Como riverside living sits in an uncommon position: close enough to the city to keep the commute short, far enough from the busy centres to feel settled, and wrapped around a stretch of river that gives the suburb its character. It is the kind of place buyers discover late and then wonder why nobody told them sooner.
The river sets the rhythm
Walking, cycling and rowing all happen on and beside the water, and the foreshore reserves give the suburb a green spine that most of Perth cannot match. On a still morning the river is the quietest place in the area.
Homes near the water carry a premium, as they do everywhere. The value question is how many streets back you can go before the lifestyle drops away, and in Como that distance is short.
Transport and the daily commute
Two rail stations serve the area and the bus routes along the highway are frequent. For households working in the CBD, the trip is genuinely manageable, which is unusual for a suburb with this much green space.
Driving is also straightforward, with the freeway and the highway both accessible without crossing the suburb end to end. That combination of rail and road is a large part of the appeal.
What the housing stock looks like
Older character homes on generous blocks sit alongside townhouses and small apartment buildings. The mix means buyers can enter the suburb at several price points, from an original home needing work to a modern townhouse that needs nothing.
Redevelopment pressure is part of the story. Streets close to the stations have seen older houses replaced by grouped dwellings, so buyers should check what is planned nearby before assuming a quiet outlook will last.
Como riverside living with children
Families find the parks, the river and the short school runs work well. Blocks in the older streets are large enough for a pool, and the tree canopy keeps summer afternoons bearable.
The main compromise is that the suburb is small, so the local shop is limited and the bigger centres are a short drive. That is a minor issue for most households and a daily annoyance for a few.
A pre-purchase checklist
- Ask whether the property sits in a redevelopment zone.
- Check the flood history and the river proximity carefully.
- Inspect older homes for foundation movement and damp.
- Confirm parking, especially for townhouses and units.
The resale view
Como holds value because the things that make it desirable cannot be built again: the river, the stations and the established trees. Buyers who pay a fair price for a sound home here tend to find the market forgiving when they sell.
Our Perth suburb checklist before buying walks through the questions that apply to any riverside pocket, and our Canning Vale family living guide shows what a larger family suburb nearby offers instead.
Living with the seasons
Riverside mornings are cooler and the afternoon breeze arrives earlier than in suburbs further inland, which makes summer noticeably more comfortable. Winter brings damp, though, and older homes near the water need good drainage and ventilation to stay sound.
It is worth visiting in July as well as January. A house that feels bright and dry in summer can reveal its character once the rain sets in, and the difference shows up in floors, skirting boards and the smell of a closed-up room.
If you are looking for a home in Como, Smart Realty can help you move with confidence and flag the streets where redevelopment is changing the feel. Selling? Ask for a free appraisal, or book one online.