To the left, to the left

I know. I know. Can you believe it? Can you BELIEVE it? Can I stop repeating myself?

But let me back it up a bit. A week or so ago I wrote this post in response to some of the changes that have been made in my life. Our lives. Finishing work. Getting Harper out of daycare. Getting some behavioural issues sorted with Daisy. Plan. Action. Change.
Just 3 weeks ago now we drove away from a weekend away with friends wondering if any of this stress we were living was worth it. Harper’s constant illnesses. Daisy’s night terrors and tantrums that were getting worse. My inability to deal with the constant stress of well, everything, and Rob’s business and where that was going to next. We were at a serious cross roads and we thankfully took the time to recognise it for what it was, and try to figure out how to make it all better. While our life was great – good health, great friends and family, a lovely home in a fabulous inner city suburb close to all the things we love – good coffee, food, pubs, restaurants, two good jobs that paid us – happy kids – it was still missing…something. We just couldn’t work out what that something was.
We have spent the last few months looking at buying that “next” house. The one up from this one – in size, in location – you know that ‘next step’ on the grown up path, because that’s just what you do. It was incredibly depressing. The price of these next houses was astronomical for what you get. While our house is lovely, the location could be better, these houses location was better, but the house equally as nice, or just a little better. The space? The same. The price? Oh just 500 HUNDRED THOUSAND more. And I’m not kidding. Really. It was just depressing. We kept having to move further and further out – to suburbs that we never thought we would look at – just to try and get some more value for you money. And there was more value. More space. More everything…but yet, still something missing. We even bid at an auction on a house that was lovely and we got so over excited that we bid waaaaaaay over what the house was worth, and certainly what we could afford, just because it was the only one that ticked {most} of the boxes. Did someone say crazy? At least we weren’t the ones that paid $250k over what the reserve price was. And you think I’m kidding? Lucky vendors… Thank GOD we missed out on it.
I then found myself trawling the net day after day looking at real estate and getting depressed by it – a COMPLETE first world problem I know – but depressed nonetheless. So. I started to look on google maps (how good are google maps?!) in about a 90 minute radius outside of Sydney. Just for a giggle. I would then open Domain (a real estate website) and start checking out properties in the towns that I was looking at on the map. Completely random I understand, but the method worked for me and certainly kept me from other important matters like washing, or cleaning or cooking my kids DINNER. You know, stuff like that. And then one afternoon I stumbled upon a little village. Where is that? I thought. Then up came the houses. Oooh nice. Oooooooh LOVELY.
Hang on, HANG ON…there was a house. Not just any house. But a HOME.
I sent it to Rob who sent back “call the agent and see if we can have a look”. I almost choked on my coffee as he had agreed to even contemplate this – immediately called the agent and 2 days later there we were, in said house, in said village, day dreaming about a simple life in the country.
We spent all of the next week continuing to look on the net and yet I kept finding myself going back to that house. Looking at that front gate. That veranda. That garden. I sent it to a few people laughing at the idea – half hoping that someone would say “hang on, that’s not SO crazy”. And a few people (thankfully did). My trusted sources. Some family. Some close friends. Rob and I started to get a little more serious in the thinking – all the while looking at the house {again and again and then just one more time} We would have a long discussion about it all, drink some wine, get carried away with our dreaming, but somehow just come back to the here and now. Surely not? Surely…?! We wrote lists of pros and cons. We came to one sure conclusion: we had to sell this house. It just isn’t right for us and me and Rob and all of us anymore. The noise. The location. The COMMON walls of terrace living. So that was something. We knew THAT much. Could we rent somewhere after selling this? Trial out living in the burbs? And yet…still…that house. That country house. We got parents involved. The more people started to say that “maybe this could work” the more we thought “maybe this could work”. The lists of pros far out weighed the cons – that were all just fears. What ifs. WHAT IFs that you never really know until you make the leap of faith. And really, aren’t all big life decisions – getting married, having kids – just that? A leap of faith. Into the unknown? And a commitment to try and make it work?
We went down again. To that house. The sun was shining – streaming into the beautiful windows, onto the garden. It just felt about as perfect as any house could ever be for us. We talked some more, went to and fro some more, but really we both knew that it had out hearts and somehow we would just make it work. Somehow.
And then just 5 days later (many calls back and forth, stress and worry and excitement and FREAKING out), it was ours. Well….not yet…but offers accepted and things underway.
This could just about be the craziest thing we have ever done. But then again, people probably thought that when Rob and I were engaged after just 4 months of going out. And that worked right? It could be the dumbest thing we have ever done. Selling our house and getting out of the “Sydney” market. It could be hardest thing we have ever done – going from a town of 4 and a half million people to just 150. There will be plenty of time when it will just be me and the girls when Rob has to be in Sydney. In a new town. With no family and friends near by.
But.
But….
It could be the best thing we have ever done. Right? The fresh country air. Living in a house that we would never be able to live in, was it in Sydney. The space. For all of us to do our own things. The being together. The school in the village that has just 35 kids – that our gals will go to. The friends we will make. The sheer beauty of that part of the country. The adventure. And the starting over. Making decisions for US as a family. Putting that first. For a change. Rob is in an amazingly lucky position where his work can be done (Mostly remotely) so it won’t really matter if he is in a studio in the country, or in a funky office in Alexandria. I am in an extremely fortunate position where I don’t have to work, if I don’t want to. We are lucky. Very, very lucky and we are going to use that to our advantage and try and make our life as amazing as we possibly can, because, well, we can.
So. Here we go. On the start of one hell of an adventure. I am as excited as a kid on Christmas day. I am as scared of it as I have been about anything I have done. I am nervous about selling this house, and going through all that, and completely overwhelmed about what the next 3 months are going to be like for us.
But.
We have made the leap. Made the decision. And I think (for now) that’s the hardest part done.
And just think of the blogging material that this is going to bring! And regardless of where we physically are – you will still all be there on my laptop in the morning, afternoon and night, supporting me, making me laugh and feel like I am not alone. And that’s not going to change. I hope you enjoy the ride too!

