Coming from a 2 bedroom terrace in Newtown - we were expecting a slight increase in size of property in Townsville. There are several new develpoments around Townsville - Bushland Beach to the north of Townsville, a new development out near Thuringowa (West of Townsville) & Idalia / Fairfield Waters (South of Townsville).
We settled on Idalia / Fairfield Waters/ Annandale areas and had 2 real criteria - must have airconditioning (a given in Townsville) plus it must have a pool or spa. Surprisingly the pool or spa criteria is not that common (at least not in rental market) - so the 3 or 4 we found - we quickly arranged inspections for.
We saw a brand new place - ie no lawn, still finishing off house - nice but a little sterile.
We saw a slightly older place in Annandale with a very nice pool - too bad the house was filthy! We also so a "beautifully renovated" Queenslander - and when I say "beautifully renovated" I am using agent speak ie it has had the floors polished and a new coat of paint.
We also saw the house we are now renting - advertised as 4 bedrooms, 2 bath, 2 car + spa.
Michelle refers to the place as the tardis - as on first looks - it appears unassuming - normal size - but once you enter the 'tardis' space and time seems to warp (at least it does for a couple used to a 9 sqaure house in Newtown).
The current occupants were there when we inspected it & they had a dog so - Tick - pets allowed.
The front is fairly typical - double garage, front door - 2 bedrooms - one either side of the front door. You then enter this L shaped space which is the lounge / kitchen / dining space and is enormous. I would say this space is larger than our Newtown house. They had a fair bit of furniture and the space still seemed a tad empty - I am not sure how we are going to fill it.
On the outside of this space - there was an in-ground spa probably big enough for 4 to 6 people - Tick - water.
At the end of the room was the bathroom, then another bedroom, the laundry and then the main bedroom.
Michelle and I being slightly ignorant of the size of these places - we couldn't find the second bathroom. We asked the agent and low & behold the she opened up the sliding doors in the main bedroom (which we had assumed was the built in wardrobe) and on one side was a full ensuite and the other a walk in wardrobe.
Opposite the house is a park and down the road is the Ross River walkways - which span 20 -30 km from the CBD to the Uni.
To see our place via google maps - click on this link
Craig & Michelle's Townsville Home
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Beautiful One Day..........
I just thought - given our imminent departure from the Harbour City to destinations tropical - I would capture a few thoughts, observations and anecdotes on the relocation to a tropic clime.
I will try to share our experiences, challenges and inevitable learnings from the process while keeping you moderately (hopefully) amused.
Observation 1 - "Winter" weather is a lot nicer in Townsville than in Sydney.
The locals would kinda say - duh - but as we are in the tropics - there is no winter - only the Dry and the Wet. Fortunately Michelle was hired in May to start in June in her new role - so we get to experience the best of the dry season - I think the day time temperatures are between 26 and 27 at the moment - blue skies - very nice.
Everyone says that the "Summer" is real hot!
Pic -The Jetty on the Strand - Magnetic Island in background
Observation 2 - Townsville is a bicycle riders town.
Townsville is very flat - apart from the "meteorite" that is called Castle Hill. I am very much looking forward to riding my bike pretty much everywhere in Townsville - as it is flat but also it appears very pro-bike riders with bike lanes on most roads and bike paths stretching along the waterfronts and rivers that bound the city.
View from Castle Hill out to East of Townsville
Anecdote 1 - Real Estate Agents DON'T open on weekends. (Actually we were told that some do - but not the 6 or 7 we had dealings with!)
Observation 3 (or is it anecdote 2) - It is totally reasonable to eat Steak every time you go out - 4 dinners - 3 steaks (+ 1 lamb) - when you are on a good thing - stick to it I say!
More Pics of the Strand
Bugger!
I will try to share our experiences, challenges and inevitable learnings from the process while keeping you moderately (hopefully) amused.
Observation 1 - "Winter" weather is a lot nicer in Townsville than in Sydney. The locals would kinda say - duh - but as we are in the tropics - there is no winter - only the Dry and the Wet. Fortunately Michelle was hired in May to start in June in her new role - so we get to experience the best of the dry season - I think the day time temperatures are between 26 and 27 at the moment - blue skies - very nice.
Everyone says that the "Summer" is real hot!
Pic -The Jetty on the Strand - Magnetic Island in background
Observation 2 - Townsville is a bicycle riders town.
Townsville is very flat - apart from the "meteorite" that is called Castle Hill. I am very much looking forward to riding my bike pretty much everywhere in Townsville - as it is flat but also it appears very pro-bike riders with bike lanes on most roads and bike paths stretching along the waterfronts and rivers that bound the city.
View from Castle Hill out to East of Townsville
Anecdote 1 - Real Estate Agents DON'T open on weekends. (Actually we were told that some do - but not the 6 or 7 we had dealings with!)
Observation 3 (or is it anecdote 2) - It is totally reasonable to eat Steak every time you go out - 4 dinners - 3 steaks (+ 1 lamb) - when you are on a good thing - stick to it I say!
More Pics of the Strand
Bugger!
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