Thinking of moving to Blue Mountains...

[Throwdown]

As I haven't been in the country long, I could use a run down of the area from someone who knows. May buy a house in Blackheath. What is like there? How safe is it around crime? Many thanks!

[gazza414]

Throwdown, where in the UK did you live before here ?

Its all very relative to what you are used to?

[kev11e]

G'day
Katoomba / Blackheath:
Generally cooler than Sydney by say 5 - 10 degrees celsius all year. Ice and maybe snow in winter. And even colder when wind blows. Much less humid than Sydney.
Population a bit bipolar :-) in that there are lots of older retired folk, and lots of younger not retired folk sporting the latest piercings, both groups could well be receiving a pension of some kind. That is a huge generalisation and could offend some. My apologies.
And there seems to be a generous sprinkling of same sex couples.
I live in the lower Blue Mountains and love it.
I don't believe crime is any worse than elsewhere, and maybe a lot better than some.
Personally, I believe Blackheath will be the next area of large capital gain in property.
All my opinion only...
Regards
Kevin

[Throwdown]

Thanks guys. The more opinions the better. I'm from east London, home of the Krays. I can't imagine anything being worse than say how south-east London is now. Kids are being killed there for just being a different race. Blue Mountains have always been my first choice. I like what I see up there.

My partner was born in Darwin, but raised in Adelaide with a few years of Sydneythrown in. She's more worried than I am.

[Viking]

Blue Mountains are really nice but cold cold cold. Personally I love the Gold Coast for great weather most of the year round and everything is closeby - city, beach, forest, airport and best of all great busa roads.

[rai1300]

I'd head for Southern Qld as well. Upgraded Hwy to Brisbane. Its an hour by car. Much quicker on a Bike!

[gazza414]

Throwdown, ahhh an east end lad!!

As I mentioned, it all depends on what you're used to , and well parts of the east end are ... lets say character building and all out hard going.

From ,84 to '94 I lived mainly in Walthamstow just off the Forest Rd nr the Billet roundabout. I'd ride my various bikes into the city everyday rain hail or snow as the case maybe.--fond memories

I've been back a couple of times and its worse.--more crime, traffic and aggressive people

In my humble opinion life can be great no matter where you end up, having great friends and a sense of freedom all bolster the outcome.
Dont get me wrong, I very much enjoyed my years O/S in many countries BUT hey it takes alot to beat a place I call home.

My missers is an East Ender born in Leyton and my son was born at Whipps X ----

What you'll get here on this board from all the Aussies like me who will all tell you stories about what a great place this or that is and you know what they are dead right. It took my missers 2-3 years to settle into Australian life----- friends, connect with the local community and be apart of it.

See ya Sunday for the ride hey!!!

[Throwdown]

I was born in Forest Gate. We lived in Walthamstow for a short time before coming out here. My daughter was born in Whipps Cross hospital too. I love London, but it's a shit hole in comparison to Sydney and the Mountains.

I never thought about coming out here until my kid was born, as my partner would rather live in the UK, (mad). However, through the GB imperialist driven laws back there, my kid was an Australian citizen despite being born in London with a English dad. It was the final straw in what I have seen has been a deteriorating country for ages. Nice, rich country in a lot of respects, but the soul has been ripped out of it and life is WAAAYYYYY too hard there - even when you're doing well. I won't miss it. Blackheath here I come.

Still not sure about Sunday. Can't work out where to meet. I do work in Liverpool over-night on Saturday, so I might catch you guys there.

[demeester]

Bloody hell, mates. It's the "Australian" Hayabusa Club - if you want, we can down grade you to "International" club member

[ac boosa]

South East QLD - best biking areas of Australia by far. Cmon guy's - you know it's true.

Lived in Katoomba for a year or so - very nice, good riding roads - fkn cold though

[A Real Jewel]

Hey Throwdown, are you working a night shift and then intending to ride as soon as you finish? Or is it a late arvo and the commuting between home/work/meet up point putting you off?

We live at Harrington Park (end of the Northern Rd) and may be leaving later. I had a nasty car accident last week and am still very sore so am contemplating a condensed version of the ride by cutting out the Natio. If you wanted to go a little later via Capbelltown and Appin or Picton Roads on to Wollongong (Mt Keira, Albion Park Macq Pass) give us a call on 0412 810506 (Dave) and we could arrange something.

Jules - always smiling, it keeps everyone guessing!