Irish_luck

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...!