Family Relocates to Perth for Affordability and Opportunities
In a notable trend, a young family has moved from Sydney to Perth, citing the latter as a “cheaper” Australian capital that offers better value for their money. Their story reflects a broader pattern, as thousands of residents have left New South Wales recently, making it the state with the highest rate of outmigration.
Soheil Mokhlesi, 37, moved to Perth in January with his wife Rebecca and their 11-month-old son. They had been hoping to purchase their first home in Rydalmere, a suburb in Sydney’s west. However, skyrocketing property prices dashed their hopes. “Unfortunately, each year the prices go up,” Mokhlesi stated, highlighting the alarming trend that has priced many potential homeowners out of the market.
With a budget of $1 million, Mokhlesi realised the couple could only afford a unit in Rydalmere. Rather than accept this limitation, they explored opportunities outside Sydney last year, visiting cities such as Brisbane, Melbourne, and ultimately settling in Perth. Mokhlesi has even been accepted into a Master’s program in Applied Finance at the University of Western Australia, further enhancing their future prospects.
Since the move, Mokhlesi reports abundant opportunities in his painting business, with work increasingly available compared to Sydney. His wife, a property manager, has also secured a new job in their new city.
The family is now renting a four-bedroom house in Heathridge for $700 per week, which is only a 20-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. In Sydney, they previously paid $650 to rent an older three-bedroom house in Rydalmere. “It’s way cheaper," Mokhlesi explained. "For the property we have, if we rented it in Sydney, especially in Rydalmere, we would have to pay $1,000 per week.”
The couple also noted that, compared to Sydney, they could purchase a larger property at a lower price. “With $1 million here, we could buy a three- or four-bedroom home, while in Sydney that would only afford a unit,” Mokhlesi commented.
Currently, Sydney holds the title of being the most expensive rental capital in Australia, with average rents reaching $796 per week in June. CoreLogic data indicates that Perth follows closely with average rents of $721 per week, while Brisbane stands at $687. Moreover, the average property price in Sydney is a staggering $1.2 million, compared to Perth’s average of $819,885, which, while high, remains significantly more affordable.
According to research by Muval, which analysed over 41,000 family relocations over the past six years, Perth is experiencing a surge in new arrivals, drawing in 1.88 families for every one that leaves. In contrast, Sydney is witnessing an exodus, with only 0.31 families moving in for every one that departs. Muval’s CEO James Morrell highlighted the work-from-home culture as a significant catalyst for families reassessing their living situations. “Families are realising they can enjoy more space and affordability without sacrificing their quality of life,” he noted.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data released recently reveals that New South Wales lost 28,118 people due to net interstate migration last year, with Queensland gaining a net of 25,940 residents and Western Australia welcoming 12,612. Western Australia is enjoying a growth rate of 2.4 per cent, now boasting a population of over 3 million.
Despite the increasing trend of families relocating, communities in New South Wales continue to grow, supported by overseas arrivals. Arrowing down to Mokhlesi and his family’s situation, they are pleased with their decision to move and are planning to buy a property in Perth within the next eight months once they have a better grasp of the suburbs.
“We have plenty of opportunities here, so there’s no rush,” he added, acknowledging that some of his friends in Sydney are contemplating similar moves.
Reflecting on his life in Sydney, Mokhlesi lamented, “It’s become harder," indicating the growing struggles faced by many residents in Australia’s largest city.
Overall, the Mokhlesi family’s experience underscores a significant shift in living preferences among Australians, driven largely by the pursuit of affordability and opportunity.
