion for modern art. Maureen invites me to attend the opening of an art exhibition in Subiaco.
I am enthusiastic about accepting her invitation to the art exhibition and joining her later at APPEA’s meet-up. APPEA is the Oil and Gas Association for Businesswomen in Perth. The company, the location and the catering service from Lamont’s house were excellent; we had a great time together!
How to get to know your Airbnb host
I spent six days at Maureen’s home and loved every minute. We spent time together having dinner and lingering on a conversation while talking about our lives, dreams, and future adventures.
I listened to Maureen’s valuable advice about a personal matter and appreciated her honest opinion on dealing with it. I am happy to have met Maureen at my Airbnb stay in Perth. I am sure we will be in touch in the future and develop a friendship.
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First published in 2014, last updated in June 2023
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Rosemary Gallagher
December 9, 2014 @ 11:21 pm
Great report Michela,
I am actually leaving the US in less than a month and will be going to New Zealand first and then Australia. I will be staying with quite a few Airbnb hosts over the course of my travels. Hopefully my experience is as positive as yours was.
Cheers,
Rosemary
rockytravel
December 10, 2014 @ 9:33 am
That sounds fantastic! I am planning to write a few more blog posts about how to stay with locals in Australia, there are more ways! Will catch up with you via email with regards to your trip too. Thanks for stopping by, Rosemary! Till soon! Michela 🙂
rockytravel
December 10, 2014 @ 9:36 am
Oh thanks for that! Hopefully this post is not only informative, but it will inspire peope to stay with locals, so as to get to know the real Australian culture and lifestyle! 🙂
Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe
May 17, 2015 @ 9:54 am
Michela, you selected a great place to stay whilst in my hometown of Perth. It must have made for an even better time to have a lovely stay with someone like Maureen who’s hospitality and home made treats made you feel at home. Mmm fresh cooked nut and pineapple muffins would have smelt divine!