Best suburbs to move to in Perth

Use this Perth article to identify the questions and locations worth comparing for your household. This article was published on April 8, 2024. Prices, population figures, service frequencies and market comparisons below belong to that publication context; check current information before making a housing or moving commitment. No neighbourhood description guarantees the conditions at a particular property.

The Western Australia capital of Perth consistently ranks as one of the most liveable cities in the world.

It enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate with sunny skies for much of the year, while it also has a strong job market, a booming arts and food scene, stunning beaches and a laid-back lifestyle.

Additionally, Perth is one of the most affordable capital cities in Australia when it comes to cost of living.

But just which suburbs are the best to move to in Perth?

We’ve taken a look.

BEST PERTH SUBURBS FOR FAMILIES

Subiaco

An inner-city suburb of Perth just 3 km west of the CBD, the area better known as ‘Subi’ boasts a trendy vibe and a convenient location. Once a working-class area, Subiaco has undergone an urban renewal in recent decades and has good schools, several parks and ample public transport options.

Mullaloo

A coastal suburb about 25 km north of the CBD, Mullaloo is known for its beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere and family-friendly vibe. The calm, clear waters at the beach are ideal for families with young children and are complemented by plenty of parks and playgrounds in the area. Shops, cafés, restaurants and other amenities are scattered throughout the suburb to meet most needs, while larger shopping centres are not far away.

Willetton

Located about 15 km south of the CBD, this area balances affordability with a relaxed suburban lifestyle and family-friendly amenities. It has multiple highly-regarded schools and plenty of parks and reserves, while also being quite close to larger shopping centres offering retail outlets, restaurants, and entertainment options.

BEST PERTH SUBURBS FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Northbridge

Young professionals who enjoy going out need not look past Northbridge. The inner-city suburb is home to much of Perth’s best nightlife, with a great selection of bars, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. Live music venues and comedy clubs are also found in this area, which is well-connected to other parts of Perth via public transport.

East Perth

An urban area that is rising in popularity, East Perth has historic buildings along with trendy new cafes and dining venues. Hugged by the banks of the Swan River and with plenty of parks and gardens within easy reach, there are ample walking and cycling tracks around. Perth Stadium is only a short walk away across the bridge, too.

Cottesloe

While far from Perth’s cheapest suburb, Cottesloe is popular among young professionals who crave a beachside lifestyle. A stunning white sand beach meets clear turquoise waters at Cottesloe, which is just 11km south-west of Perth’s CBD and is well-connected though public transport routes. As you’d expect, there are also plenty of cafes and restaurants in the area.

BEST PERTH SUBURBS FOR RETIREES

Sorrento

A popular area among retirees, Sorrento offers relaxed coastal living just 19 km north-west of Perth’s CBD. The pristine Sorrento Beach is undoubtedly the suburb’s biggest drawcard, but it is also an area which has strong community spirit, easily-accessible shopping centres and a variety of housing options.

Mandurah

While technically a separate regional city, lying 72 km south of Perth, Mandurah is a very popular beachside destination for retirees in Western Australia. It is famous for its canals, which are lined by many houses, as well as stunning beaches with calm, clear waters.

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Test the Perth shortlist against your ordinary week

Start with the places you need to reach regularly: work, education, care, shops and the people or activities important to your household. Compare the actual journey from a candidate address, including the time you need to arrive and return. A suburb's broad description does not establish a convenient commute from every street.

Visit the area at the times you expect to use it where practical. Compare the housing type and layout with your needs rather than choosing only by the suburb's reputation. If you are relying on a school, childcare place or a particular service, check eligibility and availability directly before making a commitment.

For schools, confirm the current enrolment or catchment position for the exact address. For property conditions and local hazards, use the relevant council, planning and other official information and obtain the property checks appropriate to the decision. A list of attractive features is not a substitute for checking the building and address.

Keep lifestyle descriptions separate from current market facts

Descriptions such as family-friendly, lively or relaxed help express the article's intended comparison, but different households value those qualities differently. Use the named places as a starting list and decide which features actually matter to you.

