Contemplating a tree-change, love insight from others.....

[Astrid]

We did a combined tree/sea change to SW Vic 3 1/2 years ago. It has gone well so far for us and if we were to move it would be to a similar area, not back to the city.

I do love aspects of the city and do miss parts of it, but there are other parts I was happy to leave behind, especially with children.

As you have grown up in a rural area, you would already know the main rule about smaller towns is that "everyone knows each other". I grew up in Tas, so did know that, but still often get amazed how everyone is connected down here. I find the attitude to distance quite amusing, we are only 10 minutes from the edge of town, 15 to the major shopping centre and all the locals think we live a long way out and tradies charge extra to come out here! Amazing since in the city a tradie would not charge travel time for a job 10-15 minutes away.

DH did have to take a pay cut, but he also took a cut in hours. So he has more of a life now. I have just managed to get back into the work force, thankfully with no real pay cut. My main issue here is the lack of after school care. Well there is some, but they wont pick up from our school.

Making friends has been up and down. I first started with the ABA and then playgroup. Some of them are still good friends, others have moved on as life moves on (kids going to different kinders, primary schools etc). DD1 goes to the a more country school and a lot of the kids there grew up with each other, so I have found it harder to 'break in", that is changing though as more tree changers are coming into the area. It does affect facilities provided though (see my above comment about after school care), as it is assumed everyone helps each other out and has family around to look after kids. That is starting to change a bit though as more people like me are speaking up and asking for services.

[Beach Mama]

Ginger, we are looking at a big block but in town, DH's parents are out of town, about 10 mins and he would prefer to be in town. Astrid, I grew up in Melbourne, but DH grew up down there, not sure about the adjustment for me, I am not particularly a hugely city girl per se, but more a burbs girl who loves the country! I love shopping but would be coming in to see my parents quite frequently so could get my Donny fix if needed. DH will definitely have a pay cut, but I am looking at increasing my hours and the pay would be the same because I am a teacher. After the kids go to bed tonight I am going to nut out some numbers with DH and just see where we sit. We also need to do a fair bit of garden and outside work on this place before we sell, we fully reno'd the inside when we did it but the outside has taken a bit longer! There is actually a house down there for sale right now that we both love, on a 1300sq block. Might be rushing things a bit methinks! I need to stop checking out realestate.com!

Thanks for all the replies and keep them coming!

[catherinemoses]

We moved from Ringwood to Euroa last September. We have no family here, we just liked the town and had an opportunity too good to waste. My parents are 1.5 hrs away which is not too far. I have found settling in easy enough. I think having kids is a big bonus, people down the street stop and chat about how gorgeous my kids are!! haha. Get involved with a playgroup, you are bound to meet others newbies (that's what I have found anyway, the locals don't tend to do playgroup cos they have their already known friends). I feel nicely settled in and have more friends here than I did in Melb.
The kids love it here. It's friendly. I can't see myself going back to the 'city'

Good luck whatever you decide

[~Trish~]

NOOO, you can't move, you are so close to me!!! Heehee Just kidding, South Gippsland is lovely, DH's aunty lives in Inverloch so we drive through that area a lot (we're currently dreaming about buying a holiday house down at the Island so we might be able to come and visit LOL).

I think having kids is a big bonus, people down the street stop and chat about how gorgeous my kids are!! haha.

You're boys are gorgeous Cate, no wonder you get stopped

You'll have no probs fitting in with your gorgeous kids Tan . How exciting, good luck!!

[deletedit]

We did it a few years ago, moved to a too-small not right town first, now where we are we absolutely love it. Its a really growing community too so its not wall-to-wall people who are born and bred here, there are heaps of people who haven't been living here very long. Our house is too small but we are building a bigger one next door, and it'll be done in 4 weeks.

If anyone wants to buy/rent a lovely little 3br house in a lovely little town our old house is up for grabs lol

[Smoke Jaguar]

Did it in Jan - from outer east to Sth Gipp - best thing ever!
I had the advantage of having a fire brigade to transfer to, a Booby Club to change to and horse riding club to swap over to - so I had a ready-made network, on top of the new friends I have made through Kinder and the neighbourhood (which we were lucky enough to score along with our farm - our neighbours are tops!).
A few nice properties around where I am - check out Stockdale and Leggo in Korumburra, and any properties promoted by John O'Connor, because if you are lucky enough to find the right property through him you will have a fantastic experience with him, he's a real country gentleman There's a 3 acre place near us, another one that's about 60 acres closer into town, and others on the south side of the highway!
I love that we never have to raise our kids in Upwey now, and everything is much more salubrious for us now that we've moved. Plenty of work, too!