Hi folks,
The family has been shacked up in France for the past 3+ years (wife's work - long story). We will be relocating to the central coast around August. We (wife, 3 yo + fresh one due on May...crikey!) were living in Freshwater for about 8 years prior to that so have some understanding of the Central Coast are. Perhaps you have maybe gone through what we are soon to - or are a seasoned Central Coaster happy to share some info.
We are looking at maybe Blackwall or even East Gosford....or there abouts (wife will need to get train into Macquarie uni). I've surfed/kited (which I prefer) and SUP'd (out of necessity) for a while now and quite competent in all disciplines - not ripper but competent to blend in (respectfully) anywhere.
Could I humbly ask:
- Any thoughts about above locations for access to kiting/surf venues (but also need to commute to northern outskirts of Sydney)
- Anyone done the move in the last couple of years and have any advice/How have you found the central coast adjustment?
Figured it might be good to touch base with some folks to help with our planning for the big move back that sets us (er...me) up in a place where I can get some kiting/surfing in. Also good to communicate a bit before arriving for potential catch up kite/beer.
Many thanks in advance for any input/experiences and/or suggestions.
Steve
Hi Steve,
We moved from LA to the Central Coast in July last year. I am living in Wyong Creek which is about 30 min further North from where you are planning. Getting around up here is pretty easy and most kiting spots are generally 30min from wherever you are. In a Southerly typically Umina is the go. In a NE you have a number of places from Womberal up to Swansea. You have the Tuggerah lakes system which has some good kitable spots in all wind directions. All within 30min from East Gosford.
If you do have to be in Sydney often then you need to decide the trade off from the distance to the train line and the distance to the coast. I have a family of a similar age to yours and have our second due in June.
Welcome to the Coast you are going to love it up here albeit at first it will be a bit of a culture shock compared to a big metro city such as LA or Paris.
Feel free to PM me when you arrive I would be happy to show you around.
I have recently moved to the CC (to terrigal), and like yourself, I factored in proximity to kite spots as one of my deciding factors. I also work in woy woy, and with the exception of umina it is a bit of a hassle going kiting after work and trying to maximise water time due to traffic and the generally poor layout of roads here.
This is especially the case if I dont have my gear in my car and have to go home through the traffic to get it. I would probably not live at blackwall for this reason, seems like a nice spot though and would probably be fine if you dont mind spending time in the car.
I would say that gosford wouldn't be too bad of a spot for someone with your requirements, because you can easily shoot down to umina along brisbane water drve and also jump onto the motorway and cruise up north to the lakes fairly quickly.
Select to expand quotekitebt said..
Hi Steve,
We moved from LA to the Central Coast in July last year. I am living in Wyong Creek which is about 30 min further North from where you are planning. Getting around up here is pretty easy and most kiting spots are generally 30min from wherever you are. In a Southerly typically Umina is the go. In a NE you have a number of places from Womberal up to Swansea. You have the Tuggerah lakes system which has some good kitable spots in all wind directions. All within 30min from East Gosford.
If you do have to be in Sydney often then you need to decide the trade off from the distance to the train line and the distance to the coast. I have a family of a similar age to yours and have our second due in June.
Welcome to the Coast you are going to love it up here albeit at first it will be a bit of a culture shock compared to a big metro city such as LA or Paris.
Feel free to PM me when you arrive I would be happy to show you around.
Many thanks for the info kitebt. All that you have said sounds promising. It will be the/my wife who will commute but I will be playing "Mr. Mom a bit and try and pick up a few days a week work on the CC region. So, looking at closer to Woy Woy or Gosford station for her sake (happy wife, happy wife).
We have been living in a little village in France so I'd say the CC will be a step up - socially/communicative etc.
Again, many thanks for taking the time for a response - and offer of a catch up....
P.S. Assume by "LA" you mean in the US of A? Spent a bit of time down that way in the past. Even did a semester for uni at SDSU......but mostly San Diego way and a few months in surf city/HB. 6 flags was the best thing ever.....cheers.
Select to expand quoteCJ2478 said..
I have recently moved to the CC (to terrigal), and like yourself, I factored in proximity to kite spots as one of my deciding factors. I also work in woy woy, and with the exception of umina it is a bit of a hassle going kiting after work and trying to maximise water time due to traffic and the generally poor layout of roads here.
This is especially the case if I dont have my gear in my car and have to go home through the traffic to get it. I would probably not live at blackwall for this reason, seems like a nice spot though and would probably be fine if you dont mind spending time in the car.
