John2012 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Hi folks, I have had a job offer from Laverty pathology at Port Macquarie base hospital. John and I have 3 children aged 18mths, 3 & 4 so we are looking for any info on the area and company before making the move. Currently living in rural SA and have been for 18 months so really ready to move to a more populated area on the coast with all the perks of country/city living. I know... I want my cake and I want to eat it but we have come this far and trying our best to make a long term move in the eighht direction. Any tips will be most gratefully appreciated. Loraine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Port Macquarie is quite a large city now, very popular seaside resort, and with plenty of facitilities. The road to Sydney is getting better - must be almost all dual carriageway by now? (I've not been there for a couple of years and there were constant roadworks.) You might love it, although if you miss living in a really big city, it might be what you want. Laverty are a big company aren't they? Everywhere in Sydney anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 We went thre last year or perhaps it was the year before. Liked it, nice place. But no way would I have described it as a city, more like a smallish town tbh, just a handful of shopping streets. And I am not knocking that, just didn't strike me as a city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I Googled the population - 40,000 plus. Most places seem small once you are out of Sydney. I just thought it was big enough to have, decent hospital I HOPE!? (I see it is popular with retirees!) Last time I was there, I was impressed that it had a few pubs and restaurants. The problem with living away from Sydney is not having access to specialist (medical) services then having to travel to Sydney if you need them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John2012 Posted October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 Thanks guys. Yes I agree the population size is more on par with a town but I think we could adapt to that if it has most amenities and plenty to do. It is also a retirement hub which I was told on my phone interview but Internet research all seems good so far, really just hoping for some first hand knowledge if there was any out there. Laverty pathogy have had some negative press and I have always worked for a government organization so was hoping for info in that area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toodolou Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 i stayed in port macquerie in march for 5 days, i liked it my other half didnt. it feels more townish , quite few nice shops , nice parks near the harbour. we went the week after they had really bad flooding in the area , and many towns had become isolated with road closures for short time. houses look nice and there were lots of children about . however , the sea was a brown muddy colour so not very picturesque. i live near burnham on sea in somereset at the moment in uk and the sea is brown here from clay in the seabed abd estuary near bristol , although water is clean and swimmable ... i now am seeking a blue sea for aesthetic purposes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John2012 Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks Toodalou, it's these wee bits that help the decision. Hope you find your blue sea. We went to Glenelg a couple of weeks ago and had a lovely time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 The sea will look brown after severe storms and/or flooding - because of the soil & debris that washes from the land. I like Port Mac, having visited that area a number of times, & would consider living there if we weren't happy where we are. The ocean around there is as blue as anywhere else in NSW, from what I've seen. As for hospitals, a wide range of 'specialist services' are offered in Newcastle, & for most people aren't required most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleW Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 My sister lived in Port Macquarie for nearly 10 years, and they have only just moved from there due to her husband being offered a job in Brisbane. If it wasn't for the job, I doubt they would have moved. Comments from her: Very easy to make friends, especially if you have younger children Great sporting facilities for the size of the town Shopping is good, not great, but on par with the size of the town Great location - only 4 hours from Sydney, 2 hours from Coffs Harbour If you are into camping, so many choices not far from there Beautiful, safe beaches Really good fishing, river and beach If you are into 4 wheel driving, there is a great 4wd club Schools are good and a large number to choose from, both state and independent The airport is small, but expanding so now there are regular direct flights to Brisbane and Sydney The Koala hospital is fantastic and free to visit You will most likely get koalas in your backyard If you would like to live on acreage there is always the option of the Wauchope area, which is only a 20 minute commute I hope this helps. :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John2012 Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share Posted November 4, 2013 Thanks folks, really appreciate the feedback. My husband is going up in a couple of weeks to look around so it's all looking good so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.