Have you made a Sea change from a big City?

[mummy of many]

Hi everyone,

Dh & myself are thinking of moving away from the very hectic city life we have in Sydney,and re - locating to the South Coast, NSW ,we can get work there so that`s not a prob.
Has anyone just decided to pack up and make a new life for them & their family.
We had Holiday down South & i felt like this was were i wanted to be, the whole time i was there,even though we holiday their quite regularly,by the beach & the kids just love it.

I would love to hear from others who have had the courage to just get up & go!

Thanks in advance.

[Ellie]

Yep! We made the move a year ago! Left the dream home AND all our friends...have family here so that was a bonus...but was the best thing we have ever done...because after 10 years of fertility treatment we fell pregnant only a few months after settling here...all on our own! We are the happiest we have ever been...no regrets! Good luck!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

We're taking a 'county-change', does that count?
We moved from Melbourne to Geelong, which is smaller but still big and now we're moving to Yass where we no noone and its very small. We're moving because it just felt rught there... and we know that we need to do the best for our family and that is what we want to do.
Good lukc hun!

[~Kim~]

We made a tree change about 15 months ago. We will never go back to Sydney if we can help it. Stress levels have gone down, marriage improved and after nearly 2 years trying for another bub - well I have 9 weeks to go.
It's a nicer way of life. I love that people know you, wave and smile. For us it even affected the way we felt about our jobs. Both of us are policemen and a small community is the way we want to do our jobs.

[Astrid]

We did the big move a year ago, it is both a sea change and a tree change, as we have both. First we moved to a major regional centre by the sea where DH found work. He had been working down here for a few months on contract and really liked the place. He went for a job, got it and I agreed to the move sight unseen. He had worked in many country areas and had gotten to know here very well, so I kind of trusted him with it, also I was just so over Melbourne. After 6 months of looking around and getting to know the place we bought a 1/2 acre property 12 minutes out of the city, surrounded by trees and cows (hence why it is also a tree change).

It has been great, I have been amazed at how friendly the people are down here. Yes there is the odd "born and bred" who is rude and the odd nutjob, but overall people are friendly. It is very child orientated down here, so that helps, good playgroups, kid friendly eating, parks etc. We had a goat escape, I know in Melbourne there would have been phone calls to police and complaints to council. Here, our neighbours where kind enough to tell us and then help us do the chase. We could not catch her. Most of the neighbours had found out and would come over to tell us if they had or had not seen her. Finally one chased her down and returned her to us. They were all so great about it, completely unexpected, we were expecting complaints about her scaring the cows.

I admit I am still getting settled, I really wanted to do the tree change, but do sometimes wonder if we have picked the right area. I suppose we have not managed to build our dream house and I am mourning that loss. Dh is still getting sorted, he is still a grumpy bum. He is so unfit, that all the extra work with a property is hard on him, atleast now he has the time to do stuff as he only works a 40hr week, rather than 80.

Downside is distance to get anywhere, we now have 3 1/2 hours added to trips. We used to be just 20 minutes from Melbourne Airport, so travelling interstate is harder now, well except for getting to Adelaide, that is easier.

Just one warning. In country areas it is one or two degrees of seperation, everyone knows everyone else. So be polite and be careful who you share opinions of other people with.

[mummy of many]

Thanks ladies for you input,I would pack up tomorrow if i had a place to go to,we will deffinately be looking into getting out of Sydney this year.I understand what you all mean about people being so much more friendlier,that takes a little getting use to,but we are are friendly family.Cheers ladies,thanks heaps,Susan.

[~Kaz~]

I grew up in a major capitol city but have lived and worked in country areas for almost 10 years now. At first the country was a major culture shock for me! I have gotten used to it though and would not return to a city now for quids!

I currently live in what I consider to be a small country town and DP and I are taking it one step further and we have purchased acerage about 15 mins out of town. We plan to build etc over the next few years. I know that doesn't sound like much of a change but the only services to the block are electricity/phone line so our lifestyle out there will be totally different. We will not be on town water, or sewerage etc. I never thought I'd be a country girl but I totally can't wait!! I want to have chickens and even goats like Astrid. We plan to have lots of gardens and fruit trees and an eco friendly house. When I think about how great it's going to be out there, being in town now feels like we're too close to the rat race.

I reckon that if it "feels right" you should definitely go for it. I think there will be benefits that you can't even predict right now.

[Lucy]

I have up-sticks a lot of times.

Each time I have fretted over whether I am doing the right thing, especially with regard to leaving family and friends.

I have moved from the UK to Australia (in 1995).

I settled in Sydney where I met my DH and 5 years later we packed up the house and the dog and moved to Adelaide.

Then 2 years later we moved to the NT.

And 2 years after that we moved back to Adelaide.

(We have now lived in Adelaide for 4 years.)