I would say that gosford wouldn't be too bad of a spot for someone with your requirements, because you can easily shoot down to umina along brisbane water drve and also jump onto the motorway and cruise up north to the lakes fairly quickly.
Thanks CJ. Your comment of Gosford over Blackwall for maximising kite time is tremendously appreciated. I've explained to wife (as she will be doing the commute 3-4 days to Macquarie uni), even though Gosford is a few minutes longer on the train each day she'll get more chance of a regular seat - due to already being on before the Woy Woy masses. That was exactly the type of insider tip I was hoping for - sincere thanks. If there was any other suburbs that you suggest - within reach of Gosford station - I'd be most interested in your suggestions.
Am doing the rounds online to determine what suburb will be overall best - most blogs/forums just take "living", in a general sense, into the equation (good/bad areas/best for families/costs etc - no surf/kite relationship). So, Im trying to "mesh" their perspectives and input those you guys can offer. Hopefully then I can make a good informed decision of where to set ourselves up.
Thanks again.
Steve
For me I wanted to be able to walk home from the pub after a few drinks and be able to walk to the beach, and I also have different curcumstances to you in terms of family obligations which is why I chose terrigal.
Depends if your wife is going to drive/be driven to the station and get on, or catch public transport (or walk) which will determine what sort of proximity to the station you need. As a percentage of the total travel time, the difference between woy woy and gosford to sydney is negligible and as you say you have the benefit of getting on before the hoards at woy woy, so you can probably get a better seat. So yeah depending on how your wife gets to the station I reckon gosford or nearby is the pick.
Select to expand quotesteve_worm said..CJ2478 said..
I have recently moved to the CC (to terrigal), and like yourself, I factored in proximity to kite spots as one of my deciding factors. I also work in woy woy, and with the exception of umina it is a bit of a hassle going kiting after work and trying to maximise water time due to traffic and the generally poor layout of roads here.
This is especially the case if I dont have my gear in my car and have to go home through the traffic to get it. I would probably not live at blackwall for this reason, seems like a nice spot though and would probably be fine if you dont mind spending time in the car.
I would say that gosford wouldn't be too bad of a spot for someone with your requirements, because you can easily shoot down to umina along brisbane water drve and also jump onto the motorway and cruise up north to the lakes fairly quickly.
Thanks CJ. Your comment of Gosford over Blackwall for maximising kite time is tremendously appreciated. I've explained to wife (as she will be doing the commute 3-4 days to Macquarie uni), even though Gosford is a few minutes longer on the train each day she'll get more chance of a regular seat - due to already being on before the Woy Woy masses. That was exactly the type of insider tip I was hoping for - sincere thanks. If there was any other suburbs that you suggest - within reach of Gosford station - I'd be most interested in your suggestions.
Am doing the rounds online to determine what suburb will be overall best - most blogs/forums just take "living", in a general sense, into the equation (good/bad areas/best for families/costs etc - no surf/kite relationship). So, Im trying to "mesh" their perspectives and input those you guys can offer. Hopefully then I can make a good informed decision of where to set ourselves up.
Thanks again.
Steve
Steve,
If you want to go outside the box a little bit. Glenning Valley is also worth a look. It is a little further North but close to the train at Tuggerah which provides an express service and you are also guaranteed a seat before the Gosford crowd. IMO Gleaning Valley or around that way will give you the best access to all of the coasts kiting and surf spots.
Cheers,
Brad
Good call CJ. Glad theres not much in the Woy Woy vs Gosford station time.
Yes, the family deal makes things a bit more tricky. Likely to try and get "bike ride(able)" to train station for wife. We'll see.
I remember going to a pub.....ha!
Thanks Brad for the Tuggerah "express service" note. We were looking at that Berkeley Vale stretch also - even though it's a bit further out. Looks like wife has to get off in Hornsby to change and go one stop to get to Macquarie uni.....shame, would be gold if didn't have to do the change just for one stop. But, will include train service variations (along with kiting/surfing opportunity etc), into the equation.
The express service stops at Hornsby and Epping. The train to Macquarie Uni leaves from Epping. The Berkeley Vale area IMO is much better access to all of the spots on the Coast. You also have a big Westfield at Tuggerah. Mingara is a great Aquatic facility for kids to learn to swim and its reasonably close to the coast and the freeway. I have always found Gosford to be a little out of the way.
Select to expand quotesteve_worm said..
Hi folks,
The family has been shacked up in France for the past 3+ years (wife's work - long story). We will be relocating to the central coast around August. We (wife, 3 yo + fresh one due on May...crikey!) were living in Freshwater for about 8 years prior to that so have some understanding of the Central Coast are. Perhaps you have maybe gone through what we are soon to - or are a seasoned Central Coaster happy to share some info.
