Umina Beach, NSW 2257

4.2(27 reviews)

Ranked 285th best suburb by locals in Sydney (Greater) Region, NSW

Great for

  • Parks and recreation
  • Peace and quiet
  • Neighbourly spirit
  • Safe and sound
  • Eating out

Not great for

    No ratings yet

Who lives here?

  • Families With Kids
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Beach Lovers
  • Singles

Reviews of Umina Beach, NSW

Editors Choice

"Quiet beach town outside a big city"

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.

1
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

Looking for a home in Umina Beach?

Editors Choice

"Good returns/continued capital growth/infrastructure"

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...!

Great for

  • Train-line and F3 10mins away - great for commutors
  • 40mins to Sydney suburb of Hornsby via F3 or train
  • Assortment of cafes/restaurants with a cinema/markets/hotels and resorts nearby
  • Has a beach
  • Close to Sydney
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Has running water

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
  • Beach Lovers
4
stephenl13
stephenl13

You are so obviously a local real estate agent. I lived in Umina for 30 years. The place is Mount Druitt with sand. And the built environment is hideous: cheap fibro houses next to bloated project homes.

sueh7
sueh7

Used to live in Umina back in 1997 but personally I wouldnt buy a house there now. Is way overpriced for what you actually get

vezna vee
vezna vee

You lived in Mt. Druitt by the sea for 30 years. Why? If it was that bad? What happened to you?

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report
5th November 2023

"Umina Beach. 1 percent department of housing only"

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.

0
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report
19th December 2022

"Perfect for swimming and close to Australia's best capital city"

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.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
0
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report
11th May 2022

"Great place"

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 🤣

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
0
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

Rentals in Umina Beach

15th March 2022

"Great and safe place to live!"

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.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
0
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report
3rd February 2022

"Amazing area that has everything."

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.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
0
Rachel G
Rachel G

Do you happen to have daycare recommendations please

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"People’s impression of this place is from the 90’s"

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.

3
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Roughest place Ive ever lived ."

Lived in Umina for 30 years and saw it get worse and worse. If you love bogans or self identify as a bogan, you’ll absolutely love the place. Rough as guts.

1
gregm35

Yet you lived there for 30 years!

gregm35

Ha, ok. I'm not an estate agent... I moved here 3 years ago from Syd, and I can see in that short time the area is on the up, and recent (last 3 months) house sales of $1M+ are showing it is more than just bogans happy to move to the area. Each to their own.

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Stunning coastal town with a relaxed vibe"

Hi All,

Want to share my thoughts on this coastal town having lived here for over a year now.

We relocated from Sydneys Northern Beaches (Mona Vale) to Umina Beach. Our reason for moving was simple, our third child was due and we needed a four bedroom home and we were completely over renting. We knew we had to compromise either on beach location and/or commuting duration. Umina Beach enabled us to maintain the beach lifestyle we love - added about 30mins to my commute vs Mona Vale.

Onto the topic at hand, Umina Beach.

What we love about it:
1. Surf/Beach
Coming from Mona Vale to Umina beach is not as bigger change as one might think. The beach itself is calm and picturesque. I have had a couple of surfs when the swell is up and the wave is fun - need a longboard though. Excellent for those who want to learn how to surf I might say.

2. Scenery/Safety/Pace
We are at the southern end of Umina and there are plenty of established trees and birdlife - we find it very easy to relax. There is limited traffic as it not exactly on the way to anywhere so its safe for the kids to ride bikes and play in the front yard. Great views of Palm Beach and Lion Island/Pitwater when your surfing - best therapy in the world. It has a holiday feel to it - great place to raise a family.

3. Facilities
The town is also quite handy, we find most things we need are there. For example the Bunnings is small but decent, covers most of my weekend projects. There is also Aldi, Coles and Woolies. Kmart is down the road in Woy Woy. Have not yet had the need to go to erina fair.

4. Playgroud
Anyone with kids is set in Umina - the playgrounds are seriously good with adjacent cafes selling good coffee

5. People
Im finding the people friendly and lovely - good honest Aussies.

6. CBD Connection/Newcastle Connection
I get the 6:32 Train to Town hall - im at my desk on level 12 by 7:52 - add in the 10mins it takes me to drive and park at the station and thats my commute. I would advise people not to take this part of your decision lightly - it’s a huge part of my day.

