Hunting down the best suburbs in Perth? This coastal city is slowly becoming one of the most desirable places to live in Australia.
Perth is a large city in terms of population. It is the most populous city in the state carrying over 80% of the entire population of West Australian State, and the fourth most populous city in the country.
With beautiful nature, a dynamic city and 140 days of sunshine a year, Perth offers some of the best of Australia.
Whether you are…
- Interested in moving to Perth
- Currently living in Perth and want to switch to a different area
- Just curious!
We’ve rounded up some are some of the best Perth suburbs to inspire your move.
Interesting facts about Perth
For people who don’t know much about Perth, here are some interesting facts about the Australian City of Light.
- It is the sunniest capital city as it receives over 8 hours of sunlight on average, giving room for many outdoor activities.
- It is the only city where you can see Quokka in the wild. If you don’t know what a Quokka is, it’s time to head to Perth to see these adorable native animals.
- Perth shares more characteristics with Asian cities than with Australian cities. It is one of the most isolated state capitals in the world, with its nearest city, Adelaide being 2,104 kilometres away. However, the city does not share daylight saving time with most Australian cities. It is 5 hours away from Singapore and shares timezones with Singapore, Taiwan, and China.
- The rental crisis in Perth is a real thing. In December 2022, vacancy rates were at 0.6%, the lowest they’d been in 40 years.
- One of the biggest draws to the city is the surrounding beaches. From popular ones like City Beach to smaller ones like Alkimos Beach, we’re spoilt for choice.
- The WA state government announced a $4 million grant towards the native forest regions. So you can expect more nature and greenery to come!
As a very popular and populated place, you’d agree that Perth CBD might be congested and too busy to live in. This is why most people settle in the suburbs.
8 Best suburbs in Perth
1. East Perth: Diverse, young families
- Median house price: $1,205,000
- Median unit price: $440,000
East Perth is on this list because it is an inner city suburb and what makes it special is its proximity to Perth CBD.
With over 10,000 locals living in the community according to the 2016 population, the area is highly diversified, with many nationalities represented.
This gives room for you to learn about other nationalities. This also means there will be various restaurants, events, and holidays to enjoy and partake in.
This suburb is great for young people who are still single or young families as it isn’t far from the economic nerve of the city. You also have easy access to the East Perth medical centre. It also has some of the most expensive schools in Perth like Trinity College.
Check out more properties for sale in East Perth.
2. Ashfield: Affordable, riverside living
- Median house price: $660,000
- Median unit price: $732,750
Ashfield is a suburb located in the town of Bassendean. The suburb sits along the Swan River, making it a great area to live.
The town was founded as a group of railway houses built together along the train line that passes through and is serviced by the Ashfield train station.
It saw a boom in the late 50s to early 60s as the State Housing Commission funded the building of some 400 houses.
Today Ashfield has gone through tremendous changes thanks to positive government policies. Ashfield is better known for its affordable median price of $550,000 and is a great suburb to live in Perth as it won’t disrupt your financial situation. Ready to take the leap? Check out our guide on buying a house in Perth for a hassle-free process (almost!).
Check out more properties for sale in Ashfield.
3. North Fremantle: Heritage, students, beachside
- Median house price: $1,610,000
- Median unit price: 872,000
North Fremantle is located in the city of Fremantle and is one of the best places to live in WA. The suburb, a peninsula between the Swan River and the Indian Ocean, is an excellent place to live and invest in.
North Fremantle is a blend of converted warehouses, heritage cottages and beachy cafes, which gives it a distinct vibe.
The suburb is a walking distance of the Fremantle city centre and a train ride away from the University of Notre Dame.
This makes it one of the very popular suburbs to live in and an excellent residential location for students. But if you’re concerned about the property price tag, Soho’s guide to the cheapest beach suburbs in Perth will help you find coastal homes on a budget.
Check out more properties for sale in Fremantle.
4. Scarborough: Beachside, nightlife, hikers
- Median house price: $970,000
- Median unit price: $550,000
Scarborough is named after the English town of Scarborough in North Yorkshire. It is one of the beachside suburbs in Perth with a population of about 14,000 enjoying the coastline.
This is why hikers favour it for its reasonably priced accommodations, nightlife and relaxed atmosphere.
One of the best things about Scarborough is the easy access to the beach. In summer, the iconic beaches host the Scarborough Sunset Markets, filled with food trucks, parties and dance lessons around the beach and beyond.
Check out more properties for sale in Scarborough.
