Can anyone tell me what it's like here? For a family with primary school aged kids. Is the beach near? It looks it on google? Would it be dull after living in Mel or Sydney?

Any tips on rentals or price guides although have looked at realestate...

thanks

pp xx

Honest opinion? Don't do it.

It's small town Australia by the sea. Great for a couple of days holiday, but not long-term. It's the sort of place you have to have lived in for 40 years before you're considered a local.

It does have lovely beaches and lakes nearby but the biggest shop would probably be KMart. And there's not even anything much further afield. Nearest towns are Taree (not the nicest country town) and Port Macquarie (a bigger version of Foster). When your kids grow up they'd have to leave town if they want any kind of education or career.

Not a bit like Sydney and Melbourne..

Hi, my dad lives in Halliday Point, which is not far from Tuncurry/ Forster. Lovely to visit and have a break, but i wouldnt want to live there. We have been to visit several times. Some of the beaches in that area are beautiful, . There is a shopping mall and a few restaurants. . I really enjoyed my stay there and my dad loves it, but he is 60 and it is abit sleepy and like the OP pointed out in years to come would have no career prospects or opportunities for the kids.

Hmmmm thought as much prolly why they offer $$$ cos noone from Sydney?Melly really wants to go there....

Thanks thought as much

HAwks nest ...is it similar? Is there anywhere around there with redeeming qualities?

Hi My daughter, husband and two daughters age 5 and 7 live in Forster having been in Sydney previously. They love it and feel it's an ideal place to live with young children. They are certainly not worried about what might happen with the children ten years down the line. Think back to the UK. Many young people leave their small towns to go to Uni or to pursue a career so what's the difference here? It seems that most small Australian torwns are pretty similar in the social set up but isn't there something to be said for peace and quiet? Certainly don't dismiss it without taking and being sure of employment. That could be a sticking stone!
Marian and Ian

Thanks Marian and Ian, lovely to know might try to get in touch with them to ask some questions if I may? Can I PM you?

Hi Plantpot(?) Yes of course. I am sure they would be able to help. Rentals are much cheaper there (but not so plentiful) and property prices are half what they are in Sydney. They have been able to buy a house there but no way could they in Sydney!
Marian and Ian

Hey Plantpot are you getting these ideas off postcards or something?

Foster and Hawknest are definitely 2 of my favorite holiday destinations in NSW. They are absolutely beautiful small towns, although like earlier posters say probably both suffer from small town syndrome. Both are about 3 hrs drive from Sydney although they are not that far from Newcastle, I would live there myself only my there would be no demand for my occupation that far from the city.

What?.......Now I am totaly confused horse man....

Tell me more about small town syndrome? What exactly is it?

PP

bump ...anyone else?

i know lots of people in Sydney who would give their left knacker to live up there.
i know lots of people who would live anywhere to get out of Sydney.
And i know of people that moved to Forster but still worked in Sydney (work away during the week, stop in digs)
Depends what you want from life-
A nice house on the beach, uncrowded surf
River frontage home with your own jetty n speed boat
or
town house out west (Sydney) for the same price

say you wanted a nice home with a nice view, and you had half a mill to play around with


on the beach at Old Bar 4 bed, 3 bath