7. Traffic.
Its not that bad at all - no complaints coming from Sydney. Easy access to M1 - takes me 20 mins

8. Fast Internet
NBN - faster than Mona Vale

What we are less excited about:

1. Schools
Havent really sussed out good schools as yet. Hearing mixed review about all of them - so will reserve comment due to lack of information. Will keep researching but there are no obvious stand out options at this stage. Central Coast grammar is the top tier choice but expensive so will need to have a plan b if we cannot afford it (likely will not be able too).

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
1
dd3

Hi TR You haven;t mention the hospitals arounds - Sydney has very good public Hospitals - Have you had any experience's with Gosford Hospital ? My main concern would be excellent health care if I moved to the coast

vezna vee
vezna vee

Oh. 1 percent housing commision only.

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Umina Beach, perhaps not love at first sight but it will grow on you!"

Umina has been my home for four years now. Over that time I have come to love living here.

Where to start... Where else in the greater Sydney region would you find minimal traffic, free parking near the beach, great cafes, a variety of great places to visit and explore. I have lived in Wollongong, Gladesville, and Bondi. If I were looking at a place to live, I would take Umina over any other place I have lived.

I now have two children, one 3-month old girl and one 4 year-old boy. The boy goes to a child care centre on Australia Avenue. The educators at his childcare centre are amazing. They truly love and care for my son. They have given him a love of books and learning. The centre itself runs various interesting activities, having visitors come to the place and introducing the kids to animals and more.

I am a lawyer and I have my own practice from home. At lunch I go for a walk along Umina Beach or a swim at Pearl Beach.

I look forward to having you discover Umina Beach.

Great for

  • Close to Sydney
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Has a beach

Not great for

  • No local private high schools

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Country Lovers
1
jacquij1

Hey CLJ, great to read your comments. We just purchased a house in Umina and we are moving up from Sydney in June with our 2 girls (4 and 1) and a bub on the way. I am a lawyer too and will be running my practice from home as well as a copywriting business. I am nervous about settling in but happy to now you;re enjoying it! Cheers, JJ

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"A great seachange"

We moved from Sydney (North Shore) 4 years ago and we are now raising 2 kids here on the Central Coast. Cheaper housing allows you to get by on less income. I commute to Sydney for work and my wife stays at home. We love the proximity to the beach, the flat topography for bike riding, community spirit etc.

What it lacks in culture and eating out it gains in natural assets and amenity. We regularly go to Sydney for shows and stay in a hotel in the city, but on the average weekend, being in a smaller community by the sea beats the city any day.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Beach Lovers
1
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Wouldn't Live Anywhere Else"

I've lived in Umina Beach my whole life.
My Husband and I both grew up here. We met each other at school, and have happy memories of childhood adventures.
Camping in Patonga, mountain bike riding through the many bush tracks between Umina and Patonga, fishing and jumping from Ettalong wharf after school during the Summer, and having the privilege of swimming at the beach until dark, and still being able to make it home before dinner.
Contrary to the stupid rumours, Umina is an incredibly safe place.
Kids as young as ten are still playing cricket in the street after dark, or riding their bikes down to the corner store.
I feel safe walking my dog at 9pm.
Umina is a part of who we are.
We have lived in Sydney to be closer to higher paying work oppertunities for a few years, but in the end we couldn't stand it anymore.
It was smelly, fast paced, and we didn't want to raise our children in a place you hear a horror story on the news about every evening.
Stabbings, shootings, gang related violence, terrorism... ew.
I didn't feel safe walking down the street in the middle of the day let alone at night, with Arabic men giving me "looks" or yelling derogatory things out their car windows.
We moved back home to start our family, and my Husband would rather get up early to travel into Sydney than have us ever back in that dirty environment again.

