Lakes Entrance, VIC 3909

its in my top contenders for a retirement spot, I am not a boatie or into fishing, but its just quiet enough to feel safe, has a great foreshore area and great accessible beach, not too far from Hospital's, and locals are always friendly every time I come. Its a fair way from Melbourne, which is a good thing as it keeps the idiots away as its too quite for some, but has some of the best views in Victoria, some good eats, and great sea food. Good houses can be hard to find, and lots of holiday homes that are bit run down spoils it a bit , but way better than many of the coastal towns in NSW that are very run down. Best secret in Victoria

I visited Lakes Entrance over the New Year break. I found it to be such a wonderful location to visit.

A strip of shops which lasts around 2km that caters for all needs. Local merchandise, food, drink, pubs and a trendy beer garden at "The Servo".

The beach is excellent too. Soft sand that you would expect at any surf beach and it is well looked after too by the local council and surf life savers.

I will definitely be going back.

I love it at lakes entrance- find people nice and help full there can’t wait to retire there March 2022 👍

If your not an old grumpy person or a person in their kid 40s who has been born here don’t move there. it’s the worst town. if you have kids they will be so bored majority of the things to do there are illegal it’s so hard to make friends because of all the drama and gossip that goes on you could never in my life pay me to live here again once I move I hate this town and will never be coming back even for a holiday it isn’t worth it they all hate tourist and will just scam you n talk badly about you do not recommend even visiting. The schools there are terrible as well they don’t teach well and don’t care for your education. Majority of the kids there think they’re in a gang or are an eshay. There is no choice of shops or food. it’s a very isolating town I wouldn’t recommend ever coming here.

My husband and I retired to Lakes Entrance six years ago after an extensive search across two states for an ideal town - and we were not disappointed! First of all in terms of the house we bought - we got excellent value for money. We have a beautiful view of the lake and Bass Strait and it cost a fraction of what it would have cost in other towns. Our neighbours were warm and welcoming befriending us straight away. We didn't know anyone in the town before we moved from Sydney but it took us no time at all to get to know people and be welcomed into several social groups. My husband joined Rotary and I joined a choir, a music group and a book club. All of these groups not only gave us activities to fill our days and evenings but also an ever expanding social life. The shopping is good with 3 supermarkets, Target, Millers and many specially stores. We are also spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out...besides 3 clubs and 2 pubs that serve excellent meals there is also a French, an Italian, a Thai and a Chinese fusion restaurant. There are also many casual eating venues and a new seafood restaurant has just recently opened. We also regularly buy fresh seafood from the co-op or directly from the trawlers.
We have lived in many places over the past 35 years but Lakes Entrance would have to be the friendliest and most liveable place we have ever been in. Many people we know have moved here from somewhere else and they all share our sentiments about it. It is like being on holidays all of the time.!
Do not be put off Lakes Entrance by a couple of negative reviews you might read here. The climate is mild, the people friendly and most medical services can be found here or 30 minutes away in Bairnsdale - which also has an excellent range of shops and services. There are many groups and activities to suit a range of interests including an active U3A with many programs from fitness, photography, craft, music and more. It is a terrific town to live in with an active 'progress' association made up of a range of people of all ages and backgrounds. If you are a friendly and active person then Lakes Entrance would be a wonderful place to retire. Take a chance - you won't t regret it!

My wife and I have spent 3 years living in lakes entrance. Tbh it's one of the most nepotistic and gossipy towns I've ever had the displeasure of living in. Being a population of just under 5000 everyone pretty much is one degree of separation from each other and to compound that fact is the town is ran by a small group of around 300 odd people that all know each other and promote each other's businesses and all grab for self glory on social media praising themselves and their clique for even the smallest achievements. yeah half the true locals (your not classed as a local even if you've lived here for 20 years) are so inbred that you can just know that at least half the locals would have married their best mates ex-highschool sweetheart. If you want to holiday here do so. It's great if you like fishing or mini golf besides that it's pretty much a sleepy fishing town. Want to make meaningful friendship with locals nope they still are best mates with their primary school best mate. Want to get involved in local markets or business. Don't bother you could be selling gold plated caviar for $1 and your Facebook page would still have less likes than a local selling Coles caviar because locals and their cronies only go out of there way to promote their mates businesses no matter how garbage they are. Oh and you will also be dissallowed by market organisers to have the same product at a market as someone else despite anti competition laws there is one rule for lakes locals and one rule die everyone else. This town disgusts me if you want to feel like your in high school again with all the gossip, nepotism and favourtism come live in lakes. Stuff you Lakes Entrance locals you can stick the street sign with your great, great granddads surname up your smelly fishmongers butt.

