Best suburbs in Perth include Churchlands, Piara Waters, Mullaloo, Carine, Banksia Grove, Brabham, and Bayswater. You will get quality education and convenient transport options in these suburbs. So these are ideal to raise a family.
In this guide, we will look at seven Perth neighbourhoods that stand out for families. We will break down each of the suburbs in detail for you, like we will discuss availability of schools, amenities and transport options. So have a look:
7 Ideal Suburbs for Raising Children in Perth, Western Australia
1. Churchlands
Churchlands is one of Perth’s more established family suburbs. Moreover, it is just 8 kilometres from the CBD,
Schools
School access is one of Churchland’s main drawcards. You will have close access to these:
- Churchlands Primary School
- Churchlands Senior High School
- Newman College
- Hale School
Transport
Churchlands is connected to the CBD via bus links. Moreover, Stirling Train Station is also a 12-minute drive away. So there will be no transport issue for you in this suburb.
Parks and Recreation
For your outdoor time, you can go to Herdsman Lake. Furthermore, there are multiple walking spots around the suburb. So your kids will have a good environment to walk and spend time outside.
Amenities
You will be close to practical day-to-day spots like Innaloo City Centre and Woodland Village. So there will be no need to head across Perth just to get basic shopping done.
Affordability and Growth
Churchlands is in the premium bracket. It is not a budget suburb, and has a median house price of $2.17 million, median rent of $1,425 a week, and annual sales growth of 3.7%.
2. Piara Waters
Piara Waters is about 20 kilometres southeast of Perth, with a population of 9,116 residents.
Schools
Piara Waters has convenient school access. You will get nearby access to these schools:
- Harrisdale Senior High School
- Piara Waters Primary School
- Harrisdale Primary School
- Providence Christian College
- Carey Baptist College
Transport
The transport in this suburb is convenient, especially if you travel through Perth’s southern corridor.
Parks and Recreation
Piara Waters has a proper family setup. There, you will have access to a sporting pavilion and a football and cricket field. Moreover, there are nearby parks and nature reserves with walking trails and skate spaces.
Amenities
You will have everyday convenience because of Stockland Harrisdale Shopping Centre and local cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Affordability and Growth
Piara Waters has a median house price of $970,000, a median rent of $800 a week, and annual sales growth of 17.6%. It is a popular suburb because of sales growth and a growing population.
3. Mullaloo
Mullaloo is the coastal option in this list, and is about 25 kilometres from Perth. Here in this suburb, the beach is not a special outing. It is part of normal life.
Schools
Mullaloo has great nearby schooling access. You will have around 1 km access to:
- Mullaloo Beach Primary School
- Mullaloo Heights Primary School
- Ocean Reef Primary School
- Ocean Reef Senior High School
Transport
You are still connected to the rest of Perth through road and public transport links. The balance is a big part of Mullaloo’s appeal, as the beach lifestyle does not come at the cost of being cut off.
Parks and Recreation
Mullaloo is popular because of outdoor spaces like the beach, open space, and a lifestyle that naturally pulls kids outside. That is the main attraction you will get here.
Amenities
You will get local shopping at Mullaloo Plaza, plus nearby services, so you are not driving far for the weekly stuff. So this suburb is not just attractive, it is usable as well.
Affordability and Growth
It is interesting for you to know that families are willing to pay a premium for its desirable coastal location. Mullaloo has an annual growth rate of 5.5% and a median house price of $1.335 million.
4. Brabham
Brabham is one of Perth’s growing suburbs. It is still developing, so if you are looking for new housing stock, you can consider it.
Schools
Brabham has good nearby schooling access. Some of the schools that are within a short driving distance are:
- Brabham Primary School
- Caversham Primary School
- Swan Valley Anglican Community School
Transport
Brabham falls in a growing corridor, so the suburb’s value is tied to future access and demand.
Parks and Recreation
This suburb is built around newer family living, so outdoor space and community planning are part of the picture. It suits families who want a modern layout rather than a tightly packed older area.
Amenities
As the suburb keeps growing, more day-to-day convenience comes with it. That is one of the reasons people buy into these areas early.
Affordability and Growth
Brabham is one of the most obvious “watch this suburb” areas on the list. It has lower entry pricing than the premium inner suburbs. It has a median house price of $813,000, a median rent of $780 a week, and annual sales growth of 14.1%.
5. Carine
Carine is a classic family suburb. It is about 15 kilometres from Perth CBD, with a population of 6,479 residents.
Schools
School access is one of Carine’s biggest strengths. You will have close access to:
- Carine Primary School
- Carine Senior High School
- Poynter Primary School
- Davallia Primary School
Transport
Carine is serviced by Warwick Train Station and bus routes to Warwick Train Station and the Bus Port. So the suburb has a very workable transport setup for families who commute regularly.
Parks and Recreation
There are multiple leisure activity options in this suburb. A good example is Carine Open Space because it gives you sports space, bushland, courts, and room for outdoor activity.
