NSW Where to retire?

Newcastle near the coast rarely gets above about 38 while inland near East Maitland it can get up to about 44 but only on a handful of days each year.

The new estates near Chisholm are quite nice but it's probably best to stay away from Gillieston Heights and Cliftleigh if they were on your radar. The estates near Fletcher are also quite nice and there will be a large new estate going ahead at Minmi in the next few years.

If you wanted something a little more rural there is land at Cooranbong which backs onto State Forest and the mountains. It's only 30 mins from parts of Newcastle and 30 mins to the beach plus it has a Coles and Woolies only 10 mins away.

I have friends who enjoy living at the estate in Fern Bay but it is a bit of a drive to anywhere.

 

It is a nice area and agree do your research. This might help geoffw Williamtown-map

 

Cliftleigh is probably the cheapest land that you will find in the area but it is fairly close to Kurri Kurri and Cessnock which can be a bit rough. It does seem to be a fairly quiet area though and I did consider building there at one point.

Gillieston Heights seems like a nice estate but i have a friend that lives there and she refers to it as the ghetto and is looking to move out of there. There seems to be a few bikies living in the estate and there have been a few incidents.

I guess you can get bad neighbours wherever you live though.

 

Those Fern Bay estates should be unaffected. Its the rural lands along Cabbage Tree Rd that are the concern.

Aircraft noise is surprisingly good. The runway runs East/West so most takeoffs and landings occur out to sea or approach from more inland. I grew up on a rural property outside Raymond Terrace and RAAF planes were a daily occurrence.

I would avoid Maitland/Hunter land estates. Most are forced there by affordability. The main positive about Maitland and surrounds is the rural aspect and the space that goes with it. Something you do not get in these estates.

 

Yeah - we're watching the North Stockton development closely. Wouldn't mind snaffling a block of land there when it opens up. Council are looking at extending the Newcastle ferry service to take in this new subdivision - so direct ferry into town - along with shopping centre, childcare etc.

Other than the "late 2021" reported last year - and a council strategy plan - no further news on progress

North Stockton strategy shows vision for new town centre
Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy - Port Stephens Council

 

Good you took the time to visit and check out some options. Nowra has a very diverse set of mini regions, from Mt Druitt style housing commission to classy large lot architectural homes overlooking wineries. Husky on the whole is classy but too expensive given your budget. Ulladulla has what you are after but a lot of the good stock will be at or just over your budget - not impossible but would have to work to get something special. Batemans Bay has slightly more affordable housing stock and slightly quicker Canberra access (you get used to the windy road I have done it almost weekly for the last year). The first week after the road opened I literally wept in the car the whole way it was so bad. Now the cycads and tree ferns are a riot of fluro green its much better and will improve year on year visually.

BB also a slightly lower socioeconomic feel compared to either Husky or Ulladulla, but also generally more ACT folk, is that a good thing or not from your POV?

Did you get out to Culburra? Curious.

If you find the magic blend up north, kudos and all the best, there are lots of options and there is lots of coast too of course, just need to be a little further from Sydney to get the peace and quiet. Probably hug the coast for milder climate, going inland will mean more extremes.

If you want to chat about down south, or want some specific intel buzz me anytime. I still remember your 'flock of bats' post on the old forum many yrs ago reshaping some my brain wiring... so I owe you.

 

Congrats. It really is a beautiful part of the world and, like some parts of Australia, photos really underplay that beauty which becomes immediately apparent being there in person. Only a short trip away from lovely Stockton and Newcastle. I get almost meditative thinking about it.

 

Welcome to the neighbourhood @geoffw . It's a lovely area but we try not to tell to many people about it - try to keep to ourselves a bit! lol

 

Some weeks ago, my wife and I left Sydney and headed towards BB. Dropped in Ulla, Nowra, thinking I can spend more time in a holiday home and visit the office once every 2 weeks but travelling to Sydney CBD is an issue. Saw a couple of houses in BB, Malua Bay and Catalina.

 

Tokyo

 

Good on you Geoff, I think you will love the area.
We have recently moved to Warners Bay from WA and loving it. Once you are installed, we should organise a coffee meetup? I think there may be a few others on here from this part of the world.

 

I just saw this thread. Glad you found something in your price range. It looks like a nice area, & plenty of forumites around too.

We were also looking for a place to retire to, at the beginning of the year, and went through all the same options as you. I didn't want South Coast as it's too far from medical specialists. We looked at CC and Newcastle. Then moved along to Port, but as my Mum lived there at the end of life, decided that was no good either. Air access, but it's not exactly cheap, so wanted something that was convenient for the kids to visit.

Next was Tweed Heads. Some lovely places and so very cheap, after Sydney properties, but ended up at Burleigh Waters on the GC. Went unconditional just before Covid hit. Grrrr. So timing sucked on that, and the value has gone down, but you win some & lose others. It'll go back up eventually.

The plan was to move sometime next year, as I want to sell as much of the Business assets prior to moving, so we've got tenants in at the moment. We won't be selling out of Sydney though.....just in case we want to come home.

 

Well done and congrats @geoffw - I'm sure you will be very happy with Fern Bay, loads to like about that spot! You prove that there is no need to spend millions to get a nice coastal home if you apply your creative mind to the situation! If you do come down the coast here again anytime soon buzz me on the mobile - a coffee would be great!

 

I'm not a fan of extreme heat either, but surprisingly it doesn't get as hot as it does here in Western Sydney, and like you said, it's on the coast, so that helps. Bonus for Hubby is it's on a waterway, so has a nice view.

 

@geoffw are you in the 'newer' estate or 'older' part of Fern Bay near the golf course?

 

Yeh know it well. Congratulations. I know a few people in your estate. You will love it there.