As many of you are aware, I’ve recently moved from Burleigh Heads on Queensland’s Gold Coast, across the border into Northern New South Wales. We sold our two-storey family home of almost 15 years, with the aim of downsizing and relocating to a quieter coastal town for our retirement. We have plans to build a new 3 bedroom single level home at the Tweed Coast seaside village of Kingscliff. But in the meantime we are renting a place and hence my new Tweed River backyard was our location of choice.
It was a big decision to sell our family home after almost 15 years, with so many wonderful memories, including bringing up two teenagers, two labrador dogs and many gatherings for friends and family. My advice is to think very carefully before taking this big step, as selling a home can be a very emotional and stressful decision. It took us years to come to terms with the fact that the house was far too big for us and that we were living in a rapidly developing and popular area.
Our Family Home of 15 Years
Once we decided to sell up it was an extremely busy time for us as we not only had to declutter, carry out maintenance items, clean and spruce up our house, but we also had to find a Real Estate Agent to list the house with. Then it was weekend after weekend of open for inspections, potential purchasers tramping through our house and then waiting for the right offer. Eventually after 3 months we got a good offer and a contract of sale on our home.
Once our contract of sale became unconditional we began the process of looking for somewhere suitable to rent. Not an easy prospect when you have so many belongings like a caravan, two cars, trailer, boy’s toys, sporting equipment and loads of furniture. But also our beloved labrador dog!
Walking our Dog on Burleigh Beach
We began looking in Kingscliff, our intended place of residence once we’ve completed our build, but couldn’t find anything suitable. Weeks went by and still we couldn’t find a place and we were starting to get desperate. The problem was that we only wanted a 6 month lease, we had a dog and we had no rental history. So after weeks and weeks of continuously inspecting rental homes we finally found a place at Tweed Heads West.
The beach at Kingscliff on the Tweed Coast
In the meantime we had commenced the packing process and getting rid of excess furniture and household items. It was an extremely busy time leading up to our moving date. We were fortunate that the house we rented was fully furnished and as a result we were able to store our furniture and most of our belongings. This was a real bonus for us, saving us the chore of moving everything twice.
Tweed River Walking Path
Our temporary home for the next 6 months as it turned out is located right on the Tweed River. Our back patio and yard overlooks the stretch of river known as Terranora Inlet. In the centre of the river there are several islands that are Tweed River Estuary Reserves teeming with abundant marine life and hundreds of birds. It is also a renowned favourite fishing spot for Flathead and Whiting or Mudcrabs.
My outlook from my back yard over the Tweed River
Adjacent to our house is a boat ramp and a jetty that is extremely popular with fisherman and boating enthusiasts. We often have jet skis roaring up and down the river, dragon boats training, rowing skulls and a couple of tourist cruise boats. I can sit for hours watching life on the river and never get bored.
Tweed River Jetty early in the morning
For a girl that thrived on her beach walks every single morning, I now have kilometres of walking trails alongside the river. Each morning I set off with my dog and barely see another person. What a great way to start the day!
A Tweed River Pelican
There really is something about living close to the water don’t you think? Are you a beach or a river person?
This post is part of the Lovin’ Life Linky with a Lovin’ Life Team of the “ageing positively” kind who are as keen as I am to promote the Lovin’ Life mindset.
The Lovin’ Life Team includes:
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jodie
September 20, 2018What a project, Kathy!! We downsized like this 3 years ago, and we’ve never looked back. But we moved right into our place unlike you who will be moving twice…eeek!! But we are so glad we did it, and it’s good for so many reasons. Stressful. But good!!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos, and I can’t wait to keep up to date on it all!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Kathy
September 20, 2018It has been a huge project and I’m so glad the first half is over. Now we have to focus on building our new home and getting used to a new neighbourhood. #TeamLovinLife
Lydia C. Lee
September 20, 2018How gorgeous to be so close to water. I’d love to live near the beach but in Sydney it’s too far away from everything. This is a constant topic of discussion with my husband. I can currently walk to the Enmore for gigs, have 3 different cinemas within 10 mins, and bars a plenty up the road. We zip into the Opera House and STC with ease, and ditto the Entertainment centre in less than 10 mins….so while I’d love to live near water, this city mouse is happy to drive to it for a visit, if I can walk and train it to everything else!
Kathy
September 20, 2018It sounds like you have the perfect location. I’m not a city girl at all and prefer smaller places. However I do like the sound of being close to so much action! Being close to the water is important to me. #TeamLovinLife
Joanne Tracey
September 20, 2018What a fabulous backyard! I love my beach walks each morning, but have to drive to get there. This looks like total bliss.
