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Katoomba
4.3(16 reviews)

Katoomba, NSW 2780

4.3(16 reviews)

Ranked 242nd best suburb by locals in Sydney (Greater) Region, NSW

Great for

  • Peace and quiet
  • Parking
  • Childcare
  • Neighbourly spirit
  • Safe and sound

Not great for

  • Nightlife

Who lives here?

  • Families With Kids
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Hipsters

Reviews of Katoomba, NSW

"Wonderful community"

I am a real estate agent and have been focusing my work in Katoomba for the past 8yrs. When I moved to the mountains 13 years ago I felt that I had come home. Living in the mountains feels like I am enveloped in a big hug of nature and community every day. There's a real sense that there is room for everyone to belong. I love its diversity and its country town casualness. There's also nothing like driving down Parke Street in the morning and catching that escarpment view. Just breathtaking!

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
3
gregh8

Agree with above but while Im not a night owl there are pubs, Nice vibe bar near station and new drop in lounge bar in Katoomba street .

kristyh12

3 great sushi places too; and Yellow Deli has great food. A tourist today told me that its the best coffee in the mountains having been staying in Leura the past few days, complaining that the cafes water down their lattes. Mr Lindemann who owned the Coffee Palace in 1900s (where Ritz now sits) would be cursing from his grave that Leura coffee is no longer what people travelled to the suburb for. Yellow Deli in Katoomba best eatery in the Blue Mountains!

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"Great Place to Live"

Moved to Katoomba about 5 years ago and have never regretted it. Great community and very neighbourly. If I'm feeling down I just walk to the Three Sisters and look at the beautiful view and forget my troubles. Good shopping centre but can become crowded at times. Nice restaurants & cafes with a good variety of cuisines. Love it and will never return to Sydney.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
2
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"Best move we ever made"

After living in Sydney (North Shore then Inner West) for 40 years, I had had enough of the traffic, the crowds, the real estate prices and the general stressed-out nature of the place and many of the people (me included!). We moved to Katoomba, bought a beautiful 4 BR weatherboard home for less than the price of a small Sydney apartment and have loved it for the last 10 years.

Katoomba is an amazing place to live. Our neighbourhood is quiet, filled with character homes and friendly neighbours, and has amazing bushwalks and sights just minutes away. The community itself is close, creative, friendly and welcoming - smiles in the street, familiar faces and lots of community events happening year round.

The cold was the only thing we were worried about, but after our first winter we had acclimatised, and we now love it. You dress for the weather, and look forward to starting up the log fire (but central heating is awesome too!). The occasional dump of snow is a bonus!

If you have kids, they will love it here. We have a massive backyard, there are bush and nature adventures everywhere and the schools are great with fantastic teachers. Getting to know other families has been lovely and everyone lives less than 5 minutes away. Our kids can walk to school and to many of their friends houses.

In short, it's the best move we ever made. We don't miss the city - but it's just 90 mins away if there's an event we want to catch or friends to meet up with. Make the move - you'll love it!

If you want to find out more about living in the Blue Mountains, I run a tour to help couples or families get to know the villages and towns of the Upper Blue Mountains - find out more at https://highergroundtours.com.au/living-in-the-blue-mountains/

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
1
emmam58

This is great advice and awesome to hear. My wife and I live in The Rocks, we want to buy though in comparison to what we can get in Sydney to Katoomba is just next level. We have been looking at homes and cannot wait for the move very soon! So long gorgeous busy, noisy Sydney Harbour! Hello peace and tranquillity. Emma and Kelly.

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"Katoomba is a gorgeous old fashioned town!!"

I have lived in Katoomba my whole life and I absolutely love it! It’s provided a beautiful childhood with festivals, bushwalks and stunning wildlife. It is filled with lovely people and friendly faces there is absolutely no judgement for example you could walk down the street in a carrot suit or dressed up as something crazy and you would get compliments weather as I find other towns in the blue mountain such as Springwood you get judged for just about everything which just sets an unpleasant mood. I find just walking down the street you see many friendly faces and you always run into friends and people you know! It’s a lovey town and I couldn’t be happier with it!

Who lives here?

  • Singles
  • Families with kids
1
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"Cozy mountains town --and with all of the amenities. Wonderful!!!"

