Anyone living in Newman right now?

[Orson]

....even if you don't live there now but have done in recent times.

Looking for experiences/opinions. There's a job prospect that would be residential and we're seriously considering it.

Motives are predominantly financial as there would be a pretty fat pay increase as well as a house/utilities paid for, meaning I could have both of my Perth properties rented out. We also like the idea of giving the kids some of the lifestyle that the states north can offer and believe it could be enriching for all of us. (Mrs was born and raised in Port Hedland)

Newman most certainly wouldn't have been my first preference but these roles don't come up all that often so one can't be too choosy.

Having said that I've never been there myself.

My view with this sort of thing is that it's what you make of it and as such we would view it as a sort of adventure. Probably looking at a 5 year plan with the idea being that we would come back to the city when our eldest is to start high school. Of course that could change depending on how things go.

What can you tell me about:

- Facilities/Amenities
-Crime
-"The Locals"
-Schools
-Community feel
-Anything else you like.....


Ok...GO!

[19andrew59]

We lived there from '01 to '05 and again in '09.
Enjoyed the first stint, not so much the second.
Still have friends living there.

- Facilities/Amenities: Obviously limited if you compare to the city. Hospital, shopping centre, pubs, ovals, golf course,etc.
-Crime: Increasing. They're having some major anti-social issues with the expanded FIFO, vandalism, fights, etc. Mind you, you stick a bunch of people in the middle of nowhere, make them take a day off with access to copious amounts of booze and unfortunately that's the result. There also seems to be some issues with 'newbies' coming to town and just not wanting to 'fit in'.
-"The Locals": There is a huge contingent, more so now that they've shut regional offices and turned the old night club into a Centrelink. Most of the time they're more trouble to themselves than anyone else but that is changing for the worse.
-Schools: 2 primary, 1 secondary. There's some good staff and a lot of seat warmers. In retrospect, our young bloke was not an avid student and we should have sent him to boarding school a lot earlier.
-Community feel: Not as good as it used to be but, it's what you make it. As the missus used to say while we lived there, "We'll go to the opening of an envelope". There's the motocross, enduros, horse riding, Fortescue festival, soccer, AFL and plenty more.

There are excellent waterholes and incredible scenery close to town or you can just slip over to the 'big smoke' (Hedland, Karratha) on your days off.
It is an isolated/harsh environment and that can wear people down.
It's certainly an experience and if you've got the mindset and a plan, go for it, just don't get caught up in the 'earn more spend more'.

[Orson]

Good info there Andrew.

Thanks man.