Historical rent, house-price, population, employment or cost-of-living figures should not be treated as current quotations or predictions. Check the date and scope of a comparison before using it. A broad claim that one city is cheaper or offers more opportunities does not settle your own housing, work or travel costs.

If two areas remain suitable, compare the practical trade-offs: the type of home, everyday travel, proximity to the services you need and the budget for that specific property. Record what still needs verification instead of treating an unanswered question as a positive feature.

Turn a property choice into a moving plan

Once you have an address, check the access before confirming the removal booking. Describe stairs, lifts, narrow entrances, parking and any restricted delivery hours. Check whether larger furniture can follow the route into the property and whether dismantling has been agreed.

Distinguish the date you receive keys from the expected arrival of your goods. For a journey between states, ask for collection and delivery windows and keep essentials accessible for the gap. If the property will not be ready, discuss storage options before fixing the delivery.

Use How to Choose a Good Removalist to compare written offers and the moving timeline to organise preparation. Update the team if the address, dates or access change after the quote.

For the transport stage, review Perth moving services and request a detailed quote. Use the moving advice index for the next preparation decision.

Are the Perth prices and comparisons current quotes?

No. The figures and comparisons in “Best suburbs to move to in Perth” belong to the article’s publication context. Its stated publication date is April 8, 2024. Use them to identify questions, then check current information for the actual home and services you are considering. Compare the date, household size, dwelling type and included costs before using a figure. A historical ranking or city-wide comparison cannot establish today’s cost or suitability at one address. Keep the updated assumptions with your shortlist so the decision can be checked.

What should I check for a particular address?

Check the exact Perth home, its layout and access, the full commute and the services your household needs. Verify important school or service arrangements directly rather than relying on a suburb’s reputation. Inspect the property where practical and compare travel at the times you will actually use it. Mandurah is identified as a separate regional city, so compare its daily travel and delivery requirements on their own merits. The lifestyle categories do not make any location suitable for every household in that group. Record unresolved questions before committing so the shortlist reflects usable homes rather than only appealing area descriptions.

What should I give the removalist after choosing a property?

Provide both addresses, the furniture and carton inventory, dates and the first confirmed day you can receive goods. State the exact destination, especially if choosing Mandurah, which the article identifies as a separate regional city rather than a Perth suburb. Explain stairs, lifts, parking, loading restrictions and unusual items, with photographs or measurements if requested. Have packing, dismantling, storage and placement included explicitly where needed. Keep provisional details marked and update the coordinator before the final scope and price are agreed.

What should I compare before choosing a Perth coastal or inner-city option?

Compare the ordinary week you would have at each address: work travel, shopping, appointments, social activities and housing space. The guide’s coastal and inner-city examples can help identify options, but proximity to a beach or entertainment precinct is only one consideration. Check the current property cost and access to the services you require. If considering Mandurah, account for it as a separate destination when arranging both your routine and a removal quote.

Which places or themes does this Perth article help me compare?

The article groups Subiaco, Mullaloo and Willetton under families; Northbridge, East Perth and Cottesloe under young professionals; and Sorrento and Mandurah under retirees. Use those examples to create a small shortlist rather than trying to inspect every possibility at once. Identify three or four requirements that matter most, then record how each candidate meets them. Recheck current housing, travel and service information before making a commitment. A location can suit a general lifestyle description while a particular dwelling has unsuitable access, layout or ongoing costs. Keep both levels of the decision visible.

How can I turn a shortlist into a practical relocation budget?

Separate ongoing household expenses from the one-off move. Keep the actual destination and routine visible in the budget, particularly when comparing an inner-Perth home with Mandurah. Add the removal quote, packing, travel and any temporary accommodation or storage to the transition costs. Check that furniture fits the chosen home and its access before paying to transport it. Give movers the same inventory and requested work when comparing prices, and revise the figures when the property, dates or services change.

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