Are Cottesloe residents as pretentious and narrow minded as some people say?

Yes, it's true unfortunately. Not all of them but by far most of them.

I once met someone who chose to rent in Cottesloe, rather than buy in another area. The reason was so they could say they lived there, which would be good for their consutling business - ie: it made them look successful and in with the right crowd. But, he did also like to surf.... I don't know if he still lives there! I think it is a case of living up to expectations. Once you move there you feel the need to have the right car, clothes etc... If I moved to Cottesloe I might feel a bit out of place, but everyone is different.

oh no! ive just book a beach apartment there!