Umina is a place to call home.
The community spirit here is like nothing you will find anywhere else.
I love the way West Street comes alive at night, and people can walk around barefoot after just walking up from the beach for dinner.
I love the slow pace, the early morning walks with my dog along the beach, and eating dinner and watching the sunset on the beach with my family in the Summer, any night of the week.
I love that wherever we go, we are constantly seeing familiar, friendly faces.
We band together during times of crisis in our community, and we help each other out.
There are beautiful beaches, bush tracks, picnic and fishing spots e v e r y w h e r e, it's just gorgeous.
The people here are friendly, easy going, and look out for one another.
I love the way the people of Umina are so proud and protective of our community.
There is always something fun and free to do with the family on the weekends.
Bike riding, bush walking, boating, fishing, picnic and BBQ areas, fantastic playgrounds, community events, markets, lots of local clubs...and you don't need to drive anywhere, it's all within walking distance.
There are three public primary schools, one catholic primary school, and two highschools on the Peninsula, and the Primary Schools in particular have a fantastic reputation with strong ties to the community.
The cons of living in any small beachside community is obviously having to venture out of town a bit for private schools and larger shopping centres, but that's a small price to pay in my opinion.
Our children attend a Christian school twenty minutes drive out of town, but unless you work in town you have to drive out towards the private schools anyway, and most of them have buses that pick the kids up too (ours does).
We have a reputable local soccer club, little athletics, and several dance schools for kids.
A PCYC that runs other activities for children, like karate and boxing, and a Scouts group that's run through the local hall.
There's a Nippers at Umina Beach every Sunday during Summer.
The local church runs program's for children on Friday and Saturday nights, and a pantry club for those struggling in our community, where they can go and help themselves to groceries.
Deepwater Plaza has an abundance of shopping options, and there are lots of great cafes and restaurants, not only in Umina, but in the surrounding suburbs of Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach.
Lots of boutique shops, a leisure centre with indoor pools, basketball courts and a gym with a crche .
What I love most about Umina is the people. The people here are beautiful.
Easy going and friendly, will stop to have a chat..
We have our community "icons" like those with disabilities that everyone knows by name, and an old "can man" who sadly passed two years ago, but who we all loved, as well as an old man who walks around with two walking sticks telling jokes down West Street.
Some people might be turned off this place by the thought of these beautiful people, or by the "bogans"/old school Aussie's, but I think the many different people here, and the spirit of acceptance and belonging in this town is what makes it so special.
This is most definitely the place for you if you "get" life and what it's really all about.
If you are down to earth, love people and the outdoors, and want a simple, happy life.

Great for

  • Community spirit, friendly people
  • Safe
  • Easy going, laid back lifestyle
  • Close to Sydney
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Has a beach
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Fresh air

Not great for

  • Jealous Sydney siders and stuck up whinging snobs giving our great town a bad name
  • Busy during tourist seasons (for good reasons, obviously)

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
2
skyed1

Thank you for your wonderful words - my husband and I plan to move up to Umina as we too are over the Sydney life and want to move somewhere we would be proud to raise our future children and you have just reinforced why I want to move here. My husband has to travel to Artarmon every day for work, he is a little worried on whether the drive might be too much - but we are thinking of renting for 6-12 months first in area and then purchasing something once done our homework on what areas we like. Thanks again!

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Excellent place for breach lovers, nature lovers, those looking to for a train trip to work kind of place"

There is much to Umina Beach- more than you may expect. This year we have seen whales from the deck, walked along the beach with a leopard seal, chatted to locals, enjoyed super fast NBN, had our son attend an the local primary school and generally enjoy the relaxed and comfortable life style.
There is a great community spirit here.
The dog beach is lovely 😊 and owners are happy to stop and chat.
It is a short 10 mins to Woy Woy station.


However, UMINA is not perfect either. There is nowhere that is perfect, but it would be useful to know about some of the issues here. These are based on my experience.
- troubled teens hang out at UMINA park during the evenings and especially on the weekend . They name call at you to provoke you . They smash glass bottles near the beach . Jasmines green cafe has been vandalised a few times over the years. The park is a gorgeous place to hang out during the day. It’s full of young families.
- Graffiti
- Home robberies
- Undesirable locals
- House prices have increased dramatically because more families are moving up from Sydney. The good thing is that the demographic of the place will change.
- Owners at the dog beach do not kept dangerous dogs on the leash.
- We loose electricity during a big storm one or twice a year.

Great for

  • Whales swimming 20 meters off shore, Wallabies and other wild life
  • You can see the stars
  • People are friendly and look after one another

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
  • Beach Lovers
1
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Life in a small town"

I moved to Umina beach 11 years ago from the north shore of Sydney. I have lived all over Australia and Sydney and in my experience you get a mix where ever you are... It is the company you keep. Yes Umina has a lot of Centrelink dependants. 80% of them are aged pensioners... Is that a crime? I remember Byron Bay when it was nothing more than surf, sun, drugs and party time... surfers paradise was the same 35 years ago.. Umina Beach like so many other coastal towns is coming of age.. There are lovely beach side cafes' and some fab restaurants. The movie theatre is beautiful ... has personality not like the huge mall cinema complexes.. The beach here is beautiful and dog friendly. The boutique like shopping is on the increase and for me a much nicer experience than a sterile Mall. Saturday mornings the Shopping Centre is a hive of activity only down side is there is a lot of traffic but not road rage.! People are warm and friendly, You actually get to know your butcher your baker and your news agent. It is a pleasure to belong to a community that cares.. One can walk down the street and stop and chat about nothing in particular ... lived all over Sydney never had that once... It does need the roads upgraded big time but I am sure given time this too will happen.. Roads cost a lot of money. More and more development is going on and plans to Mall the main shopping Centre will only add to Umina's charm. I moved to NZ and I came back I missed Umina so much. It is home and I love it.

