Will we regret moving from Sydney to Terrigal?
8 Answers
There is very little work here for trade based employment as the building industry here is tight. Most trade workers travel to find work in sydney and the impact on family can be significant timewise. The housing is overpriced compared to the rest of the central coast and you can expect to pay a 150k premium over surrounding areas inland a little. Most houses have small block sizes and little backyards with the majority being built on sloping land. Water runoff issues should be paramount when selecting property here as the area receives high rainfall and dampness and mold can be a problem. Prices are starting to drop in this area and are currently sitting just above 2008 levels. An entry level home will cost 400k to 450k for the very basics. Unemployment is high on the central coast and a lot of people commute to Sydney.
On the plus side, close to water, only small traffic issues, convenient to large shopping centre, relaxed lifestyle and reduced pollution.
Hope this helps
On the plus side, better
I'd been retired 10+ years, and I decided I'd make the move from Melbourne about two years ago, principally for the climate, not Melbourne's cold winters, but its hot summers!! 32 days over 30 were just too much for me.
For natural beauty, beaches, easy lifestyle, etc., and a temperate climate, it would be hard to beat Newcastle to Forster, a very pretty part of the country.
The problem I had was that it's an older population, and even though I could be termed old, I don't think and act like most my age. I made friends, but their idea of entertainment was bingo, and board game or card evenings, not my style.
For younger people, I know there is a lack of employment issue, and commuting to Sydney would be a huge inconvenience after the novelty of the first week or two.
For people with young families with online, or work from home businesses/employment, it may be ideal??
The population increases dramatically during school holidays, and many are inconsiderate, arrogant visitors with little thought for locals.
The thing that I found most surprising was the price of real estate, certainly no cheaper than many areas of Melbourne, and if I'd stayed, an acceptable standard, something similar to what I had in Melbourne, would have been near enough to a million $$.
I lasted a couple of months in a few different places, but established it was not for me.
My advice to you is to rent/lease your property (here in Sydney) whilst you rent a property on the Central Coast BEFORE you sell up and leave! I know quite a few people who have sold up and left Sydney for the north coast, then regretted it but could not afford to get back INTO Sydney. Once you have lived there for six months (or so) and are sure you want to cut ties with Sydney, then you should do so. We have friends on the north coast who have health issues and every time they need "specialist" care, they have to fly down to Sydney because there just isn't the same level of "specialist" care on the central or northern coast - just be aware of this as you get older. Also, if you love the theatre, drama and arts, moving to the country may not be a good way to indulge in such cultural pursuits. Good luck!
Not an answer, but another question, and I apologize for what may seem to be hijacking the OP's thread.
Does Terrigal have a fly problem in summer? I currently live in Melbourne, and in summer the flys drive me nuts, so one of the criteria for a place to which to move is that there be no fly problem.
The advantages and appeal of Terrigal like anywhere really depends on personal circumstances. It is difficult for anyone to advise whether any particular location will work for any particular family.
We moved to Terrigal when we returned to Australia around 10 years ago. Initially intending to buy back on Pittwater, we paused to reconsider our decision with a weekend in Terrigal. Eternal grateful that we did.
For what I do, Terrigal is not an ideal place to live. Generally I work 15 hr days, travel for 6 months of the year and have a long commute to the airport from Terrigal. Would we move though? - never.
The prospect of getting up at 4.45am for the commute to either the office in Sydney or the airport is ominous at first. However, once you get used to it, the benefits of coming home to such a wonderful place each night (when around) far outweigh the commute. If I leave at the right time I can be at Kingsford Smith Airport in 1 hr 20m. Travelling before or after traffic, it's a comfortable 1hr.05m to the bridge. There are Northern Beaches suburbs from where it can take longer in traffic.
A correction to some earlier posts, there are in fact two direct roads in and out of Terrigal, Terrigal Drive and Avoca Drive. Both two lanes roads as claimed though.
For those who like to be at the office by 6.30 or 7.00am and leave after the traffic, Terrigal is the perfect place to live. Quality hours in the evening away from the madness is like a long weekend. Wouldn't trade it for quids!
If you have the money, i think Terrigal is gorgeous and I dont think you will regret it. It offers so many great facilities for families and a really relaxed lifestyle. I go there all the time and live near-by. It does get busy in the holidays but it is full of life and pleanty of things to do. Water sports, pat friendly, great parks and oval, beaches galore (nearby too), great cafes and food... almost everything. Close to schools and shops, bars and clubs.
The only concern i have for your family is, if your husband plans to commute to Sydney for work. I am not in the trade so i am not sure what the demand is around the central coast but i can tell you the commute to Sydney from there is HELL. Its a small coastal town with one road in and its PACKED at peak hr traffic. The nearest offramp to the F3 is Gosford (which means up and down kariong hill) and i advise you to just stay away from that traffic. its a long way to the freeway and back and im sure that commute will wear thin quick.
Probably. Most people regret leaving Sydney and few can afford to move back. Let's face it, Sydney and Melbourne are the buzzing hearts of Australia and its where all the action is. If you want to be near world-class restaurants, cafes, transport, beaches and close to all the best hospitals, health facilties, the country's best schools - then Sydney or Melbourne are the places to be. Of course, city living does not appeal to everyone but in my opinion Sydney is the world's best city in which to live and I have lived and travelled to over 120 countries. Every time I travel and view other cities (eg Paris, London, Rome, New York, LA), I am SOOOooo glad to get home to my beloved city of Sydney. It's got everything going for it - I know I am biased but there's no place like it!
Each to their own I guess but we've been living in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs for 10 years and have decided to move to the Central Coast (North Gosford). Great Public School and High School, and we can afford a four bedroom house versus not even a 2 bedroom apartment where we currently are (Kensington). I suppose it makes a difference that we can work from home for half the week so commuting is less of an issue, but oh my, the lifestyle of the Central Coast beaches and greenery trumps 'world class cafes and restaurants' for us every time. But of course, each to their own. Our priorities changed when we had kids. The employment situation is true (I work in employment services) as in unemployment rates are higher and job opportunities are fewer, but especially around Gosford, there are still strong amenity hubs for employment i.e. hospital, university, government. Good luck!
So where did you finally settle?