CHRIS LAINA

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.