Great for

  • Friendly
  • Great community spirit
  • Close to Sydney
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Fresh air
1
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Umina: Reputation vs Reality"

Umina has a reputation for drugs etc and the area being Central Coast's Mt Druitt. Let me just say that only people who have not lived here (or Mt Druitt) call it that. I am from the Coast, moved to Sydney and have now moved with my family to Umina. There are problems all over the Coast, as there is problems all over Sydney and to think otherwise is naive. The majority of people in Umina seem to be elderly people, and when crime does occur here, it is usually perpetrated by people who do not live here, but are from Sydney or other parts of the Coast. It is very rare to find a crime done in Umina is by a local resident. My advice is to subscribe to Brisbane Water LAC on Facebook as they will give updates on anything that takes place in and around the Coast. The good thing about an investment property here is that prices have steadily been on the rise, we have noticed a huge increase in prices in the past 12 months. However, keep in mind, the rental may not be as high as other places, so you would need to weigh all of that up. I personally like living here as the pace, facilities, people are all great. The people I chat to (but may not know) when I am in the cafes or shops are all very nice. I find it ironic that a lot of the people I chat to in cafes or when walking my dog on the beach are from Pearl Beach (way out of my price range!) and yet they all come to Umina to walk the beach or eat at the cafes. Plus we have Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Bunnings, etc. Yes, you will get some people who hate Umina, but keep in mind that it is because of their personal experience, and we don't know what they are like, generally. Its like looking at TripAdvisor. if there is one person who hates a hotel, weigh that up against all the other people who write reviews about loving it. Maybe the one person who hated it just had a one off bad experience, or is just a whinger. Personally, I think its lovely, with a lovely beach, nice people and I have never experienced crime or feelings of being unsafe. Both my girls love it and love the fact that they can go to the beach every afternoon (and mornings if they got up early enough....but thats another story). We were living on the North Shore, so its stupid to say that people who like it here must not have lived in nicer areas. In the end, what are you looking for? With anything, do your homework and you should be fine.
Keep in mind that if it was such a dreadful place, why are there so many holiday makers, holiday homes and why is tourist season so incredibly busy? No one wants to go on holidays to be fearful or be concerned about crime, drugs, etc.

Great for

  • Beach side suburb at a low price (so far)
  • Close to Sydney
  • Has a beach
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Fresh air

Not great for

  • Tourist season is super busy
  • No department stores nearby. You need to travel to Erina for them.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Beach Lovers
5
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Great place to raise a family"

Umina Beach is an hour on the train to Sydney and a world away from the hussle and bustle. People still wave as they drive by, show courtesy in their cars, their are no traffic lights, the kids play cricket in the street and lots of those things that we remember from our child hood are still previlant in Umina Beach (I am 45).
Their is youth problems, their is unemployment, their is crime, but remember its a community not heaven, of course their will still be community concerns and problems.
To sum it up, I can bushwalk 1 klms to my right, surf 1 klms in front of me, fish and sail 2 klms left of me and waterski 2 klms behind me as I write this review. I know my neighbours names, constantly have to stop for kids playing whatever in my street as I drive home, can read every sign and shop front in my area however I can still be at Central station quicker than Penrith, Windsor, Cambelltown, Sutherland or Avalon.

Great for

  • Great sporting community
  • Close to Sydney
  • Has a beach
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Fresh air

Not great for

  • Poor stormwater drainage in some streets, be careful of flooding.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Hipsters
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
2
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Never Again"

A very disadvantaged area, with way too many centrelink dependents, Sadly due to the culture, not likely to change to soon. The schools in the area all have tremendously bad bullying problems and the staff at the schools appear to have given up. I strongly recommend looking elsewhere away from the peninsula if considering moving to the central coast as in this area you will find addicts sleeping in your backyard(as I did many times in the 5 years I lived there) and crime is high; two of my friends were assaulted in the street/ beaches for no reason. sad as it is a beautiful part of the world, I would steer clear. I am so glad I moved.

