franoatkins

I have lrented all over the northern beaches - Narrabeen, Balgowlah Heights, Queenscliff and Fairlight. We couldn't afford a house in the lower northern beaches and did not want to settle for an apartment. We started looking at Manly Vale, North Balgowlah and Allambie Heights. North Balgowlah is more expensive, and while a little closer to the city, you seem to lose that feeling of being close to the beach. Manly Vale and Allambie Heights are in similar price brackets, but Allambie Heights offers more of a family and suburban feel and is tucked away a little better in my view.

When we first bought here I thought it was a nice area but living in a new suburb is always the real test, but right from the get go, I loved it! It is so peaceful and quiet, I feel very safe and it seems to me like more younger couples and young families are starting to move in who will hopefully start spending money on their properties (as we are) and gradually build up the quality of the houses in the area. The walks around Manly Dam are just beautiful. There are also a couple of home-style local restaurants which we enjoy going to and are inexpensive.

We are thrilled with our purchase. It was at an entry point price for a house on the Northern Beaches and bit by bit we are renovating it to improve it...our way. We have a large block, friendly neighbours and space....lots of it!!

However, the potential of this area is this...I work in the city. In the evenings I catch a cab and it takes 20 minutes to get home (i.e. after 7.30pm), believe it!. In the morning, I either catch a bus (and no problem getting a seat), drive in with my husband (30-40min leaving at 7.30am) or grab a lift down to Manly and catch a ferry (15 min on fast ferry). Allambie Heights is a 5 minute drive to Manly. It has good quality grocery shopping less than 5 minutes away at Balgowlah Stockland and Warringah Mall for other shopping. You have the Brookvale industrial area close by if you are doing renovations - and if you want something else, you are 20 minutes drive to Chatswood. And of course, you have all the beautiful suburbs up the Northern Beaches all the way to Palm Beach for surf. golf, walks, cafes, restaurants and whatever else you need. A real winner in my books.