We are on a "lifestyle" block 10 minutes outside of a major regional centre. So we get the country bit, no neighbours, paddocks, bush, animals etc, but are only 12 minutes drive to a shopping centre.

Even though we are not that far out, it is perceived to be down here. So sometimes we can't get tradies out or we have to pay more or wait weeks till they are in the area. Some locals are funny about the drive to visit us. We are used to it now, but it can be frustrating at times.

Town has most things we need, except for decent sushi. Coffee is pretty good. Everyday food is more expensive than in Melbourne. Really surprising the cruddy meat we get, considering the area.

We moved down as DH got work. It took me awhile to find work. There were probably jobs I could do, but the wages were awful and not worth the cost of childcare. I stuck it out though and have now found a fanatastic job, that never thought would be down this way.

Schools are quite good, same with kinder, but kinder can be hard to get into due to numbers. Childcare is going to be harder with the change in ratios that is happening, they do struggle to find workers. The thing I find hard is after school care. Whilst there is some for the city schools (they go by bus), there is none out our way. So it does limit working. There is vacation care in the city, which is great. Our school is half way to the city in a small town.