Great for

  • Close to Sydney
  • Has a beach
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Fresh air

Not great for

  • Very rough primary schools
  • High crime
  • Disadvantaged area
  • Poor stormwater drainage in some streets, be careful of flooding.
  • Rough high schools, a long way to travel to a good one.
  • Some bogans.

Who lives here?

  • Singles
  • Beach Lovers
0
MofccM

Where are Centrelink dependants living these days seriously? Most highschool teachers have a hard time in highschools not just this area, what world are you living in? This is reality everywhere.
Assults happen everywhere too never seen anything like you have suggested and I've lived here 14 years and friends with older and younger generations. Perhaps it was the company you were keeping.

kmy

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I have not had the same issues as you over the past three years and can only say that perhaps you just have a lot of bad luck. My friend I have lived in parts of Sydney, in the blue Mountains, and on the south coast and would live in Umina Beach any day over these other places.

PhilM

What a load of rubbish, I have lived here for 31 years and never experienced one of those issues, I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU WERE LIVING.

MichaelH12

I moved half way around the world to live here . Top spot

haleyj

What a load of garbage lol
I've lived here my whole life and never experienced such things!
Umina is a gorgeous place.
Definitely not a disadvantaged area, and the rental and property market reflects that.
The schools are fabulous, with families on waiting lists to get their child into Umina Primary School because of it's wonderful reputation.
The community spirit here is like nothing you will find anywhere else.
The high crime rate is a load of garbage too.
Good riddance to you Mr negative.
I'm upset reading this, because I love my town and everyone here!
Go Umina! lol

gregp5

So Tom, where did you move to? Back to Mount Druitt?
Crime (assault & theft) is actually lower than the NSW average: http://crimetool.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/bocsar/
The teachers are some of the most passionate people i have ever met.

Ross Buckingham
Ross Buckingham

Mabye you shouldn't let your friends sleep in your back yard.This is a great place and even better now that you moved

danc26

Im planning to move there from Mt Druitt. Just curious about how easy it is to get on up there.

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Sydneys most Northern Beach!"

Moved here from Sydney in 1984 and have never regretted it. I am a local Real Estate Agent since 2000 and have sold hundreds of homes to very happy purchasers. I find alot of the negativity and stigma that is attached to the Peninsula in general is from Sydney siders that have never actually visited the area, yet voice their opinions loudly to their friends and family on reasons "why not to buy in Umina Beach". Well take it from me as a true local, the beaches are second to none, the dining is top notch and the locals are more friendly and responsive than those of any Sydney suburbs I have visited. Don't listen to outsiders, come and experience Umina Beach for yourself, it is only an hour away.

Great for

  • Close to Sydney
  • Has a beach
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Fresh air

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
1
JustMe-

We've bought a holiday place in Umina...We have a teenage to young adult family. Every time we come up we love it more!!...and we come from the more expensive parts of Sydney!...It's like a little seaside town...The beach is amazing... The cafes, the movies, the markets at Ettalong...All in walking distance (we like to walk ;-D ) It has a town experience - Not a city one. There are a lot of 'better' suburbs in Sydney that I wouldn't/nor would I want my family walking around after dark. A great place with a friendly and slower pace...I love it!!

haleyj

Welcome :D

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Umina Gold - Close to Sydney but a lifestyle away, with beautiful beaches and nature."

Friendly community, sun, sand, family fun, lifestyle. The vast majority of people here are wonderful and Umina primary is a fantastic school!

Great for

  • Great community
  • Out of the rat race
  • Close to Sydney
  • Has a beach
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Fresh air

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Beach Lovers
2
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Surrounded by National Parks and waterways"

I've been holidaying in Umina for the last 10 years and moved here permanently 3 years ago. I'm very happy with the decision. It's quiet but has all the facilities a young family wants and is the best place on the Coast to commute to Sydney from, due to the train service and close access to the F3, as well as the Palm Beach ferry.

The CBD has a some excellent restaurants as well as supermarkets and specialty shops. There are mostly young families and retirees here so the nightlife is not exactly happening although the Ocean Beach hotel has a nice bistro and beer garden.

There's an amazing playground at the beach, as well as a skate ramp and bbq's.

Situated in between Brisbane Waters and the Hawkesbury River. Palm Beach is 20 minutes away by ferry and there are many secluded fishing and camping spots a short drive away, whether by boat or car.

Prices have risen over the past year or 2, but they're still about the same as the peak prices paid in 2003-04. It is relatively good value when compared to Sydney, which has had recent price rises. Anything that comes on the market sells quickly. A number of hard to sell properties have recently been bought and these signs indicate prices are about to rise soon.

