Sea change or tree change? Jamberoo doesn’t force you to choose
For years, the idea of leaving the city for somewhere quieter was often associated with retirement. Sell up, move to the coast or country, slow things down, and enjoy your golden years in peace.
Today, that looks considerably different.
Research by the Regional Australia Institute shows that families have increasingly become part of the regional migration story. Flexible and remote working have also made it possible for some people to live further from a capital city while maintaining their existing employment. Alongside affordability, people considering a regional move consistently cite things such as more space, proximity to nature and a less populated environment as part of the appeal.
The latest figures suggest the shift is far from over.
According to the Regional Australia Institute’s latest Regional Movers Index, capital city residents moving to regional Australia outnumbered those heading in the opposite direction by 29.7% in the March 2026 quarter. It was the highest level of capital-to-regional movement recorded since the Index began. And here’s the kicker: Sydneysiders accounted for 55% of net capital city outflows.
Recent data by Westpac is showing something else too. Buyers aren’t considering lifestyle in isolation. Access to healthcare, schools, employment, family and everyday amenities all factor into the decision. Sea and tree changes are attracting a broader mix of people too, with families and working-age Australians considering regional living alongside the downsizers traditionally associated with this kind of move.
And that brings us to Jamberoo.
Somewhere between a sea and a tree change
Jamberoo has always been a little difficult to put into one box.
It’s a country village surrounded by rolling green hills and farmland. Yet Kiama and the coast are just down the road. Wollongong is within easy reach, the cooler Southern Highlands is just up the escarpment, and Sydney is still close enough for family, work or the occasional trip back to the city.
For people contemplating a move, that combination makes Jamberoo very attractive.
You can have a garden, hear the birds in the morning, know your neighbours and live in a village where community events, local sport and familiar faces are still part of everyday life. But you’re not giving up access to beaches, shops, restaurants, healthcare, schools and larger employment centres to do it.
For families, there’s also something appealing about giving children a little more room to grow up. Jamberoo has its own primary school and wonderful community preschool, local sporting clubs and plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors.
For downsizers, a move here doesn’t necessarily mean downsizing your whole lifestyle. You can build a single-level home designed for the years ahead, while still having enough room for a garden, the dog, visiting family and grandchildren.
And for people already living in the Illawarra, South Coast or Southern Highlands, the attraction may be simpler still: the opportunity to build a new home without leaving this part of the world.
Room to roam without taking on acreage
This is one of the reasons Golden Valley appeals to so many people.
Most of our homesites are around 800-1,000 m². That’s enough space to create a generous home and outdoor area without the maintenance and responsibility that comes with moving onto a rural property.
You’re also not buying into an isolated new development. Golden Valley sits within Jamberoo, an established village with its own character, history and community.
Buyers are free to choose their own builder or architect and create a home that suits their block, budget and stage of life. We’re also working with a number of building companies on home designs and indicative costs for individual lots, so buyers will have some practical starting points to consider.
What’s happening at Golden Valley in Jamberoo
Construction finally began in early July 2026 after close to eight years of planning, approvals and infrastructure work.
WEM Civil has been making good progress on site, helped along by favourable weather over the past couple of months. Bulk earthworks have transformed the landscape, roads are being built, and work is continuing on stormwater, kerb and gutter and other infrastructure throughout the subdivision.
While work within Golden Valley has continued uninterrupted and remains on schedule, we have experienced some delays with the construction works required within Golden Valley Road.
Working within an established roadway is a complex process. Service authorities need to protect existing underground infrastructure and ensure surrounding homes continue to receive uninterrupted services, and gaining the necessary approvals for this part of the work is taking longer than anticipated.
Following a review of the overall development program, we are now working towards registration of the subdivision in May 2027.
Golden Valley land release and site tours
The land release and site tours will take place in early 2027, shortly after the Christmas holidays.
By then, construction within the subdivision is expected to be complete, with the exception of landscaping.
We’re looking forward to welcoming prospective buyers for scheduled site tours early in the new year, when you’ll be able to walk through Golden Valley, compare the individual homesites and get a much clearer sense of their position, outlook and characteristics.
We’ll announce the tour dates and booking details as soon as they are confirmed.
Buying off the plan
Buying land off the plan gives you time to get some of the bigger decisions underway before settlement.
At Golden Valley, buyers pay a 5% deposit to secure their homesite, with the balance payable when the subdivision is registered and the land settles.
That time can be used to talk to builders or architects, consider different home designs, work through your budget and start planning properly.
There is also no requirement to use one of the builders we’re working with. Those designs are intended to show what may be possible on different homesites and provide some useful cost guidance. The choice of builder and home ultimately remains yours.
And if you’re looking for a little bit of country life without giving up the coast, Jamberoo gives you a rather lovely bit of both.
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