I have lived in Lakes Entrance for 4 years. I can't get out of here quick enough. The locals,(you are only a local if you were born here), are nasty and two faced. Everyone thinks they know your business and are quite happy to spread their own version of it. Great place to visit but don't waste your time moving here unless you plan on keeping to yourself. If you insist on moving here, join a few Facebook groups first. Don't tell people you are thinking of moving here, just sit back and watch the drama. You'll be glad you didn't make the move. Even people from other small towns around here don't like Lakes Entrance locals.

Lakes Entrance is a pretty little town by the sea. Locals are friendly. It has a really good primary school. The secondary school is well known for bullying. Numerous people take there kids to bairnsdale secondary or nagle. Bairnsdale secondary is also known for bullying & problems. Lakes Entrance has doctors clinics but the hospital is close to an hrs drive away. As far as food shopping goes they have a woolies, IGA & aldi. I live in Lakes but are considering moving because theres not much around for my kids in regards to there future choices and education. Future jobs are more about availability then choice. Universities & further education are quite a distance away, although there is a tafe in bairnsdale. You generally need to travel far for specialist medical appointments & theres not many services around for kids with disabilities. Overall its is a lovely place. It would be a nice place to retire

Lakes Entrance is a safe and welcomng place. I have stayed here quite often for extended periods of time and have always found it to be relaxing and the people are just wonderful
The housing is VERY affordable and you can get some bargains with breath taking views over Bass Strait.
Resale value is a bit ordinary but once you move there why would you want to go elsewhere ? I`m planning to retire here in the next 5 years (I`ll be 50) and can`t wait.
Christmas to Easter can be a tad over whelming but having lived on the Mornington peninsula it doesn`t even compare.
I have found the locals tend to take their annual breaks to the South coast of NSW which is only around 2.5 hours away eg. Merimbula Eden etc.
I own an investment property in Bairnsdale and will be looking in Lakes Entrance in the near future for another investment property - but this one will be special as I plan to spend the rest of my life here.

After living in Ballarat for over 20yrs, and a short holiday here, we decided THIS was the place! A real sea-change! Didnt think it was possible to come across such a beautiful place in Victoria!
We moved after 28days of making that life changing decision, and don't regret it! Our older son's love it too.
It has charm, charisma, querkiness, appeal and character. Aw inspiring views everywhere you travel, up and down the coastline, the scenery takes your breath away, from the bush, to the beach.
Your camera is never too far from hand, You'll want to capture each sunrise, and sunset, as thier never blocked by mountains or skyscrapers. Your nose will twitch and your tastebuds will awaken to the smells coming from the kitchens of certain eatery's along the Esplanade. A short drive into the bush to taste the local wine, made on the premises, take in the wine tour along the lovely Lakes system, snap a pic of dolphins, seals, pelicans or maybe cast your rod in to catch a snapper, or flatty, or salmon, go prawning with the locals at night and bring home a bucket full of giant tigers to cook up and feast on!
Have admiration for the Indigenous culture here, despite some not being happy at times. Get use to the traffic and influx of visitors who bombard us from xmas thru to easter, its busy like a bee-hive as we all duck and weave getting from place to place, its exciting and frustrating at the same time!
Be assured of the medical teams assisting you when needed, theyre small, but mighty!
Feel the warmth and friendliness of the locals, and new arrivals, as theyre happy to tell you anything you want to know about Lakes Entrance... thats how we learnt, and thats what made us decide to stay. Come and visit... You'll love it! winter, Summer, Spring or Autumn, it changes daily.

This is another palce i would love to live once i retire. Very quiet and friendly town.Lots to do and see