cms72

I'm emigrating to Australia early next year. I'm considering Wollongong as a possible location. Want to be near Sydney, (but not in Sydney as too expensive!). Can anybody recommend any nice areas to live? Not too expensive, quiet, lots of parks/reserves/open spaces for cycling & dog walking? Near a high school for the teenager, near a hospital for the midwife! Don't want to be too secluded - need cafes, bars, restaurants, shops for days off and socialising! And definitely near a beach (dog friendly) & lots of sunshine !!

Will I find all this in one place?? Would appreciate any thoughts/advice, & am open to suggestions

Thanks Clare

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Port Kembla?

...and this pics really are of the same place !!

iamthecreaturefromuranus

All of Wollongong is near a beach. The Illawarra is know as the place where the mountains meet the sea. As a result all the housing is in a narrow strip down the coast. Wollongong shopping isn't great in my opinion and its not huge on 'cafe culture'. It's primarily a blue collar city. Some parts of the city are OK to live, Figtree, Farnborough Heights seem OK. Suburbs North and South of the city are worth looking at, but if you need to be near Sydney then its really only the Northern suburbs ... they are more expensive because of their proximity to Sydney. Places like Austinmer, Bulli, Thirroul and the surrounding suburbs.

Red_V_Roger

Ah yes, you can see the steel works from Shellharbour....often admire it when I am having a beer in the Ocean Beach Pub.

mohogony

All you need to know about Wollongong
http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Wollongong

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Found a new toy?