Kathy
September 20, 2018Yes I think we have done pretty well. We’ve moved from being 300m to the beach to bang smack on the riverfront. It is lovely to wake up to each morning.
Melissa@All Around Oz
September 20, 2018Looks like your temporary address is in a wonderful spot. It would be no chore at all to go for a walk along the river path.
Kathy
September 20, 2018Yes we have definitely lucked out. I love waking up to the river every morning and taking the dog for a walk. #TeamLovinLife
Natalie
September 20, 2018Beautiful backyard and walking path! I live close to Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, and walk there each morning.
Kathy
September 20, 2018It sounds like you have a beautiful backyard as well. I would imagine Lake Ontario would be as pretty as a picture. #TeamLovinLife
Min @ Write of the Middle
September 20, 2018I love your new Tweed River outlook. Lovely photos but particularly that pelican one! I know how stressful selling and moving is. I’ll have to do it again one day because we will not be staying in our current house for evermore. It’s near a school and I want to get away from that to somewhere much quieter. The build will be exciting Kathy. Hope it all goes well! As for beach or river … I love both! Both have their own treasures to offer! :-) #TeamLovinLife
Kathy
September 20, 2018It’s a beautiful location Min. We’re very fortunate that we found this place. I don’t think I ever want to move again! It was very stressful and a lot of hard work.
Leanne
September 20, 2018What a lovely spot to spend the next 6mths of so of your life. I imagine it will be quite a restful spot to return to after running around with the building of your new place. Enjoy the serenity x
Kathy
September 21, 2018Yes it will be Leanne. We will be very happy here for the next 6 months. #TeamLovinLife
Christine
September 20, 2018Don’t envy you having to move twice, and hope the building so smoothly. We’ve just passed by Tweed Heads today but didn’t stop. Next time! Just booked for a little sojourn at Kingscliff for next time, in a great big house for all the family.
Kathy
September 20, 2018One move down and one to go! Next time into a brand new house in Kingscliff. You will enjoy my new backyard. It has a lot going for it. #TeamLovinLife
Denyse Whelan
September 20, 2018Couldn’t be happier for you both. You have landed well. I wish ours had been a little less rocky. We are renting a lovely modern place now and are very comfy but we “know” we still have too much and as we are ageing (70 next year) we will eventually buy smaller and compact.
I understand so much of what you went through. I believe selling “home:” is hard. Now, though you have so much to distract you with that view and building.
Exciting times I hope.
Denyse
Kathy
September 20, 2018It has been a tough time. Moving house is a lot of hard work and I was sad to leave our family home. Yes it’s exciting building a new home in Kingslciff. #TeamLovinLife
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
September 20, 2018What a year Kathy but new adventures ahead. Such a lovely temporary view while your home is being built. It’s difficult to leave a family home behind but also exciting times ahead. I also love pelicans 😊
Kathy
September 20, 2018There are plenty of pelicans on the river. I love to sit out the back of our house and just watch the world go by. Exciting times ahead! #TeamLovinLife
Pinky Poinker
September 20, 2018Absolutely stunning! Congratulations Kathy!
Kathy
September 21, 2018Yes it’s a pretty spot. We were lucky to find this place. #TeamLovinLife
Jan
September 21, 2018I can imagine how stressful it must have been finding an interim rental (and of course I totally understand about the selling, packing up and moving. The Tweed area is really lovely and you have a whole new playground to explore; all that beautiful hinterland as well.
Kathy
September 21, 2018It was a very stressful time Jan, but the worst is behind us now. We’re enjoying our new location on the Tweed River. #TeamLovinLife
Janet
September 21, 2018Such a beautiful spot Kathy, like being on holidays all year round :-) . We are getting our house ready to go on the market, having just purchased a new one. We are hoping to move out before it goes on the market so we can “style” it and not have to deal with inspections. Choosing an agent is hard. I’ve met a lady via the local business networks whom I think would be ideal. Hubby on the other hand reckons we should give Purple Bricks a go. Watch this space …….
Kathy
September 21, 2018That’s exciting Janet, about your new house. It sounds like you’re in for a busy time. Good luck with it all. #TeamLovinLife
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
September 22, 2018Planning an adults only visit to Kingscliffe in the next couple of months. Let’s catch up! Such a gorgeous part of the world. I may well talk hubby into retiring there myself :) #teamlovinlife
Kathy
September 26, 2018I would love to catch up in real life Leanne. Let me know when you’re in Kingscliff. Construction on our new home starts very soon.