TL;DR: Buying in Perth requires more than just following price trends or chasing popular suburbs. Each area behaves differently, and what works for one buyer might be wrong for another. You need to match your property goals with the right data, avoid broad generalisations, and understand how zoning, infrastructure, and local demand impact long-term value.
Key Takeaways:
Perth’s property market is unique. It moves in unpredictable cycles, and it’s not uncommon to find underperforming suburbs right next to areas experiencing rapid growth. The usual advice like “find a good school nearby” or “stay close to the beach” doesn’t always hold up. Many buyers base decisions on outdated opinions or polished marketing instead of genuine, long-term value.
If you’re planning to buy a home or investment property in Perth, especially for the first time, this guide will show you what actually matters when choosing a suburb.
Your reason for buying influences everything: your budget, location, property type, and your expectations for value and return. If you plan to live in the property, factors like lifestyle, schools, and neighbourhood feel matter more. If you’re investing, you should prioritise rental returns, low vacancy rates, and long-term capital growth. Blurring these lines can lead to poor outcomes, so define your goal early.
You’ll also want to decide what kind of property aligns with your strategy. Here’s our breakdown of house vs apartment investing in Perth to help weigh the pros and cons.
Before you start looking at listings, decide on three things you won’t compromise on. These criteria help narrow your search and keep you focused. For example:
Clear filters reduce wasted time and help you avoid distractions, especially when you’re tired or under pressure.
Top 10 suburb articles are often outdated or geared toward buyers unfamiliar with Perth. Many rely on median price growth alone, which can be misleading. Perth is made up of micro-markets where results vary from one street to another. A suburb that looks good on paper might already be overvalued or past its peak.
Prioritise long-term trends over recent spikes. Suburbs that have shown steady growth over five to ten years tend to be more reliable. Some of the top performers in 2023 had previously experienced years of little to no movement, which means recent buyers may have jumped in too late.
Rental numbers reveal what’s happening behind the scenes. High rental yields can suggest strong demand, but they may also attract too many investors, which affects future capital growth. High vacancy rates can point to oversupply or weak appeal.
Look out for:
Northern suburbs like Joondalup and Butler remain attractive thanks to consistent investment in transport, healthcare, and education. These upgrades support demand and community growth.
In the south, suburbs like Cockburn and Treeby are expanding fast. New housing estates, shopping centres, and improved freeway access are making them popular choices for modern, connected living.
Cottesloe and Claremont are established, high-end suburbs with strong reputations. They offer coastal lifestyles and quality schools. However, high entry prices and slower growth make them less suitable for buyers looking for capital gain or entry-level opportunities.
Bayswater, Belmont, and parts of Midland are seeing increased attention. These areas are benefitting from:
With prices still accessible and more buyers priced out of central areas, these suburbs are emerging as smart alternatives. If you’re wondering why Perth is attracting more attention while the east coast cools, this article breaks down the key drivers behind Perth’s price surge.
A single suburb can vary widely depending on the street or block. These differences affect lifestyle, walkability, safety, and long-term value.
You might hear that “Scarborough is a great buy,” but the quality of housing, density, and traffic can differ within just a few streets. Some areas are dominated by older apartment blocks with limited parking, while others feature quiet streets close to the beach.
To spot the difference:
Median prices won’t reveal this. Local insight is key.
Zoning changes can present opportunity or risk. Medium-density zoning may allow more townhouses and units, which can boost land value if demand supports it. But overdevelopment in the wrong spot can lead to congestion and falling values.
Review council zoning plans, check for approved developments nearby, and look into any planned upgrades to transport or public infrastructure. These details shape future livability and capital growth.
Use tools like:
These tools give you a broad understanding of how a suburb performs. But data alone isn’t enough. A suburb may look appealing on paper but have issues only visible to experienced eyes. Use data to guide your research, not make your final decision.
At Rise Property Buyers, we help people like you make smart, confident property decisions in Perth, whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, or investing. We know the local market in detail. We combine reliable data with hands-on experience. We’ve walked the streets, negotiated deals, and seen which pockets perform and which don’t. We spot hidden risks and overlooked opportunities.
This is more than just a transaction to us. We care about helping you avoid costly mistakes and securing a property that fits your needs and goals.
Perth has plenty of great suburbs, but the right one for you depends on your goals, your budget, and how deep you’re willing to go beyond the headlines. You don’t need to do it alone.
Book a free strategy call with Rise Property Buyers today and get clear on the best suburbs to buy in Perth for your situation.
