[Helz980]

Originally Posted by the stanleys

Thanks for the replies guys we where beginnning to think no one was out there or interested in this area. Will continue to research!! all info greatly received.

Hiya

Newcastle is one of the places that we are considering. One of our best Aussie Mates lives in a suburb called Belmont which he calls 'paradise' as you have lake macquarie on one side and the ocean on the other, there is also a great golf club! There are a few nice suburbs and its only 2hrs from sydney - Charlestown is also nice. Our other best mates from sydney got married in the hunter valley just outside Maitland - very nice, with lots of little towns like Morpeth etc nearby. You also have the added bonus of Port Stephens, Nelsons Bay about 40km up the coast from Newcastle which are absolutely gorgeous - perfect place for a long weekends holiday! We can also vouch for the healthcare in newcastle as OH spent a couple of nights in hospital when we were in Newcastle having his appendix out when we were there. I had to be self sufficient i.e. drive around, find chemists etc for drugs and that kinda helped my decision that i could actually live there. Because its obviously not as big as sydney everyone is really nice! If you PM me I can send you some photos from that area.