Fisher1 Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Hi all we are hoping to move out to NSW next summer, and have been considering our options for buying property. We are retired so won't have to consider a commute, but also will have a fixed budget because there will be no mortgage. we originally thought we would like to settle in Kiama, which is an easy two hour train ride from our daughter in Sydney. However, prices in that area seem to be rocketing and if they continue we will no longer be able to afford it. We we had originally dismissed the Central Coast as being too quiet, but the property prices round gosford are very appealing. It's no good getting more property for our money if there isn't much of a social hub there, so I'm wondering if anyone can give me a clue about life in and around Gosford/ Woywoy. Ideally we'd like to be on a train line because although we both drive we don't necessarily always want to ... main in concern is the demographic - would we be likely to find other recent retirees or would we be out on a limb? Thanks for all replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Hi all we are hoping to move out to NSW next summer, and have been considering our options for buying property. We are retired so won't have to consider a commute, but also will have a fixed budget because there will be no mortgage. we originally thought we would like to settle in Kiama, which is an easy two hour train ride from our daughter in Sydney. However, prices in that area seem to be rocketing and if they continue we will no longer be able to afford it. We we had originally dismissed the Central Coast as being too quiet, but the property prices round gosford are very appealing. It's no good getting more property for our money if there isn't much of a social hub there, so I'm wondering if anyone can give me a clue about life in and around Gosford/ Woywoy. Ideally we'd like to be on a train line because although we both drive we don't necessarily always want to ... main in concern is the demographic - would we be likely to find other recent retirees or would we be out on a limb? I guess it's a similar train journey from The Central Coast to Sydney, perhaps less than Kiama to Sydney, depending where your daughter is living in Sydney. I wouldn't have thought that Gosford itself or even Woy Woy are quieter than Kiama. Is living in Sydney not an option? Perhaps Blue Mountains, Penrith, Campbelltown areas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher1 Posted September 18, 2016 Author Share Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) Hi all we are hoping to move out to NSW next summer, and have been considering our options for buying property. We are retired so won't have to consider a commute, but also will have a fixed budget because there will be no mortgage. we originally thought we would like to settle in Kiama, which is an easy two hour train ride from our daughter in Sydney. However, prices in that area seem to be rocketing and if they continue we will no longer be able to afford it. We we had originally dismissed the Central Coast as being too quiet, but the property prices round gosford are very appealing. It's no good getting more property for our money if there isn't much of a social hub there, so I'm wondering if anyone can give me a clue about life in and around Gosford/ Woywoy. Ideally we'd like to be on a train line because although we both drive we don't necessarily always want to ... main in concern is the demographic - would we be likely to find other recent retirees or would we be out on a limb? I guess it's a similar train journey from The Central Coast to Sydney, perhaps less than Kiama to Sydney, depending where your daughter is living in Sydney. I wouldn't have thought that Gosford itself or even Woy Woy are quieter than Kiama. Is living in Sydney not an option? Perhaps Blue Mountains, Penrith, Campbelltown areas? Thanks Mary Rose, we live by the coast at the moment and want to carry on living by the coast if we can ... Even though it's more expensive. its not so much about gosford being quiet, as it being potentially full of young commuters... Do people retire there as they do to Kiama I wonder. Edited September 18, 2016 by Fisher1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 Gosford is the biggest town on the Central Coast but I wouldn't want to live there, frankly. I believe the English expression is chavvy! It's not easy to find lively towns like Kiama at a reasonable price - most little coastal towns are quiet with not much going on, and the ones that aren't are going to be desirable and therefore pricey. I don't know the area well, but when I was living in Sydney there was always a lot of advertising for over-55's developments around Lake Macquarie. I don't mean retirement homes - developers get concessions for building houses/villas/townhouses for over-55's only, but they don't have extra fees for support services etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie 2 Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 (edited) The area around Umina and Ettalong could suit you. A fair bit of development has gone on and there is quite a reasonable number of things to get involved in. I have a son who has a business in the area and his in-laws moved up there from Sydney. It is only about 10 minutes to the station in WoyWoy. The population in the area covers the whole range of ages - children to retirees. Edited September 19, 2016 by Ellie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 My parents are a bit further up at Toukley, the nearest stop is Wyong and there's a reasonably fast train into Sydney available. It's a place with retirees and young families, and has everything they need like major shopping areas at Tuggerah with local clubs and amenities, the only downside is because it's on a surf beach the main road gets a bit clogged in summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher1 Posted September 19, 2016 Author Share Posted September 19, 2016 Thanks guys, it's so difficult to know ... We did go to gosford for the day once and weren't particularly impressed but you know, house prices can put a glow on the most unlikely spot! We'll definitely look at toukley and ettalong when we arrive ... We are almost certainly going to rent for a few months first. It's so difficult to find