If you’ve lived in Perth long enough, you’ll know that the city often finds itself in the shadow of the more populous eastern cities like Sydney and Melbourne. However, the vibrant city of the west has its own unique charm and plethora of perks that make it a fantastic place to call home.
From the stunning natural beauty to the thriving cultural scene, Perth offers a high quality of living that’s hard to beat – but easy to get used to.
The City of Perth is one of the nation’s fastest-growing local government areas and is consistently ranked among the Top 10 most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.
So, what is it we love that makes us never want to leave?
Relaxing on Breathtaking Beaches
Western Australia is famous for its pristine beaches with crystal-clear water and white sand. In Perth, we get to enjoy over 19 beaches, including the iconic Cottesloe Beach, Scarborough Beach and City Beach.
Because of the lovely temperatures we get year-round, the beach is rarely off-limits – even in winter when the temperatures are more mild, there is still plenty to do. Year-round beach activities include swimming, surfing, picnics and beachside barbecues, not forgetting a game or two of beach cricket.
Perth offers a great coastal living lifestyle, with the beaches and coastline offering the perfect escape from city living and work.
Chase the Sunshine
If sunny days are more your style, then Perth is your location. The area boasts more sunny days per year than any other major Australian city, while the Mediterranean climate ensures that you get the chance to enjoy outdoor activities and al fresco dining throughout the year.
With so much sunshine, you’ll find yourself living an active and healthy lifestyle, with numerous parks, hiking trails and outdoor sports facilities dotted around the city, and nearby.
Vibrant Cultural Scene
Contrary to perhaps popular belief on the east, Perth has a thriving cultural scene, with a rich history in the diverse arts community.
The Perth Cultural Centre is in the heart of the city and is home to numerous cultural institutions such as the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the West Australian Museum and the State Library. Throughout the city, you’ll also find several theatres including His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth Concert Hall, the Subiaco Arts Centre, and the State Theatre Centre.
When it comes to events, Perth hosts some fantastic music, art and performance festivals including Falls Festival, Perth International Comedy Festival, Fringe World, and the Perth International Jazz Festival.
The city is also home to some interesting public and street art trails at Elizabeth Quay, Perth City, Claisebrook Cove Village, and South Perth. If you happen to be travelling around the state, you’ll also find public and street art trails in Mandurah, Fremantle, Avon Valley and of course, the Public Silo Trail.
Strong Economy and Employment Opportunities
Perth, like many areas in Western Australia, boasts a robust economy, primarily driven by the mining and resources sector. With a strong job market, the city attracts professionals from all over the world making it a hotspot for a variety of career opportunities.
According to Remplan, there are four main industries that those in the Perth City area work in - Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Public Administration and Safety, Health Care and Social Assistance and Mining. Combined, these sectors represent approximately 50.0% of total employment.
The higher wages and job stability certainly make the area an attractive destination for those seeking career advancement, new careers, and financial security.
Large Expat Community
When it comes to the mining and resources industries, you can expect that these jobs attract a range of skilled professionals from all over the world. Around a third of Perth’s population was born outside of Australia, so if you have moved here from another country, there’s a good chance you’ll find a community of expats to befriend. You’ll find residents from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, India, the Philippines and China just to name a few.
Education and Healthcare
Perth is home to some world-class educational institutions, including the University of Western Australia and Curtin University, as well as Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and the University of Notre Dame.
The University of Western Australia is a research-intensive university which is ranked in the top one percent worldwide. One of the Australian Group of Eight, an internationally recognised group of elite Australian universities, this public research university has its main campus in the suburb of Crawley, 10 minutes from the Perth CBD.
Curtin University is also highly prestigious and ranked within the world’s top one percent. It’s the largest university in Western Australia, and is globally recognised for its connections with industry, its high-impact research and wide range of courses.
When it comes to healthcare, there are some top-notch medical facilities across the city, offering comprehensive health care, ensuring residents have access to a wide range of quality health care services.
Great Place to Bring Up a Family
If you’re hunting for a family friendly destination to live, many will tell you that Perth is a great spot to do so. It is a family friendly city with plenty of open space, sporting facilities and recreational facilities as well as schools and healthcare.
For active families, you’ll find plenty of great hikes including Wadjemup Bidi on Rottnest Island, Whistlepipe Gully, and Lesmurdie Falls. Perth is also a city you and the family can easily discover on a bike, with cycling trails throughout the Swan River, Perth Beaches, Fremantle, and Perth Hills areas.
If your family loves to explore, living in Perth gives you a great starting point to head north, south, or west, knowing you’ll find plenty to see, do and discover.
Quality, Fresh Food
Fresh food is in abundance in Perth thanks to being surrounded by agriculture and the ocean. Whether you’re dining out at a restaurant or browsing the local markets, you can expect to find quality, fresh produce, and tasty meals.
When it comes to markets, we certainly recommend making the drive to the Swan Valley, Avon Valley or Kalamunda markets, but if you want to stay a little closer to home, you’ll find farmers markets in Karawara, North Perth, Palmyra, East Perth, Perth City, and Subiaco.
If you’re a seafood lover, we recommend checking out Kailis Fish Market. The team at Kailis Bros bring the best of the overnight catch every morning, with much of their stock coming from the clean, clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Kailis Bros have established relationships with the local fishermen which means, you get the freshest seafood for your family dinner or BBQ.
Choosing to dine out? You’ll have plenty of options, from fine dining at Rusty Fig, Matilda Bay or Nobu, to the more casual dining of KCH, Two Hands Noodle Shop or Island Market Trigg.
Whether you’re a foodie, or just enjoy a fresh salad at home, there is plenty to discover.
Plenty of Living Options
One of the great things about Perth is the variety of living options available to residents and those looking to join us here in the west. Whether looking to buy or rent, you’ll find a range of modern city apartments and classic period homes on large blocks that just aren’t available this close to the city anymore.
Crawley-Nedlands is a family friendly suburb and is one of the city’s most vibrant suburbs. Set between Kings Park and Matilda Bay, the suburb is popular with students, and those working in the city. Northbridge is perfect for those who love a vibrant nightlife, and the neighbourhood is home to Perth’s Chinatown as well as plenty of local food and fashion outlets.
For those looking for suburbs still undergoing, or yet to undergo, gentrification, suburbs like Rivervale, Victoria Park and Bayswater are great to check out.
Proximity to Natural Wonders
Of course, most of us have seen or heard of the Quokka selfie, and Rottnest Island is certainly one of the more well-known natural wonders close to Perth. Beyond our beautiful beaches, you’ll find some of the most stunning natural attractions in the country, including the Margaret River wine region, the Pinnacles Desert, Yanchep National Park, Penguin Island, and the Crystal Cave.
Our Favourite Perth Spots
Like every Perth resident, our team have some favourite locations dotted around Perth they love to spend time at and show off to visitors. Cottesloe Beach is a firm favourite for cooling down in the warmer months, while Kings Park is perfect for kicking back and enjoying a picnic with friends or family overlooking the coastline. For those with children, Aqwa Underwater World is a popular spot to spend a few hours while Adventure World is perfect for entertaining the kids during school holidays.
There are plenty of perks to living in Perth, with the unique and enviable quality of life hard to find elsewhere. Between the natural beauty, strong economy, cultural vibrancy, and abundant sunshine, it’s no wonder that more and more people are falling in love with living in Perth.
If you’re looking to move to the Perth area, our friendly team would love to help you find a new home. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, we have a wide range of options across the Perth region.
