natad13

My Partner and I plan to buy our own home soon and this is def one of the subburbs we would love to live in.

The Pros:
1. We LOVE the long paths and cycle facilities. We often walk the dogs/ride bikes around the lake and love it so much!
2. The parks are great, good BBQ and table facilities, great playgrounds - neat, clean, family friendly. A great place to raise kids
3. The homes are reasonaly priced and the people are nice
4. Loads of resturants near by - not at long jetty itself there a few cafes) but the entrance is great for dining out (just a few mins away) as well as terrigal and avoca (not far away either)
5. Shops are close. You have Bay Village and Erina not too far away, also lakehaven and tuggerah (20 mins away).
6. The beaches are so close (coastal town), Norah Head all the way down to terrigal. these are not too far, includes shelly beach.
7. There are things to do, everything from water sports, cycling, walking, ten pin bowling, put put golf, (normal Golf), as well as swimming, sunbaking.
8. Its the centre of great places, beaches, shops, schools and offers a great lifestyle.

The downsides are:
1. not as many medical facilities as some suburbs
2. Public Trnasport is pretty low (but i drive so it does not bother me)
3. The main st shops are a bit run down (not all are occupied and some are run down) - not all though

Overall the people are friendly, its central to fantastic facilities, clean, neat and safe. I would love to live here.

Terrigal Is a really nice beachside town that really offers outdoor living.

The advantages:
1. Its beautiful Beaches and Parks
2. Many shops and Cafes (Close to Erina also)
3. Clean and Neat
4. Pleanty of "outdoorsy" things to do like climbing the skillion, water activities (boating, skiing), running and walking (parks and oval), loads of swimming etc.
5. Nice homes, n=most are renovated and modern
6. Happy atmosphere

Could be better qualities:
1. The road in and out (there is only one) and its congested at peak times
2. It can be expensive
3. Its very "Yuppie" (as in people come to the cafes for a latte just to be seen there) - the community spirit lacks a little.
4. Its a major holiday destination (and that a good thing for business) but if you live there it can become crowded in holidays and summer time.
5. If it is holiday and summer time (esp weekends) say goodbye to easy parking.

All that aside, i think it a beautiful place to live. I cannot afford it myself, but i go there often and i love it. Id move there with no hesitation.

I have lived in Gorokan my whole life (grew up here). I have attended their schools, used its transport etc. The pros of gorokan:
1. Close to shops (lakehaven, tuggerah, bateau bay)
2. Close to beach (esp if you have your own car)
3. Fairly cheap homes (cheap rent too)
4. Loads of public transport (busses, trains, but not so much taxis)
5. Loads of food options, takeway options, resturants close by (surrounding subburbs)
6. Lots of schools, both public and private. (Some a rougher than others)

Not so good qualities
1. Vandalism is increasing and crime (i have seen bins, fences and caravans lit on fire recently), a car was stolen in my street, loads of "tagging private and public property"
2. Run down areas (not much pathways, renovated nice homes) a lot of older homes not cared for.
3. STAY AWAY from Gorokan Drive and close by streets
4. lots of noise and traffic
5. not many trustworthy people in Gorokan
6. I dont like the pollution and smell of the lake (on occasions)
7. taxis are hard to get and expensive (it cost me over $20 to get a cab 5k's) and it was late
8. Medical facilities are so/so. Doctors (GP's) are expensive and very very overcrowded. You will need to book in weeks in advance to see a doctor (most do not bulk bill). Wyong Hospital is not fully equipped but its not bad, Gosford is better. If you want specialists you will need to go to Gosford, Newcastle or Sydney.
9. The local government does nothing for "lower class areas" like Gorokan, Charmhaven, Toukley etc. The roads have loads of potholes, no guttering in most areas, no pathways.
10. If you want parks, cycle tracks or pet exercise areas i recommend a 20-30 minute drive to surrounding "better" areas.

Overall View: Not bad for retirees, single parents, first home buyers, low income earners etc. Not recommended for families with a bit of wealth, expecting more for their money.