Easygoing67

Having lived here since 2007 it has changed quite substantially. When I first moved here over half the blocks hadn`t been built on whereas now they just about all have lovely homes on them with a nice family feel.

Lakes Entrance is a safe and welcomng place. I have stayed here quite often for extended periods of time and have always found it to be relaxing and the people are just wonderful
The housing is VERY affordable and you can get some bargains with breath taking views over Bass Strait.
Resale value is a bit ordinary but once you move there why would you want to go elsewhere ? I`m planning to retire here in the next 5 years (I`ll be 50) and can`t wait.
Christmas to Easter can be a tad over whelming but having lived on the Mornington peninsula it doesn`t even compare.
I have found the locals tend to take their annual breaks to the South coast of NSW which is only around 2.5 hours away eg. Merimbula Eden etc.
I own an investment property in Bairnsdale and will be looking in Lakes Entrance in the near future for another investment property - but this one will be special as I plan to spend the rest of my life here.

I have a rental property in West Bairnsdale which I lved in for a while whilst renovating it. Admittedly I was only there for a few weeks but what a pretty and clean city.
Never had a problem with anyone and everybody was friendly and helpful if I needed anything.
My honest opinion is that the housing is way undervalued compared to Traralgon or anything in the Valley but if you want to retire here or just want an affordable house - go for it !
The rental return on the house i purchased is great - $250 rent return on a $220`000 house is brilliant but capital growth is stagnant. My advice would be to buy something whilst the housing is affordable and sit on it for 10 years - it has to be better than stocks and shares....
I did my research on lots of towns/cities in regional Victoria over a twelve month period and Bairnsdale came up trumps !

I grew up in Somerville in the 1970`s and 1980`s and it was a lovely little town. It still is okay but It has a lot of vandalism and can be a bit scary after dark. Housing is affordable and there are still quite a few nice areas - Clarendon drive being one of them and also the Woodlands estate. Shopping centre is a vast improvement as to what it was and has quite a few nice boutique shops. I work there just about everyday now and would consider moving back but would much rather Hastings - specially for resale value. Overall good for families and close to Frankston.

I work there most days and find it a great little town. Shopping is a bit average and night life is nil. People are friendly but can be a little uppity at times but overall a great place. Great place for young families and a very safe atmosphere.

Hastings is a nice quiet town and I have a walk just about everynight and just about everyone says hello. Have lived here for ten years and still like it. Still has the odd redneck but all in all better than a lot of other places.The housing is also still affordable although like most towns on the Peninsula it is climbing at a vast pace.