Understanding the Lifestyle Shift in WA’s Property Market

Property searches across Western Australia are increasingly being shaped by lifestyle, with buyers and renters placing greater emphasis on how a location fits into their day-to-day lives rather than focusing solely on the property itself.

Recent search activity on reiwa.com highlights this shift, with strong interest in both CBD and coastal locations. While these areas offer very different lifestyles, they share common advantages — convenience, amenity and access to employment and services.

Lifestyle Is Driving Location Choices

For many buyers and renters, lifestyle has become a starting point in the property search. Walkability, proximity to work, access to cafes, beaches, transport and everyday services are often taking priority over factors such as lot size or extra bedrooms.

This trend helps explain continued interest in Perth City, where residents can enjoy short commute times, strong transport links and a wide range of amenities. At the same time, coastal locations such as Mandurah remain popular for the lifestyle benefits they offer, combined with relative affordability.

Convenience Often Outweighs Space

As affordability pressures persist in the detached housing market, many people are making conscious trade-offs between space and convenience. Apartments and higher-density living options are increasingly viewed as a practical solution, particularly for first home buyers, professionals and downsizers.

Living closer to work and lifestyle amenities can significantly reduce commute times and daily travel costs, which for many outweighs the appeal of larger homes further from activity centres.

Flexible Work Has Changed How Location Is Viewed

The rise of flexible and hybrid work arrangements has also influenced search behaviour. While proximity to employment hubs remains important, buyers and renters now have greater freedom to consider locations that offer a balance between accessibility and lifestyle.

This has supported demand across a broader range of suburbs, including coastal areas, well-connected outer suburbs and inner-city locations that offer strong amenity and transport links.

Lifestyle Appeal Spans All Life Stages

Lifestyle-led searches are not limited to a single demographic. First home buyers are often drawn to vibrant, well-connected areas that support work and social lifestyles. Downsizers are increasingly seeking low-maintenance homes close to services, healthcare and public transport. Families continue to balance lifestyle aspirations with affordability and access to schools and recreation.

Renters, in particular, are placing high value on flexibility and location, often prioritising convenience and amenity over property size.

From Aspiration to Reality

While lifestyle plays a major role in shaping initial searches, it doesn’t always determine the final purchase or rental decision. Many people begin by searching aspirational suburbs, then refine their options based on price and availability.

This process often leads buyers and renters to nearby areas that offer similar lifestyle benefits at a more attainable price point. As a result, search data provides valuable insight into intent and preference, even when it doesn’t directly translate into transactions.

What This Means for the WA Property Market

The growing influence of lifestyle on property searches reflects broader changes in how people live and work. Convenience, connectivity and amenity are increasingly central to housing decisions, shaping demand across both metropolitan and regional locations.

Understanding these lifestyle drivers provides valuable context for interpreting search data and helps explain why certain suburbs continue to attract strong interest from a wide range of buyers and renters.