Considering a tree change.

[Jay]

hey guyz, just after some pro's and con's on the idea.

The +1 and I are at that time now where we're looking at buying our first home but because of our lifestyles we debating whether or not buying in the city (surrounding burbs) would suit us.

We're both fairly laid back people and generally stay away from populated areas and the typical early mid 20's scene.

We've considered Mansfield as a possible location to move to but the obvious problem is financial stability. As much as I'd like too move there I have my doubts about job security and supporting the +1 and potentially a whole family in the future.

The +1 is a registered nurse and I'm an apprentice carpenter (with more experience than my years in the trade), I guess my question is.. in all your infinant wisdom..is it viable?

Is it possible to make a sustainable living with a mortgage (a modest one) in a country town at a young age?

I'm after all your opinions and experiences.

smile.gif

[ 01.12.2008, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Jay ]

[skichic]

Quite often houses in country towns are much cheaper than city equivalents, therefore the mortgage is smaller and you don't need to earn as much. Cost of living can also be lower.

[skimax]

hey worth thinking about .
To a degree , you have two job skills that would work in that environment ,
Think your wife should get work relatively easily , yours might be harder.
Depends on your ability to survive on one wage for a while.
Other option is to buy up there anyway and rent out for a while till you are in a position to make your move .
Good luck with whatever happens.

[TB]

Check the job market in town of choice.

[Boardingbuny]

If you make that choice, be prepared to struggle until it work comes..

Be polite to the locals, meet them, take them for coffee they are your life line

[SnoWhite]

Originally posted by Jay:
The +1 is a registered nurse and I'm an apprentice carpenter (with more experience than my years in the trade), I guess my question is.. in all your infinant wisdom..is it viable?

Is it possible to make a sustainable living with a mortgage (a modest one) in a country town at a young age? If you can get work I'd say it's viable. No idea what the work situation is down there. Here in Jindabyne there is generally plenty of work for tradesmen, though some of them do switch to ski resort jobs during winter, mainly because of the climate.

As for nursing, my brother's ex is a nurse and when she lived here there was plenty of work available at Cooma hospital. The only down side was the 65 km / 45 minute drive each way.

I'd suggest getting in touch with some of the country hospitals and builders, etc. to get an idea of work available. The local chamber of commerce and even councils may also be able to give you some info. Most people in country areas are happy to have a chat and pass on their experience.

If you can get the work, there's a good chance a mortgage is going to be much more manageable outside the city.

[HelsSA]

We did the same thing in our early 20's except we had a young child. Best decision we ever made. Country towns are great. Nurse's are in demand everywhere and so are carpenters. Choose a house that needs some work and you can watch your investment grow. As sugested before ring the hospital and local builders.

[Jay]

Thanks for all the food for thought guyz. I may give the phone a work out this weekend and see what I can come up with.

HelsSA, my plan is exactly what you said. To buy a shabby house that needs a bit of a revamp. Not only to get a cheaper home but also by renovating a house it makes it your own.

[HelsSA]

Were doing up our 8th place now our only stuff up was when we built a house. We look back now and if we had stayed put in any of them we would be debt free now. Bugger.

[Legolas]

Originally posted by Jay:
Thanks for all the food for thought guyz. I may give the phone a work out this weekend and see what I can come up with.

HelsSA, my plan is exactly what you said. To buy a shabby house that needs a bit of a revamp. Not only to get a cheaper home but also by renovating a house it makes it your own. nothing like a big advertisement in a small community too!! start with the facade!

[Farty The Snowman]

Sheesh, I thought by the topic starter you meant you were ditching the ole 1970's christmas tree and were going for a new one

[Hunter]

Originally posted by skichic:
Quite often houses in country towns are much cheaper than city equivalents, therefore the mortgage is smaller and you don't need to earn as much. Cost of living can also be lower. Watch this as house prices in Mansfield have risen at quite a rate in recent years, may not be as cheap as you think.

[skichic]

Originally posted by Hunter:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by skichic:
Quite often houses in country towns are much cheaper than city equivalents, therefore the mortgage is smaller and you don't need to earn as much. Cost of living can also be lower. Watch this as house prices in Mansfield have risen at quite a rate in recent years, may not be as cheap as you think. </font>[/QUOTE]I have no idea where Mansfield is graemlins/big_laugh.gif but you are right, depends on the location and attraction of people to the place. Jindy for example has house prices much higher than my house in Brisbane. However out of town areas are more comparable or cheaper.

[John Deere]

Finish your apprenticeship first ;)

[BlueHue]

Mansfield, bottom of Mt Buller going by the maps. About 30-40 minutes drive from the ski hill from what I've been told.