Can anyone please tell me the SAFE areas to live in the Blue Mountains.
13 Answers
I think most villages in the Blue Mountains have a fairly low crime rate. However the villages with a large stay at home as opposed to commuter community are probably a safe bet. For example Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Medlow Bath, Leura, Wentworth Falls. Posted by Jess at Ray white Blackheath
I live in Katoomba - like any town in modern Australia there are some issues with ice and other drugs - that means a couple of things - those who do crime to support their drug habits - may either sell themselves or sell drugs or possibly steal things! But there is another option - some people who take drugs most weekends go to work - not every one who is a hard drug user is a thief or sex worker! If we consider that drug use may increase as the cost of living gets higher ( and desperation increases and mental illness as well
Katoomba is wonderful!
Katoomba also has a large police station and much more to do than the smaller townships dotted around it. People are out and walking about.
I have never felt scared roaming the streets even into the early evening. The people mix is fantastic - greenies, hipsters, seniors, families, enthusiastic tourists from far and wide altogether in a mountain village. Everyone I come across seems polite and helpful - and ready to have a chat! :)
right...I think that it is not always that helpful to exaggerate. The homeless beggars and drunks and druggies are always willing to have a chat - and are polite? I don't think that is entirely accurate - I went to Woolworths yesterday - while entering and leaving a large and desperate middle aged woman - barked at me ANY CHANGE? it was not a request or beg- it came across like a demand - I told her on the way out that she had already asked me- surprisingly she did not abuse me - she said nothing in reply! To her credit she chose Fathers Day as a begging day - Sundays can be very busy in the main street and shopping areas - especially if the weather is good - it was terrible grey and rainy and cold day - that is common in Upper Mountains (especially Upper but also common across other parts of the Blue Mountains )
I currently live in Hazelbrook (Mid Mountains) and have never had an issue with safety. It feels like a very safe neighbourhood with a mix of older people and younger couples and families. People look out for one another and most are very friendly. I think most towns in the Blue Mountains are reasonably safe but you just have to take the normal precautions. Hazelbrook has three schools, including Korowal, a K-12 school. However, the nearest public high school is in Faulconbridge, about 10 minutes drive. Lots of beautiful bush walks and waterfalls and not too far from the main tourist towns of Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba. If you are commuting, Hazelbrook is an express station and has twice as many trains in peak periods.
What is a K12 school...My experiences with both Wentworth Falls and Hazelbrook are that they are less friendly than Katoomba - in general a lot of small towns are often friendly . ...But I have found neither of these towns are easy to chat to people - it depends on the time of the day I visit though - there are always people at the Wentworth Falls lake - again a lot of the locals appear to keep to themselves - I have found the tourists are far more likely to engage in a conversation. Blue Mountains can be a weird place - After living here for a total of 12 months I know only 3 more people than I did when I moved here. I have found a lot of people to friendly on a superficial level - but they are not interested in making new friends - the same problem has been documented in the media about Sydney - it is a weird problem - friendly on the outside ( superficially friendly for a chat) - but not really the greatest place to make friends!
Hi Jennifer, as you're looking for somewhere safe but also beautiful, friendly and with a good community vibe I would be suggesting South Katoomba, Leura, Wentworth Falls or Blackheath.
They all have their own vibe and the right place depends on a lot of personal factors for you, but they're all very safe and with incredible natural beauty all around.
Katoomba is the go-to town for shopping, facilities, cultural life and entertainment, and that's why we chose it as our home!
- Posted by Steve at Higher Ground Tours
The Blue Mountains suburbs are generally pretty safe compared to most of Sydney but some areas are a bit rougher. Lower mountains are getting pretty pricey. Mid mountains have a lot of families and beautiful areas (Winmalee, Springwood and Faulconbridge) but do have some less affluent areas with young people who don't look especially well-kept or purposeful. Generally, these people are mixed in with everyone else. The mountains generally doesn't have a 'ghetto' area. Parts of Katoomba are nice, some parts are a little rough but Katoomba is quite big (compared to other mountains suburbs). Upper mountains: pretty safe.
It is interesting that the closer parts to Penrith ( and also to Air Force base) like Emu Plains, Blaxland, Glenbrook and Emu Heights might be safer to some extent - but the presence of military people and ex military people does not make for friendly living - especially if they have PTSD and or aggressive attitudes to new people and lack trust ( which is common for those suffering from trauma)The other thing to consider is the closeness to the jail - this is documented - people move to areas near a jail so they can see relatives or friends in that jail - it explains why East Blaxland is a bit rough. I found Winmalee and Springwood quite friendly and feel safe - (they are far enough away from Air Force and Jail types) - their proximity might have some influence on the people I suppose
Hi Guys, Please tell me how safe are the suburbs, Winmalee, woodford and Hawkesbury heights are for a young family of primary school going kids? I understand that upper mountains are better but suburbs like Wentworth falls and above are too much to commute daily from the city.
Check out suburb reviews on this link.
www.homely.com.au/katoomba-blue-mountains-sydney-greater-new-south-wales
Great place to raise a young family, wonderful sense of caring community. We moved from Blacktown a couple of years ago and would never go back.
Groceries are definitely more expensive and you need to go down to Penrith if you need more well-known stores. There aren't a lot of parks in the area which is surprising given there are many young families living here. Pretty sure our insurance premiums are no higher than before. We've had major bushfires living here but the local fire brigade is fantastic and is all part of living here.
Thanks Jessica. What is Lithgow like ?