Good Places to Live in Perth for 2025

Perth is a city that feels like it has it all: endless sunshine, beaches you can actually swim at, leafy riverside walks, and neighbourhoods where the local café barista knows your name. But when it comes to choosing where to live, the options can feel overwhelming. Do you go for the charm of Fremantle, the prestige of Applecross, or the family-friendly schools in Willetton?

This guide breaks down the good places to live in Perth so you don’t have to guess. We’ll explore what makes a suburb “good”, highlight some of the city’s most loved areas, and give you tips to help narrow down your choices whether you’re planning a move, raising a family, or thinking of selling and want to know what makes your suburb stand out.

Next step: If you’re thinking about selling, the right suburb is only half the story, the right agent can make all the difference. Compare local Perth agents today to see who knows how to market your area and get you the best result.

What Makes a Suburb “Good” in Perth?

If you’re new to Perth or even to Australia, the word suburb may mean something different to what you’re used to. In Perth, suburbs are well-defined local communities, each with their own shops, schools, transport, parks and personality. Deciding which suburb is “good” depends on how well it matches your lifestyle, budget and long-term goals. Here are the main factors locals use when judging a suburb:

1. Proximity and Travel Times

• Commute to the CBD or job hubs: A “good” suburb usually means you can reach work, uni, or the city in a reasonable time. For many, that’s under 30 minutes. Perth’s eight train lines (including the new Ellenbrook Line) make suburbs with a station especially attractive.
• Road access: Freeways (Mitchell north, Kwinana south) and highways (Tonkin, Roe) are key. A suburb with easy entry points often feels less isolated.

2. Schools and Education Options

• Public school catchments: Families pay close attention to suburbs zoned for high-performing schools like Willetton SHS, Rossmoyne SHS, Shenton College and Bob Hawke College.
• Private schools: Areas near Perth’s private school belt (Cottesloe, Claremont, Nedlands) appeal to families wanting independent education.
• Early childhood: Proximity to day care and kinders can be a deal-breaker for young parents.

3. Lifestyle and Amenities

• Shops and dining: A good suburb has its own café strip or shopping village, so you’re not always driving to the next area.
• Parks and recreation: Perth’s climate means outdoor living is huge. Families want playgrounds and ovals; professionals might value gyms, bars and weekend markets.
• Community feel: Festivals, markets or active sporting clubs help suburbs feel connected.

4. Safety and Reputation

• Perceived safety: Some suburbs feel safer simply because of lighting, foot traffic or active neighbourhood watch groups.
• Crime statistics: WA Police data shows crime rates by district. While stats matter, street-by-street feel is just as important.

5. Housing Style and Value for Money

• Character vs new builds: Inner suburbs like Subiaco or Mount Lawley offer charming heritage homes. Outer suburbs like Baldivis or Harrisdale offer brand-new four-bedroom houses with big backyards.
• Price brackets: “Good” might mean prestige (Cottesloe), affordable entry point (Ellenbrook), or “best value for catchment” (Willetton).
• Future growth: Buyers often look for areas flagged for new infrastructure or increasing demand.

6. Unique Perth Factors

• Coastal lifestyle: Unlike many cities, you can live by the beach without being hours from the CBD. For some, “good” means surfing before work.
• River suburbs: Others prize daily walks along the Swan or Canning rivers, or easy kayak access.
• Climate: Perth is hot and dry in summer. Suburbs with leafy streets, larger blocks, or sea breezes are naturally cooler and more comfortable.

A “good” Perth suburb isn’t one-size-fits-all. For families, it’s schools and parks. For professionals, it’s transport and cafés. For downsizers, it’s safety and lifestyle. For investors, it’s value and future growth. A suburb is “good” when it matches your priorities while fitting your budget.

Top 14 Suburbs and Areas to Consider in Perth

Below are popular Perth livability neighbourhoods across budgets and lifestyles. For each, we’ve included location, character, who it suits, and price/context pointers.