Amenities
You have local shopping at Carine Glades, plus the usual cafes and services nearby. It is a settled suburb, so the daily life basics are already in place.
Affordability and Growth
Carine is not cheap, as it has a median house price of $1.58 million, a median rent of $1,100 a week, and annual sales growth of 17%. Still, families accept the price because the suburb is established and well-connected.
6. Banksia Grove
Banksia Grove will be a strong pick if you want a more affordable family suburb. It is located about 28 kilometres from Perth CBD, with a population of 9,350 residents. The suburb was designed as an integrated community with bushland, parks, and commercial planning.
Schools
This is a real family-strength suburb because the schooling network is already there. You will have close access to:
- Banksia Grove Primary School
- Grandis Primary School
- Joseph Banks Secondary College
- St John Paul II Catholic Primary School
Transport
You will not be far from the wider Wanneroo and Joondalup transport network, which gives you practical access for commuting and school travel.
Parks and Recreation
Banksia Grove includes four parks, a community centre, and bushland areas, so if you relocate here, you will get a bit of room around your house.
Amenities
There is a district centre planned for the suburb. This means that the area is still filling out in a way that supports long-term family living.
Affordability and Growth
Banksia Grove is one of the better value suburbs on this list. The suburb has an annual growth of 16.4%, a median house price of $786,000, and a median rent of $750 a week.
7. Bayswater
If you want to stay close to the CBD, Bayswater is a very practical family suburb for you. It is about 7 kilometres from Perth.
Schools
Bayswater has a useful spread of school options. Some of the schools are:
- Bayswater Primary School
- Hillcrest Primary School
- St Columba’s School
- Chisholm Catholic College
- John Forrest Secondary College
Transport
This is one of Bayswater’s biggest selling points. Here you will have Bayswater Train Station and good road links. If you work near the city, this suburb will definitely save you time.
Parks and Recreation
You are close to the, furthermore, you will have access to the following
- Swan River
- Local parks
- Tennis courts,
- Skate park
- Golf course
- Bird sanctuary
Amenities
Bayswater is also close to Morley Galleria and local cafes and services, so you have the practical stuff covered without needing to travel far away.
Affordability and Growth
Bayswater is not the cheapest family suburb in Perth, as it has a median house price of $1.18 million, an annual sales growth of 23.4%, median rent of $812 a week.
Comparison Table
| Suburb | Best for | School access | Transport | Parks / outdoor space | Lifestyle feel | Affordability | Growth potential |
| Churchlands | Premium family living | Strong | Strong | Good | Leafy and established | Low | Stable |
| Piara Waters | Newer family suburb | Strong | Good | Strong | Modern and family-focused | Medium | Strong |
| Mullaloo | Coastal lifestyle | Good | Good | Very strong | Relaxed and beachside | Medium to low | Strong |
| Brabham | Growth suburb | Good | Good | Strong | New and community-based | Better value | Very strong |
| Carine | Established family living | Strong | Good | Strong | Calm and settled | Low to medium | Stable |
| Banksia Grove | Affordable family living | Good | Good | Strong | Practical and modern | Good value | Strong |
| Bayswater | Inner-city convenience | Good | Very strong | Good | Urban and convenient | Medium | Strong |
How You Can Choose the Best Neighbourhood for Your Family
Before choosing a suburb, have a look at the list below, so you can choose a suburb that is best to live with a family.
- Right now, the WA government is spending a lot on safety protocols in the suburbs. So you must ensure that the suburb is free from criminal activities, like checking the stats on robbery attempts, theft, and other security threats.
- Schools are also important. There must be good public schools and childcare, preferably within walking distance.
- Parks and open spaces are a big plus. Because kids need room to run, play, ride bikes, and just get outside the home.
- Transport can make a suburb far more practical, and this is why the WA government is launching many road upgrade projects in WA. So look for a suburb where the train station is not too far, and has decent bus routes.
- Amenities play an important role. So before making a decision, make sure that there are fair-priced shops, cafes, and sports clubs in the suburb.
- Cost of living matters as well. The best family suburb is not always the fanciest one, but the one that is, as per your budget and feels like a good value over time.
How You Can Choose the Best Neighbourhood for Your Family
Our experts suggest that a good way to compare suburbs is to look at the things you will use on a daily basis.
For example, if you commute a lot, look at the transport options. If your kids are young, look at schools and parks.
Moreover, check how long the commute takes during school-run time. And look whether the parks, shops, and childcare are actually nearby or not.
Build Your Family Home with PDCD Homes
Are you ready to settle in one of Perth’s best family-friendly suburbs?
Let PDCD Homes guide you from planning to completion. We are custom home builders in Perth.
So, whether you’re building your first home or investing in a safe neighbourhood for your children, our expert team is here to help you out and make home building stress-free for you.
Get in touch today and take the first step toward your future home.
