Views on areas North of the River

[Incata]

Hi

 

My husband is in Perth at the moment, looking for places for us to live and going through the normal palava of registering, sorting out driving licences, medicare etc. He has been driving round, looking for places to rent and has said he quite likes the area round Jondaloop.

 

We have two toddlers aged 3 and 2, so the 3 year old will be going to school in 2014. We are hoping to rent in an area where we will eventually buy, to try and minimise the disruption for the kids (when they have made friends etc).

 

I'd really appreciate any opinions on areas North of the River, particularly ones which are good for families (play parks etc) and are not really overcrowded. I'm a country girl and like a bit of space, although having decent schools close by and be able to get to the shops easily are quite important. When I go back to work I will probably be in the CBD so need to be near decent transport links.

 

My husband does not tend to ask people what their views are of different areas and I am slightly worried that he may not ask for advice and may miss something important (such as drug users frequenting local parks), other than from estate agents who would tell him that anywhere was good to live, as long as he took the house off of their books.

 

Any pointers or opinions would be most appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Carolyn

[Red Hot Chili Pipers]

The Northern suburbs are a mass of joined up areas in my opinion with little difference between most areas at a first glance. It is difficult to get a definitive idea without actually being there.

 

Generally the closer to the beach the more expensive the areas and the further North the newer suburbs. The freeway is overloaded and this will continue over the next ten years as it is expanded North. The transperth train to the CBD is excellent in my opinion and will be quicker than the freeway in rush hour. Factor in driving or bussing to the train station and be aware that the train being expanded North.

 

When you say space do you mean space between properties or open space for the kids. Butler for example has a lovely open central area but the houses are packed in like sardines. Shops should not be major problem wherever you are unless you want to walk to them.

 

My advice on the Northern suberbs is get a six month rental and take your time to find the area you want. Budget and commuting desires will be important in finding the right area to rent initially.

[Incata]

Hi

 

I meant space between houses. I've done sardine can before and I'm not very good at it! There seemed to be so many open spaces for the children that I'm not too worried about that (and we plan to have them outdoors as much as possible as well). I also like, although it's probably not really relevant, astronomy and have a lovely telescope I would like to be able to use without having to drive into the wild blue yonder to get some clear night skies.

 

Thanks