Freo was hit hard by the pandemic. The cappuccino strip still hasn't recovered. Fewer people go there now because so much is closed, which feeds the cycle of places struggling with patronage.
People with short memories think like this. Truth is WA was a drain on the country for the first 80ish years after Federation, the state is massive and had a population under a Million until around 40-50 years ago.
Yes, WA has more than pulled its weight since then, but it is balancing the books.
Was last there in the 80s, so anything I have to say is long out of date. I had a LOT of trouble navigating their bus system. I really hope that has improved - would make such a huge difference to getting around without a car.
Remember that beautiful day where the sky was clear, the weather was warm and you felt like you had to go out and do something to make the most of it. Well, it's like that here every day.