Clear Skies A Tree Change

[kevy02 (Kevin)]

Am nearing retirement age now, am wondering about whether it would be a good idea to buy a house ( property ) in the Coonabarrabran / Dubbo area.Our initial thought was to buy something out there and use it as a retreat.We currently live on the Central Coast,have done for 20 years,before that we lived in Sydney.We have always lived on or near the coast.Just wondering if anyone has done the tree change and has worked for them.I know it would be a huge change in lifestyle,the wife says ,what if something happened to either of us,how would the other cope.There are plenty of people around us now,who could support us,not to mention services ,etc.Its something we need to research thoroughly,and pay a number of visits to the country.

[Poita (Peter)]

I did the tree change from Sydney to Mudgee about 11 years ago.

The good:
No traffic lights.
Never have to park more than 50metres from your destination
Can leave for appointments 10 minutes before their start time and still be early.
People are really friendlier, if you say hello in the street you always get an answer (I know because my Autistic daughter says hello to *everybody* that walks past)
The air is *so* much better, the nights are so much quieter, and the skies that much darker.
Sense of community, I entered some roses in the Mudgee show this year, and the other growers all nearly talked my ears off, offered me plants and advice and I had never met any of them before, but made some instant new friends

Good food, great farmer's markets and fantastic wine, there are enough Sydney and Newcastle ex-pats running cafes and restaurants to keep the standards up!

The Bad:
It took me about a year to get work, once I did get it, there was no shortage, it just takes a while to get 'known'

People don't visit from the big smoke as often as they think they will.
(I built a really nice cabin for visitors, but it was rarely occupied)

Anything you buy on IceInSpace classified has to be shipped

The lifestyle really is fantastic, I notice it most now when I have to go up to Sydney, I used to miss it, but now I can't wait to get back from the traffic, noise, pollution and advertising/marketing madness.

There are actually plenty of services here, and you make friends easily, people are surprisingly supportive. The first six months can be a little bit lonely until you get settled, but drag your friends out to visit, and don't take no for an answer!

Personally, I think if you worry too much about disasters that might happen, you end up slowly shutting down and closing off from the world. My mother works in aged care and sees it all the time. Be prepared but not scared...

There is always the opportunity for one more adventure, I'd say give it a burl, if you don't like it after 2 years, then call it an extended holiday and move back to the city again.

[mr bruess]

Originally Posted by kevy02

Am nearing retirement age now, am wondering about whether it would be a good idea to buy a house ( property ) in the Coonabarrabran / Dubbo area.Our initial thought was to buy something out there and use it as a retreat.We currently live on the Central Coast,have done for 20 years,before that we lived in Sydney.We have always lived on or near the coast.Just wondering if anyone has done the tree change and has worked for them.I know it would be a huge change in lifestyle,the wife says ,what if something happened to either of us,how would the other cope.There are plenty of people around us now,who could support us,not to mention services ,etc.Its something we need to research thoroughly,and pay a number of visits to the country.

You should move out there as it you would have crystal clear skies and that is where the Anglo Australian Telescope (AAT) is located.
You wouldn't have to worry about the city light pollution.I would move out to the country if I had the money just to get clear unpolluted skies.

[kevy02 (Kevin)]

Thanks for the encouragement, we are going to visit a number of regional areas over the next few months and see how we feel about it all.We had a house in Tassy a few years ago down near Hobart,it was on a couple of acres overlooking Storm Bay.It was an investment property,we thought we would give it a go living down there.The skies there were incredible, but in the end it was the "breeze" that came off the southern ocean that got to us.It was so cold most days ,the side of the house that faced south copped the icy cold wind, the other side of the house was a little warmer in the sun.Luckily we still had our house on the Central Coast to come back to.I don't mind the cold so much,its the wind factor that gets to you.I guess if we were to move out west we would face a similar situation with the cold,not necessarily wind,but certainly ice and maybe snow.My wife is fine with moving to an area out west as long as it has a fairly large town nearby.House prices will certainly govern where we will eventually move to,but my main criteria will be at least half an acre,and a clear view ,no trees blocking the scope's view,something I have never had ( except Tassy ).Should be an exciting time looking forward,especially the retirement part.

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

We were in the same situation looking for a tree change. We where living out west and wanted to move closer to the coast. We looked around for a piece of dirt to call our own for over 3 years and travelled from a line 200k west of Mackay to the NSW border and we kept going back to Yarraman. We found a 1.38 acre block of fairly level ground with a few trees good views of the sky and dark. We should have had a building on the block by now but circumstances changed when we had a car accident late last year and have had to put a hold on our plans. Things we looked for was the facilities and close proximity to hospitals etc, got to look at these things as we are not getting any younger and work is taking its toll on my body, boiler making is heavy work.
Anyway we found what we were looking for and I am sure you will as well.

Adrian

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I hope to never NEVER return to a city, Suburb or even a medium sized country town.
I love it out where I am. We have been here for 10 years now.

We have around 250 population, dark sky, and the City of Ballarat is only 20 minutes away for Hospitals.

We lack nothing here (except Public Transport).

Hopefully you can find something similar where you want to go.

Try get a few acres. That way any neighbours lights will be further away.
If you are worried about mowing a few acres, just throw in a couple of sheep.
If you are worried about shearing the sheep, just get a shearer to do it. They get to keep the wool as payment.
Or get to 2 Steer. After 2 years of growth you can sell them to pay your rates, then buy another 2 calves and repeat the process.
They mow your grass and pay your rates

Half an Acre puts you back to almost suburban living. Go bigger, you won't regret the choice.

[Astro78]

Originally Posted by kevy02

Am nearing retirement age now, am wondering about whether it would be a good idea to buy a house ( property ) in the Coonabarrabran / Dubbo area.Our initial thought was to buy something out there and use it as a retreat.We currently live on the Central Coast,have done for 20 years,before that we lived in Sydney.We have always lived on or near the coast.Just wondering if anyone has done the tree change and has worked for them.I know it would be a huge change in lifestyle,the wife says ,what if something happened to either of us,how would the other cope.There are plenty of people around us now,who could support us,not to mention services ,etc.Its something we need to research thoroughly,and pay a number of visits to the country.

Do it. Have not done it. for goodness sake use your money (yes you worked hard we all do) to develop regional areas.