Finding your perfect community
Choosing where to call home is one of life’s most significant decisions, extending far beyond four walls and a roof.
In Perth’s diverse metropolitan landscape, your community choice determines whether you’ll wake to ocean views or eucalyptus forests, walk to trendy cafés or spacious parks, and connect with neighbours who share your lifestyle priorities.
The Perth metropolitan area offers diverse housing estates tailored to different lifestyles, from coastal havens to urban hubs and semi-rural retreats.
Lifestyle opportunities range from beachside, riverside and hilltop communities with seamless city connectivity, to estates on the outskirts that offer larger blocks within natural surroundings, emphasising environmental integration and a more relaxed pace of life.
Housing options within estates
Different estates offer several approaches to homeownership, each with distinct advantages.
Land-only purchases provide maximum creative control but require more active management throughout the building process.
House and land packages simplify the journey by combining lot selection with pre-designed homes, reducing decision fatigue while still offering customisation options.
Townhouses represent a growing segment within Perth communities, particularly in established suburbs, offering private outdoor spaces with reduced maintenance.
Positioned near community hubs, these properties appeal to busy professionals and downsizers.
Apartment living delivers maximum convenience with access to shared amenities such as pools and gyms, rooftop terraces and private dining rooms.
Community features
Quality estates create genuine communities through thoughtful planning that responds to the local environment. Given Perth’s mediterranean climate, well-designed outdoor spaces take centre stage, with interconnected parks, walking trails, and recreation areas that incorporate shade structures and native plantings to ensure year-round usability.
The best community facilities align with resident priorities, whether that’s proximity to schools for families, integrated sports facilities for active lifestyles, or social spaces that foster connection.
Water-sensitive urban design features prominently in forward-thinking estates, including bioswales and retention basins that manage stormwater while creating attractive landscape elements.
UDIA’s EnviroDevelopment certification program is a quick and easy way to identify sustainable developments.
Location essentials
Perth’s growing metropolitan area makes commute distances an important consideration when deciding on a location. Test potential travel times during peak hours before committing to a location, especially for estates outside of established public transport networks.
Essential services accessibility varies widely across WA estates. While newer communities often plan for future schools, medical centres, and shopping precincts, confirm development timeframes rather than relying on conceptual master plans.
Major infrastructure projects like METRONET extensions are transforming many community’s connectivity. Make sure you research announced plans that might enhance your chosen location’s accessibility.
Know your developer
Choosing the right developer is as important as selecting the perfect location. A developer’s track record speaks volumes about what you can expect from your investment and living experience.
Research the developer’s history of completed projects across Perth and Western Australia. Look for consistency in delivery timeframes, quality of construction, and whether promised amenities were delivered as promised.
Visit their previous developments to see how well communities have matured over time. Are the landscaping and infrastructure holding up well? Do residents seem satisfied with their choice?
Also, pay attention to the developer’s reputation for customer service and ongoing community management.
Some developers maintain active involvement in their communities long after construction, while others hand over responsibilities to body corporates or resident associations. Understanding this transition process helps set realistic expectations for your community’s future.
The Urban Development Institute of Australia WA Awards provide an excellent benchmark for identifying quality housing estates. These awards recognise excellence in residential development, environmental sustainability, and community planning.
UDIA award-winning estates have demonstrated superior design, innovation, and execution compared to their peers. When researching potential communities, check if the developer or specific estate has received UDIA recognition. It’s a reliable indicator of industry-leading standards.
Environmental considerations
Our unique climate creates specific considerations for sustainable community design. Look for estates that preserve mature trees and incorporate native landscaping, creating cooler microclimates during Perth’s hot summers while supporting local biodiversity.
Water efficiency features prominently in forward-thinking estates through rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, or drought-tolerant landscaping.
For estates near natural bushland, bushfire preparedness measures including appropriate buffers and access routes enhance safety without sacrificing connection to natural surroundings.
Visit EnviroDevelopment for more information about sustainable communities.
Making your decision
Visit estates at different times, including weekends when resident activity peaks, to gauge community atmosphere.
Speak with current residents about their experiences, from developer responsiveness to neighbourhood connections. For developments still under construction, review the full staging plan to understand when key amenities will arrive.
Developers across Perth are creatin communities that cater to diverse lifestyles and budgets. By assessing your needs, preferences, and location requirements, you can find a community that truly enhances your quality of life, a place that offers not just a house, but a genuine sense of belonging.