What made you live where you do?

[Bathsheba]

We last moved nearly 6 years ago... from the south of Melbourne's CBD (Brighton) to the inner North East (near Ivanhoe).

We moved for several reasons:

* DH got a job in the CBD. Meaning that we werent tied to living where we were as much.

* We wanted more room: bigger house and much bigger backyard. Our old suburb was very "dense"... DH and I both grew up in rural towns and wanted more space so our children could have more freedom... and better air quality! ie wanted to live away from any major roads. Our current place is soooo quiet... and leafy... and is on almost a 1/4 acre which is HUGE for the inner city.

* We wanted a better school for our DD. Infact this was one of the main reason we moved here: the quality of schools in the area. Good quality private highschool (for my DD) and public primary (for my DS).

* We wanted to live in a safe, clean suburb with established residential streets and excellent infrastructure and public transport. We live 1 block away from a train station. I don't need to drive and DH commutes to work via train... the car is generally only used on the weekends.

* We wanted to be able to hear very minimal sounds from our neighbours and traffic. This has been achieved. The thing to look out for (if you are looking for property in the city) is for a street layout that has at least a driveway's space inbetween each house. DH and I swore we would never ever have "common walls". We got sooooo over hearing domestic disputes nextdoor and/or music late at night. Living in dense areas you can't avoid this unless you have very thick walls! Never underestimate the luxury that is PEACE AND QUIET! Waking up here on the weekend is total bliss... can't hear a thing! Until our kids wake up at least!

I would like to move back to the country... but like AStrid this is too limiting for my DH's career. Maybe in a few years when he becomes happier to take a pay cut... or when I return to work (teaching).