Mullumbimby appeals to NSW

WHAT makes a town alluring enough to draw in city slickers seeking a change of pace?

According to Tori Heath, a sense of community and proximity to the coast are qualities a town must possess to be considered a good place to live.

When Mrs Heath and her family were casting about for a place to live four years ago their criteria also included a place that embraced alternative therapies, was family focused, offered a range of schooling opportunities, and was close to a major population centre for her husband's job in banking.

Oh, and the climate had to be good.

The family happily waved goodbye to Bondi after finding everything they were looking for in the township of Mullumbimby.

So it came as no surprise to Mrs Heath that the 'biggest little town in Australia' was listed among NSWs top 10 most appealing places to live.

Mullumbimby came in seventh place behind Sawtell, Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Woolgoolga and Ocean Shores. Also in the top 10 were Bogangar, Murwillumbah and Dorrigo.

The ratings were part of an 'amenity index' put together by a group of geographers, including associate professor in geography at the University of New England, Neil Argent.

Dr Argent reportedly calculated the magnetic qualities of hundreds of country locations as perceived by city dwellers.

His findings put coastal proximity high on the list of drawcards to an area.

Rolling hills, rainfall enough to create green landscapes, flowing waterways and proximity to a sizeable centre for work and shopping were also high priorities.

“It's a way of trying to measure and predict the location of those kinds of places most likely to attract people from metropolitan backgrounds in relatively large numbers,” Dr Argent told a Sydney newspaper.

Fortunately for Tori Heath, her families' preconceptions were right.

“The town is more than we asked for. We love the support here.”

WHAT MAKES A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE? Phone 6624 3266 or SMS 0428 264 948