Nandi Avenue, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086

Nandi Avenue is 7K from the beach and starts out as a steep tree lined street with no through traffic. At the bottom of the valley the land levels out and many houses are built on hillsides and have extensive bushland views, some as far as the Bahai Temple at Ingleside.. There is a small park with a creek which winds through the back of the street and the area is well maintained - and mowed - by residents who have swing sets, cricket sets and trampolines out for their children. A mix of young families and established residents populate the street which is quiet enough to walk a dog or ride a bike without fear of traffic. (Although I wouldn't recommend trying to ride up the hill.) Community spirit is high with an annual Christmas street party, a street bushfire brigade and a neighbourhood babysitting club. The Parkway Hotel, a popular eating spot is only 3 - 5 minutes walk away and every Sunday it hosts an Organic Food Market with fresh produce, plants, bread and the usual market tat. Sporting facilities are terrific and not many places have their own Olympic pool (Warringah Aquatic Centre) in the suburb. The Aquatic Centre backs on to Manly Dam reserve which has trails for both bushwalkers and mountain bike riders. For bushwalkers Garigal Park and Davidson Park are nearby and Bantry Bay has Aboriginal carvings and spectacular walks down to the Sydney Harbour foreshore. Government buses stop regularly at the top of the hill on Frenchs Forest Road and will take you to either the City, North Sydney, Chatswood or Manly, where it links with the ferry. Local neighbourhood shops are 1K away at Skyline shops which has a newsagent, bakery, mini-mart, chemist and fast food outlets like Subway and Kentucky Fried Chicken. For more shopping choices there is ForestWay (Woolys and Franklins) and Glenrose (Coles) shopping centres within a 4 km radius while the massive Warringah Mall is only 8K east. Although Frenchs Forest is only 13K from the city, on a good day it can take only 25 minutes but at peak times allow an hour. Two primary schools are within 3K. while the Forest High School is only 1K away. This is a great place to raise children, who should be super-fit and develop great stamina, especially if they have to walk up the (steep) hill to school every day.