by: Lucy Mitchell | Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-at-beach-by-sea-in-front-of-high-rise-buil-20746553/
If you’re thinking about relocating to the Northern Beaches, you’re probably picturing yourself surfing at Manly. You might also be looking forward to swimming in the ocean pool at Mona Vale, or sunbathing on the famous Palm Beach.
Moving house is a big decision at the best of times. But, especially so when kids are involved. That is why it pays to do your due diligence and really consider whether it is the right thing for you to do.
With that in mind, here are six things you should know before moving to the Northern Beaches.
1. What Life Is Really Like on the Northern Beaches
The Northern Beaches lifestyle is firmly centred around outdoor living, work/life balance, and a strong focus towards family. For many residents, the days tend to start early. Beaches also double as playgrounds, and weekends often revolve around sport, coffee catch-ups, and kids’ activities.
For those coming from other parts of Sydney, or from further afield, living in the region can expose them to a notable change of pace. This might take some time to get used to, which is why it might be worth renting here for a few months before firmly committing to the move.
2. Which Northern Beach Suburbs Are Best for Families
If you are intent on moving to the Northern Beaches area, you will need to determine where you’ll want to settle. As the area extends as far south as Sydney Harbour (Port Jackson), north to Broken Bay and west towards Middle Harbour, there are a lot of potential options.
For those with families, areas like Dee Why, Collaroy, and Narrabeen are popular because they offer access to excellent beaches, good schools, and plenty of shops. You’ll, of course, need to get a feel for which suburbs sit best with you. But you should find the housing market to contain a good mix of apartments and houses in all of them. They also have plenty of parks and walking paths you can enjoy.
Some of these areas are easier than others to move to in logistical terms. Hence, it is worth contacting a removalist company like Muval to ascertain which ones are.
3. What Are the Schools and Childcare Facilities Like?
Families moving to the Northern Beaches will need to find good schools or childcare facilities to enrol their kids in. Thankfully, there are several excellent options available throughout the region. Many of which exceed national standards.
Some of the most well-known public high schools include Manly Selective Campus and Balgowlah Boys Campus. The area also has a number of respected independent options, such as St Luke’s Grammar School and Pittwater House School, which you might be able to send your children to.
For younger children, families can choose from long day care centres, community preschools and Montessori programs. Additionally, services like Only About Children in Brookvale and KU Children’s Services offer structured early learning programs with qualified educators.
You should be aware that many schools and centres have waitlists. So, you would be well-advised to put your applications in early.
4. How Expensive is the Northern Beaches to Live in?
Before you move to the Northern Beaches, especially if you are doing so from outside of Sydney, you should make yourself aware of how much it costs to live there.
Generally speaking, the area has a higher cost of living than many other parts of Sydney. According Buyers Agent Northern Beaches, the median house price was $2.5 million in 2024. This figure is arguably even higher now in popular beachside suburbs such as Manly and Freshwater. Even rental prices are above the city norm.
Other high costs associated with the region include childcare, school fees, sports registration fees, and everyday expenses such as groceries and petrol. It is important to budget properly before you move there to ensure you are covered.
5. How Easy is it to Get Around the Northern Beaches?
Another thing you will need to understand before deciding to move to the Northern Beaches is how easy it is to get around.
Overall, getting around the Northern Beaches is fairly straightforward once you understand how the transport network works. Most locals rely on buses, especially the popular B-Line service that runs between Mona Vale and the Sydney CBD. There are regular routes that connect suburbs such as Dee Why, Brookvale and Manly Beach. In addition, you can also catch ferries from Manly into the city, and the Uber service is pretty good.
That said, if you have a car, you should have no problems at all getting around. The excellent road network connects you to most places you want to go.
6. What Else is There To Do in Northern Beaches Besides the Beach?
While the coastline is a major drawcard, there’s plenty to do across the Northern Beaches beyond the sand. If you take the time to understand the area’s main facilities and attractions, it can make your decision to move much easier.
Locals, especially families, can enjoy parks, bushwalks and playgrounds. Moreover, popular green spaces like Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden offer walking tracks and picnic spots that all ages will love. Elsewhere, larger reserves around Narrabeen Lagoon are great for bike rides and weekend outings.
Local libraries, sports clubs and a number of weekend markets are also open to families, while you’ll find numerous cafés, shopping centres and local services available to you.