Although it is 90 kms to Sydney by road, it's only about 60kms by train to Sydney from Woy Woy. So, it should be quicker to get to Sydney by train than by car. Unfortunately, the hour long trip to Central Station was increased to 80 minutes about 10 years ago to reduce track maintenance costs, or something. So, the trains are now slower than the steam trains used to be. I find the talk of a fast train 20 years in the future hard to believe, when they can't get the existing service running to it's potential.

As for Bogans, yes there are some. I grew up living in an ex boarding house in Mosman in the 80's that used to accommodate drunks until my parents bought it for about $80,000. Manly at the time had bikies and drugs and a bad name, too. 30 years later and look at them now. Over time, the people change but the natural beauty remains. It's very obvious to me that Umina is changing now.

Great for

  • Free parking everywhere
  • Great primary schools
  • Has a beach
  • Close to Sydney
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Fresh air

Not great for

  • No local private high schools
  • No department stores nearby. You need to travel to Erina or West Gosford although there's Kmart, Best & Less etc at Woy Woy.
  • Some bogans.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
3
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Umina a good investment"

We bought a two-bed cottage in Umina in 2008 as an investment. Very run down so we got it very cheaply, renovated -- and ended up getting $30 more a week in rental than we were expecting. Its a beautiful beautiful area, and people do want a quality house to live in. (Slumlords take note!) We were up there a lot while we were renovating, and the neighbours were wonderful, the locals friendly, and everyone you talk to honestly thinks they live in godzone. Only an hour and 15 minutes to Sydney, and a 10 minute walk to the beach. We can't believe it's still so cheap.

Great for

  • Has a beach
  • Close to Sydney
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Fresh air
  • Good people
  • Has running water
  • Lots of creative spirits

Not great for

  • Some bogans.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Hipsters
  • Beach Lovers
3
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Haven for creativity and getting back to whats important"

After a life in sydney, corporate world - busy all the time and a family i never got to give the best of myself too - we made a last ditch move to umina, firstly renting our sydney home out for a year and renting here, after a month I knew I was not going back.

I walk with my kids to the beach most afternoons, we kick ball if we dont swim, weve lost 25 kilos between us, my wife has given up work and is giving our kids some grounding, I am working 4 days a week (instead of always been plugged in and doing 10 hr days.

There is a free and fresh lifesytle outside of the city and i encourage everyone to live life as you should - for yourself and your loved ones, break out of the rat race, grow some vegies, take some time out to smell the ocean and live a little.

We catch the ettalong ferry (a hr trip) our for dinner on week nights if we want a sydney resturant, there is nothing like getting on the ferry when your full and then jumping into bed with the ocean air.

Our artist friends who are not married and iin their early 30s have just moved 4 streets away and said for them they have time to be creative, money to buy supplies, and inspiration like never before.

this is the life, dont be afraid to chose it. I simply cannot believe its is still this affordable to live on the beach this close to sydney. From Newtown to the beach front in one swoop

Love it!!

Great for

  • Fresh air
  • Good people
  • Lots of creative spirits
  • Has a beach
  • Close to Sydney
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Beach Lovers
2
Ivonne

Hi there, I'm a single mum with 2 young kids. I live in Sydney Northern beaches and love it! but thinking about moving to Umina beach for cheaper real state.... I am concer about 2 things... some people say that umina beach has very rough schools? true? Also, I'm a bookeeper sole trader I think there should be work for me, but wonder how do you see the market there? thank you :)

haleyj1

The schools are terrific, Ivonne. Umina Primary School in particular has a very good reputation. The property market has been booming here for a while now too.

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Waterland Paradise & great for families or couples"

Umina Beach is a great place to live with great waterways to explore. We live in a nice street with friendly people. Umina's property prices have risen in the last few years mainly because there is a demand to move into the area, rents are high for decent housing again due to the demand of people wishing to live in the area,so if you're a investor there are good returns on rentals.We have seen a drop in trouble makers in the area maybe because they can't afford to live in the area anymore & have moved. Lots of new development a new Woolworth's store which has given West St a lift, Bilo has been extended & is now a Coles, Aldi has started work on it's new store to be completed 2012, McDonald's is to be built on Ocean Beach Rd next to Woollies petrol station.There is a new mall to be built corner of Ocean beach Rd & Lone Pine this well give this corner a much needed lift.
3 million dollars has been spent on a new park development for families near the beach & is packed every weekend. Lots of activities for kids to keep them busy Nippers is on every Sunday in Summer & is great for children to learn to read the surf & save lives while doing fun activites. The local swim center is the best outside of Sydney so we're very lucky to have such a great facility & we use this pool every second day to keep fit & joined the local swim club on every Friday night. In winter there are a wide range of sports for children to play & keep fit so there is no reason for them to roam the streets. All in All a great place to live & soo close to Sydney.