Relaxed small town wonder with breath taking scenery. Lovely variety of little cafes and restaurants, and easy grocery shopping. It's also a Hiker's heaven.
Love lighting up the fireplace in winter and opening a bottle of something nice. This town is for those who want a lifestyle. (NB- The upper mountains is the real mountains. Lower and mid just don't compare.)
The hipsters are here all opening up little cafes in the historic buildings, semi-gentrifying the place. Locals are friendly and chatty. With so many activities to do, I really feel for those stuck in Sydney.

I wouldn't live past Katoomba. Mt Victoria and Blackheath are freezing with limited amenities, and just that bit further in the train. Weather is perfect in Summer. So pretty! ..And Autumn is gorgeous.

I must mention that I am baffled by the last reviewer's comment...haven't seen any of that.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
1
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"Katoomba is changing!"

I have lived on and off in Katoomba for many years and i can tell you the place is changing a lot and not for the better. A lot of the homeless, mentally ill, and drug addicted are being shipped to the mountains as Sydney is swamped with them. If you like somewhere where you can't even walk down your own street for the mentally ill hearling insults and abuse at you then you will love Katoomba. Any problems in Sydney just seem to be sent up to Katoomba. Stay clear of Lurline Street at the top end near the station as its all housing commission with drug addicted and domestic violence daily. For kids especially its frightening. Further, there are no decent schools in the area. I think if you stayed around Springwood you would be fine but dont head up to Katoomba unless the drug addicted are your scene.

0
stevek21

I totally disagree - I've lived here for 10 years and never see any of that stuff. I have two young children and they are safer here than anywhere in Sydney. It's a close, welcoming and friendly community.

matthewd14
matthewd14

Absolutely agree with you Gordon, Katoomba is old and tired and run down. The building facades in the main street havent been painted or repaired for decades, and yes, the homeless and mentally ill have been moved to this area and wander the streets. The community here would protest against a kid with a lemonade stand, just for something to do, thats how sad this place is. I could go on but I speak from 17 years living here and Im excited to say were getting the hell out of here!

KateL1

It's so weird, it's like people are talking about two different places. I've never felt unsafe in Katoomba. My mother-in-law lives at the top end of Lurline, has fantastic neighbours and our kids regularly walk there alone. I appreciate people have different experiences, but I just wanted to give my view.

grahamh14

Thats hilarious Gordon and Mathew. Katoomba is a friendly and welcoming town. Its heyday was in the 20s and some of the buildings could do with a paint if only the investment owners would come to the party. Thriving arts and music community with beautiful walks and scenery. Whats not to like.

matthewd14
matthewd14

Grahamh14, you have that tired, sad run down place, the people there are sad, tired and run down also I guess it's the dismal weather.

grahamh14

Mathew14. I think its safe to say that you are probably not the only person to be glad that you have left. Enjoy your utopia.

gregh8

Cant believe this comment . Moved up here fully a couple of years ago . Never been hassled on the street . Pre and no doubt after lockdown : wonderful range of cafes , restaurants , big supermarkets but away from Main Street . Never experienced crime . Lovely, friendly people . The drive to the supermarket I use the scenic route and the views are stunning . Real estate prices through the roof which I know makes it hard to buy . Doctors , dentists, great little hospital . My street is like a village and has that wonderful community feeling . Try a jazz night at the Avalon or best Italian food youll get anywhere at Papadinos. Great aquatic centre . And I could go on .

marys51

thanks to Sydney people buying up multiple properties for air bnbs there are now more homeless from katoomba to lithgow..

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"A nice to place to be"

Katoomba is an amazing and wonderful place.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
1
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"Wonderful Katoomba - Grande Dame of the Blue Mountains"

My favourite - the heart and soul of the Blue Mountains. The South-side doesn't even have traffic lights. Quiet and secluded during weekdays and lively and bustling on weekends. Tourists come from far and wide. Katoomba has the best walks in the Blue Mountains and they are easily accessible. Why anyone would live in Sydney suburbia down the hill with gridlock traffic and pollution is beyond me.

So pretty in Spring and Autumn. And so European wintry in the colder seasons! Everyone is really friendly (and relaxed!).