I have no regrets at all! None whatsoever!

We are off to Sydney to see family and friends next week, and I am looking forward to it, but have no desire to live there again at all ever.

[Inanna]

I posted about similar - but we made the big move from West End (Inner city) Brisbane to the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. A small farming community. From the day I shut the door in Brisbane to this second I have not regretted a thing!

Our stress levels went down immediately. Presently I (haven't broached it with DH yet!) have been seriously wondering about moving on again. I love Melb but couldn't do the city again - I really like the idea of Apollo Bay (hinterland again - I need some space I thin) or the Mornington Peninsula - only for an independent school I have heard of there...

Don't be afraid - feel the fear and do it anyway! If it feels right - you will learn heaps and have new experiences and adventures!

[PinkPalace]

Mummy of many
We did this in 2006 from brisbane to central coast QLD

1 year after we bought our house DH was offered a job in airlie beach (population about 4000).
He had to start in 2 weeks ! lol.. we didnt even think he would be offered the position and didnt take the interview very sersiously, then we said oh bugger it! So 2 weeks later DH moved up.

I had to give a littl emore notice in my job, plus had to rent the house out and not to mention WE WERE GETTING MARRIED IN BRISBANE 3 MONTHS LATER!!!!

And we packed up the 4 bedroom house, got the 2 dogs and i moved up almost 1-2 month later.

It was hard at first as i went up without a job, there was a major rental shortage and we had to live with my cousins in the next town (50km away) for another month until a house freed up.

Having our home in brisbane rented out was the most stressful part as it was our first home together and we kept thinking about what people would do to it if they were bad tenants and we were there to keep an eye on it. But we soon got over it.

It was much more expensive (i guess that happens when you move to such a popular tourist destinatioN). and i was lucky to get some work in a rural hospital up there.

We did end up moving back to brisbane 2 years later jsut because work was scarce for me and we couldnt afford to live on DH's wage (you will find small towns pay less) with a baby and #2 ont he way.

But now that things are improving financially we would definately move back in a flash. Not just there but anywhere.

I am over the city, smoke, traffic, grumpy mean people and loved the small town lifestyle.

I would say, life is short and why not try out as many places as you can!

[mrsmac]

My ILs have moved from Canberra to a coastal town out of Nowra and they love it. They both work, MIL in Nowra and FIL at Jervis Bay and they are so much happier and more relaxed, they love the smal town feel of where they live and are involved in heaps of local activities.
Where on the South coast are you looking?

[LimeSlice]

I packed up and moved from inner city melbourne to Mandurah a few years ago, and I really miss melbourne. I miss the convenience and the people...I have n family and few friend in mandurah so I think that makes a big difference too.
But having said that, I like the things I dislike too if that makes any sense. I will definately move back to MtEliza (mornington peninsula) where I grew up to school charlotte though....education in WA is not appealing! lol

Flowerchild - MtEliza is beautiful and a great place to grow up. What school were you looking at?

[smiles4u]

We made a Tree Change fours ago from Melbourne to country Ballarat ... didn't know a sole here but having a child we soon met lots of people

Always lived within 20mins of Melb city & worked in the city ... Oh, i could NEVER live in the city again ... too relaxing here (though would have loved a sea change too) !!

[Inanna]

Lime Slice - I was thinking of Mt Eliza but my only memories of it is driving thru on weekend jaunts to Sorrento! Is it nice? I will go and google and have a looky - thanks!

[LimeSlice]

Flowerchild - it is beautiful. Has just about everything you could want and is still only an hour from town if you need it. There are some fantastic schools down there too, close to the beaches, wineries, lots of space and parks for the kids, they can ride their bikes to and from school without much hassle. Just a really nice place to be all around Im sure you will love it

[Inanna]

Well I talked to DH and said I think we need to put out house on the market - pack up the car and head down... was the response. It won't happen quickly but I think it just might happen!

LimeSlice - I think I like the Rye area for the beaches a little more??? However I am still leaning to across the bay... Schools are my biggy for my kids - and basically you have to be there to check them out I think...

[mummy of many]

Hi ya ladies,

Mrs Mac- Dh was living down Ulladulla for many years before we met & has friends their,but we would be happy with any where between - Milton, Ulladulla,down to Batemans Bay area.I have a cousin in Nowra,but I`m not fussed about living their.
We had a week away just before xmas, the whole time i was away i just did so much,walked along the beach every afternoon,played in the park by the beach,had coffee by the beach,just felt so different.I said to DH,i don`t want to come home,& his response was,he never wanted to leave the area years ago,but there wasn`t much work there then,but times have changed,& we both can get jobs. I just want to get out of Sydney,& get away from my parents & the inlaws!! I really hope we can do it this year. Ladies, all your stories have been amazing.Thanks.