Waterford a piece of paradise
The riverside suburb of Waterford has not changed much since the 1980s - and neither have the residents.
The southern suburb, developed just over three decades ago, has is the most tightly held property in the State, according to the Real Estate Institute of WA.
At the current rate of turnover, it would take about 36 years to sell the entire suburb.
By comparison, it would take 30 years for every home in Peppermint Grove to sell once.
The salmon brick homes, with terracotta tile roofs and French glass-style aluminium windows, were considered the height of sophistication when they were built.
These days, it is the kind of place where the neighbours collect garden gnomes and invite strangers in to look at their roses in the back garden.
Cashel Way residents Don and Dorothy Reed, who moved into the area in 1983, say Waterford is their own little piece of paradise and they can understand why few people want to leave.
Their veranda hosts a Christmas tree year-round and in their manicured garden is a welcome sign to "Nana's house . . . where memories are made".
In a vision of suburban bliss, the retirees hold hands as they reminisce about their life on Cashel Way.
They claim that while it's a friendly neighbourhood, everyone has a healthy respect for each other's privacy and tended not to over socialise with each other. The couple were the seventh to build in the suburb, moving in only months after their next-door neighbour.
Peter Harris across the road is a relative newcomer - he bought on the street only 15 years ago.
Mr Harris lives next to Lina Teow, who moved into her home 27 years ago with her new baby, and now plays in the same garden with her grandchildren.
The residents claim there are plenty of young people too, given its proximity to Curtin University.
A free bus provides door to door transport for students.
Mr Reed said the suburb was conveniently located and it took only 15 minutes to get to Fremantle and about 10 minutes to the city.
The Waterford Plaza Shopping Centre and the Swan River were also on their doorstep.
REIWA president David Airey said Waterford was popular largely because of its convenient location relatively close to popular centres such as the city and Fremantle, as well as the river, and it enjoyed a decent bus service.
"It's just one of those nicely settled family areas," he said.
