Hi all,
Rockingham is about half way between Perth and Mandurah and situated on the coast. Just north of Rockingham is an industrial area of Kwinana (chemicals, grain shipments etc using the safe harbouring area created by the islands just off the coast). Go back about 7-20 years and it was mainly cheaper housing. You'll see some of that still reflected in areas like Medina and Orelia.
With the surge in house prices all coastal surburbs have found favour with Rockingham, Saftety Bay, Shoalwater, Port Kennedy probably to a lesser extent included. The main Rockingham beach area is currently undergoing redevelopment with a number of high rise (expensive) apartments being built. Compared with some of the new areas further south towards Mandurah like Secret Harbour, Madora and areas around the estuary at Mandurah (Halls Head) many of the areas around Rockingham are still relatively cheap. Like most of WA prices tend to go up very close to the coast and escalate as soon as water is visible.
The commissioning of the southern train line before Xmas will be a major benefit to the area and the work to extend the freeway southward from where it currently ends near Baldvis (about due east from Shoalwater) will remove some of the traffic from the area.
Many years ago Rockingham and Shoalwater (think decades) were beach side holiday areas for Perth people. Some of the older houses have that 'beach shack' appearance.
You have an area that has some old, very often well place houses near the coast. Some cheaper developments 7-20 years old and some newer houses springing up with redevelopment. ie housing can be quite variable. It's also a bit too flat for my taste, but because it's near the coast means you get to beat a lot of the summer heat.
A little inland from this area are a number of newer surburbs (last 5 or so years) like Baldivis (there are also some bigger blocks - 2000-10000sqm in this area). Advantage of these newer areas include standard of development (parks, layout etc) and often the quality of the surrounding houses....means the surburb tends to look a bit nicer. (it's also a bit hilly and can give some nice eastward views to the Darling Range)
It's only one view but I hope this helps.
S
ps: Just in case you are wondering. One sister has lived in Mandurah (Halls Head area) for the last 20 years, oldest daughter lives in Baldivs (Settlers Hills), a friend is building a house in Madora, another one owns in Shoalwater. I live in Como (next to South Perth) but am moving to Denmark (400km south of Perth - cool & greener) next year. Parents in law live in Bunbury (100km south of Mandurah). I drive through this area far too often.
