Have you ever considered moving to the country?
I grew up in country Victoria and now live in Melbourne, and quite often I get asked if I think it’s a good idea to move to the country and the answer I always give is yes and no.
It can be a good idea, but it can also be a very bad one.
All those things city people take for granted such as public transport, health options, choice of education and housing are in limited supply in the country or simply don’t exist.
Healthcare can be the biggest problem for ageing tree-changers. Getting a check-up with a specialist for my father meant a couple of hundred dollars in flights or a seven-hour drive.
Twice the doctor didn’t even have the courtesy of informing my father he wouldn’t be available and we just had to suck it up.
Yes, housing is cheaper, but the supply is limited and so are your choices. Fancy a low-maintenance apartment? Probably not available in almost every small country town.
People can be friendly, but they can also be closed off and unwelcoming. My mother wasn’t born in my hometown and it took her 20 years to be accepted.
My advice, move to a town with at least a hospital and a train line to the capital city.
Try and be involved in the community and don’t be offended if it takes a while for people to warm up.
Have you ever considered a tree change? What’s holding you back?
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