Just wondering if anyone has recommendation on good places to live in Central Coast? Also what about Lake Macquarie?
Also which ones to avoid: I was reading that some areas are flood prone, council rates are like $10,000.
Say this is scenario:
Family with young kids looking for a house.
Under $700-$800k
Also consider what can you get off you increase to ~1M-1.1M
Personally I prefer the southern end of the Central Coast for its proximity to Sydney & I find most of the suburbs nicer in general (southern end being roughly Forresters Beach & below). Of course there are always exceptions and there are nice suburbs in the north like Toowoon Bay while there are parts of the southern end like Woy Woy, Gosford, Wyoming & Springfield for example I'd pick my street carefully. Generally though, places like Wyong, Watanobbi, San Remo & Lake Haven in the north are probably the suburbs with the worst reputations on the Central Coast overall for a variety of reasons.
I love the areas just off the Woy Woy Peninsula like Daley's Point, St. Huberts Island, Empire Bay, Tascott, Point Claire etc. You have the benefit of being within 10 minutes drive of the closest major railway station on the Central Coast to Sydney, amazing beaches and most of the restaurants, cafe's & shops you'd really need within 10-20 minutes at Woy Woy & Erina Fair.
Thanks
Avoid the Lake Haven / San Remo area. I’m sure there is some nice pockets but generally just seems like a shit hole built on a swamp
Thanks for the insight
I wouldn't live anywhere on the CC now, grew up at Terrigal 2 blocks behind the main st (those were the days lol)
Used to surf around Wamberal, Nth Avoca, Avoca, Bateau Bay. Late 20's sold up and moved Nth.
Still go down there Dad lives at Charmhaven and sister at Tuggerah. Both close to M1.
Mainly go to Norah Head when visiting. Last time went to Terrigal and Avoca was a nightmare with traffic and people.
Place was never designed for the amount of people now.
No thanks.
Surfing the bend and 20c arcade machines… quality childhood
It's all relative. I agree it's getting too busy up here now around the shopping & beach areas especially, but if you are coming up from a lot of areas in Sydney it seems quiet in comparison especially when you are still able to park minutes away from even the most popular beaches up here completely free & the 2 major shopping centres are still all day free parking (As of now anyway).
There are still a lot of quiet areas not far from the beach on the Central Coast like Empire Bay I mentioned earlier which are pretty much just locals and still have the old fishing village charm. The areas near Killcare as well are some of my favourite parts of the NSW coastline. I'm almost hesitant mentioning them for fear of ruining it, but places like Putty Beach, Pretty Beach, Killcare, Hardy's Bay etc are stunning & far enough out of the way for tourists you still have a piece of paradise.
Murrays Beach is a hidden gem at the northern end of the Central Coast, just inside Lake Mac. Lake Mac on the western side and Caves Beach/Catherine Hill Bay on the east. Walking distance to Cams Wharf resort too.
Murrays beach looks jice, but it has vitrually no services and youll need to drive everywhere. The road in and out is narrow and annoyingly windy. Sure, its a nice bush setting 'eco village' but its got quite a few negatives.
Avoca beach
Like anywhere it depends on your budget.
I'm near Tuggerah Lake, just don't live any where right on the lake and you'll avoid the floods.
More importantly Melb maintains the no 1 rating at the bottom of the list
Do you have a budget? Looking at a house, apartment, retirement village?
Need a school zone or can live anywhere?
council rates are like $10,000.
Maybe if you are in one of the mansions with a quarter acre on the waterfront.
I think people get confused by rates and water, because council is also the water authority so it feels like they are double hitting you
which ones to avoid
Whole place is gentrifying rapidly, there are pockets of resistance in many suburbs with some less desirable types putting their money together to rent in nicer suburbs
you are asking too many questions. just give him a house to buy. he can post again next week if he doesnt like it
Family with young kids looking for a house.
Under $700-$800k
Also consider what can you get if you increase to 1M-1m
pre school, primary school?
public private cahtolic,
do u work, do u drive do u catch public transport
do u like one story or two story or more
do you work from home
do u like the beach
do u like trees
do you like pool
how many cars do u have
do u like gardneing
are u a farmer
apartment, duplux, house
do u have 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 5 or more kids
do u entertain
do u like brick or fibro
renovate or not
tiles or carpet
new or old
how many toilets
do u park jn the gargae
do u want a media room
do u need a shed
soft or hard tacos
do u have electric cars
what are ur opinions on saving the evironment
vegan?
left hand or right
Pre-school, primary school? Primary school + preschool/kindergarten-age child
Public, private, Catholic? Public school
Do you work? Both parents work; one full-time, one part-time
Do you drive or catch public transport? Mostly drive; public transport for commuting when practical
One story, two story or more? Prefer single-storey, but open to two-storey if the block suits it
Do you work from home? Yes, 2–3 days a week
Do you like the beach? Yes
Do you like trees? Yes, especially established trees and shade
Do you like a pool? Yes, but not essential
How many cars? 2
Do you like gardening? Yes, but prefer a low-maintenance garden
Are you a farmer? No
Apartment, duplex, house? House
Do you have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more kids? 2 kids
Do you entertain? Yes — family BBQs, birthdays and friends occasionally
Brick or fibro? Brick
Renovate or not? Prefer a home that needs only minor renovations; open to renovating over time
Tiles or carpet? Tiles/hard flooring in living areas; carpet in bedrooms
New or old? Established/older home with character, but preferably renovated or well maintained
How many toilets? 2
Do you park in the garage? Yes, ideally 1–2 cars in a garage
Do you want a media room? Nice to have, but not essential
Do you need a shed? No, but good storage is important
Soft or hard tacos? Soft 🌮
Do you have electric cars? No, but would consider an EV for the next car
What are your opinions on saving the environment? Important; happy to recycle, reduce energy use and install solar if practical
Vegan? No; eat a normal mixed diet
Left hand or right? Right-handed
Ulverstone seems popular.
Woy Woy has some nice pockets and close to Sydney
Wouldn't woy woy be expensive?
Youll get a bargain in Windale in lake macquarie.
Have a chat with albanese if his neighbour is selling. Just make sure you can reverse up the driveway and not getting stuck.