TrevorB4

In 2015 we moved to Cooranbong, and my one regret is that I wish had done it years earlier. We have a couple of acres but are within walking distance of Cooranbong shops and less than 10 mins from both Morisset and Dora Creek. Our little girl loves the local public school, it's like a country school with the best principal we have ever come across. I can't comment on the local high school because I have had no involvement with it, we are still deciding where to choose for our daughter when the time comes.

My wife and I hail from Sydney, and we love restaurants and eating out. We have found really good Italian, Thai, Indian, Chinese and of course seafood options. You won't get the sheer volume of restaurants that you get in Sydney, and it takes a bit of research, but there are hidden gems. Sadly, we have not found a Vietnamese restaurant yet. My wife is an Aldi fan so she goes to Toronto (18 mins away) but there are supermarkets in Morisset. Also Westfield is about 20 mins south and Kotara is about 30 mins North.

Being so close to Lake Macquarie (about 10 minutes) is fantastic, you get the lake breezes in the afternoon, and it has also enabled us to buy a boat and keep it moored on the lake. It's a fraction of the price of Sydney Harbour and not so crowded. On the other side of Cooranbong are the Watagans, and I think that Cooranbong being between the two contributes to the great climate and the overall lush green look of the place. We are not religious so I was a bit worried about that, because it is a big SDA area, but the people have been really friendly.

It's only 5km to Dora Creek train station or Morisset is also close.

I think the area is changing, there are some large housing estates being built, but for now this place is still a paradise.