Circe

We have lived in the "break area of SH" for about three years now and find the place to be family focused and very quiet. We have young children and really feel safe with them playing in the neighbourhood, the streets are generally pretty quiet and in the evenings you can actually sit out the back and hear the surf roll in. People in the street always flick you a wave and smile or Gday which is nice these days and sadly quite rare in many areas.

There are lots of children of all ages living in SH, so obviously you have the usual banter and occasional mischief that comes from living in a suburb with lots of families but when compared to the range of other areas I have lived it really is pretty sedate. If you are after a place with lots of restaurants and a vibrant night life then I suggest SH is not the place for you, generally however most people move down here for the family aspects of life or for a beach side retirement.

The other thing which amazes me about SH is just how much free space there is down the beach. Even in the middle of summer you only have to go a few hundred yards from the central surf club area to get loads of space for yourself. For such a quality beach this is completely unprecedented in almost any metropolitan beach I have ever visited and as an avid surf enthusiast that has lived in five different cities the list is extensive.

SH is a really relaxed beach side suburb where crowds and hustle bustle are non existent. While the WA (wait a while) progress on things like restaurants and the like is frustrating from someone used to a more proactive pace of development "Over East" I would definitely recommend the suburb for families with kids or retirees who like the beachside lifestyle.