Great for

  • Friendly place with helpful people who often stop and chat
  • Beautiful picturesque mountains village with the pick of the bushwalks
  • Great Coffee and Chai Teas! Mulled Wine in Winter!

Not great for

  • Very cold winters - need good heating and insulation

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • Hipsters
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
1
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"12 months in and haven't looked back"

We moved from a small unit in a beachside suburb of Sydney to Katoomba about a year ago. I spent so long researching areas to relocate our family to...including this website...and found the whole experience totally overwhelming. I just wanted to let anyone in our position know that we haven't regretted our decision for a minute. It's such a beautiful, friendly area and the local school is fantastic. Overall we'd totally recommend it.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
1
beckyp1

Hi Kate, I realise this post is probably a couple of years old. We too are considering a move out of Sydney and possible options are Wentworth Falls/Laura/Katoomba, as well as a couple of options on South Coast. I too feel overwhelmed with all the research especially having 3 young children at different stages with different needs to accommodate. We are planning to do a few research trips but Would love to hear your opinion or more about your experience moving a family / schools etc. thanks so much

andrewe14
andrewe14

Hi Beckyp1
My young family and I are ALSO seriously considering the move from Sydney to the blue mountains or lower central coast or south coast. Very keen on Katoomba. Leura, Wentworth Falls and weve a 2 yr old and a 1 month old. Have also done loads of overwhelming research...would love to hear your thoughts on it all as well!

joc13

Hi everyone.my partner and I moved from Sydney's northern beaches to wentworth falls in 2016 and the lifestyle we have here is just amazing,its beautiful, affordable,no traffic,clean,very friendly locals,neigbours who welcomed us straight away.it can be tricky to find a job,unless you're in healthcare,tourism or hospitality.or planning on commuting to Sydney,all depends on what you're doing.so might be good idea to look into that and secure something beforehand.we bought a 3 bedroom renovated house here and our mortgage is 250$ les a week then the rent of our house in curl curl.all the big shops big w,aldi,coles,target,woolies,petbarn,bunnings are in katoomba,also a cinema there is a small public hospital with a Children's ward,day surgery,maternity and emergency. 45 minutes drive down the mountain to penrith for the plaza or homeware shops,big nepean hospital,plenty of walks and hiking around,very good local community where you can go to the local pub or butcher and people will know your name,heaps of tourists in the weekends wich give a buzz.plenty of little festivals and live music in the bars in katoomba and markets,good cafes plenty of options in katoomba,very vegetarian and vegan friendly.we don't have kids but several neighbours and colleagues have little kids and told me both leura and wentworth falls public are good,there is a highschool in katoomba and private grammar in wentworth falls
Several neighbours in our street are from sydney and made the move with their kids and haven't looked back either.why would you stay in sydney,stuck in traffic and crowds and pay 1.3 mil for a house if you can get a decent 3 bedroom house on a big bloke for 600k in the upper mountains with peace and quiet.wentworth falls and.leura are more expensive then katoomba and blackheath but everywhere in the upper mountains is gorgeous.thats just a personal matter what you like,want,can afford and need for your family.i hope that is helpful.

kerriew6

Im currently on the central coast and looking to sell up and checking my options either in the Blue Mountains or Sutherland way but the Blue Mountains really attracts me. Im a single female in my early 60s and hoping to make friends, play tennis and generally get a bit of social life happening. Ive found the Central Coast very clicky and not particularly friendly . Im also a remedial massage therapist and would be happy to continue that on a part time basis. Ive always lived on the coast so its a big leap. So any info would be greatly appreciated . Thanks

KateL1

Hi Kerrie,
I originally posted but had no idea of the replies! Sorry if this comes too late to help.
Were still here and still really love it. My mother-in-law also moved to Katoomba and has found it very welcoming and friendly. Id definitely recommend the community up here.
Ive also always lived by the coast and I do miss the sea a bit...but you still get the beautiful wide open views from the cliffs, and so much to explore. We just make sure we book our holidays by the beach and make the most of being near the water. Having said that there are some amazing swimming holes for a dip in summer and lots of lovely outside pool options (Lawson, Blackheath, Katoomba etc).
Good luck with the decision. Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Kate

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"Katoomba - offbeat, leafy, cool and crisp Mountain town"

Katoomba is a unique and interesting place to live - I love it!! Art Deco buildings, frosty winters, delightful green and mild summers, great cafes, convenient shopping, and diverse but often artistic/Bohemian population. I live in a leafy street in one of Katoomba's stunning old homes, and cafes and a day out are 15 minute walk away. I've been here for a number of years, and I love the fact that you can do and be anything you want, and that the population leave you alone or befriend you, depending on what you want.