We are looking at maybe Blackwall or even East Gosford....or there abouts (wife will need to get train into Macquarie uni). I've surfed/kited (which I prefer) and SUP'd (out of necessity) for a while now and quite competent in all disciplines - not ripper but competent to blend in (respectfully) anywhere.
Could I humbly ask:
- Any thoughts about above locations for access to kiting/surf venues (but also need to commute to northern outskirts of Sydney)
- Anyone done the move in the last couple of years and have any advice/How have you found the central coast adjustment?
Figured it might be good to touch base with some folks to help with our planning for the big move back that sets us (er...me) up in a place where I can get some kiting/surfing in. Also good to communicate a bit before arriving for potential catch up kite/beer.
Many thanks in advance for any input/experiences and/or suggestions.
Steve
Hi Steve,
I just thought I would add my 2 cents. I used to live at Ettalong beach and commute into sydney every day for 7 long years. If your wife is commuting then proximity for her is most important. Its the most likely thing to end your central coast adventure. The reason I say this is for me after 7 years I couldn't do it anymore, 10 + hours per week commuting. In practical terms thats a day a week!. Beleive me when I say that any time saved in a commute is huge, so If she is planning on catching the train, then look no further than woy woy station. It might only be 5-10 mins from gosford but that is 100 mins less travel per week.
As for places to live I would be looking around the fringes of the woy woy peninsula, woy woy bay, horsfield bay, south umina, booker bay, orange grove(fancy part of blackwall), even st huberts island are all great places to live, avoid the central parts of the peninsula, its a lower socio economic area.
As for kiting, ettalong point/the box is the best place to kite on the central coast by a large margin, its also a great sup wave. sure it dosen't work for ne winds( we did used to kite it but its off shore and gusty so not recommended). For Ne winds you need to drive 20 mins to wamberal, or 40 mins to nth enterance, but if you live on the peninsula its 5 mins for one of the best setups Ive ever come across.
I did love the lifestyle on the peninsula, but in the end I couldn't handle the commute.
I hope this helps
Gavin
Select to expand quotebennie said..steve_worm said..
Hi folks,
The family has been shacked up in France for the past 3+ years (wife's work - long story). We will be relocating to the central coast around August. We (wife, 3 yo + fresh one due on May...crikey!) were living in Freshwater for about 8 years prior to that so have some understanding of the Central Coast are. Perhaps you have maybe gone through what we are soon to - or are a seasoned Central Coaster happy to share some info.
We are looking at maybe Blackwall or even East Gosford....or there abouts (wife will need to get train into Macquarie uni). I've surfed/kited (which I prefer) and SUP'd (out of necessity) for a while now and quite competent in all disciplines - not ripper but competent to blend in (respectfully) anywhere.
Could I humbly ask:
- Any thoughts about above locations for access to kiting/surf venues (but also need to commute to northern outskirts of Sydney)
- Anyone done the move in the last couple of years and have any advice/How have you found the central coast adjustment?
Figured it might be good to touch base with some folks to help with our planning for the big move back that sets us (er...me) up in a place where I can get some kiting/surfing in. Also good to communicate a bit before arriving for potential catch up kite/beer.
Many thanks in advance for any input/experiences and/or suggestions.
Steve
Hi Steve,
I just thought I would add my 2 cents. I used to live at Ettalong beach and commute into sydney every day for 7 long years. If your wife is commuting then proximity for her is most important. Its the most likely thing to end your central coast adventure. The reason I say this is for me after 7 years I couldn't do it anymore, 10 + hours per week commuting. In practical terms thats a day a week!. Beleive me when I say that any time saved in a commute is huge, so If she is planning on catching the train, then look no further than woy woy station. It might only be 5-10 mins from gosford but that is 100 mins less travel per week.
As for places to live I would be looking around the fringes of the woy woy peninsula, woy woy bay, horsfield bay, south umina, booker bay, orange grove(fancy part of blackwall), even st huberts island are all great places to live, avoid the central parts of the peninsula, its a lower socio economic area.
As for kiting, ettalong point/the box is the best place to kite on the central coast by a large margin, its also a great sup wave. sure it dosen't work for ne winds( we did used to kite it but its off shore and gusty so not recommended). For Ne winds you need to drive 20 mins to wamberal, or 40 mins to nth enterance, but if you live on the peninsula its 5 mins for one of the best setups Ive ever come across.
I did love the lifestyle on the peninsula, but in the end I couldn't handle the commute.
