One of my favourite quips:
New Neighbour: “Hey Fred, what are the Neighbours like here?”
Fred: “How were they at your old place?”
New Neighbour: “Oh they were brilliant Fred”
Fred: “Well I reckon you’ll find them the same here”
(Replace brilliant with horrible and you have the same answer)
I have mentioned I live in Nirvana. One of the 10 reasons is because of the neighbours. Every morning at 6.30am they gather in the river opposite for a dip, a laugh, a chat, a catch up, a planning session, and then at 7.30 they all hop out and go about their day. Earlier this week they invited me to a champagne bbq breakfast at one of the bbq’s for a neighbours birthday– 7.30am on the riverbank – how wonderful.
When we first arrived a year ago, one of the neighbours with a rooftop had a party for the newcomers. It was such a treat and a wonderful way to meet everyone in a friendly way so you could have a chat next time you crossed their path. Of course it was also then that I realised they loved wine and cheese as much as I did, so I knew they had incredible taste. It is a rare person though who will open their home and heart to newcomers in apartment blocks so everyone can meet – a risk really in case we were horrid and abused it.
There are notices left in the lift with information on upcoming events like the painting, the pest control, the latest joke, so that everyone is in the loop and we know what is going on. There are daisies in the garden which we can pick for our units and if you are struggling with groceries there is always someone to help. But at the same time, there is absolutely no encroaching on your privacy, everyone has respect and your place is your own.
Last week the body corporate apologetically asked us to chop down some dead palm fronds in our side. I hadn’t noticed as they were about 20 feet above the ground where I tend not to look – to us they were just palm trunks. So youngest chopped the fronds down and oldest cleaned them up and everyone was so grateful and made a point to mention how wonderful it was – there was no judgement or disdain which you often get with body corporate.
My other 9 reasons I live in Nirvana:
- The river is salt water, tidal, clean, and is so incredibly good for your mind, body and soul.
- We can walk to “Ocean Street” which has a dozen amazing al fresco restaurants of every nationality. The street is blocked off once a month for markets, street food and amazing music. We can enjoy a wine and a nibble in a cosmopolitan environment and then walk home.
- We are 2 minutes from the Big Top markets which has fresh produce, fresh bread, meat, olives, lime juice, gluten free products, salami’s, flowers, seafood, coffee outlets, donuts to die for, plus lots of freshly made dishes, Curries, European and Asian dishes.
- It is 2 minutes to the cinema and 5 minutes to the gym for the boys on a bike.
- I have undercover lock up parking and it means I come and go without being seen.
- As you look out onto the water from the patio at any time of day there are joggers, stand up paddle boarders, boats, fishermen, jet skis, walkers, cyclists, kids playing, picnickers, kayakers, bull sharks (kidding)- it makes you want to be active and involved.
- I love the unit itself for so many reasons – clean lines, spacious but compact, practical, secure, inside outside dining, soundproof, good sized bedrooms which access to patios, it is soft and calming to me.
- Lastly, the whole of the Sunshine Coast is at our door – with beaches like Alexandra Headlands, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, then Kawana and Caloundra and then Mudjimba, Marcoola, Sunshine Beach, Coolum, and of course Noosa, and only a 2 hour drive along the beach to Teewah to camp, and then onto Rainbow Beach for a coffee and a horse ride along the beach– it truly is Nirvana.
I know everyone is interesting in their own way but when you start talking to my neighbours and find out their backgrounds and their interests– well – let’s just say they have led and continue to lead such interesting and valuable lives – and I’m so glad we have had the opportunity to share this part of our journey with them.
