Areas in Newcastle?

Question

We currently live in Sydney and are looking at moving up to Newcastle.

Here are the things we're looking (and not looking) for:

1) near the water (beach or lake) or bush

2) a pretty affluent area (we can afford it)

3) a young family / family friendly area (lots and lots of kids)

4) good schools

5) little or no crime

6) friendly people

7) no bogans (or not many)

8) good sporting facilities

On the map we're kinda looking from caves beach along the coast to Mereweather, or around lake Macquarie, but because we're not from up that way we don't know what these areas are like.

Please help.

Answer 1

Personally I think the best areas run from Mereweather through to Newcastle Beach. Of that region, Id have to suggest Bar Beach or maybe even the coastal parts of Cooks Hill.

These areas are really close to the main parts of Newcastle and have a pretty good selection of cafes & bars etc. The beaches are probably the best, and demographically, these areas have quite a lot of young families living in them.

Any further south and you're a long way from the city and with an older population and they can be dead boring when the beach is no good.

Answer 2

what you already said and maybe Anna bay..or shoal bay even Stockton.