Dreaming of swapping the hustle and bustle for a more peaceful way of life? Canberra couple Chris Kafer and Claire Lubransky are turning their dreams into a reality with the purchase of a large rural block only 45 minutes from Canberra.
Whether itโs rising house prices, the stress of city living or the yearning for more space, many Australians are dreaming about the benefits of a tree change. And with the Covid-19 pandemic proving that you can work from anywhere, turning that dream into a reality is now within most peopleโs reach.
So, when Chris and Claire heard about The Fields, an exclusive development in Murrumbateman that offers picturesque rural blocks up to 14,000m, the decision to make the move was a complete no-brainer.
โWeโd always talked about living rurally in the future and how it would be the ideal location to raise a family,โ says Claire. โAnd weโd been particularly interested in Murrumbateman because itโs still so close to Canberra. The Fields is just perfect for us because you can get really decent sized blocks at a good price, leaving you with enough money to build a great home.โ
Working in the public service in the city centre, Claire has the option to work from home and commute into the office a few days a week. Chris on the other hand, will actually be shortening his commute between home and where he works at the ANU Research School of Physics.
โClaire currently owns a property in Canberra, and I have one in Yass that we bought individually as investments,โ he explains. โSo, Iโll actually be cutting my commute down by half an hour. Most people have a fear of driving anywhere longer than 20 minutes. But Murrumbateman is a really happy medium in terms of maintaining that rural lifestyle versus not having very far to commute.โ
When talking about their expectations for the future, both Chris and Claire are very excited about having the space do what they want.
โWith all that room to move, I can build a big shed for my boat and my tools. We can grow our own fruit and veggies and have a mini paddock for animals such as sheep and goats. And eventually we can have a big play area for our kids with a cubby house and a trampoline.โ
โWeโre both pretty eco-conscious,โ adds Claire. โOur new home will have solar panels and one of the requirements for building there is to have a big water tank, which will automatically irrigate our plants. So, weโll be quite self-sufficient.โ
But as much as theyโre looking forward to the privacy and freedom that all that space will afford them, theyโre equally keen to become part of a connected community.
โWeโre both really looking forward to meeting our neighbours and having people over for BBQโs,โ says Chris. โThat feeling of being part of a tight knit community is really important to us and it seems like Murrumbateman has like-minded people out there who want the same rural lifestyle that we do.โ
โI didnโt realise how bustling Murrumbateman is,โ adds Claire. โIt has medical facilities, cafes and restaurants, a preschool and the Murrumbateman markets every weekend. And we love the fact it has so many wineries. In fact, we had a celebratory lunch at Shaw Vineyard when we bought the block. We are very excited to visit the other wineries and we will definitely be going back to Shaw given our block will only be about 800 metres away from the cellar door and restaurant!โ
Colliers International Residential Land Director, Josh Reid was thrilled to walk Claire and Chris on-site, helping them through the sales process of securing their new home. For more information contact him on 0432 423 699.
5 reasons to consider a tree change
Better quality of life
Whether itโs connecting with nature on a daily basis, giving kids the freedom and space to spend more time outdoors, or enjoying a slower pace of life, living rurally affords you unique lifestyle opportunities that you simply canโt find in the city.
Room to pursue your dreams
Always dreamed of having your own tennis court? Or an artistโs studio? Or running a little B&B? These opportunities are limited by space in metropolitan areas. Whereas with a large rural block of land, the potential for exploring your hobbies or interests are endless.
Healthier living
Aside from the fresh country air, living rurally gives you the space to own animals and grow your own produce, free from preservatives and additives. All that room is more conducive to an active lifestyle. And a slower pace of life can also reduce stress levels.
Greater sense of community
With so many tree changers moving to smaller towns, there are opportunities to create tight knit communities of like-minded people who share the same lifestyle values as you.
Best of both worlds
Canberra is unique in that it gives you the ability to easily commute in and out of the city to take advantage of career and study opportunities, whilst enjoying all of the benefits of a country lifestyle with regional attractions right on your doorstep.
Dreaming of a tree change? Make it happen at thefieldsmurrumbateman.com.au
This content was created in partnership with The Fields. For more information on sponsored partnerships, click here.
