Looking to make a "tree change"

6 posts
Sun, 09/21/2014 - 16:23 #1

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10 years 1 month
Mummyto4
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/21/2014 - 16:06

Looking to make a "tree change"

Hi, my husband and I are looking at packing our 4 boys up and buying some land. We've always wanted acreage but cannot afford it around Brisbane where we currently are. We are seriously considering moving to Northern NSW (around Murwullimbah) in order to achieve the lifestyle we want. We are looking for 4-5 acres to give our kids (and dog) space to run and play, have some chickens, maybe a few mini cattle as pets and grow an edible garden with a large veggie patch and small orchard. Just the standard small acreage dream really. The thing is, we were both brought up in the suburbs and have never lived on a farm before! For those of you who are far more experienced than us, are we crazy? We know it will be a huge lifestyle change and a lot of work, but we are still keen to do it. Would you all think we are insane for moving 6 city folk out to acreage?
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Sun, 09/21/2014 - 19:27 #2
rmcpb
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 10/22/2012 - 11:13
You are not crazy BUT make sure your budget extends to your dream. Its no fun trying to constantly make ends meet and expand your produce, it costs money. Next comment, the cattle will not be pets - NEVER name them or it will be impossible to kill them for the table. Seriously though, make sure you have a business plan for your land, no matter how small it is. Even if its to keep yourself in veges and eggs. A plan is essential...... Cheers Rob.
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Sun, 09/21/2014 - 19:52 #3
Mummyto4
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/21/2014 - 16:06
Thanks Rob! We don't want to eat the cattle, we want them as pets (one of our kids has autism and loves cows. Eating them will not be an option!) hence why we are looking at mini's. One of the reasons we are looking to move out of our current area is so that we can buy the house and land we want without maxing out our budget. Trying to factor in new fences, setting up the gardens, a ride-one mower, animals etc means we are wanting to buy for at least $150,000 less than we sell our city house for rather than going above that and having very little reserves to call on if we need to fix/buy something. We're trying to be sensible but know that we will never truly "get it" until we've lived it. That's why I'm asking here! I really appreciate your response Rob and look forward to any more responses.
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Tue, 09/23/2014 - 09:47 #4
Mummyto4
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/21/2014 - 16:06
Thanks Barb! We're quite lucky in that my husband is able to transfer to another office that is less than an hour from our preferred location. So we're more looking for a semi-rural acreage than a proper country one. I'm a stay at home mum because our twins have a number of medical issues (hence why we think we should just go and live the dream now so they can enjoy it and have the sort of childhood we know they'd thrive in). So we're kind of ok in that regard. I'm so excited about the prospect of maybe finally actually achieving my dream of having a "farm". I've wanted to have land and animals since I was a kid! :)
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Mon, 09/22/2014 - 17:28 #5
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

hi Mummy,

Good on you. Bringing up your kids in the country is great and the lifestyle is wonderful.

Something that you will need to consider apart from Rob's good advice is, what you will do for income? If you have a trade such as plumbing, building or perhaps as an electrician and so on, then it's possible to make a good living as they are often in short supply in the country.  

I hope that you can get to live your dream. I was a bush kid born and raised but had to work in the city for more than 20 years. When my husband had to retire due to illness, we bought a property and moved back to the country. At  first I missed my colleagues in the office and didn't like the isolation, but now, twenty-two years later, I have many friends and know it is the best thing we could have done. Now I awake each morning to the birds singing and can take a breath of clean air without the pollution of the city. I wouldn't go back to the hussell and bussell of the city for quids.

Good luck and cheers,

Barb

 

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Tue, 09/23/2014 - 10:02 #6
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi again mummy,

I have neighbours who have one autistic boy and two girls with aspergers and they moved here several years ago for just that reason. The kids have thrived and have their own horses and ride every day. Their mum home schools the boy, but the school bus picks up the girls who attend the local school. The family also has pet sheep and chooks and the kids love it and so do their parents. They say it's the best thing they ever did.  

Go for it, I don't think you'll ever regret it.

cheers,

Barb

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