divineb

Grew up in Gymea and my family have lived there for over 60 years. It is very humid, so expect mould and in Winter, to use your wipers at night even with no rain. This however, is good for your lawns and garden. Many homes have a chill until October. The proposed F6 extension will be going through the middle of the suburb so beware. Nearby Gray's Point seems to offer very good value for money so consider it too. It feels like a south coast country town but is a touch isolated. Gymea has a shopping centre (remember those) and not a mall and has virtually everything including the brilliant La Cucina and Nina's Chocolates!!! It is within walking distance from most of the suburb. Many houses were built in the 50's and 60's so may need renovating. The train line is a huge draw card and gets you all the way to Bondi Junction if required without changing trains. The roads in the Shire are generally not grid locked like in the Eastern suburbs which has way too many traffic lights, roundabouts etc...Gymea also offers FAR better value for money than the East and is not as hot as the West. You can drive to Sydney CBD and the East in 35 - 40 minutes out of peak with no toll roads (yet) and few revenue raising Red light/Speed/"Safety Cameras" if you use The Grand Parade. Wide selection of Schools. A great place to grow up but a bit narrow minded. The National Park is next door and EASY access to the south coast.

Lived in Blackheath and Mt Victoria for 10 years. It is cold; one of the coldest places in the state. Expect some Summer nights to have single figure temperatures and daytime maximums in Winter to be single figures. It is not cozy, or fun. In Winter all outdoor pursuits are unpleasant. However some summer afternoons are glorious. Rainfall is higher than Sydney and expect fog. Once had snow showers in November!!! Great for bike riding as this area is on a plateau so few hills except for Mt Piddington. The air is so clean you can taste it. Expect endless roadworks on the mountains or the M4. If you are over 60, DO NOT move here. Health services at Katoomba hospital or Lithgow are limited and Nepean isn't much chop either. Some mountain drivers, tradesmen and business owners can be aggressive. Houses are cheap for a reason...it is miles from anywhere and prices do not appreciate much so don't expect a great deal when you sell. If you sell up in Sydney, you may NEVER get back. If you have the trifecta...ie, family, a good job and friends ALL on the mountains with little need to travel east of Penrith it may work out. Would only recommend it for young families but once your children are teenagers they will be bored stiff so expect to be driving them long distances unless you want them on trains at night. If you want a holiday house terrific...you can have a cold getaway in Winter but a few weeks in Summer is even better!