i'm new too to oz, living in freshwater for the last 3 months. bit like you in that in my 40's like the outdoors, the odd beer, dive and kayak. no surfing but plenty of surfers in this area, freshwater always has surfers out; and queenscliff or curl curl just round the corner. Manly plenty of choices socially. Can't help with whats its like to commute, but see plenty getting the ferry into the city daily. i certainly enjoy taking the ferry rather than the bus into the city, but its does take a little longer.