If it takes a village to raise a child, then how about a city? Inner-city Perth in particular offers a lifestyle that gives kids and parents more than they might expect.
Recent data suggests almost 80,000 families live in high-rise apartments in Australian cities. Our capital cities are becoming inner city communities, as residents shift from work life to home life lived right in the city centre.
Choice, not compromise
For many people, having a first child can prompt a review of where they live, including space and amenities for their new family. The evidence shows that the quality of these and related criteria, combined with the quantity of options available to inner city Perth residents, is hard to replicate in any other suburban area.
A survey this year from Smart Air put Perth’s air quality at second best in the world, after Zurich in Switzerland and one ahead of Hobart – better, even, than the crisp and clear atmosphere of Reykjavik, Iceland. Combine that with 140 hectares of parkland and you’ve got a pretty good backyard.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden draws the tourists, but there are no less than 15 other major parkland areas across the city. Wherever you choose your new apartment, you can guarantee it is just a short walk from clean, green space.
The award-winning Moort-ak Waadiny Wellington Square might surprise you too. It has everything for families at any stage – nature play, a pump track and basketball courts mean kids of all ages won’t want to leave. It boasts over 350 new trees and is one of the biggest playgrounds in Greater Perth. The distinction between city and suburbia is being redefined.
In good company
In places like New York and Singapore, apartment living is the norm. Generations of families choose to stay in the city, passing down their property. It means that communities grow together in a place that caters for everyone.
If you take a look at Crawley’s suburb profile (located in the City of Perth) on reiwa.com, you’ll see 21% of households have children. You can also see the mix of housing types: nearly three-quarters live in units or apartments, while 22.5% live in duplexes or villas.
Perth’s CBD has evolved to be more inclusive, and better-equipped for its diverse residents. Parents and younger children love Perth City Farm, where apartment owners can learn how to grow veggies in a smaller space.
As kids get older, they benefit from having Perth’s best cultural spaces on their doorstep – including performances at Perth Concert Hall, State Theatre and His Majesty’s, and world-class exhibitions at the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. There’s something for every age and interest, from diving into the STEM wonders at Scitech, to walking distance access to the State’s best entertainment zones and international theatre, shows and sport at RAC Arena, as well as movies, bowling, escape rooms, and more.
Smaller space, fitter finances
Apartment prices have not kept pace with house prices. For investors, this may not be welcome news, but for buyers it can mean a purchase is more achievable. Expanding a property search to include apartments opens up options and can even leave purchasers with money left over.
A potentially more affordable price means there may be more to put towards travel, education and investments, enriching families in every sense. And when you don’t need to fix the retic or the roof, unexpected outlays become less frequent.
Apartment living won’t make sense for every family. For some, a big backyard is what they want. But for increasing numbers of Australian families, inner city life is perfect. Everything the suburbs have to offer – community, space, events and entertainment – comes with apartment living. What is a city if not the biggest and brightest suburb of them all?
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