Perth’s Migrants | What’s it Like Living in Perth?
Rottnest Island: Perth in the Background
Perth has a population of one and three-quarter million people, living in one of the world’s most isolated cities. Perth is an island of people, with vast stretches of virtually uninhabited desert to the east and thousands of miles of Indian Ocean to the west. Other Australian cities are several hours by jet plane.
Perth’s lucky residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate and a relaxed lifestyle in a very beautiful, clean, spacious feeling city.
Like most Australian cities, the majority of people live in detached houses with gardens. This means the city sprawls over a large area. At the heart of the city lies the beautiful, wide, Swan River.
Slightly over one third of Perth’s residents were born overseas.
According to the Bureau of Statistics, people from the UK are Perth’s biggest migrant group, making up 12.4 percent of the population. The next biggest groups are New Zealanders (2.5%), Italians (1.6%), Malaysians (1.2%) and South Africans (1.0%).
Around 6.5% of the population is Asian and 0.6% come from the Middle East or North Africa. Aboriginal Australians represent 1.5% of Perth’s population.
Despite having well over one million inhabitants, Perth is markedly quieter than the larger cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Perth is not really an ideal location for young, single people seeking exciting city nightlife. Many people think Perth is an excellent location for families.
Most migrants find Perth is a friendly place to settle, particularly compared with Sydney where people sometimes seem to have less time for one another.
One of Perth’s big plusses is its beautiful beaches. Many migrants dream of living next to these although houses in good, beachside suburbs tend to be very pricey.
Unlike the big east-coast cities, where the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean, Perth sees spectacular sunsets over the Indian Ocean.
Modern Row Houses in Perth
Where to live in Perth
Perth Houses | Perth Homes | Perth Suburbs
Almost three-quarters of Perth’s houses are detached, with varying sizes of garden. The average prices we mention below are for houses and not apartments.
Apartments / flats are cheaper.
Generally speaking, the north and west of the city are the most highly regarded areas to live.
Many British migrants have chosen to settle in the northern suburbs around half an hour north of the city centre.
In suburbs such as Beldon, Connolly, Edgewater, Heathridge, Joondalup, Mullaloo and Ocean Reef, British immigrants make up around one quarter of the population.
In mid 2019, average house prices in these areas ranged from the mid $400,000s in Heathridge, and Beldon, low $500,000s in Edgewater and Joondalup, mid $600,000s in Mullaloo and Connolly and low $700,000s in Ocean Reef.
The northern and central suburbs of Perth are where people with the highest salaries tend to live.
Houses in top suburbs close to the central city, such as Nedlands and Dalkeith, situated on the beautiful Swan River, command median prices of around $1.5 to $2.5 million.
All over the world, beachside properties have been in demand and fetch very high prices.
Perth has followed this trend – an evening stroll along the beach and a dip in the sea is an attractive prospect.
Less obvious advantages of living near the sea in Perth include less extreme summer heat and fewer flies than can be found farther inland.
Median House Prices in Perth 2012 to 2018
| Property Type | mid 2012 | mid 2013 | mid 2014 | mid 2015 | mid 2016 | mid 2017 | mid 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| House | $514,700 | $569,800 | $597,800 | $582,200 | $559,400 | $528,300 | $523,900 |
| Unit | $409,100 | $435,300 | $440,900 | $432,900 | $412,600 | $412,900 | $390,500 |
There are, however, some disadvantages to buying beachside property in Perth. High winds can become annoying. When they are strong, they can blow garden umbrellas around and bring sand into gardens and houses.
Suburban developments close to the coast also tend to have houses packed more densely than elsewhere.
In the coastal suburbs of Scarborough and Wembley Downs, to the north west and west of the city centre, the median house prices were mid $700,000s and over $1,000,000s in mid 2019.
Some of the south eastern suburbs, such as Maddington, Gosnells, Lynwood, and Thornlie are less well regarded than Perth’s other areas. The average house prices in these suburbs ranged between $300,000 – $450,000 in mid 2019.
You can see Perth’s suburbs on the map here.
Perth is a very clean city although, sadly, graffiti and “hoons” are becoming an issue in many locations – even some of the better suburbs. Hoons are youths causing problems such as vandalism and reckless driving.
A major attraction of Perth is its many parks and play areas for children. Perth is an ideal location for people who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle.
Summing Up – Pros and Cons
Perth is a pleasant city, with a relaxed, outdoors lifestyle and beautiful beaches, lying on the eastern rim of the Indian Ocean.
Western Australia, of which Perth is the capital, is Australia’s largest state – bigger than most countries.
Perth Pros
A sunny, warm, Mediterranean climate
A beautiful, clean city
Expansive white-sand beaches
Warm seas and breathtaking sunsets over the Indian Ocean
Pleasant suburbs with easy traffic
Excellent public transport
Very attractive countryside around the city
The Fremantle Doctor, an afternoon sea breeze, is a great relief on the hottest days
Perth Cons
Some summer days are too hot
The swarms of flies that come sometimes in summer when winds bring them in from the east
There are too many boy-racers on the roads
Perth has the highest burglary rates of any major Australian city