I had recently moved to Hamilton, Victoria - a small, but beautiful regional town in Western Victoria. I had this notion of working and living in a regional area away from the city rush. Genuinely, with the connectivity that we have, we don't need to live in a cramped, little apartment house on 102nd floor in the City. Here are the 10 reasons why I think living in a country town is a pure joy.
1. Lot of fresh air
You get plenty of fresh air anywhere around. No smoke, no pollution. You can walk around the town without worrying about greenhouse gases and global warming stuff. With Southern Grampians National park just few minutes drive from Hamilton, this region is home to beautiful waterfalls and lush green landscapes.
2. Time seems to move slower
Work at your own pace. I get up in the morning, ride to work in a pushbike, come back from work at 5pm (just 5 minutes drive time!). Swimming at Hamilton Indoor Aquatic Centre, Cricket and Lawn bowls. Life is pretty relaxed now.
3. People are friendly, I mean very friendly
In a country town, you are NOT a someone who is lost in the crowd. The shopkeepers know your name and your likes and dislikes.
4. No large shopping centres
No big shopping centres here to rip your money off. We have the essential ones such as Coles, Safeway, Go-Lo (they are open until 10pm every day) and Target country. Less spending, more savings.
5. No traffic lights
The main streets are always with low traffic (Interstate traffic moves along the fringes without coming into the Town's centre). You can leisurely joy walk around the town with cars giving way to you to cross the roads. Now, I am learning to drive and get a license soon, my friends say it would be easy to pass the driving test as the traffic situations are less complex. I am going to practise a lot to gain confidence before I go for it.
6. At last, the sky is full of stars
It is difficult to see a sky full of stars even in suburban regions of a City, because of the city lights . If you are a sky watcher or a stargazer, then you would be interested to look above and get lost in the wonders of space.
7. Staying connected
I have a broadband which is 4Mbps which is not bad and I blog from home chat with friends and social network - do all the things that you do.
8. Direct from farm
Although, we have supermarkets, I would like to buy directly from farmers - the best quality produce, fresh and cheap - when you are buying in bulk. Veggies, chicken and meat - ask and you will get them.
9. Meeting friends and socializing
This is pretty simple and easy. In Hamilton, there are utmost 6 pubs are there. You know you can meet all the singles, young people at these pubs - by visiting one pub a day. Can you do that in City?
10. We are close to Melbourne
Even if I get bored of all the above, I am still 4 hours away from the most beautiful city, Melbourne. I can spend a weekend with my friends in Melbourne.
The Joy of Living in a Countryside - I have just started discover things.
Visit Hamilton Web page for more information and pictures.
1. Lot of fresh air
You get plenty of fresh air anywhere around. No smoke, no pollution. You can walk around the town without worrying about greenhouse gases and global warming stuff. With Southern Grampians National park just few minutes drive from Hamilton, this region is home to beautiful waterfalls and lush green landscapes.
2. Time seems to move slower
Work at your own pace. I get up in the morning, ride to work in a pushbike, come back from work at 5pm (just 5 minutes drive time!). Swimming at Hamilton Indoor Aquatic Centre, Cricket and Lawn bowls. Life is pretty relaxed now.
3. People are friendly, I mean very friendly
In a country town, you are NOT a someone who is lost in the crowd. The shopkeepers know your name and your likes and dislikes.
4. No large shopping centres
No big shopping centres here to rip your money off. We have the essential ones such as Coles, Safeway, Go-Lo (they are open until 10pm every day) and Target country. Less spending, more savings.
5. No traffic lights
The main streets are always with low traffic (Interstate traffic moves along the fringes without coming into the Town's centre). You can leisurely joy walk around the town with cars giving way to you to cross the roads. Now, I am learning to drive and get a license soon, my friends say it would be easy to pass the driving test as the traffic situations are less complex. I am going to practise a lot to gain confidence before I go for it.
6. At last, the sky is full of stars
It is difficult to see a sky full of stars even in suburban regions of a City, because of the city lights . If you are a sky watcher or a stargazer, then you would be interested to look above and get lost in the wonders of space.
7. Staying connected
I have a broadband which is 4Mbps which is not bad and I blog from home chat with friends and social network - do all the things that you do.
8. Direct from farm
Although, we have supermarkets, I would like to buy directly from farmers - the best quality produce, fresh and cheap - when you are buying in bulk. Veggies, chicken and meat - ask and you will get them.
9. Meeting friends and socializing
This is pretty simple and easy. In Hamilton, there are utmost 6 pubs are there. You know you can meet all the singles, young people at these pubs - by visiting one pub a day. Can you do that in City?
10. We are close to Melbourne
Even if I get bored of all the above, I am still 4 hours away from the most beautiful city, Melbourne. I can spend a weekend with my friends in Melbourne.
The Joy of Living in a Countryside - I have just started discover things.
Visit Hamilton Web page for more information and pictures.
Comments