DP & i moved from Melb to Ballarat four years ago not knowing a single person here in Ballarat.

We were looking at moving to Qld but thought at least Ballarat is only just over an hour drive for most family & friends ... and DP's parents about a 2hr drive to come & visit us.

Well, it turns out know one visits us as they consider Ballarat to be too far to drive so DP & i have dragged our 2.5year DD visiting everyone that won't visit us since she was 5wks old for about 2 to 3 weekends out of each mth

We have become so tired of driving that at times we have wondered if we just should have moved to QLD like we would have in the 1st place but didn't because we considered others ... well, how silly were we

My advice is obvious - moved to your 1st choice of living area & visit those that don't visit you when you feel like doing so ... not when they 'want' you to come

By the way, i don't recommend Ballarat ... too darn cold here ... yeh kind of nice living here & a relaxing lifestyle here but too chilly

I use to body surf in the morns in Apollo Bay on holiday many years ago there ... just loved it