Rockingham started life as a port in the 1840s and has remained a popular and fast-growing suburb due to its easy-going atmosphere and accessibility to Perth. With an even spread of families, singles, and retirees, the seaside suburb is worth a look because it very nearly has something for everyone.
Realestate.com.au lists the median house price in Rockingham at $410,000, and average weekly rental is $330 (Dec 16). The area offers affordable, low-key, unpretentious seaside living at its best, with plenty of marine activities and clubs and pubs for visitors, and the staple fish and chips, shopping precinct, playgrounds and parks available for locals. There are plenty of choices when it comes to primary and high schools, and the area is also home to a Murdoch University campus. The safe, laid-back atmosphere makes Rockingham the perfect place to retreat from city life, and an equally perfect holiday destination.
Dubbed Perth’s ‘marine playground,’ and boasting some of the finest seaside views and wildlife, Rockingham offers residents the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Cockburn Sound and Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. It is also possible to visit nearby Seal Island, Garden Island and Penguin Island.
The housing stock in Rockingham is generally good, and investors can choose from older, character homes or modern apartments and units. Rental inquiries are strong due to the suburb’s proximity to Perth and the presence of a university campus, but while the rental market remains strong and offers good returns, investors should research forecast capital growth properties in Rockingham and expect units to take approximately 217 days and houses an average 173, to sell.
Situated roughly half an hour from Perth, Rockingham has continued to grow without losing touch with its seaside feel. Investors looking for a solid rental return in an established, no-fuss area will find excellent amenities, a strong community feel and a good variety of real estate from which to choose.