Great for

  • Close to Sydney
  • Lots of great bush walks with great views
  • Everything you need to have a great life
  • Has a beach

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
0
Ivonne

Hi there, I'm from Sydney Norther beaches. I'm thinking to move to Umina Beach with my 2 kids. Some people say school is rough there? What do you think? How about high school? How do teenagers find it? Is it boring? my kids are still young but wonder as it is a big change... Many thanks!!

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Great Place to live"

The waterways that surround Umina make it the best place to live on the Central Coast. Umina has a great beach & if you're luck enough to own a boat then the places to explore are never ending. you can explore the Brisbane waterways, Ettalong, Pretty Beach, Pearl Beach, Hawkesbury River, over to Palm Beach, Pittwater Broken Bay & Patonga. Restaurants in the area cater for food lovers with every type of cusine catered for. We moved to the area 2 yrs ago & will never leave.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
0
Ivonne

Hi there, is school rough there? How do teenagers find the place?

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"A Green & Blue Haven is that of Greenhaven..."

Umina Heights Hillside is the place to be - on top of the world looking out to sea. Situated looking out over a lovely green, leafy vista with ocean blue views - this particular area is tranquility at it's very best. A hillside community with an extremely strong Neighbourhood Watch - if you are after a super quiet, peaceful, safe and neighbourly (family/retiree) area in Umina Beach, the hillside is the place to be. Close enough to the glorious sands of Umina Beach (15 minute leisurely flat walk) plus all that is available in the Umina Beach Shopping Precinct, but feels like a million miles away once up amongst the gum trees. A green and blue haven is that of Greenhaven.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
1
kmy

Absolutely agree, but I also live on that Road. What a place!

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

"Great beachside living!"

Umina Beach is a great place to live. It gets a bit busy in tourist season but you can still always find a quiet spot on the beach. You have pretty much everything you need here and because it is mostly flat it is easy to walk or ride anywhere. South Umina where I live is definately the best place to live (besides maybe Umina Heights) as it is close to the beach, very leafy and quiet but is only a 10 to 15 minute walk to the school or main street. If you have children and are thinking of moving here then make sure you move into the Umina Public school zone, it is by far the best primary school on the Peninsula!

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
2
beez2011

No offense to some of the good people who live in Umina but I have to agree with DP. Umina is a rough suburb. The people who think otherwise are people who probably have never lived in nicer areas to make a comparison. I lived in Chatswood for 39 years until '06 and thought mullets were part of the '80s until I moved up here. Sometimes it is like a time warp back to the '70s even. I would not venture out in Umina after 9 pm and the mount druitt by the sea cliche is fairly correct. I too try to keep to myself as much as possible up here as there is a big downtrodden mentality up here (not by everyone, but many) who seem to dislike anything that at least a million people 80 km south think is good. Especially do not move here if you have even the slightest interest in anything creative, or you like seeing good looking girls. On the up side the beaches are nice and there is sometimes a friendliness that you don't get in Sydney.

RealLife

beez2011 move back to Chatswood. It just amazes me that people will live in a place then complain about it. If I'm not happy I do something about it, but I guess you complained a lot in Chatswood too.

offgreenfx

There has quite obviously been a lot of trolling on this page, but it seems to be ok now. At the end of the day I moved here from Ryde which IS a nice part of Sydney. The Peninsula is a beautiful place. Natural beauty is everywhere, the climate is good and overall even though the area is getting busier it is still quieter than the rat race that most of Sydney has become. You can always get a free park at the beach, shops etc, and you are never more than 5 minutes from any number of waterways living on the Peninsula. The public transport here is also better than most other areas on the Central Coast.

On the flip side, the area does have bogans, as do all areas particularly where there is cheap property. The more decent people though who keep seeing the value in this area, and how great it is, the more these types are being pushed out, which is definitely happening right now. I will say personally though I've never had a problem here (Touch Wood) but I think as long as you don't go looking for trouble you will be fine as with nearly everywhere.

fjmcl

I moved to this area from Meadowbank last year due to skyrocketing Sydney rents.

I agree with the above and I can only see improvements coming.I'm meeting a lot of decent, friendly people and slowly getting used to some of the others here . Overall I'm enjoying it here,especially the natural scenery. I only wish I didn't need to commute to Central for work and we do need more medical services here.

