Really fancy Wollongong, anyone ever been and if so whats it like? Was in Sydney in Jan 07, but didn't make it to Wollongong. Any feedback would be good.
I live in Stanwell Park, which is about 20 minutes from Wollongong. I work in the gong and go there a lot for shopping, friends etc... I love it here. Its a big town with a small feel. The traffic problems that grip sydney dont exist here. In fact I think I have been in one traffic jam in the year that I have lived here. It has all the same services as Sydney, so you dont miss out on anything.
I am biased towards the northern suburbs. We lived in Thirroul when we first got here and have recently moved to Stanny. The coastline up here is gorgeous and most homes will be close to the beach and have the backdrop of the escarpment. Mountains and sea in the same town. The north is a bit more expensive though and if you want to buy be prepared to pay upwards of 500k for something semi decent. Rent is anywhere between 300-500 per week in the north, but worth the money in my opinion. The southern suburbs are cheaper, but still lovely places to live, and closer to the centre of wollongong.
There are some stunning areas of natural beauty here, lots of outdoor activities, and the shopping isnt too bad.
I can recommend the entire Illawarra, its beautiful, charming and friendly. We were initially going to settle somewhere in Sydney, but decided to give the Illawarra a go, and if we didnt like it, move to Sydney. We are still here a year late and have no plans to go anywhere.
I've never lived in the Gong but I love the area, infact I love the whole south coast of NSW. There are still beaches a bit further down where at times you'll be the only one there. Definitely worth a look.
Really fancy Wollongong, anyone ever been and if so whats it like? Was in Sydney in Jan 07, but didn't make it to Wollongong. Any feedback would be good.
Been here 37 years, didn't fancy the place until I saw it, it's beautiful.
As claire says, the northern most suburbs are the best, we live in rural Albion Park & 10 mins to Shellharbour, 12 mins to the jewel in the crown Kiama, still buy homes for around $300,000 +.
Been here 37 years, didn't fancy the place until I saw it, it's beautiful.
As claire says, the northern most suburbs are the best, we live in rural Albion Park & 10 mins to Shellharbour, 12 mins to the jewel in the crown Kiama, still buy homes for around $300,000 +.
Hi Skippy
We're moving to NSW hopefully before Christmas, is Albion Park to far to commute to Sydney CBD?
Hubby wouldnt have to go everyday but thats where his company's offices are.
Thanks Skippy and Claire. Whats the employment rate like for carpenters/joiners? From what I've seen there are plenty of admin vacancies around. Again any feedback on this would be great.
[quote=samozsoon;129322]Hi Skippy
is Albion Park to far to commute to Sydney CBD?
Many people travel to work in the Sydney area each day from Albion Park & the rest of the Illawarra area, some catch the train from this area, others drive as far as Waterfall, [Sydneys southern most suburb] then catch the train into the CBD, so they don't get caught in the traffic jams or have trouble finding parking etc in the CBD.
My wife has driven to Cronulla each weekday for the last 15 years, what took an hour, now takes an hour and a half because of the Sydneysiders that have come to this area for the cheaper real estate prices & wonderful environment, but still work up that way.
The F6 freeway that links the Illawarra to Sydney, seems to be the only road that never gets gridlocked at peak times, whereas all the other major roads out of the city get jammed everyday, that's progress for you.
[quote=AndyandJan;129373] Whats the employment rate like ?
At the moment, the Illawarra has the highest unemployment in Oz, it was once the hub of the east coast of Oz, as was Newcastle, because of the steelworks & coalmines, but just like my old home town of Sheffield [UK] there has been a downturn in those industries.
This area is still growing with new suburbs being built everywhere, so I suppose the building game is still alive, If the unemployment rate is that bad here, I would like to know who are buying these new homes and how ?
I am not a philosopher, but when I look at the shortage of rental accomodation throughout Australia, I have a feeling we may see a boom in all states in the near future, as the building of government housing has seemed to dissapear over the last 20 years or so.
There are vast parcels of land in the Illawarra that are being turned into suburbs, especially south of Wollongong, so I would assume there is plenty of work in the building & associated industries ???????
The only person I know that is out of work is our youngest son, he works in the swimming pool industry, which is seasonal work, and he has just been put off due to it being Winter here at the moment, I honestly think that the majority of unemployed in this area would rather take the dole and spend their days down the beach, but that is only my opinion.
