carolynl5

Have lived here for 31 years. Lovely coastal town, lovely people & if you love water - plenty of it!
Depends on your interests & lifestyle whether it suits. It’s a quiet town - no real nightlife - just clubs & pubs. Great for beach goers, families & retirees.
High unemployment & not a lot for young people.

Shopping- local Woolies & IGA for groceries & a few specialty shops in town & at the plaza but you have to travel to Coffs Harbour (30 mins north) for Big W, Target, Bunnings etc.

Schools - 2 state primary schools & 1 state high school. The Christian school is a private school that goes kindy to year 12, but has fees.

Medical services- large hospital & specialists at Coffs or Port Macquarie- small hospitals at Macksville & Bellingen. A few medical practices around but often hard to get into as a new patient.

Beaches- There are plenty of beaches - even a dedicated “dog & horse beach” where dogs can run off lead & it is often fairly quiet. Horses run early morning- but it is also a 4 wheel drive beach - watch for cars - but most drivers are careful.
The river is great for paddling, canoeing etc. (no waterskiing that I’m aware of)
Parks & cafes, restaurants
A few great cafes overlooking the river & restaurants & great parks for kids. Bellwood Park has great facilities, undercover tables & toilets- for bbqs, kids to play & safe swimming with a pontoon.

Great place to raise kids but when they need to go to Uni - they often leave home for the city, although there is a TAFE & Uni at Coffs now.
Coffs Harbour (30 mins north) & Port Macquarie (1hr 15mins south) are both easier to access with a new motorway now opened!
A larges service centre is at Nambucca intersection now with Maccas & KFC.