soulsurfer

Wow! - where else in Australia can you buy land this cheap, this close to the beach, within an hour of a capital city?

Land currently priced from $149,000 for 730m2+ blocks that are mostly flat and easy to build on. There are basic guidelines to ensure consistent, quality housing throughout the big new Middleton Shores sub-division, however you can still build a clad style beach house as long as it has a decent roof pitch/deck/verandah and looks good. So it can be quite cheap to build here this way. There are also excellent quality near new brick homes for sale (from $275,000) and permanent rentals ($250-$350 per week).

Some people say that there's not enough work around and that's why its so cheap to live here, but people haven't worked out that they could sell they're house elsewhere and probably buy a similar home here (or build a new, better, bigger) and have $100,000 - $200,000 in their pockets in some cases. Such a massive mortgage reduction can mean some people are almost immediately debt free. Loan payments may be so low that you only need to commute 2-3 days a week for work and enjoy more quality time with their partner, family and walking on the beach with the kids. There are plenty of jobs here in health & aged care and this will get even bigger, as will construction, renovations and home services/maintanance.

Excellent buying right now - it wont last forever. Last time we had a boom here 8-10 years ago it was started by investors from interstate who realized how under priced it was, by the time Adelaide people caught on the best properties were already being snapped up and prices soared. Land is really selling again and it feels like a new upswing has started.

As for living here, I've been in the area for 12 years and love it. Once you live here you'll never go back to the city (or many other places for that matter). Middleton has a good general store open every day of the year, surf shop and hire, medical clinic, chemist, bakery and an excellent, pub. Victor Harbor (12 min drive) has everything you need - Woolies, Big W, Target, cinema, etc. Hundreds of fine cafes and eateries in the area. Several private and public schools, lots of sporting teams, excellent recreational options, fishing etc. Big skate park on the beachfront in Victor for the kids also. Crime rate? I think we've got some (laughing) - you'd really have to look hard to find it though. Its a pretty place too, beautiful views everywhere.

As for the beaches....My God - from flat, sheltered swimming beaches (Port Elliot & Victor Harbor) to awesome surf beaches along the Middleton stretch (which is great for beginner to intermediate surfers). Chapman Road end (locally known as "Day Street") sees most of the action in busy periods and is a beachy break that has mostly rights and a few lefts on average at 2-3 feet. "The Point" has rights, "The bay" has lefts - so you're pretty much covered as there is nearly always surf here, often it can be a bit bumpy right out the back, but nearly always surf when you need to get some waves. I personally think its the BEST spot for kids on bodyboards and most kids splashing around in the shallows as the beach doesn't get deep too quickly (unlike Port Elliot) - just take care if the surf is strong (you will feel the mild rips at chest depth).

In winter you see a lot of whales and in spring/summer/autumn you regularly see dolphins and seals while sitting out on your board - if you're lucky they'll swim right next to you or under you.

As if that's not enough, its clean, no litter, and a long, white sandy stretch of beach with heaps of room - excellent for running, cricket, ball sports etc (except for high tide) and mostly you can run dogs off their leads and give them some freedom. Everyone is friendly and there is no surf rage or bollocks - there's plenty of room for everyone and people are happy.