PS Chatswood has definitely gone downhill since the 70s. I would never live on the North Shore again.

happynic

We live in Bondi and have a holiday home in Umina. We have been going there at least once a month for the past three years. The place is the best kept secret - absolute haven of peace and tranquilityand such an easy drive / train ride from Sydney.
The locals are consistently more friendly and relaxed than back in Bondi. I don't walk home from the beach late at night in Bondi and I wouldn't look for trouble by doing that in Umina either. We have had no safety issues.
The development has been astonishing. There are great restaurants in the area including Pearl Beach, Ettalong and Hardy's Bay. We have meant to enjoy the nature parks but are usual too relaxed enjoying the gorgeous beach, good food and movies round the corner. We look forward to spending a great deal more time in Umina after retirement.

Ivonne

Hi! I heard school is rough in Umina is that true? I also heard you have to drive far to find a good secondary school? is that true? Many thanks :)

NaomiM

I lived in chatswood for many many years and you know I never got to know anyone. Here I walk down the main street and it takes twice as long because one stops to chat even if it is just about the weather. I have lived in Mosman and you want to see a drug and Alcohol problem go there it is rife.. Like anywhere in the world you go there will be your undesirable but as property developers have seen the potential of the peninsula this is changing. I think Umina is one of the best kept secrets until now!

NaomiM

I go to bed at night and leave my ranch sliders open to hear the surf crashing on the shore, never lock my front door, leave the windows open and have never felt unsafe here. The locals are true Aussie (would give you the shirt of their backs) something that was lost in Sydney a long long time ago. If you are going through a rough time the boys at the local with pass the hat around that is a place to be proud of even if some of them still have a mullet.. A good hair do don't make you a better person!

JK18

@RealLife People come on these sites for a balanced view of good and bad. If you can't let someone speak & insult them because you don't agree with there view or opinion. Then I suggest your the one that's in the wrong.

SoyL

Hi I moved from bondi to woy woy. And there is good reason why houses are 4 times cheaper. No jobs. No public transport. No good schools. No higher end shops. No nightlife. Etc....

haleyj

Then go back to Bondi lol

haleyj

I've lived here my whole life and have never had a problem with employment or public transport.
When I've gone to visit relatives in Sydney's Hills district (which is quite an affluent area) THAT was another world to me.
People screaming out car windows, young Arabic men making hand gestures and generally just making me uncomfortable.
I don't know how anyone could live anywhere in Sydney. It stinks, it's noisy and over populated, terrible traffic...
There's a horror story on the news every night about stabbings, shootings, terrorism..
If you can be amongst all that and then come to our little beach side town and have a whinge because there's a few bogans and you don't like their hairstyles? lol

That's crazy.
The community spirit here is like nothing you will ever find anywhere else.
Yes, we are a bit bogan - but who doesn't love an Aussie bogan? lol
There are also a lot of wealthy people who live here too, and average families with kids.
It just comes down to whether or not your a laid back person, who loves the beach, a yarn with your neighbour or your local Butcher, and whether you have your head up your solid plate gold bottom.
Umina is a laid back, beach side community and people from all walks of life live here (including bogans), but as you can see by reading the comments, we are fiercely proud and protective of our town, and we all look out for one another here.
If that doesn't make for a great place to live, I don't know what does.

offgreenfx

Umina, Ettalong, Blackwall and Booker Bay are all fantastic areas. It is the best part of the Central Coast. Close enough to Sydney to commute and even see parts of Sydney from the beaches, and yet far enough away to be peaceful, laid back and be non pretentious. This area is growing leaps and bounds ahead of what it used to be. Fantastic cafe's are everywhere, there is good public transport, shops are getting better and there is some great food to be had. Woy Woy can be rough and unappealing, however Umina has really become the hub of the Peninsula and has a great vibe.

offgreenfx

larao1 you do realise these posts are from about 3 years ago. I don't even personally like Umina much anymore. Get a life.

offgreenfx

I'm getting emails that someone is responding to my posts you clown. Not to mention I made 2 posts on the entire page including saying Umina had bogans, but you've spammed the page with about 5 posts in the space of an hour. Like I said, I don't even care about Umina, things change and the place has gotten worse and worse with crime over the years. Get over yourself and realise whether people like or hate the place is up to them. I'm out!

The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report

Best rated streets in Umina Beach

Unranked streets in Umina Beach

Tell people about Umina Beach

How would you rate Umina Beach overall?

Write your Review