I hope this helps
Gavin
These are all valid points. I just couldnt live at Umina/Woy Woy because if, in summer and its blowing NE every day (which it hasnt this year), then you'spending just less than 1 hr each way to get to a kiteable spot (not counting Wamberal because by the time work is over its usually too N, and is just frustrating and I always regret not going somewehre better). Then before you know it you're spending 10 hours (assuming you have kited each weekday) in the car driving to and from kiting and more if you're going to kite the weekends.
I definatly agree that Umina is a overall a great spot and definitly one of my favourite places to kite, but in my experience the kite spots further north on the central coast are generally more reliable for a broader variety of conditions.
I agree Steve. I have considered moving down to the peninsula but it is just as easy to drive down for a Sthly. Also is the wind is SW or SE Umina does not work all that well it really needs to be S, SSW or SSE to be really good. I commute to Sydney during the winter from Tuggerah and find the time on the train productive and generally get a lot of work done. However, my work is pretty flexible in regards to hours so I can do that and given when I am working I am mostly in meetings getting that 1.5 hours on the train each way is a welcome opportunity to think and catch up.
Select to expand quoteCJ2478 said..
These are all valid points. I just couldnt live at Umina/Woy Woy because if, in summer and its blowing NE every day (which it hasnt this year), then you'spending just less than 1 hr each way to get to a kiteable spot (not counting Wamberal because by the time work is over its usually too N, and is just frustrating and I always regret not going somewehre better). Then before you know it you're spending 10 hours (assuming you have kited each weekday) in the car driving to and from kiting and more if you're going to kite the weekends.
I definatly agree that Umina is a overall a great spot and definitly one of my favourite places to kite, but in my experience the kite spots further north on the central coast are generally more reliable for a broader variety of conditions.
I agree about wamberal, however it never blows ne everday, your lucky to get more than 3 a week even in the peak of summer. You usually will get a least one southerly every 10 days and It often hangs around for a couple of days, then come this time of year the ne winds falter and the southerlies become more prevalent and keep you kiting up untill the end of autunm
Select to expand quotebennie said..CJ2478 said..
These are all valid points. I just couldnt live at Umina/Woy Woy because if, in summer and its blowing NE every day (which it hasnt this year), then you'spending just less than 1 hr each way to get to a kiteable spot (not counting Wamberal because by the time work is over its usually too N, and is just frustrating and I always regret not going somewehre better). Then before you know it you're spending 10 hours (assuming you have kited each weekday) in the car driving to and from kiting and more if you're going to kite the weekends.
I definatly agree that Umina is a overall a great spot and definitly one of my favourite places to kite, but in my experience the kite spots further north on the central coast are generally more reliable for a broader variety of conditions.
I agree about wamberal, however it never blows ne everday, your lucky to get more than 3 a week even in the peak of summer. You usually will get a least one southerly every 10 days and It often hangs around for a couple of days, then come this time of year the ne winds falter and the southerlies become more prevalent and keep you kiting up untill the end of autunm
Yeah its a tough call. I made my decision because it was supposed to be an epic El Nino, which has turned out to be a dud so far.
I do agree about the southerlies this time of year and in witner, but have found there is a narrow range of wind angles for Umina, whereas up towards the lakes you have a broader range of wind angles, but on it's day Umina is epic.
Sorry to make things confusing for the OP, I too am considering where I will relocate to soon with my current lease comeing to an end.
I think I am going to base my decision on meterological data and travel times to/from work and kite spots. I think with this information I can make a rational decision based on quantitative information 
I was out at Canton today for 5 hours in a Sth Westerly. had an awesome session. Started off at 15knots and cranked up to 25 with gusts of 35. I spoke to the Umina crew later and they said that it was crap the minute the wind went West. I love Umina but it pretty much needs to be due South to be really good where around the lakes there are half a dozen spots that cater for all wind directions.
horses for courses I guess. Its great you enjoy kiting the lake. Me, I'd indulge in another passtime than kite flat water, but thats a personal choice. In my extensive experience the box works best in a ssw, you can ride left handers for hundreds of meters with the right swell ,once it gets sw it starts to get gusty but still fun, wsw extremely gusty but still kiteable. Straight west forget it.
Yep spot on Bennie we kited box yesterday in s/swest and although the waves weren't great it a good direction for it had a blast be nice to have a n/east d/winder spot close by but ya can't have everything
Mate, I wouldn't bother living in Sydney in the northern suburbs. The wind seems to be lacking on the northern beaches. Swansea channel is one of the best spots in Aus IMO. Unfortunately the season has all but blown itself out. Some big southerlies on the way hopefully so lake Macquarie is the go. Speak to the locals for tips.
