The Illawarra is definitely a popular spot for relocators making the move to our beautiful part of the world.
And why wouldn’t you?
Welcoming towns, stunning beaches right on your doorstep, fab cafes and restaurants, family-friendly goodness, mountains for bushwalking, and the perks of big city living without the hustle and bustle… We’ve got it all!
So if relocating is on the horizon for you, here are some tips to get you on the road to makin’ the move!
1 :: Stay for a weekend
Not only do you get to enjoy a weekend getaway – awesome! – but you can also get a solid feel for a region in just 48 hours.
Come as a tourist, but keep your eyes peeled as a future resident.
Check out as many towns as you can at different times of the day.
Don’t just stay in the car—get out and walk around.
Exploring streets [not just the main roads] is a great way to get to know a town.
Grab a bite, sip coffee, chat with shopkeepers, stroll through parks, and locate train stations, bus stops, and other community spots. And don’t forget to strike up conversations with locals—we love a good chat!
Here’s a list of accommodation options in the Illawarra to help plan your weekend escape.
2 :: Choose a town or suburb that meets your needs
One of the awesome things about the Illawarra is that each town and suburb has its own personality!
Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama are the three main LGAs with plenty of facilities, shops and hubs.
And inside each of these LGAs, you’ll find loads of wonderful towns and suburbs. It’s really hard to narrow it down as there are so many places to choose from.
But if you’re looking for something a little smaller and quintessentially country, Albion Park and Mount Kembla are great options.
The coastal towns of Thirroul, Shell Cove, Port Kembla, Windang, Austinmer, Kiama, Gerringong and Towradgi have loads to offer.
Dapto is always growing with more young families moving to this large and lively Illawarra town. As well as Unanderra and Figtree.
Other northern towns like Helensburgh, Fairy Meadow and Corrimal are well placed if a Sydney commute is still on the cards.
Around the lake, you’ll score cracking views and community vibes in towns like Primbee, Lake Heights, Kanahooka and Oak Flats.
And if being tucked away is what you’re after [and not being super close to shops or facilities] have a look at spots like Jamberoo and Wongawilli.
And that is seriously just the tippy-tip of the iceberg. Here’s an article we wrote about Towns of the Illawarra to explore so many more.
3 :: Rent for a year
The Illawarra real estate landscape is always pumping!
We love the range of properties that are for sale here but before you go dropping the big bucks on a home, we suggest you rent for a year to get a feel for the town you’ve chosen.
It might not actually be right for you and renting means you’ve got more flexibility if you want to move to another location.
Storing furniture and household items might be on the cards too if that’s the case, until you find your forever home. We have storage facilities that can help you with that.
The rental market is still a little hectic, so get in touch with local real estate agents as soon as you can.
4 // School catchment zones
The Department of Education has recently cracked down on school catchment zones and schools taking students from ‘out of area’.
If you’ve got a few schools in mind, give them a buzz to be sure about their catchment zones – here’s a handy link to the NSW Public School Finder website where you can search for public schools by address.
If you’re interested in Private Schools we have a range of those as well. Do your research to find which one might be best for your family.
Open Days are a great place to start and have a chat with local families with school-aged children to get an understanding of what each school excels in – is it an excellent arts program you’re looking for? Or an academic focus, or a strong sports reputation? Local families will let you know!
5 // Join local Facebook groups
A font of information and opinions [sometimes VERY strong opinions!], local Facebook groups are great for getting an understanding of what issues locals are facing and are awesome for getting super helpful questions answered about logistical things – everything from hairdressers to schools to restaurants and more.
Most towns and suburbs have their own Facebook groups. You can usually find them by searching for “[suburb] Facebook group” on Google and seeing what pops up. Some streets even have their own groups, perfect if you’re looking for that tight-knit community feel.
6 // Trial life as a commuter
Many people in the Illawarra work in Sydney. And anyone who’s taken the 7am central train from Wollongong station can vouch for that.
If part of your move to the Illawarra involves keeping one foot in the city with work, then you’ll need to double-check whether you can handle the commute.
Stay here for a week and give commuting a go to be absolutely sure.
Remember the towns along the train line are best for commuting by train [think Dapto, Unanderra, Wollongong, North Wollongong, etc.]. The suburbs north of Wollongong City may be the most ideal for making the drive. Either way, test what works best for you.
7 // Get involved in the community
Made the move?
The first thing you can do to make friends and get to know us friendly locals is to join up with social groups, sporting organisations, business networks, parenting catch-ups – whatever suits you and your likes.
There are loads of organisations in the Illawarra you can get involved with, whatever your interests and hobbies are.
8 // Be prepared for your house to become your friends’ new weekender
Once you’re settled in, you may find that you’ll have your city friends wearing a track to your front door.
And that’s awesome!
Take them out and show them around your gorgeous new neighbourhood – the more the merrier [+ our local businesses benefit from the extra spending – yay!!]
Here are some itineraries we’ve put together that will keep everyone busy, fed and watered:
A Gourmet Weekend Itinerary For Foodies
9 // Keep A Spare Cossie And Towel In Your Car
Seriously! With so many amazing pools, ocean pools and beaches you never know when the urge to take a dip might hit you! And we’re not ones to brag [ok maybe a little] but our weather is mostly pretty fab meaning swimming season is almost all year round. Oh, and if your furry friend is relocating with you, check out this list of dog-friendly beaches in the Illawarra as well.
You might as well add a picnic blanket to the boot while you’re at it, with all our awesome picnic and BBQ spots. Add a frisbee or a cricket set in whilst you’re at it! Who knows what fun you’ll come across.
10 // Follow The Fold
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Insta and Facie to keep up to date with all the fab stuff happening in the Illawarra.
If you’re searching for a local biz – from architects to art galleries, plumbers to pubs and everything in between – our Business Directory will get you started.
And you can never get bored with our lists of things to do, see, eat and drink…whatever
These are also handy when you’re playing tourist guide [see #8!].
So there’s some tips to help you make your relocation to the Illawarra with confidence.
Welcome, we’re so happy to have you!
