The Best Perth Suburbs To Live In
For anyone moving to Australia, finding the right place to live is of prime importance, and Perth’s suburbs are diverse, each offering something different from the next. To help you make the right choice for you, here’s a look at the best Perth suburbs to live in, proving that the capital of Western Australia has plenty to offer anyone that decides to make it home.
Fremantle
Affectionately known locally as Freo, the western suburb of Fremantle is renowned for its vibrant cafe culture and welcoming atmosphere. Outdoor enthusiasts will also be drawn to this region; not only is it situated right by the harbour for fantastic ocean views, there are an abundance of heritage trails to explore and organised walking tours, which really enable you to engage first-hand with the history of Fremantle. Speaking of history, there are also many well-preserved heritage buildings to visit such as the Round House, which is the oldest surviving building in the whole of Australia. Anyone with even a passing interest in history and architecture will find much of interest in Fremantle.
Mount Lawley
Situated in the inner north of Perth, Mount Lawley will appeal to those with an appetite for arts and culture. Alternative and arty, Mount Lawley is known for being home to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Formed in 1980, this prestigious institution gives classes in everything from acting, directing and musical theatre to jazz, dance and contemporary music. Film buffs might be enthused to learn that none other than Heath Ledger studied here! Another site of interest is the Astor Cinema, a listed heritage site that was originally built in 1914/15 and is famous for its idiosyncratic Art Deco décor.
Applecross
One of Perth’s more affluent suburbs, Applecross lies in the south beside the Swan River. This region attracts many professionals and has a reputation for being family friendly. Applecross is actually named after a peninsula on the northwest Scottish coast and features many streets named after places in its Scottish namesake. The suburb is known for its distinctive jacaranda trees that bloom in the springtime, a splendid sight to behold indeed. Such is their alluring beauty that Applecross even hosts a yearly Jacaranda festival which takes place towards the end of November. Some more Heath Ledger related trivia for film buffs; the actor actually hailed from this region and a memorial to his legacy stands in Applecross to this day.
Floreat
The Perth suburb of Floreat is situated to the west of the city and is an area that attracts many young professionals and families. The family-friendly atmosphere of Floreat is reflected by the many local schools and educational facilities. One of the great things about this residential district is that it lies a mere 8km from the central business district of Perth. This makes commuting to work relatively straightforward and fast whilst the suburb itself still feels pleasantly removed from the manic hustle and bustle of modern city life. Local amenities include a large shopping centre, a variety of excellent cafes, and a whole host of sporting facilities including Perry Lakes Stadium, Perth’s most prestigious athletics venue.
Leederville
An arty inner northwest suburb of Perth, Leederville boasts a lively cafe culture enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. The region plays host to a number of educational facilities including Aranmore Catholic College, the Schools of Isolated and Distance Education, Central Institute of Technology Leederville Campus, and Trinity Theological College. Leederville is named after William Henry Leeder who was one of the original settlers in Swan River Colony, which was a 19th century British settlement. Notable residents include Shane Paltridge who represented Western Australia in his role as a Senator in the Parliament of Australia.
Subiaco
Showcasing the more affluent and cosmopolitan side of suburban Perth, Subiaco has a wealth of shops and cafes, which means residents needn’t venture all the way into the city centre to experience some glamour and culture. This region is also suitable for families as it includes primary schools such as Subiaco Primary School and high schools such as Perth Modern School. Subiaco manages to blend contemporary residential areas such as Subi Centro with more historical buildings such as the heritage buildings near Shenton Park. The result is a dynamic and attractive mixture of old and new architecture, which keeps things interesting.
Inglewood
The inner north Perth suburb of Inglewood has a reputation as being family orientated and is also known for its heritage housing with an assortment of historically significant landmarks. As well as well-preserved traditional properties, Inglewood also features more contemporary architecture with a smattering of 1960s apartments and modern unit developments throughout. Inglewood is well suited to families owing to its schools and its civic centre; the latter incorporates a library, autumn centre and children’s centre. There are also an abundance of sporting and recreational facilities geared towards children and adults alike.
Cottesloe
Located to the west of Perth, Cottesloe is best known for its beach culture. Seekers of sun, surf, and the famous laid-back way of Australian life will definitely find a lot of appeal in this beautiful Perth suburb. Cottesloe is host to a multitude of beautiful beaches and welcoming cafes. As well as surfing, other water sports such as kayaking are also popular or you can always indulge in a spot of beach cricket or frisbee on the sand. Cottesloe is situated approximately halfway between the Perth central business district and the port of Fremantle and features reliable and regular transport links to both.
Mount Helena
To the east of Perth lies the suburb of Mount Helena, a rural area with an attractive landscape comprised of plenty of rolling hills and forest. It is situated 35km away from Perth and has a population of 2,400. This peaceful setting and relatively small population compared to some of the other Perth suburbs makes Mount Helena well suited to anyone seeking somewhere more remote and quiet to set up home. Hill-walking and similar activities can be engaged in with some of the many local outdoor activity communities and sporting groups, making Mount Helena ideal if you are into fresh air, exercise and the great outdoors.
Mount Hawthorn
Mount Hawthorn can be found to the north of Perth and boasts an engaging local cafe culture as well as a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. If you have an interest in history, Mount Hawthorn is also steeped in World War I heritage including Anzac cottage, a home for veterans built in 1916. Well-known former residents include war hero Thomas Axford who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918 and to whom a local park is named after. At only 5km north of Perth’s central business district, Mount Hawthorn is ideal if you want to work in the city whilst maintaining a residence in the suburbs away from all the hustle and bustle.
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