mandrake51

There is no one Nowra, there is South, North, East and West and the CBD. Each are different from each other - different types of housing and cost, different schools, different people. Avoid East Nowra - be warned that it has become hard to find a house labelled "East Nowra". It can be called Nowra, Worrigee or South Nowra, such is the reputation of East Nowra. North Nowra is where a lot of young families live with good schools, but not much to do and a poor range of shops. South Nowra is where you find all the new estates, with an endless range of Macdonald mansions. Good if you are starting out and want the biggest bang for your buck. It also has the large appliance shops and Bunnings. Central Nowra has some beautiful heritage houses that have been lovingly restored - quite cheap too compared to Berry or the beach suburbs. It also has a decent range of shops, cafes and public amenities such as the Roxy Cinema. A good compromise between the regional towns and villages further away. With the new freeway opening in 2022, Nowra Bridge in 2025 and a new hospital it will become more popular as an escape from Sydney that is within easy reach of some great beaches.

There are 2 Lake Circuits. One goes from the shops and then turns into Penguin Heads Rd - that is the busy one. The other Lake Circuit starts at the fantastic café and wanders around to the lake. It is the the peaceful one. A nice wide road, with large green verges and plenty of space between the houses. Out of holiday times, it is a peaceful oasis, with nothing to hear except for the bird songs and the waves crashing on the beach.

Remember when you were a kid and the whole family would head off for a few weeks for a beach holiday? Well you can relive the experience at Culburra Beach. Nothing fancy, just plenty of great beaches, a large lake and open spaces to enjoy. Don't go if you're looking for lots of trendy cafes and shops. It has a basic shopping centre (includes Woolies), a good bowling club and 2 great op shops. The streets are wide with large green verges - no MacDonald houses here in cramped little roads! You'll relax as soon as you drive in.

Kiama was a pretty country town with the main industries being farming, quarrying and fishing. Years ago Sydney discovered Kiama and the town slowly became a tourist mecca. While the natural beauty is still there - the surf, great beaches, beautiful countryside, the character and heritage of Kiama is quickly becoming destroyed and the village atmosphere lost with traffic jams and no parking. More and more heritage buildings are being pulled down, so enormous monolithic 1 bedroom rentals, can swamp the town. Great for a visit, but just becoming another suburban ghetto, filled with cafes, tourist and dress shops.