[Catjinks]

My husband and I are contemplating a move to the Central coast for life style reasons...no need for a mortgage, room for pets, more disposable income for travel, slightly less crowded beaches, less concrete, close enough to enjoy Sydney's facilities etc. But we're not sure and still cling limpet like to our small Sydney rock.

Has anyone made the move, and thrived, regretted it, fled back again? All experiences would be gratefully read. Especially any on areas to avoid and how it was settling in, making new friendship groups.

We have a 3 1/2 year old and one on the way, so it would be us and kids to the coast if we go.

Ta.

[mards]

We Love it!! been here near 9 years!! - moved from Hornsby - so not that much of a move...

We did not move though until we got jobs here - DH finally got one - so we did it - there was no way we were going to do the commute - we are at the north end of the coast - 1 hour to Hornsby - 45min or so to Newcastle - love it!!

[ECsMum]

Lasted two years - now back in Sydney - main reason for move back down was having DD - commuting down each day for work would have been too tiring - oh and the other reason on the weekends I never wanted to come down to Sydney as I was sick of being in the car all week - so didn't see my friends as often as I liked...
I would do it if I was a SAHM and my partner worked up the coast...

[Catjinks]

Hmm, two mixed reviews! Interesting but still got me dithering. Did it take you long to find your social feet mards?

[mards]

Honestly took us 5 years to make a great circle of friends!! - we were back/forth to Syd for about 3 years on the weekends - you have to give things time!! LOL now we only go down there about twice a term or so - your real friends will come and visit and they do!! - you do work out quickly who your reall friends are when you move LOL!!!

[hicoco]

I was the same as Ecs mum. I moved up to the Cc for a couple of years but it was so draining doing the commute every day, and then doing it again on the weekends because all my friends were still in Sydney. I was exhausted all the time and during winter I would leave home in the dark and get home in the dark. It was not fun. Living and working on the coast would be a better situation but I am still not sure I could do it again. Depends how long your commute is in Sydney of course but if you have to travel two hours each way every day it doesn't really matter if you live near the beach or not because you are only going to see it on the weekends anyway.

[Milly Molly Mand...]

Not sure if you have contemplated moving south. The Wollongong commute is a lot quicker from what I understand and the F6 never has the problems the F3? does.

Lots of beachside suburbs, great lifestyle. We are are in the northern suburbs though so not that cheap.

We made the move about 12 years ago. DH now works here, and I commute up to "the shire" two days a week, but heaps of our friends work in Sydney city.

Will also add, great for the kids, lovely relaxed lifestyle. I could never move back to Sydney. Visit often for day trips but always happy to see that Wollongong sign again.

This post has been edited by Milly Molly Mandy: 29/01/2013, 03:46 PM

[tibs]

Not me personally but we have 2 lots of friends that moved up there. The first moved from Hornsby probably 5 years ago now and love it, she is a SAHM and her DH works in Wahroonga. She does lament it has been hard to break in and find friends though outside of a couple of school mums. The second set of friends moved from the lower north shore where they had been living in an apartment so they could afford a house, be near the beach etc. They hated it, declared it too much of a culture shock and too "western suburbs-ish" (their words) and have since moved back to Sydney and are living in a townhouse near the Macquarie shopping centre which is also near work. They are looking at buying a house in Epping now I think they said last time we caught up. So yes mixed views!

[Pippa26]

I have lived in Newcastle for 3 year now and will not move back to Sydney. It has taken us 3 years to make good friends here but it was worth the effort. We still go down to Sydney on weekends occassionally. We dont have kids yet but I think it is much more friendly

This post has been edited by Pippa26: 30/01/2013, 01:58 PM

[Miss Cookie]

We moved in March 2012 and never want to leave. We love the pace of life and lack of congestion. We are near everything we want and couldn't afford the same in Sydney.

When we considered it we. Did day trips to check out different places. We are near a major train station and it takes 90 minutes to central on a country train. All trains are air conditioned and not as packed.

We also rented first to see if we like it. We re now searching for a bigger house so we can stay.