SaraMS

It's so central, you can walk to Ocean Keys Shopping Centre or the High St in 2 minutes but it's also very quiet and on-street parking is never an issue. The neighbours are friendly and properties are new and well-kept. It's a mix of young couples, singles, families and older retirees. There are parks within a few minutes walk, the station is a 15 min walk or a 5 min drive, there are bus routes that pass the end of the road and there are a Doctor's surgery and a Dentist both within a short walk or an even shorter drive. You are a short drive from good beaches and there are a few nice pubs and restaurants around the area plus plenty of good take-aways. There are lots of gyms and fitness clubs within a short walk too. Really can't fault it.

My partner and I moved here almost a year ago and we really love it. We're paying the same for a new 3/2 house with a double garage as we were paying for an old, small, 2nd floor apartment with no secure parking in Mount Lawley so for us the move made a lot of sense.

The area is very new and clean and I feel quite safe walking around, even on my own at night. Our neighbours are friendly and although we are only about 2 minutes walk from the shopping centre and High Street (with the Whale + Ale pub) it's very quiet and we've never had any issues with noise. There is a nice community feel and a good selection of shops which will be increasing soon with the expansion and upgrading of Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in 2013/14. Joondalup is about 15 minutes drive away where you will find the closest public swimming pool at Joondalup Arena and every shop you could possibly need at Lakeside Shopping Centre or in the surrounding retail parks.

Somerly has a good selection of take-away food outlets and some good restaurants although a few more wouldn't go amiss. There is only 1 pub (the aforementioned Whale + Ale) which also has a restaurant attached. The pub is OK although I've rarely seen it busy and the restaurant serves large portions of well-priced, typical pub food (nice but not the highest quality). They have live bands on most weeks - some good, some not so good, quizzes, tribute acts, and lots of special food nights (curry, steak etc.) where you get a meal and a drink for a reduced price. There are plenty of gyms and fitness clubs in the area, a couple of which are open 24-hrs, and at least one gym specifically for women which also has a creche. The only thing the area is missing is a pool but I'm sure that will come in time and in the meantime, Joondalup isn't far (or you can brave the ocean).

We are about 5-10 minutes drive (or 15-20 min cycle) from the beautiful, uncrowded Quinns beach where you will find the fantastic Portifino's restaurant - I definitely recommend trying this place! Mindarie Marina is a similar distance away where you will find the closest boat / jet-ski launch site, lots of nice cafes / restaurants and a few more pubs. There are also companies offering chartered fishing trips or boat trips from Mindarie.

There are plenty of local parks although all very new so mostly just grass with the odd lake thrown in for good measure! You only need to drive for 20 minutes East or North though before you're out in the Bush and to the East you will find the beautiful Avon Valley or North is Yanchep National Park.

About an hour North you can go off-roading in the dunes or drive along the beach at Ledge Point and Lancelin is not much further beyond that. You find a lot of people into off-roading here in the far Northern suburbs.

The trains are very reliable and frequent and it only takes just over 30 mins to get to Perth. The commute into the city by car though is pretty horrible and can take over an hour at peak times, especially if it's raining. For me I would say that's the biggest downside to living in Somerly but it definitely doesn't outweigh all the positive aspects. We're only renting at present but I would be quite happy to buy a place here when we are in a position to.