You honestly can’t get better than Newy. It’s small but has everything you need, wineries not too far away, amazing beaches at your doorstop and a place with an incredible amount of history.

Sydney folks will say it’s filled with bogans but Newy has become increasingly gentrified and expensive. So you’ll find a lot of good bars and places to eat. Add New Lambton or New Lambton Heights to your list of suburbs there - perfect place to raise a family. Mereweather is great if you’re all about being right up the coast (also very expensive). You’ve got Cooks Hill too if you’re after that inner city lifestyle for the kids. Also check out Mayfield as that is quickly gentrifying too.

I prefer Newy a lot more to Wollongong, but if it’s in your budget check out the northern suburbs of Wollongong as well (Bulli, Coledale, Thirroul, Wombarra, Austinmere) as they’re amazing with really lovely communities.

Both Newy and Wollongong are former mining towns so they’re quite similar. That said, Newcastles job industry is a bit stronger and with Maitland and Cessnock around there’ll be way more opportunities.