Unlocking the front door to our new family home almost 3 years ago to today was met with an even mix of excitement and apprehension. You see, we were also prising open an entry into a whole new world. We officially became “seachangers” – even if we only moved 1hr and 45 minutes up the freeway and still help many strong ties to the place we left behind. Our jobs, family and friends would see us make the trip back down the F3 frequently yet we still had a brand new life to build – and all far away from the people we loved most.
It is never an easy feat to up sticks and set up home where you know but one soul. And when you consider it then also equates to much more time spent apart as a family, with all the commuting to be done, it can soon equate to extreme loneliness. Sure, you have your very valid reasons for making such a monumental move (Sydney house prices for one, and our desire to raise a family away from the rat race another huge one…) but still, for all the romanticism that comes with the whole idyllic notion of seachanging, you have to be prepared that you may be in for a long haul before the happiness with feeling truly settled arrives at your doorstep.
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| The obligatory photo in front of the ‘SOLD!’ sign… |
And while it may have originally only been viewed by me as a “semi-seachange”, with both of us still holding on to many ties in the city, 3 years on and so much has blossomed. Sure, the husband has done more trips down and back the freeway than he has probably had hot showers in the same period of time but for me slowly doors opened for other opportunities. Having to leave my Nine family after 6 years was hard, especially considering the complete lack of job opportunities here on the Coast, but in its midst came the golden opportunity to try a few projects working from home that I’d never of had the chance to explore.
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We moved from Sydney to the South Coast 10 years ago to buy a business. To our good fortune (and after a hell of a lot of hard work) we’re still here. When we moved down Master 11.5 was only Master 1.5 and Master 8.5 was still a twinkle. After some false starts finding a long term place to call home, we finally “settled” 3 years ago. Most of my friends have been made via the kids activities. The one thing I had trouble adjusting to was the “loss” of friends in the city, to whom I endeavoured to keep in touch, finally realising we’re all busy and it’s a 2 way street! Should the situation change, we do have our “old” house (I mean the bank owns it!) rented out in Sydney so we have somewhere to go, but my roots are firmly set here.
I’ve always wanted to do something like that but because of my husbands job there is really only a couple of places he can work so we stick where we are. Plus my husband is not a big fan of moving, he doesn’t even want to move out of our house and to the next suburb, won’t even let me talk about the possibility!
Good on you for taking the plunge, so happy to hear that it’s going so well for you all.
It takes a lot of courage and passion to go ahead and make a sea change.
I have we’ll be doing it at some point in our lives. Just need to figure out where we’d move to.
The south coast definitely sounds ideal.
I can completely relate to feeling ‘mentally exhausted’ in there right now, pushing out of the comfort zone to meet new friends for all of us.
I’m so glad it was the right move for you xx
Ive stumbled across your blog as we are researching the same move – currently renting in Sydney but want space bring up our family and the CC is so far providing us with a valid option. I appreciate your musings after 3 years. Any other blogs or sites you might recommend. I’m terrified I will become lonely! At this stage we are looking in the kincumber/saratoga/greenpoint area.
Ive stumbled across your blog as we are researching the same move – currently renting in Sydney but want space bring up our family and the CC is so far providing us with a valid option. I appreciate your musings after 3 years. Any other blogs or sites you might recommend. I’m terrified I will become lonely! At this stage we are looking in the kincumber/saratoga/greenpoint areas.