Umina Beach, NSW 2257

After growing up in western sydney I moved to the sydney cbd for about 7 years and then to umina beach 6 months ago.

The move was with huge hesitation however it was the best decision I have ever made for the following reasons:

- My house that is 10minutes walk to the beach was cheaper than the old 1 bedroom units I sold in sydney.
- An equivalant home this close to a beach in sydney would be at least 3-10 times the price. (Depending on where in sydney)
- Amazing choice of beaches and water ways at your door step.
- Very convenient shopping with Bunnings, Aldi, Coles, Woolies, Maccas, Servo and other various small shops only 2minites from the beach.
- No horrible sydney Traffic
- Friendly people say hi to each other on the street
- Express train to central station is 1hr
- No financial stress compared with trying to live in sydney
- Many homes have the Aus flag proudly displayed, it is nice to see so many people being proud to be Australian.

Living in Umina Beach is perfect for people with flexibke work arrangements in Sydney. You are close enough that you can get to sydney but your far enough not to pay sydney prices or be in the sydney rat race.

Not many people I talk to know about umina beach, it had a bad rep for a long time, especially being near woy woy. However I can see that money has been flowing to the area and there is a lot less of the riff raff that was there before. I think in the next 10-15 years it will become a much more affluent suburb and the opportunity to buy a cheap home near the beach may not be here too much longer.

Having bought two properties in Umina Beach 17 years ago - one on the hillside and one on the flat (15min walk to beach and shops), we can honestly say that we have made quite a significant gain in terms of our rental returns, capital gains and resale value. The area has changed and grown with the times with infrastructure and refurbishment of facilities and amenities breathing new life into the area and it's surrounds. Even so, the focus is still on the local community (the old-fashioned Australian way) - people do take the time to know their neighbours. The shopping strip itself has a nice/relaxed village feel with everything you would need or are likely to want from a shopping village - brand-new (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi) with (Specialty Stores, Restaurants and Cafes) continually on the increase. Up-market surf clubs now reside in Umina beach and Ocean Beach offering nice local treats/produce/coffee - we've had many a lovely breakfast/lunch/dinner at the Umina Beach Surf Club. A large $3mil recreational family park with BBQ facilities is adjacant to the surf club and the beach making it a fun family spot, also due to the Big 4 Ocean Beach Holiday park in Umina Beach. Obviously, the area does become a hive of activity during the tourist seasons, however this only adds to the over-all buzz. It's lovely to see Tourists/Sydney-siders shopping for their holiday groceries in Woolworths or Coles relaxed/happy just wrapped in a beach towel or surong, sandy thongs - surfboard or boogie board underarm. Further down the shopping strip, entering into the next suburb you'll find a terrific local Cinema, Saturday markets, cafes, more specialty shops and the Beach-front Mantra Resort. In the opposite direction, over the hill nearest to Ocean beach, you'll stumble across suburbs such as Pearl Beach/Patonga, which also offer lovely beaches/bays/camping grounds, together with nice local produce and hospitality. Venture 10mins South of Umina Beach and you'll find a train station and the F3 - perfect for the commuter with Hornsby only 40mins away. Crime in the area is comparable to any beach-side Sydney suburb that we are very aware of - honestly, it's safer here. You'll get the tourists with a mix of trouble-makers amongst them, together with a few undesirable locals as well - half expected due to having shops and hotel/resort facilities in the area. Over-all though, we've always felt very safe, primarily due to the community spirit here, and nearby policing. We made the right choice for our family 17 years ago moving here from inner Sydney - we were lucky enough to buy into the area prior to the now obvious growth. Of course properties are nowhere near as cheap as when we purchased, however, there is still some bargins/renovators to be snapped up in today's market. You only have to look at this area's growth with it's on-going infrastructure to realise it's potential and property price increase. We realised 17 years ago - it took a bit of time for the area to kick start it's potential, but here it is...!

Umina Beach is a very family-friendly, safe and villagey place to live. There are so many activities for kids, and everything is still very reasonably priced compared to Sydney.

The neighbours are very friendly and look out for each other, and there is a really active community. You often see people out walking, jogging, riding their bikes or walking their dogs, which gives the area a really nice community feel.

There are beautiful sunsets, lots of local amenities and honestly, there is very little reason to leave. There is a great playground where kids often meet and make new friends, and there is a good variety of local cafés with really good coffee.

For shopping, you have West Street and Lone Pine, as well as Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and IGA. Everything you need is pretty much right here. There is also a good amount of independant little shops and the markets which are fun.

I think that's what makes Umina special. It has that relaxed coastal lifestyle, but still has all the everyday conveniences you want. I can't think of another place that really nails this the way Umina Beach does.

We live 15 minutes to beach (walk), 5 minutes (bike). It’s very bike friendly being level and flat, and a New York style ‘Street and Avenue’ grid layout so you can detour heavy traffic points.

It’s a friendly, close knit community where you can safely let young kids go to the beach, bmx track or skatepark by themselves with friends. The sort of childhood many of us had in the 80’s.

All the amenity of upmarket beaches in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney without the high prices, crime or crowds.

Schooling, the local catholic school (St John the Baptist) is great. The High School (St Edwards or St Joseph’s) are well priced and a reasonable bus trip for the kids. The local public schools have traditionally had some problems though department of education seems to be getting in good principles and lots of funding that has seen a marked improvement along with the overall gradual gentrification of the area.

Iy is ok.
Maybe stay in a hotel there before buying or renting for a week and check out the area day and night. Walk around. Do not drive. 6 foot fences make great neighbours.
Get a large dog but you will need a yard. Maybe do not be so open to people.My big mistake living on the Central Coast before. www.microburbs.com more info available.

Umina is idyllic in its present state. The natural environment is as good as Queensland's Sunshine Coast . The only worry is the amount of existing houses that could fairly be considered knock down rebuilds. There's no elected council for the Gosford city area anymore without more community input into an elected council it is a worry what kind of developments will shape Umina.

My wife and I have been coming here on weekends for about 5 years from Sydney,loved it that much we have just bought a house here.Im originally from Newcastle so I was familiar with the place already,reading these negative comments are just from people who live here and are miserable with their own lives.All suburbs have bad people and good people and to say Umina is Mnt Druitt with sand is ridiculous.I just hope I don't run into anyone with tattoos or see anybody smoking 🤣

We moved to Umina Beach a year ago from Northern Sydney and I’m loving every day of it. It’s a quiet, safe little town with a patrolled great ocean beach. Kids are going to school by bike. If you work in the city, Woy Woy train station is just a few minutes drive away. People are friendly, so many great primary schools and childcares. There’re plenty of shops. Very close to Pearl Beach, Ettalong, Patonga, Killcare if you’re looking for a change to hang around.

Bought a place between West St and the beach about two years ago and it's been great. I don't have to drive anywhere, the beach is amazing and the water temperature is warmer than the surrounding areas with no undertow. There's a great little ferry nearby, a large park and a school. The location is great as well if you need to commute to Sydney.

Just because you see people with tattoos at Aldi Doesn’t mean it’s a bad place. Yeah it has lower income people around, so what - it’s not like they’re trying to eat you.

There’s a reason why people from Sydney are buying up here and prices are rising everywhere on the coast. Because it’s amazing and they see the place for what it is not what it used to be 20 years ago.

Just live your life and don’t listen to the crap people write online.