5. Leederville: Health-conscious, convenient
- Median house price: $1,058,000
- Median unit price: $459,000
Leederville is located in the city of Vincent. The suburb is named after Henry William Leederville, the person who was originally granted the piece of land that encompasses the entire area.
It is bordered by the Lake Monger Reserve. By analysing a range of lifestyle factors such as access to health care, public transport and a local primary school, it is an excellent Perth suburb.
Check out more properties for sale in Leederville.
6. Victoria Parks: Student-friendly, diverse eateries
- Median house price: $757,000
- Median unit price: $315,500
Victoria Park got its name from a development near the Swan River called the Victoria Park Estate in the 1890s.
Although a large area, the east Victoria Park suburb has a modest population of over 6000 people with access to parks and an airport. It is not far from the Perth CBD.
Curtin University campus has close proximity to Victoria Park, making the suburb a great location for students to live and the strip of cafes, sports facilities, bars, and eateries improves student life.
You’d have varieties of food locations across the suburb. Victoria Parks is surely a great place and is a popular choice for you as a student just out of school, family or as a young couple.
Check out more properties for sale in Victoria Park.
7. Carine: Family-oriented, professional community
- Median house price: $1,125,000
- Median unit price: $540,000
Carine was originally a swamp owned by the Hamersley family, who were originally from Europe.
The majority of the lands were underdeveloped till 1960, when a few markets were created around the area.
By 1975 the area had developed massively and had access to various facilities and infrastructures. Carine has a lake which is very popular for its birdlife.
The area is a good place to network as over half of the residents of the Carine workforce are managers and Professionals.
The suburb is good for a growing family as 65% of the Carine residents are married, which is more than any suburb in Perth or the state of West Australia.
Check out more properties for sale in Carine.
8. Mount Lawley: Trendy, student hub
- Median house price: $1,200,000
- Median unit price: $365,000
This is an inner suburb of Perth. It is a trendy area offering young people a blend of popular bookstores, eateries and cloth stores.
It is quite popular among students because the suburb is home to the prestigious Edith Cowan University, the only University in Australia named after a woman.
One interesting fact about Mount Lawley is that it is only a 30 minutes walk and a 7-minute drive from the Centre Business District.
The Ashtor theatre offers some sites of interest, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) teaches acting, musical theatre, dancing, directing, and jazz.
It also covers classical music, contemporary music, arts management, design, production, and broadcasting lessons.
Check out more properties for sale in Mount Lawley.
9. Alkimos: Peaceful, family-friendly coast
- Median house price: $520,000
- Median unit price: $325,000
Alkimos, Western Australia is a beautiful and welcoming suburb that’s perfect for families and individuals alike. It’s a multi award winning community that’s known for its peaceful, laid-back atmosphere and stunning coastal views.
One of the biggest draws to the area is Alkimos Beach, which is just a short walk away and is the perfect spot for a morning stroll, swim, or surf.
Alkimos Beach Primary School and Alkimos Primary School are also great options for families with young children.
For foodies, there are plenty of great restaurants and cafes to choose from, such as The Landing, which has an amazing selection of delicious food and drinks, or the Alkimos Beach Cafe, which is the perfect spot for a lazy weekend brunch.
Explore more real estate for sale in Alkimos WA.
More on the Best Suburbs in Perth
What is the best suburb in Perth?
The best suburb in Perth depends on your lifestyle but some would mention Crawley, Dalkeith, City Beach, Cottesloe, Claremont, Nedlands, Shenton Park, Mosman Park, Mount Hawthorn, Wembley Downs. These offer excellent amenities, desirable locations, and strong community vibes.
What is the safest suburb to live in Perth?
Based on crime rates, the following are some of the safest suburbs to live in Perth – City Beach, Mount Claremont, Shenton Park, Dalkeith, Nedlands, Wembley Downs, Mosman Park, Dalkeith, Peppermint Grove, Cottesloe. These suburbs generally have lower reported crime rates.
What is the most prestigious suburb in Perth?
Based on property values and reputation, some might say these are the most prestigious suburbs in Perth – Peppermint Grove, Dalkeith, Nedlands, Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, City Beach, Subiaco, Mount Claremont, Swanbourne. These suburbs tend to have high median property values and are often associated with affluence and prestige.
What suburbs to stay away from in Perth?
The answer to this would be highly subjective. It’s difficult to definitively say which suburbs to avoid in Perth, as every area has its own strengths and weaknesses. However, areas with higher crime rates or socio-economic challenges might not be ideal for everyone. But overall, Perth is quite a safe city.
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