REVEALED: Winner in Perth poll for north or south of river

Perth Now

01-07-2025

It's been decided. South of the river life is better than north of the river life.
So says a tongue-in-cheek PerthNow poll where 52.2 per cent of respondents favoured living south of the mighty Swan River.
In the comments section, Laurence L said: 'South. Have lived south mostly, now north so I know. It's definitely Southhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.'
Chris B agreed: 'South is growing and just better all round. SOR for the win.'
Living north of the river was favoured by 47.8 per cent of respondents, with readers being particularly passionate.
George S joked: 'We need a big wall on the southern banks of the swan . And a passport control at the narrows . Keep them southerners out!'
And n g quipped: 'If you want to recreate the thrill of the Pamplona Bull Run simply drop a 5 dollar note anywhere south of the river.'
While Dave M added his two cents worth: 'It's pretty simple. They built the city on the north side of the river because even way back then, they knew the north was better and it still is.'
Despite the poll result, very little in attitudes north or south of the river are likely to change — as evidenced by the Newman and Taylor families.
Dave and Charlotte Newman live south in Como with their children Amelia, 17, and 14-year-old Lois.
They have known James and Kellie Taylor — who live north in Edgewater with the kids Esme, 15, Hugo, 14, and eight-year-old Alfie. — for 20 years and while the families are good friends, they don't see eye to eye on location.
'I think the south is less crowded than up north, I think you have prettier suburbs and you're closer to better attractions like Margs and Mandurah and Fremantle,' Mr Newman, 48, said.
'Up north feels like a larger housing estate.' James and Kellie Taylor with Alfie, Hugo and Esme, and Charlotte and Dave Newman with Lois and Charlotte. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian
Mrs Newman, 46, agreed. 'We've got Fremantle, which has got a lot of culture and great food, along with South Perth and we get to look at the lovely city at night from the south,' she said.
However, Mr Taylor was having none of it.
'I think the north has got better suburbs, better as in more greenery, more parks, we have got the walk from Hillarys down to Trigg, like come on we've got the West Coast Highway,' the 47-year-old shot back.
'And there's quite a lot to do by the ocean.'
Mrs Taylor, 39, added: 'I like the northern suburbs because everything is accessible and certainly for a young busy family, everything's in reach.
'We're near good restaurants and good coffee and beautiful beaches. People are very friendly.' Esme Taylor and Lois Newman. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian
Even close childhood friends Esme and Lois struggled to come to middle ground on the debate.
'The south is better than the north because it's more cultural and more prettier,' Lois said.
'But the north feels safer,' Esme fired back.
This reporter suspects we will be arguing the merits of life north and south of the river for as long Perth exists.