Was relocating a good move? As the city reopens, I’m feeling a bit of FOMO

I love our neighbour Lisa, a high school principal who drops over in ugg boots to gossip about politics with my husband, stately in his Hawthorn dressing gown. The bird that whistles the happy birthday tune in our apple tree every morning. Playing barefoot table tennis on the front lawn to Bow River. The echidna burrowing under the fence next door. I love that the only traffic is at 7.30am, a river of tradies’ utes towing trailers.

The other side of the ledger. We’ve had rat problems. The internet is patchy. There’s nothing to do at night. It’s hard to get a good meal, the golf club aside thanks to its nasi goreng. And that’s the other thing – cultural diversity is limited to menu options. It’s like living inside an Oscars ceremony.

Initially, it was just the MCG, children, friends, trams that I missed about Melbourne. Now I also miss the David Jones shoe department, getting style inspiration from everyone in Gertrude St, walking to Lygon St on Sunday for a Readings browse and Nova matinee. I miss Fitzroy terraces with side gardens.

I really miss good food and the people making it. The larb gai at the N&J Thai Café in Smith St, almost opposite the Goon and its fabulous Korean chicken and hospitality. Anything at Goldys Tavern and kingfish sashimi with chilli oil at Chotto Motto.

Then there are the intangibles. City life sucks you in with its energy, fuels you with its possibilities. Coastal life is more pragmatic, both more and less anonymous.

So, I don’t know if the Bellarine is a forever lifestyle or temporary lifeline. I do know I’m obsessed with the pace, peace and endless nature. My advice if you’re tossing up a move is to know what you’re looking for. A house is just that. People and a community are the real home.