Where to live in Perth Australia

[Pekarek1]

Hi, I'm starting to toy with the idea of moving to oz, Perth, but am starting from scratch on the research, we have a 2 year old boy, does anyone know which areas are best for a family, good safe place, good schools, a good community. Thanks

Why Perth.., I guess first.. What is it perth can offer you ? This will maybe start to guide what you want.

Hi Pekarek1...I lived there for a year in 2005. Beautiful place in parts, loved the sunshine, the gorgeous riverside beaches and cafes and of course the sunsets over the Indian ocean every single night (though I was usually feeding DD and DS in the kitchen at the time, admittedly)! But some of the outer suburbs are very dreary and soulless, so finding the right area is very important. However it's hard to give specific advice as it's a really spread-out city, with literally hundreds of suburbs. The first decision to make is whether you want to be North or South of the river. Best place for in-depth advice are the expat websites - there is one called pomsinperth.com, for instance, and britishexpats is a good one too. Good luck with your research!

Thanks meerkate I will look on that web, I have been on one of the expat webs guess I have a lot more to look into. I also lived out in oz in 2005 for a year but I was travelling with my sister, now I'm with a family so my priorities have obviously changed, I just want a nice neighbour hood, close to things and safe with good schools. Chloe2002 I am looking at perth because that's the best place for our work. Thanks

Pek the main thing to know about Perth is that it is eye-wateringly expensive nowadays, and rents are really high - that's another reason it's hard to recommend an area. If all things were equal, if we went back (which we'd love to) I would live in the Fremantle area, as I love Freo and find it has more character than some other areas. There are many gorgeous riverside suburbs I would love to live in too - Applecross, Bicton, Mosman Park, Nedlands - but the rents are SCARY, check out realestate.com.au for some idea of prices.

from Fremantle. I'm not a big lover of WA but Fremantle has kept us sane while we've lived and worked here. It has a European feel to it and we're lucky enough to live in the West End surrounded by beautiful old buildings, courtyard cafes and artists studios and yet a 4 minute walk from the lovely, peaceful Bathers' Beach.

There is certainly a community feel here in Fremantle however rents are stupid - we are paying more for a 2 bed flat than we did for a 3 bed Victorian semi in Teddington.

Have a look at the Reiwa site for ideas of rental prices.

I second it being bloody expensive. One of the reasons I'd like to go back to the Uk as its driving me to distraction.
Talking about driving, fuel is really good value compared to the Uk.

It is all about North and South, beach, bush, or burbs. It's all up to individual taste and budget. I had friends that lived in the next street from Mullaloo beach, and they didn't like it, and are now near the river instead.
I don't know what your professions are, but if you want a comfortable life you'd be mad to move on less than $150k a year, especially if you will be renting, as it is sky high, and an absolute bun fight to 'bid' for a really good property.

I'll swap places with you

Well.
Hmm.
I've been here for seven years now (I'm 22). I have a DD, DP and we earn about $60kpa.
We bought a house in Kelmscott last year for $235k.
It's an outer suburb but I would debate that it's dreary- we're in the foothills and it's quiet and lovely. Lots of federation buildings, close to the outskirts making it easy to get out of the city and into the bush.

I honestly think you're batshit to want to live in the central suburbs, the blocks are minute, and as already said, holy shit the rent

Fashionable suburbs like, yes, Fremantle, Nedlands, Highgate, Mt Lawley (bits of it, anyway), Applecross are simply out of reach for most people.

I suppose really, my main point is it's perfectly possible to have a lovely comfortable lifestyle on less than a kings ransom, as long as you're prepared to head inland and you don't want to live on the river or the beach.

Funnily enough fanjo... That is pretty much the same in any city... In aus... Or most other developed countries! I do find it a bit odd that people complain about the huge rent on tiny capital city block not that I would ever choose to live in central London.. But surely its comparable? Thames views... Etc? Most cities have stunningly lovely suburbs.. Yes we live an hour outside Brisbane Cbd ... But we love it... Acreage.. Beach ... Bliss! Those are some of the things we moved for. So we looked at what were the reasons for moving up aus.. Then looked at different areas. Visited them twice.. Then job hunted. .. Dh was recruited at one of the aus expos in the uk! Moved to an area we liked after much looking around.. Rented for 18 months.. Then moved nearer the beach as we felt we wanted that! Then bought.
Hence why I guess to me where you lives needs to match your life/ income/ ambitions/ hobbies/ schools/ climate/
That's surely different from person a to b!
It's even dependent on what job your going for.. I am a nurse and work shifts so don't want a long commute after a long busy night shift! Dh needs easy access to the airport.

I lived in Kalamunda Perth. Loved it then and when revisited. Many relatives in Australia since the 1960s - and wherever they originally settled they all eventually arrived and stayed in Kalamunda.