working at The Perth Clinic on Havelock Street. Had'nt really thought about buying /renting in the same area. We would probally not buy for a year or 2 so would probally expect to move to buy if need be.

probably, even

Hi lindseymac, there are good bus links nearby, it's a bit further away from a train line. West Perth is primarily a business area, so there's not a lot of activity or people around after 5 pm Mon-Fri, or at the weekends. There are several apartment blocks nearby, most fairly new and swish - rents starting from $550 pw. For the location, that's not too bad. It depends on whether you want to live in an apartment with a child. In case you're worried about outdoor space, there is King's Park right alongside, with a couple of large playgrounds and more bush, walk or cycle trails you could wish for, cafes and wonderful river views along Fraser Avenue.

The cheaper apartments also listed under West Perth on sites such as www.reiwa.com.au or www.realestate.com.au tend to be on the north side of the suburb, and could be trickier to get to. There are bus services along King's Park Road (the closest main road to The Perth Clinic), Hay Street (2nd closest, one way heading west), Murray Street (one way heading east), Thomas Street and Wellington Street. King's Park Road becomes Bagot Road at the Thomas Street traffic lights and turns into Subiaco.

Subiaco and West Leederville are the next nearest suburbs, have a wide range of housing, and good primary schools. West Perth itself is in the local intake area for Subiaco PS, west of the freeway, south along King's Park Road, south of Wellington. North Perth, Wembley and Shenton Park are also possible, again all with good primary schools. If you will be doing shift work, in particular evening shifts, I would be a little concerned about waiting on King's Park Road for a bus, heading west - not because it's a dangerous area, but because there are so few people about and a HUGE area of park/bush right where you are waiting.

These are not cheap suburbs, but being inner suburbs there are good public transport or walk/cycle options, facilities, and suburbs with some character.