what is it like to live in Port Macquarie

[kiscat]

Hi, my French partner and I are wanting to return to Australia. We want a place that is more a community. I had lived in Sydney which is beautiful but as I'm in my 40's now and want a quieter life away from cities, I am looking at Port Macquarie.

We would like to be near beaches, in an all-year round warm climate, and a place with hopefully more of a community spirit. I am into organic gardening, eco homes, art, writing, book reading, walking, travel, camping, wildlife, history. My partner is almost the same except he loves watching soccer and car-racing and he loves to keep fit and runs a lot. My dream is to build an eco home and get more involved in green topics.

He is a barber/men's hairdresser, I am keen to work in office support in a primary school or academic institution or open to new areas - whatever it takes to get a job back in Australia.

Does anyone have any helpful suggestions about where to live in Australia? what it is like in Port Macquarie? how easy/difficult it would be for us to find work?

thank you

[sjihenderson]

I have a few friends from port. its ok especially if you're older. its got a bit of a retirement village vibe happening. I lived nearby at Kempsey for a few years. not a particularly nice place. the far north coast is really nice. lismore etc. Evans Head is a nice tiny fishing village at most 20-30 minutes from ballina and lismore.