Wembley suburb profile: What are its unique selling points and is it a good place to live?

LIVING IN: Wembley, 6014

Population: 12,061

Distance from Perth CBD: 5.5km north-west

Median house price: $1,686,500

Median unit price: $350,000

Crime: 456 offences 2023-2024

On many prospective homebuyers’ lists of key attributes in a new suburb, location, schools and the ability to get outdoors and into nature are often near the top. Wembley, on paper at least, delivers in spades.

The family-orientated and community-focused hub — known as Wembley Park until 1935 — is just 5.5km from Perth’s CBD and 5.9km from Floreat Beach. If a beach walk isn’t your style, Lake Monger and Herdsman Lake hem in Wembley on its north-east and north-west, respectively, meaning both are an easy walk for residents.

The area has been known for its leisure facilities since the 1900s when it first saw the development of playgrounds and jetties at Lake Monger, making boating, yacht racing and fishing popular pastimes among residents.

Split between the City of Stirling and the Town of Cambridge, heritage buffs say the Wembley Hotel, built in 1932, is one of the most recognisable buildings west of the CBD. According to the town of Cambridge’s heritage trail, the hotel was once the terminus of a city tramline, and a kick-off point for expeditions to the beach.

Herdsman Lake is the largest wetland in the inner metropolitan area, according to the Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre’s website. The lake has provided the community and the city with kilometres of walking and cycling tracks since its development in the 1930s, and was pioneered by the WA Gould League.

Lake Monger and Herdsman Lake are still the community’s top spots for a neighbourhood picnic, especially on weekends, and many take advantage of the local food options. Duet property consultant Craig Gaspar has dubbed Captain Peters Fish and Chips “the best-value fish and chips in Perth”.

Foodies are spoilt for choice beyond takeaway fare, with an array of local eateries. Locals say the Cambridge Forum International Food Court — an institution of the area — is worth a look, while the popular Blue Spoon takeaway restaurant in Cambridge Street boasts home-cooked meals from a rotating menu.

As cliched as it may sound, streets are often filled with children playing cricket, and friendly families having a porch wine after work. Property Exchange sales negotiator Emily Garden says residents go the extra mile during Christmas and Halloween by draping their houses with lights and spooky decorations.

The St Vinnies op shop on Cambridge Street is the suburb’s one-stop designer destination and “best-kept secret” where residents can browse for a bargain close to home, Ms Garden says.

Lake Monger Drive and Herdsman Parade are the main thoroughfares to the city and to the nearest weekend hotspot, Leederville, while a raft of bus stops keep Wembley reasonably connected to the public transport network.

The Good Grocer IGA in Cambridge Street is the only grocery store in the suburb. The nearest shopping centre is Floreat Forum, about 2km away, and has Coles, Woolworths, banking facilities and beauty salons.

Among the 12,061 Wembley residents, 30 per cent are older than 50. Children aged 14 and under make up 21 per cent of the neighbourhood, while 35-49-year-olds are nearly a quarter of residents — underscoring Wembley’s reputation as a highly prized suburb among young, growing families.

Agents say local schools, including the “fantastic” primary school, is chief among drivers to the suburb, and help entrench the nature of Wembley as an inclusive community.

“Wembley is also surrounded by some of the best secondary schools in the State, being Shenton College, Bob Hawke College and Churchlands High,” Mr Gasper said.

But, like much of the rest of Perth these days, Wembley’s a tough place to buy into. Real Estate Institute of WA data shows houses are on the market for just 10 days, and units a mere seven.