Hi OzBargain community,
I’m relocating to Perth after always living in Melbourne and looking for advice on where to buy a house (not a unit/apartment).
My budget is $1.2m–$1.7m.
Good public high schools are a preference for my family (Son going in year 5 next year).
Work isn’t an issue as I can work in any part of Perth.
I will be renting in Ocean Reef until I find a house.
In Melbourne, I have mostly lived in Fairfield/Alphington area.
I don’t know much about Perth suburbs, so any recommendations on:
Family-friendly suburbs
Areas with reputable schools (public or private)
Suburbs with good community feel and amenities
I’d love to hear:
Personal experiences with different suburbs
Where would you buy with that $
Any hidden gem suburbs
Advice on local amenities, traffic, and community vibe
Tips for house hunting in Perth
Thanks in advance!
Relocating from Melbourne to Perth – Suburb & School Advice Needed
Comments
If you are an academic achiever, it is a bit more complicated than choice of school.
It can make a big difference whether a kid is in the GATE program, the "Academic Extension Program", or general-population in the same school.
For GATE you apply by the start of grade 6 for entry in year 7. If accepted you are in GATE classes for the core subjects for 4 years, until ATAR.
With academic extension classes, you are constantly competing to stay in, and may be in extension for science/maths, but noyt english/hass, or vice versa.
If you are in gen-pop, meh, its not that bad. Not like Melbourne public schools.OP, Ocean Reef is kind of the Boodocks. If you want north of the river, and near the ocean, you probably want to buy South of Warwick Rd, and West of the Freeway to be in the catchment area for Carine or Churchlands senior high schools.
Carine itself will be easily within your budget.Thank you for a detailed response
Perth on a budget? …
With that sort of capital (+ work anywhere) you really can take your pick.Personally …
Have always lived around hills/foothills (close to everything - CBD + airport) … Very affordable housing too.Brother went to Belmont HS (+ successful very well in life).
Kalamunda HS also well known for its arts programs.Rossmoyne HS is also one of the more well known public schools for high achievers.
[EDIT] … Also go for a Sunday drive - exploring… When get to WA.
While don't live in Perth hills anymore… So used to enjoy driving down each morning +++ looking at Perth skyline.
It really made my day.
I doubt anyone is going to cough up the gem suburbs on a public website,for any Strayan city.
But generally n any city go for the burbs with the most trees.
WA is much like QLD and braai is a growing popular past time.
Top public high schools
Perth modern (academically selective entry only)
Rossmoyne
Willetton
Applecross honorable mention
you should manage probably to buy reasonably well in that range except along the river front suburbsAreas around applecross seem to be completely out of budget. Since everyone wants to live around rossmoyne or applecross, wouldn’t the class size be huge?
Yes rshs and wshs are among the very largest schools in WA. Like I said you would be priced out suburbs next to the river but plenty of choice south of leach highway in that range
if you working in Quinn's rocks Peter Moyes is a good option in far north
If i had that budget, i would buy somewhere near Riverton, Applecross and Mt pleasant. These suburbs are near the river and have pleasant vibes. The schools are also great.
You won't buy much in applecross for $1.7m
I couldn’t seem to find anything decent around those areas unfortunately
https://applecross.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Appl…
Consider Booragoon and Alfred Cove (east of North Lake Road). They are in the Applecross SHS catchment but more affordable and more likely to have options within budget than Applecross, Ardross and Mt Pleasant.
Sorry just a question with right or wrong answer then. A big house slight out of inner ciry or less land size house in a good school zone catchment
@Aap Ke Papa: Yes, those are likely the options you'll have to choose between to find something to fit the budget
I will be renting in Ocean Reef until I find a house.
The house where the last murder in Ocean Reef took place is for sale
https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-ocean+reef-1…$1.4M
Strong capital appreciation expected from marina and shopping centre redevelopment.
I was wondering why this house has been on the market for a while
Buy it, unless you're superstitious. Might even be one of the few opportunties to negotiate the price lower.
Yokine, Inglewood, Menora, Dianella- anywhere around there with good schools, close to the city and plenty of food/shops around.
Any public housing around those areas that could be worrying?
Yes, but the public housing blocks are somewhat obvious and easily avoided with a little due diligence. Nothing like Melbourne youth gangs.
This is the catchment are for Mt Lawley high:
https://www.lawley.wa.edu.au/view/choosing-lawley/boundaryOutside there may or may not count as a "good" public school, depending on your meaning.
Yes, 9th ave in Inglewood lol
Rossmoyne, riverton, willetton area
Good public high schools are a preference for my family (Son going in year 5 next year).
WA and goot public schools shouldn't used in the same sentence…..
That is concerning. What’s your reason for that?
Family based in Perth…. Visiting Perth…..
Stick to coastal suburb between hilarys and Mindarie. Further north you go the better the more you get for your money and newer the house. Public schools reasonable but plenty of good semi private schools.
I live around just north of Ocean reef. AMA.I just took an airbnb in heathridge and i will be working in quinn rocks. I do have the option of working anywhere. I have enrolled my son in Poseidon primary atm. Is ocean reef too far out you reckon. In Melbourne i have always lived fairly close to city. I like the coastal attraction but dont want to feel isolated too. What semi privates do you reckon are good?
Thoughts on currambine, connolly etc.Joondalup, which is close to Heathridge has everything. I have always lived out this way and there is no need for me to go to the city.
Poseidon fine for now. Maybe Prendiville catholic, Lake joondalup Baptist, St stephens. for high school.
Connolly ( Golf course ) probably better than currambine.
At your budget you can probably buy in Iluka or Burns beach - both excellent suburbsJust curious, what sort of work are you in?
They have a completely different system over there with selective entry via GATE testing (just resulted). I am not familiar honestly but I will provide the same advice as SA - look at class sizes, WACE offerings that match your child's likely interests and additional pathways. If you child is gifted (with evidence) WA has some of the best gifted schools (not selective schools) in Australia.