Great for

  • So many options of where to eat! Great coffee and food
  • Best cab service I've ever know - ethical, reliable, friendly, prompt!
  • Artistic community, with great music festival and Winter Magic festival
  • Affordable

Not great for

  • Needs a little cheering up - maybe restoring old buildings and more jobs for the locals
  • Very cold winters - need good heating and insulation
  • Unemployment

Who lives here?

  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
0
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"Good place"

Just bought a house in Katomba, good mix of people, fresh air, no traffic, not hot and humid.

Great for

  • Affordable

Not great for

  • Unemployment

Who lives here?

  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Country Lovers
0
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"A truely wonderful place to live."

We moved to Katoomba three years ago moving up the mountains from Hazelbrook and Wentworth Falls. Katoomba is definitely the best place to live in the Blue Mountains. Not only does it have the best views and walks but the best facilities and services. There is a great hospital, leisure centre, library, excellent mobile phone reception and internet access and just the right number of shops. We have a Coles, Franklins and a new Aldi - what more do you want?! We are very happy here and plan to stay.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
2
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"A Great Place To Live"

I moved to the Blue Mountains from the Sutherland Shire 10 years ago, to get away from the crowds and to be able to send my daughter to a smaller, more caring school.

I have lived in Blackheath & Leura, and now in Katoomba, and all are fantastic, friendly places with lots to do, wonderful unique shops and great places to eat.

To be able to walk to the local fruit shop (Toderello's - is there anything they don’t have? Awesome!) And to have a local butcher (Leura Butcher, best meat ever!) or walk down the hill to a place that tourist travel from all over the world to look at (that would be the Three Sisters) is the ultimate lifestyle.

There is something on every weekend at places like The Carrington Hotel or Everglades Gardens, and yearly events like Winter Magic, as well as bush walks and canyoning for the adventurous.

I think the whole upper Mountains is a wonderful place to live and I would recommend it to just about anyone, as everyone is accepted and will find friends & things to do to suit them.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
2
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"Katoomba - Amazing Scenery"

Katoomba is just over 100 kms west of Sydney, situated in the Blue Mountains. Here the air is lean and fresh and the scenery is spectacular. A must see is “The Three Sisters” at Echo Point and read about the Aboriginal Legend of their being. Another must is a ride on the Scenic Railway with its steepest railway incline in the world, the Scenic Skyway which is a cable car which travels across the Jamison valley at suspended at 200m for the valley floor. There are many walks and trails with amazing sights and natural flora and fauna as well as historical buildings to see. Great accommodation with many B&B’s, and luxury Hotels. Restaurants, cafe etc to suit all tastes.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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"The heart of the Blue Mountains"

All visitors who intend to visit the Blue Mountains will have to either make a pit stop at Katoomba or travel through this suburb. This place is the heart of the Blue Mountains with shops, cafes, restaurants and accommodation of all types. It is a well-maintained tourist town and people here are very friendly. Many artists live around this area to draw inspiration for their works. The streets are all lined with trees and the houses are well kept too.

My favourites places in Katoomba will be the RSL club and the Blue Mountains Chocolate Company on Lurline Road. The former is a favourite of mine because you can get fed a nice hearty meal without having to pay tourist prices. It is good local food and beer. The Chocolate Company is a good place to sip a cup of hot chocolate while you rest your legs after the long walks.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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"Blue Mountains Central"

Katoomba is the accommodation and retail heart of the Blue Mountains area west of Sydney. It has hotels, motels, trendy restaurants and cafes in converted old buildings. An icon worth a visit is the Paragon Cafe. Katoomba has a train station which is used by both tourists and residents who commute to work closer to the city. Homes in Katoomba vary in all styles from workmans cottages to mansions. Many have commanding views of the mountains and valleys.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
1
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