Hot price for tranquil lifestyle

Ian Ellingford, a real estate agent, said he had a 200-name list of people wanting to move to South Shore.

"We moved in 12 years ago. We came here because of the beach and the relaxed atmosphere and the peace and quiet," he said.

"It's only 20 minutes outside the city and it feels like you're on holiday.

"We have seen a lot properties go on sale and they are snapped up immediately, sometimes before they go on the market."

Records show a sale price of about $120,000 for the Ellingfords' house in 1992. By 2001 the house had a capital value of $248,000, with the new capital value (based on a 70 per cent increase) expected to be about $430,000.

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