The Central Coast is awesome (and much cheaper) but definitely further than 45 minutes from the city. It's about an hour from Woy Woy and an hour and twenty mins from Gosford. We are just north of Gosford and my hubby spends an hour and a half on the train, plus 10 minute walk from home and 5 mins from train to work so min 1 and 3/4 hours each way.
. we live on the beach at the moment (up near coffs harbour) but would rather see my husband more than have the beach. he will be doing long hours 730am -7pm so 2 hours travels etc either side would kill us. i may as well stay here and he fly down each working week lol

this is getting hard. sydney is so big!