^^^ yeah its funny the winds can be really localised around the northern beaches central coast region,Ive seen green arrows at cronulla kurnell etc and Palmy is hardly getting anything,Ive also seen kiters hammering at Palmy and and theres SFA on the central coast,I look at the charts for Sydney and then Mid north and go with the one with the most wind 
doesn't always deliver the goods though
Select to expand quotekitebt said..
I agree Steve. I have considered moving down to the peninsula but it is just as easy to drive down for a Sthly. Also is the wind is SW or SE Umina does not work all that well it really needs to be S, SSW or SSE to be really good. I commute to Sydney during the winter from Tuggerah and find the time on the train productive and generally get a lot of work done. However, my work is pretty flexible in regards to hours so I can do that and given when I am working I am mostly in meetings getting that 1.5 hours on the train each way is a welcome opportunity to think and catch up.
Thanks for the insights (again). My wife (who will be doing the commute to Macquarie uni) also says the train is some of her most productive work time. So could turn out the extra time is not a bad thing - plus, academics can be flexible in their time to/from uni. I think that Chittaway/Berkely/Tuggerah stretch does"sing" to me a little bit BUT (as Gavin posted on this thread - who the commute got him in the end), I'll have to see how wifey goes on the train.
We'll rent at the start, even if just a few months before getting the family comfort zone/house purchased on the CC. It looks like it comes down to a very individual preferences: good area, close to train, not too far commute time (or not), access to beach/kiting/surfing, business/traffic etc.
Everyone has kicked in some really good things to consider.....my sincere thanks to all of you helpful buggers. As time gets closer, I will chime in again with you guys. By the time we have bubby #2, move all our stuff back from France, and actually get into a place on the Central Coast....I will be gagging for a kite....beer....Valium....
My two cents worth .....
I started kiting while I was living at Hornsby (working in Sydney).... did a lot of one hour plus trips up to Swansea/Belmont (SW/NW), and lot to Narrabeen/Kurnell (NE) and quite a few to Umina (S/SSW).
I decided to move to Umina (2k's from the beach/pubs/eating establishments) because it was reasonably cheap compared to Sydney, easy to get a train to Sydney and 25% of decent kiteable wind occurred at Umina all year round (ie Southerlies never stop, unlike NE/NW/SW winds).
From Umina it is 45 minutes to one of best NE downwinder locations you will ever find (birdie to norah), 45 minutes to one of the best flat water/foiling locations you will ever find (Hali NE, San Remo S/SW), 60 minutes to some of the best SW (Swansea Co-Op), NW (Squids@Belmont) ....... All very easy to get to.
For your Missus, plenty of seating on the Woy Woy train ..........
Was in the area last weekend with a Southerly, got a quick session in at Canton Beach, bit gusty but very nice flat water, with the right forecast worth the drive from Sydney to make a day of it.
:)
looking to move to this area in the next 12 months also
Select to expand quoteTav said..
Was in the area last weekend with a Southerly, got a quick session in at Canton Beach, bit gusty but very nice flat water, with the right forecast worth the drive from Sydney to make a day of it.
:)
looking to move to this area in the next 12 months also
Should have come to Umina with just about everyone else who has posted in this thread for several hours of standing around on the beach and 30 minutes of good wind 
Select to expand quoteCJ2478 said..Tav said..
Was in the area last weekend with a Southerly, got a quick session in at Canton Beach, bit gusty but very nice flat water, with the right forecast worth the drive from Sydney to make a day of it.
:)
looking to move to this area in the next 12 months also
Should have come to Umina with just about everyone else who has posted in this thread for several hours of standing around on the beach and 30 minutes of good wind
I kited 55k's at Umina on Sunday .... pretty happy about that.
Hi Guys,
Interested to hear from those living around Tuggerah lake, how bad is the risk of flooding? I'm looking at houses around the Chittaway Bay / point area and seems to tick all the boxes and there are some decent looking places either lake front or very close to the lake.
I'm just abit worried how often we would be likely to be flooded or roads cut off?
Flood insurance also seems to add about 2-3k extra a yr!!
It would however be a dream lifestyle to drop a kayak in the water for a paddle each morning and kite in the evenings from the front yard!! I know from experience once I have to put the kayak on the car, it only gets used a few times a year..
Comments and thoughts very welcome..
Cheers guys,
Tav
It would be worth your while doing a walk around the area you are interested in and asking the locals. I can remember it being a minor issue as a kid up at Budgewoi if you where right on the edge of the lake.
The storm two weekends ago has completely widened The Entrance Channel again, so the ability dump excess water quickly has improved.