Comments

  1. That is the best damned post I’ve ever read.

  2. I think it sounds AMAZING Beth! And you’re so right in that sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and just see what happens – And just you wait… you’ll have all your friends coming down for long weekends before you know it! (Where is it btw)?

  3. I’ve been waiting and waiting and WAITING! WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I couldn’t be happier if it was myself! Can’t wait to see photos and more details and EVERYTHING! Big congratulations to you Beth, Rob, Daisy and Harper! Here’s to blissful country life for you all *clink*! xxx

  4. I cant wait to hear more! It all sounds rathe fabulous.

  5. Congrats on your new lifestyle change and dream house :). Great post, I read it earlier but got called away by the kids before commenting and I keep thinking about it and smiling at the journey and decision you’ve shared here :). Can’t wait to read more πŸ™‚

  6. Go girlfriend! I’m so thrilled for you, that you took the leap … I don’t think you guys will be looking back!

    I hope that one day, we can take the same leap as you are.

    Can’t wait to hear all about the next chapter πŸ™‚

  7. Beth, you know how thrilled I am for you!! And, yes, just the teensiest bit jealous.
    I know it will be the best thing. And on the very off chance it’s not, you’ve given a shot and you won’t spend your life wondering ‘what it?’.

    Best of luck for the next few weeks!

    x

  8. WOW. I was so excited reading that. and so super duper jealous!
    I can’t wait for the next installment of adventures in the country house.
    Congrats on making the big step – sounds like a change for the better.

  9. This is so fantastic, and will be a great life decision!

    So happy for you all. xx.

  10. popping over from the AMB blog carnival and this is just the perfect post for me to read…

    I’ve so been where you are! We moved from inner city Melbourne to ‘the country’ on ‘a whim’ a little over five years ago. Lots of people thought we were insane but seriously… it has been the best thing we have ever ever done!

    I hope your move is as wonderful for you as it has been for us!

  11. Oh brilliant! I am living in the country, in a tiny town (6 houses).

    I missed the city at first, probably for the first 12 months of country living (we were in a country rented house for 12 months first). I missed coffee shops and town and shopping with friends.

    However, almost 3 years after we made the first move out of the city, I love it. I find the city seems overwhelming now and I adore my quiet neighbourhood and being able to have ducks and chooks and space.

    I think you’ll love it too!

  12. Wow! Good on you for taking such a risk – hope it all works out. It sounds perfect.

  13. Wow! You and your family are blessed, Beth.xx

  14. How exciting… but scary too. I’m facing a leap of faith myself.. not about homes but I enjoyed reading it.

  15. Good on you! We have ataken a couple of leaps of faith (getting married, buying a second home) & they have all been great. You know in your tummy I think! Great to have found your blog!

  16. I wish you all the best! What a great post! I would love to live in the country one day! I’m sure it will all work out really well for you!

  17. Oh that sounds brilliant! I wish you all the best success with your move πŸ™‚

  18. That sounds so exciting! I’m looking forward to seeing photos of the house now, it sounds beautiful. Congratulations on making such a big decision and all the very best for your gorgeous country life!

  19. So exciting. Sometimes you just know. V. happy for you.

    I’m thinking the same thing. Changes are a foot πŸ™‚

  20. What an amazingly beautiful story! This leap certainly sounds like it was in the right direction for you. I hope you’re enjoying your new life as much as I’m enjoying your blog – which is tonnes!

  21. Traci aka Sparkle Devlin says

    Beth
    I just reread this post and it gave me goose bumps. I wish I had just an ounce of your bravery.

    It’s lovely to hear that it really can work, that tree/sea change thing….maybe we’ll partake one day too. Move from madness of the city and get our much longed for farm….one day…. x

  22. I’m eight years too late to this post (I’ve been googling sea change for days, moths, weeks…) but can relate to EVERYTHING you share, to the point that I’m watery eyed reading it thinking TAKE THE LEAP WOMAN – JUST DO IT! The one million dollar two bedroom terrace in inner Melbourne really does seem silly; and to have to think about renovating it one day with magical money we don’t have to accommodate a growing family is a wee bit mental.

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