[Andlig]

Hi everyone,

DH & I have had a desire for a long time to move to the hills. We recently moved back to Melbourne (Malvern) after spending 2 years in Inverloch for a work contract.

We have been back in Melbourne for 5 months and I must say I find the traffic a nightmare after living in a town without one traffic light! Aside from that, it is nice to have the abundance of city-life options such as cafes, restaurants, shops etc.

I would love to hear the pros & cons of hills living.

My list;

CONS - FIRE SEASON
- HARSHER WINTERS?
- DISTANCE FOR DH WORK - Currently in the city.
- PROPERTY GROWTH IN EQUITY?

PROS - OPTION OF A BETTER HOME FOR LESS MONEY -Currently renting but have funds to purchase - Malvern is very expensive however! We could possibly afford a reno's delight shoebox, or take on a nasty large mortgage.
- GREAT LIFESTYLE FOR YOUNG KIDS
- NO TRAFFIC
- MORE OF A COMMUNITY FEEL

I feel such a pull to the Hills, but we are torn on making a decision. Also, which areas of the hills? We love Olinda, Sassafras, Kallista, Ferny Creek -Others?
Thanks for any feedback

[lynnemine]

We love Olinda, Sassafras, Kallista, Ferny Creek -Others?

Stalking. Me too - I'd love to live in this area.

[travelmum]

I used to live in The Basin. Its lovely there!

[bubbalee]

We are in Mount Evelyn and love it here! DH works in the city and while it is a fair drive the lifestyle is totally worth it. Winters are cold, almost everyone here has a fireplace as well as ducted heating.

[Gudrun]

I or my family have lived/do live in Kalorama, Ferny Creek, Sassafras/Kallista, Olinda and Montrose.

The plus is the environment, the low-keyness, the low traffic and the freedom and space to roam for the kids, the fresh air etc

However, getting where you need or want to go is always a bigger deal, especially for the kids as they get older. You spend longer in traffic or you are probably nowhere near a station.

And it is more of an effort for friends and family in Melbourne to visit you.

[bubbalee]

I or my family have lived/do live in Kalorama, Ferny Creek, Sassafras/Kallista, Olinda and Montrose.

The plus is the environment, the low-keyness, the low traffic and the freedom and space to roam for the kids, the fresh air etc

However, getting where you need or want to go is always a bigger deal, especially for the kids as they get older. You spend longer in traffic or you are probably nowhere near a station.

And it is more of an effort for friends and family in Melbourne to visit you.

That is one of the benefits of Mount Ev, it's still nice and quiet with decent sized blocks of land but there are buses, a train station 5-10 mins away and decent shopping centers within 10-20 mins.