Applecross 

Set on a prized Canning River bend about 7–9km south of the CBD, Applecross blends leafy streets, river walks, and café strips (Ardross/Applecross Village). Big family homes and luxury builds dominate, with boutique apartments near Riseley St precinct.

• Best for: Executive families, downsizers wanting river access, professionals near Fiona Stanley/Murdoch and the CBD.
• Why it’s loved: Foreshore living, Applecross SHS intake, nearby Aquinas/All Saints, and quick freeway access.
• Consider: Premium pricing and competition for renovated family homes.

Subiaco

Just 3–4km west of the CBD, Subi is a perennial top suburb to live in Perth if you like weekend markets, cafes, and an easy rail ride into the city. Character cottages, renovated terraces and stylish apartments suit different budgets.

• Best for: Professionals, medical staff (QEII/Perth Children’s), small families wanting Bob Hawke College zoning.
• Why it’s loved: Train access, restaurants, parks (Kings Park on your doorstep), festivals.
• Consider: Smaller blocks and higher density in pockets; parking can be tight near the strip.

Cottesloe / Swanbourne 

If your picture of Perth is early swims and sunset picnics, Cottesloe and neighbour Swanbourne are the classic coastal picks. Big family homes, some subdivided blocks, and a premium apartment market steps from the sand.

• Best for: Beach-first families, downsizers, prestige buyers.
• Why it’s loved: Iconic beach, village feel, train to the CBD/Fremantle, elite school belt nearby.
• Consider: Premium prices and competition for anything near the water.
• Check prices & nearby schools: REIWA Cottesloe profile.

Fremantle 

“Freo” mixes heritage terraces, limestone cottages and converted warehouses with lively bars, markets and arts. The Fremantle Line goes direct to Perth; Murdoch and Fiona Stanley are a short drive inland.

• Best for: Creatives, professionals, young families, and downsizers who want to walk everywhere.
• Why it’s loved: Culture, food, beaches (South Beach), and a real sense of place.
• Consider: Character homes can need work; terrace streets trade fast.

Mount Lawley / North Perth

North-east of the CBD, Mount Lawley and North Perth have federation streets, café strips (Beaufort St/Angove St), and solid school options. They’re classic “close-to-everything” suburbs.

• Best for: Young families, professionals, downsizers who want character homes.
• Why it’s loved: Cafés, parks, quick city access; beloved Mount Lawley SHS zone.
• Consider: Renovated character homes command a premium.

Willetton / Rossmoyne / Brentwood 

South of the river near Murdoch/Fiona Stanley, these suburbs are magnets for school-minded families. Willetton SHS and Rossmoyne SHS catchments drive demand; Brentwood/adjacent Mount Pleasant offer river access.

• Best for: Families prioritising state-school excellence with good transport to Murdoch Station.
• Why it’s loved: Big houses, parks and sporting clubs; quick freeway and train/bus access.
• Consider: Catchment borders can be tight; always verify.

Baldivis / Harrisdale / Ellenbrook

Outer growth corridors offer more house for the money, newer kitchens/bathrooms and community facilities. Ellenbrook now benefits from the METRONET Morley–Ellenbrook Line to the CBD, lifting access and long-term appeal.

• Best for: First-home buyers and families needing 4×2 space and a big yard.
• Why it’s loved: New estates, shopping villages, schools; value compared with inner-coastal postcodes.
• Consider: Longer commutes (less so for Ellenbrook now); pick streets with good build quality and amenities.

Nedlands / Claremont / Swanbourne

West of the city along the Swan River, these established suburbs offer leafy streets, access to UWA, QEII medical precinct, and a short hop to Cottesloe beach.

• Best for: Professionals, med/uni staff, families seeking premium amenity and schooling options.
• Why it’s loved: River walks, shopping (Claremont Quarter), excellent schools, quick rail/ferry/bus links.
• Consider: Premium pricing; heritage overlays in pockets.

Prestige vs Affordable Living: What You’re Really Paying For

When it comes to Perth suburbs, price often tells the story. But what exactly does “prestige” or “affordable” mean for your daily life?

