A city to country relocate- why not?

[white knight]

Hi all. Do you want to wind down? Kiss most of your anxiety away? The ultimate tree change might be the answer.

I was raised in the western suburbs of Melbourne. I hated it. It was so much in contrast to my pops fairy farm in Tasmania that we visited for xmas every year. I had to get out and joined the RAAF at 17yo.

Since then I came and went from the city and each time I left the city my anxiety reduced overall. So what is it about the country that relaxes us?

No or few traffic lights and few cars, rarely see parking metres, greater distance between neighbours, more pleasurable walks, more flora and fauna, less noise and pollution, lower overall living costs...and more I cant think of.

Its subjective but I feel the people are friendlier and the crime rate lower...its less dangerous.

My first permanent move was one hour from Melbourne, then 90 minutes, then 2 hours and now over 2 hours. Ive found that the first two moves meant I mixed with commuters like me, working in the city. Eventually living much further away I'm living amongst seasoned country people which is more to my liking.

What about finances? Well a move to the country can reduce financial stress. Currently you can buy a home for $180,000 2 hours from Melbourne. Recently on holidays I saw many homes in northern NSW in the hills for as little as $90,000. These towns have hospitals and shops.

Self preservation with mental illness is a priority, it sounds selfish but its even more important than living in close proximity to family. As individuals we have to take measures to preserve ourselves. My daughter lives in the city...its taken as a Sunday drive visiting her.

There are obstacles. Work issues, will you pick the right town?, facilities, in town or out of town?, will it be easy to sell if you cant adapt?

Ive lived in country towns. The first a hamlet no shops, primary school only. The second with pub, store, 7 minutes from town of 10,000 and currently the same,town of 200 with a store and pub with town of 4,000 10 minutes away. For me its ideal and being over 2 hours from the city its really relaxing. Eventually a move into the larger town is inevitable. Aged care is there.

Some large country cities provide little benefit to the transformation. However, my sister remains a city person regardless of her depression and bipolar. We drove past high rise units in the city "thats where I want to live" she said. Yuk!

Other ideas to reduce anxiety are listed in

Topic: be radical- beyondblue

Tony WK

[Elizabeth CP]

Why Not, For me there are too many disadvantages to moving into the country but everyone is different. A friend moved to a seaside town & built a lovely house. I sometimes start feeling jealous: Lovely house in nice area. Walking distance to beach etc. I have to stop myself & remind myself why I chose to move where we did & why I wasn't prepared to make the sacrifices required to move near her. We moved a few years ago & prior to the move I wrote a list of what was essential in the new house & what was just desirable. For example a block with enough space for a garden but managable by me on my own was essential. (My husband is blind & had sustained injuries trying to help me in my previous garden!!! Public transport into the city to attend my husband's specialist appointments was essential as I hate driving in city traffic. Living as close to at least some of my children was important.

My point is if you are thinking of moving evaluate what you like about your current home including the location & then what you need to change to manage better. In our case we liked the area we lived in because of proximity to lovely parks, walks etc & easy access out into the country while still having public transport into the city so we moved to the next suburb to a flatter smaller block with decent footpaths so my husband could walk safely. Moving close to the city would be horrible for us but the country wasn't convenient for our needs. .

Tony I agree with you basic premise Live where you are most likely to be happy & have your needs (both physical & emotional) met. I need somewhere I can walk & enjoy trees & nice views etc. Others might like bright city lights but not me except in VERY small doses.

[white knight]

Elizabeth, well said.

I hope you and your husband are well. You've been around here for sime time now.

Tony WK

[Quercus]

Hi Tony,

I feel the same about the country. How I loathe the city (shame I still live there sigh). When I get away to see my family in the country time for me slows down. I feel relaxed. Then I come home and as soon as I hit the freeway it's like a weight is on my chest and time speeds up again. Hurry hurry!

Unfortunately for us work, schools, specialists and psychiatrists are here in the city. But we have a happy medium a block about an hour from the city. All the benefits and feel of a country town within a tolerable drive to work etc. We will get there soon it's going to happen I can feel it!

[geoff]

hi Tony, absolutely I would never relocate back to Melbourne, I grew up there until mid 20's and then moved to Bendigo and then moved onto Gippsland.
Parking is much easier and can go down to town and back within 15 minutes, can't beat that. Geoff.

[Peppermintbach]

Great thread, Tony WK 🙂

I like your message of changing environments to suit our individual needs and MH needs. Awesome stuff.

I am a self confessed city girl (like your sister lol). Just as some prefer the country life, I like my big city lights. I don't think either is intrinsically better than the other but it just depends on the individual.

I love the colour and spectacle of the city. I love the art galleries, museums, night life, theatre, etc. I'm a city loyalist.

But I also respect that the city is not for everyone. For some people, I totally get why they prefer a quieter paced life. That's okay. Each to their own.

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[white knight]

Hi Geoff

I'll never firget the green grass of Gippsland. I wonder what caveman instinct pleases us when we see that?

I see it that for hundreds if thousands of years man hasnt had city environment and suddenly in a few generations we have concrete, lights traffic and crowds not to mention noise. Some of us just cant adapt.

Pepper

Yes it is horses for courses for sure.

Tony WK

[Guest_128]

You never told me you were a realestate agent.🤣

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Tony. My husband was sick last week but has recovered although still tires sooner than normal. I'm OK but a bit up & down. Had the family for diner & just finished clearing up afterwards. My son in particular tries to clear up before leaving but there is a limit to what he can do while his children are here. They tend to leave a trail of disaster after themselves. Take after their dad so they will grow up into civilised human beings. They just have too much energy & imagination at the moment.

I wonder if it isn't country versus city but more what environment suits. I prefers greenery & hills or mountains whereas others love wide open land. Some like the heat others prefer cooler climates with distinct seasons. Some enjoy solitude others prefer more social activities. Some need room to build their caravan or grow a garden or keep animals or pets. Someone else prefers a small easy to manage home & garden so they can do the other things which are important to them. In my previous house I remember someone visiting & sitting with their back to the windows because they were scared of heights so they couldn't cope with the view over the tops of the trees which I loved.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Tony,

I literally had to look up what "horses for courses" meant. Lol.

Yep...agreed 😉

Pepper