THE TRUE COST OF A SEA-CHANGE TO WARRNAMBOOL
Few places in the world offer you the opportunity to live in a location that feels like you're living on top of the world, literally.
The regional city of Warrnambool that resides at the end of the The Great Ocean Road and sits along the spectacular Shipwreck Coast just 250km south of Melbourne is one such place. This is my home town.
Now, I know what you're thinking and yes, regional living far from a capital city isn't without its challenges, especially for the Sea-changer who's been affectionately embraced by the convenience of city life. It can't be easy to leave family and friends in your wake as you leave the bright lights behind you.
But I'm here to share with you a few of the well-kept secrets that make the commute down the Princes Highway well worth your while.
I could tell you about some 50km of walking and bike trails where it's impossible not to feel at one with the earth and ocean. Or, I might say that it's the rolling lush green pastures of farming land that keep us connected with the wholesomeness of life and bring back memories of picking peas in the garden with Grandma. I can share that as parents living in Warrnambool we don't think twice about sending our kids down to the oval 'for a kick' or wishing them well as they jump on their bikes with their mates and head down to the beach to swim safely under the watchful eye of our surf lifesavers.
Now I'm not sure whether living this kind of lifestyle would be enough to lure you from the colourful cafés of Brunswick St, however, there's no denying that living somewhere like Warrnambool brings a spirit of freedom that has to be lived to be believed.
But is lifestyle alone a big enough reason to leave behind the big smoke? You see here's the thing; the lure of a great lifestyle is just the icing on the cake. From my experience, few people are aware of the true cost of a sea-change beyond the golden sand circle that's within an arms-reach from Melbourne. It thrills me to share.
A 545m2 block of land in an estate in Torquay with a 13m frontage approximately 2km from the ocean will set you back approximately $450k. For an equivalent price tag in Warrnambool, you can snag yourself a 3000m2 block perched up on a ridge over the Hopkins River with 180-degree views for as far as the eye can see, also 2km from the ocean. Imagine that for a moment. Every day waking up to an uninterrupted horizon of sunrise. What would that cost closer to Melbourne?
With the rise of the 'working remotely movement', more families will have the opportunity to share in the magic that we Warrnambool locals take for granted every day. What's more, they'll enjoy their new-found lifestyle for a fraction of the cost of choosing a sea-change closer to the city.
A 545m2 block closer to Melbourne with no view will set you back $450k, as will this 3000m2 block at Hopkins Ridge Estate in Warrnambool which has
By Natalie Stevens
Natalie Stevens is the Founder of Build In Oz and second generation property developer at Land In Warrnambool. She is an educator and helps families build the very best home for the best possible price via her Build Your Home Masterclass Series. Natalie is also the author of the best-selling book Building Home - The 5 Step Journey to Building your Best Lifestyle and Co-Author of
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