• Prestige suburbs (think Applecross, Cottesloe, Nedlands) come with river or beach access, elite schools, and beautiful streets. Homes are more expensive because they’re scarce, sought-after, and offer that dream lifestyle. Living here means less compromise, shorter commutes, stunning views, and strong resale value but you’ll need a healthy budget.
• Affordable suburbs (such as Baldivis, Harrisdale, Ellenbrook, or Byford) offer newer homes, more bedrooms, and larger blocks at a fraction of the cost. These areas are growing fast, with new shopping centres, schools, and transport links. The trade-off is usually a longer commute or fewer established amenities compared to inner-city or riverside pockets.
• The middle ground is where many families land: suburbs like Willetton, Rossmoyne, and Mount Lawley balance price, schools, and community vibe. They may not have the glamour of Cottesloe but still offer excellent liveability and strong long-term value.

Think about your lifestyle as much as your budget. Paying more for a riverside home might save you time and stress on commuting and school runs, while moving further out could mean more space for kids but longer trips each day.

Getting Around Perth

Transport is a huge factor when choosing a suburb in Perth. Unlike Sydney or Melbourne, Perth doesn’t have a dense rail grid, but it does have a growing network of train lines and freeways that shape where people live.

Here’s what to know:

• Train lines are gold. Suburbs with a station on the Fremantle, Joondalup/Mandurah, Midland, or the new Ellenbrook line usually mean a smoother daily commute. Places like Subiaco, Cottesloe, Fremantle, and Ellenbrook (thanks to METRONET) are more appealing because you can leave the car at home.
• Freeway and tunnel access matters. If you’re south of the river, being close to Kwinana Freeway makes trips to the CBD much easier. North of the river, Mitchell Freeway is the main artery. For those in the hills or outer suburbs, expect more driving unless you’re near a station.
• Outer suburbs trade space for time. Baldivis, Byford, and Harrisdale offer bigger houses and land, but your commute could stretch to an hour if traffic’s heavy.
• Future projects can be game changers. The new Ellenbrook line has already transformed the area’s appeal, and other METRONET extensions will do the same for suburbs along the new routes.

Always do a trial run at peak hour before committing to a suburb. A commute that looks fine on Google Maps at midday can feel very different at 8am on a weekday.

Tips for Choosing the Right Suburb in Perth

Before you fall in love with a listing, stress-test the suburb:

1. Visit at different times. Weekday peak vs weekend vibe can feel like two different places.
2. Try your real commute. Drive and take the train once Perth’s rail map is simple but line choice matters.
3. Check school catchments. Use REIWA suburb pages to list nearby schools, then confirm zones with the school or education department.
4. Look up future projects. METRONET pages show new stations and precinct plans that can change amenity and value over time.
5. Review safety data. WA Police publish crime statistics by region/district; use this alongside your own area visits.
6. Join local groups. Community pages reveal day-to-day strengths and pain points (parking, planes, school pick-up).
7. Test a short stay. A weekend in your target suburb (near your likely school stop or station) can be telling.

Thinking of Selling Your Home in Perth?

Choosing the “best suburb to live in” isn’t only important for buyers, it matters for sellers too. If you’re planning to put your home on the market, understanding what makes your suburb attractive helps you highlight the right features when selling.

• Prestige suburbs: In areas like Cottesloe, Applecross or Nedlands, buyers are often drawn by lifestyle and exclusivity. Marketing should showcase river or coastal access, character homes, and school catchments.
• Family-focused suburbs: Places like Willetton or Rossmoyne appeal to parents prioritising education. A good agent will know how to position your property within high-demand school zones.
• Growth and affordable areas: If you’re in Harrisdale, Baldivis or Ellenbrook, the focus is on value for money and new infrastructure like METRONET. Buyers here want modern homes, space and community facilities.

The right real estate agent understands how to tap into these motivations. A skilled agent doesn’t just list your property, they tell the story of your suburb in a way that resonates with the right buyers, which can add thousands to your final sale price.

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