MOST West Australians are happy living in WA.
An extensive survey by The Sunday Times has found that 95 per cent of respondents are content here and 88 per cent feel positive about the State's future. Cultural theorists believe the happiness result is because West Australians believe they have a unique lifestyle. "We believe we are special and living in God's own land," Curtin University cultural studies professor Jon Stratton said. But despite the economic boom and most saying they are happy with their lives, more than half said their living standards were no better than five years ago. Prof Stratton said many people were not getting the benefits of the boom, with the gap between haves and have-nots widening. "Some people are earning more money, but more anxious about keeping their jobs and paying off increasingly high mortgages," he said. The survey found: 88 per cent felt positive about the future of WA, with females more optimistic than males. 69 per cent said buying a home in Perth was unaffordable. Among 18 to 39-year-olds, that figure was 72 per cent. 60 per cent wanted daylight saving. 60 per cent wanted liquor stores open on Sundays. 70 per cent wanted all shops open until 9pm during the week and 66 per cent wanted Sunday trading. 75 per cent said private schools provided a better education and 79 per cent did not want Years 11 and 12 students taught with Outcomes-Based Education methods. 44 per cent believed they were not getting value for money from private health insurance. 60 per cent felt we were losing our sense of community spirit and people were ruder. More than 5000 people responded to the February 5 What WA Thinks survey.
Cultural theorists believe the happiness result is because West Australians believe they have a unique lifestyle.
"We believe we are special and living in God's own land," Curtin University cultural studies professor Jon Stratton said.
But despite the economic boom and most saying they are happy with their lives, more than half said their living standards were no better than five years ago.
Prof Stratton said many people were not getting the benefits of the boom, with the gap between haves and have-nots widening.
"Some people are earning more money, but more anxious about keeping their jobs and paying off increasingly high mortgages," he said.
The survey found:
88 per cent felt positive about the future of WA, with females more optimistic than males.
69 per cent said buying a home in Perth was unaffordable. Among 18 to 39-year-olds, that figure was 72 per cent.
60 per cent wanted daylight saving.
60 per cent wanted liquor stores open on Sundays.
70 per cent wanted all shops open until 9pm during the week and 66 per cent wanted Sunday trading.
75 per cent said private schools provided a better education and 79 per cent did not want Years 11 and 12 students taught with Outcomes-Based Education methods.
44 per cent believed they were not getting value for money from private health insurance.
60 per cent felt we were losing our sense of community spirit and people were ruder.
More than 5000 people responded to the February 5 What WA Thinks survey.
