Originally Posted by rabble_rouser

My opinion of the Central Coast is that it is a dump.

Originally Posted by Beoz

I can't really comment on the money part as people equip themselves differently, but my little patch of garden 9 km from the city and 5 mins to the beach, which started life as a patch of barren dirt is now thriving, even in the drought riddled times. Not sure why I didn't do this earlier but on the back of new water restriction laws coming this week I set up an irrigation system relatively cheaply with all the bits from Bunnings. Its either a watering can or drip irrigation system from tomorrow

I was going to go the cheapo lot ordered in from China which you can pick up for about $30 for about 30 metres of the main piping with all the extra smaller pipes. elbows, drippers, etc, but I wasn't sure on the quality, and if I need extra bits, such as piping elbows, I can get back to Bunnings. Pop in a time, set it for 15 minutes a day, job done.

Sydney and the Central Coast doesn't see too many 38 degree days, especially if you are living near the coast, so just don't garden on those odd days. (bit of an exaggeration on your behalf I guess).

Originally Posted by Beoz

Which bit are you referring too? I do agree, places like Gosford, Umina, Woy Woy, etc are. But on the flipside, places like Pearl Beach, Avoca, etc are exceptionally nice.

However the travel to Sydney for work would wear you down very quickly. I think the fastest train from Gosford to Central is 1 hour 20. Then there's the travel at either end. Not for me.

Originally Posted by rabble_rouser

If you are working in Sydney CBD, pretty much a flat in the Northern Beaches is the only option on your low budget. You can catch the ferry to work.
Are you sure you need a garden? Gardening is not pleasant here, like it is in England.
Maintaining a garden here is brutal and expensive, you will curse yourself every weekend you have to mow the lawn at 38c.
A balcony with some container plants is a better option.

Originally Posted by Beoz

Which bit are you referring too? I do agree, places like Gosford, Umina, Woy Woy, etc are. But on the flipside, places like Pearl Beach, Avoca, etc are exceptionally nice.

However the travel to Sydney for work would wear you down very quickly. I think the fastest train from Gosford to Central is 1 hour 20. Then there's the travel at either end. Not for me.

Originally Posted by rabble_rouser

With a couple exceptions that arent enough to lift it up, its one thing driving up to those places on a day trip and saying its "ok", it wont be the same to live there.

Originally Posted by elbow271

Originally Posted by rabble_rouser

That's Australia in a nutshell. The nice places with reasonable commute times to decent paid jobs are enormously expensive. True everywhere but especially true in Australia. There's really no such thing as a "good deal" anymore.
I spent some time living in Port Stephens right on the beach, then moved to Newcastle last year, I did lots of day trips around the Lake as well. If you can get a good job around there its far better (in general) than the Central Coast.
Some people may have considered me very lucky living the "dream" there. Having said that the area and climate wasn't working for me and I opted for voluntary redundancy and cached in my chips and took a job in Adelaide.

I'd even take Brisbane over the Central Coast.

Originally Posted by elbow271

Originally Posted by rabble_rouser

Its sort of nice, but has huge downsides. Some people love it there.The whole place is deadbeat in a way that cannot be expressed, it must be experienced. The whole beach thing grows quite depressing, which is completely at odds with expectations, which just makes it do damn odd because who could possibly think that? A decent place for a weeks holiday, but not somewhere to live unless you have strong connections there. Climate is also awfully overated there. Its clammy when hot and clammy when cold. It made me feel on edge always.

Originally Posted by moneypenny20

I've no idea why people are doing it but please can you stop with the edited fonts. The default works for every single other post on every single other thread over the past 16 years, there's no need to change it. Many thanks.

Originally Posted by elbow271

Originally Posted by elbow271

I guess there's the function to use it so people like to use those options?

Originally Posted by rabble_rouser

Yes it really does doesnt it. Thats the east coast.
I think beach plus reasonable commute are more important to you than garden so id look for a small place. You can get a tiny place in northern beaches but at least have a beach, reasonable commute and its not totally deadbeat.

I havent lived south though I have heard it said you could do ok that way if you ride a motorcycle.