anywhere affordable around Sydney now, and living in a really beautiful town in North Wales makes at the moment makes it difficult to consider moving away from the coast. Hopefully we'll get the house sold and scrape into Kiama by our bootstraps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 My favourite place on the Central Coast is Avoca Beach. Don't know how expensive it is now - used to be very reasonable. It's about 25 mins from Gosford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher1 Posted September 19, 2016 Author Share Posted September 19, 2016 Think it's quite expensive but I'll check. thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trabonita Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 There are lots of beautiful areas around Gosford and lots of areas for retirees. Woy Woy has some nice parts and Umina and Ettalong are lovely. Point Clair is on the water too and is lovely and has a station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 My favourite place on the Central Coast is Avoca Beach. Don't know how expensive it is now - used to be very reasonable. It's about 25 mins from Gosford. That's a horribly expensive suburb these days! Prices on the Central Coast rocketed since we got here 7 years ago! Gosford may to improve if the planned developments go ahead, but that's been the case for 20 years so who knows what will happen? East Gosford is quite nice, Erina is still reasonable, and if you're not too concerned about living really close to the beach there are some good value properties in Tumbi Umbi. Long Jetty is also pretty cheap, and on the up, though the best time to buy there has probably passed. Ourimbah is ok too (though a bit too hot/cold for me, and it's one of the easier stations to park at. Oh, Point Clare is nice and has a station too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher1 Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 There are lots of beautiful areas around Gosford and lots of areas for retirees. Woy Woy has some nice parts and Umina and Ettalong are lovely. Point Clair is on the water too and is lovely and has a station. Thank you, I've never heard of Point Clair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 That's a horribly expensive suburb these days! Prices on the Central Coast rocketed since we got here 7 years ago! Gosford may to improve if the planned developments go ahead, but that's been the case for 20 years so who knows what will happen? East Gosford is quite nice, Erina is still reasonable, and if you're not too concerned about living really close to the beach there are some good value properties in Tumbi Umbi. Long Jetty is also pretty cheap, and on the up, though the best time to buy there has probably passed. Ourimbah is ok too (though a bit too hot/cold for me, and it's one of the easier stations to park at. Oh, Point Clare is nice and has a station too. It's only a small suburb, so may not be what you're after, but it's on Brisbane Waters and not too far from the shops at West Gosford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallyman Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 (edited) Think it's quite expensive but I'll check. thank you. Yes very expensive now as is most places that are reasonable travel into Sydney Edited November 24, 2016 by Rallyman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antipodista Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 My husbands parents are retirees living in Terrigal and we have a house there which we are renting out...Gosford has some awful areas to be honest but East Gosford is very up and coming and has some nice shops, Erina and Terrigal are nice but prices are rising all the time. The in-laws met a few people through their golf club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BooBooBear Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 My opinion only of course, but living in central Gosford would be the pits. But the areas surrounding it can be nice and even stunningly beautiful. Places like : Pearl Beach, Kincumber, Avoca Beach, Mcmasters Beach, Hardys Bay, Pretty Beach, Killcare Heights and Picketts Valley, to name but a few. And all an easy drive to Sydney or to Sydney from Gosford train station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BooBooBear Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 If you can afford it, Jilliby in the Dooralong Valley, is a lovely rural area near the Central Coast. Only 103km to Sydney CBD. And 30mins to the beach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisher1 Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 Thanks all for recent replies - it's all going to be helpful when the time comes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizq Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 I see you mention renting first, which in your position I would say is really important. Six months would be ideal, to settle into Australian life, get over the stress of moving out and really explore the areas you have in mind. Your ideas on what you think you want can change once you're living here. we spent a lot of time exploring north, and south, of Sydney as 2 of our children are there but as we initially came to Noosa (on holiday and before children came out) we are spoilt & found it difficult to find anywhere that suited us as much. But there are some nice places on central coast. As someone else said the prices are representative of how close you get to Sydney. my daughters in laws live in/around Lake Macquarie & Newcastle which apparently has some nice areas, but a longer drive to Sydney. Good luck with the hunt. Just keep reminding yourselves how exciting it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helz980 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 I lived in Woy Woy for a few years & the prices have gone mental. It has its good parts & bad parts like any place! But close to the beach, the shore, train station, Sydney, Newcastle. It's a decent place but I wouldn't live in gosford! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deano27 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Hi all we are hoping to move out to NSW next summer Thanks for all replies. Did you make it down under?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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