Hi Wattyl,
I spent my first 25 yrs of life in Thirroul and now reside in Woonona (2 suburbs south)
Awesome place to live/ grow up though a lot busier now.
The mountains meet the ocean at Stanwell Park and move slowly west as you head south, therefore, there is more land as you head south, hence supply grows and prices drop.
You can't go west from this area( northern suburbs like Thirroul and Austi)unless you're a mountain goat.
North( toward Sydney ) equals more expensive
South equals cheaper (some exceptions) too much to write here but more than happy to elaborate via P.M.
You will find though, a lot of people born and bred in the area have an elitist attitude and will talk down areas south so be careful what you read / hear as a lot of opinions are tainted with this attitude.
West Dapto at the moment is still stretching west, therefore supply keeps prices modest compared to the north but the rental yield is quite strong down there with the main or old area is seeing a lot of revamping and a change of demographic...and good old Bellambi, the butt of all northerners jokes, is thick with housing commission homes ( more so beachside ) but has seen massive gains because if you are from up north and want to stay in the area but can't compete with the cashed up city folk, you have no choice but to push south and its definately seeing a boost with a heap of older homes being renovated.
Prices have gone crazy up north due to the influx of Sydney siders selling up for a fortune and dumping a heap of cash down here with change leftover.
I do enjoy the lifestyle the city folk have brought with them( cafes , organic food and knitted jumpers for dogs etc
)but not too keen on the beer prices that come with it..
People go to the Goldy for the beaches but honestly, they have nothing on ours.
We're definately Feeling the heat of the Sydney market and as an owner, keep it coming!!!
Houses are going for around 10% above asking price! This may be because of sneaky agents low balling the trusting public ( surely not!! )
Some say over heated and it can't continue but for now, it does