Seachange without changing postcode
This is the view that can be seen from our bedroom window. The people who bought the block of land next door have subdivided the property and are building a two story, three bedroom town house in the backyard. This is the first floor, one more to come. It’s unbelievably compact and scarily close to our fence. But, that’s progress, hey? And I try to look at the positives, like – I guess it’s a good thing to be building up suburbia so that we prevent the greater suburban sprawl… but I am starting to feel just a tad hemmed in, what with this and the other place on the other side of us towering over our yard.
(And yes, they killed the creeper on the fence.)
So my urge to uproot and run for the hills has intensified – but in the meantime, I plant my vegies and think about how there are things that can be done right here which will make me feel like we are a little closer to my fantasy life of rural bliss. It’s really just a state of mind — right?
(I nicked the title from the Slow Guide: Melbourne blog – thanks Martin – it’s my new ethos).
That pretty much the view from our garden now too! But I agree, we may mourn the loss of the huge backyard but at least it may halt things growing ever so outward, impacting more on the bush and making polluting commutes longer!
I really love the title too. It’s the perfect way to approach things. Just what I need to do too. I’m feeling a little hemmed in and in need of a change, without really making a change.
I feel your pain. But in my experience, the nature of the inhabitants of the neighbouring buildings can have far greater influence over your quality of life than those unfortunate buildings themselves. Hope they’re nice!Can you plant some trees? Change the focal point of your house/yard? Install blinds on your windows that let in light but not the sights? Add another level or two to your own home? (Or maybe just a turret that lets you look out over everyone else . . . )
Drag! But your garden looks all rural and bountiful! Hay does that. I remember how impressive your pumpkins were.
I know the feeling. We used to have a house looking right down into the kitchen. Now we’ve moved and we’re the ones looking into someones kitchen and it feels so…public. I’m all for a seachange lately.
check this family out ,you’ll love themhttp://urbanhomestead.org/journal/
we recently moved to the country from QLD to Western Victoria..best thing we ever done
We’re building a new house on what was a lovely block of vacant land. It feels criminal … I confess.
I say look to the hills, onwards and upwards! Im looking in Belgrave at the moment and there are some amazing homes for sale, I would sell my soul for those views and the smell of wood fires burning at twilight. We can dream :). Its a pity Whitehorse City Council doesn’t allow you to keep chickens, I find a rooster terribly effective for annoying the neighbors.
I want this place, I think its work buying a lotto ticket just to keep the dream alive for a little longer.http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=105126717&f=0&p=10&t=res&ty=&fmt=&header=&cc=&c=11706165&s=vic&snf=rbs&tm=1225949963
I can just picture reading in those big sunny rooms and family christmas on that huge front yard.
What a life it would be, Pig’s, Bee’s and Famileees 🙂
We live in the hills – but we still have neighbours and one of them has just applied to build a 2-story commercial building that will block part of our view, so it happens everywhere! Having said that, it’s the best thing we’ve ever done. Come to the hills!
We’re moving soon and I’ve seen this phenomena during our house hunt. I think I would feel more open towards the dwelling if it were developed out of environmental and not financial motivation. As it is, the second building is often so different in style from the existing houses, it sticks out like a sore thumb.
I know that feeling. I read on another blog a lovely phrase that I keep saying over and over to myself- grow where you are planted. It makes me feel like doing something beautiful to where I am right now rather than waiting. It’s nice to dream though.
It might be worth planting some fast growing trees before the house is completed? If you plant them after your neighbours move in, you may run into disagreements over blocking their light, etc. Which would be ironic, as trees would block less of their light than their house will block of your light!
I hope the new place will not block your sun….those new plantings look like they will be very luscious in a couple of months!
Yes, plant something now! I had hoped to get some bamboo going this past summer to block what the neighbor built on his property but did not get around to it. (Something about digging a mighty trench slowed us down.) Ugh. That’s such a bummer. But, a beautiful and tall planting will make your lovely space feel like a hidden courtyard oasis.
Oh, I’m sorry. But it’s nice to know other people have neighbor issues too. I just planted a very long ‘privacy hedge!”
Come to the hills!You wont regret it!My boyfriend just bought a house in The Basin, and the views are amazing.And you’re not really that far out from the city…
We call houses that take up every inch of thier property, right to the property line, mcmansions around here. They just don’t fit in. We are attempting to make a run for the hills ourselfes. Soon we hope.
I thought it was just here in the UK where the property boom has caused overcrowding issues! A few years ago our next door neighbour tried to build a detached house in their back garden so they could rent it out, but luckily planning permission was turned down. Space is a luxury these days, which is a shame.Beautiful website, by the way. I’ve visited off an on for years.
Our new next-door-neighbours have re-done the house before moving in. Not really sure why they bought it though, as they have completely changed it. I suppose we’re lucky to have enough space around us for it not to impact too much, but the real threat is if Everyone decides to do the same!Maybe I’ll come over to the hills outside Melbourne (or Adelaide?).
P x