So how is the life? I must say awesome. No stress, no deadlines, no commutes, no boss, no pointless meetings and reports. Spending lots of time at home (and around on my 10,000sqm) maintaining my property. We have set up small garden, planted few extra trees to our macadamias, orange, lime, grapefruit, mulberry and mango trees.

We spent lots of time with our twins. They are now 3.5 years old. They need bit help with speech and some other issues, so we have time to take them regularly to specialists. They go few days a week to kindergarten to improve their social and communication skills. They are growing really well and love outdoor time running around and riding their bikes.

Many things changed since I was last time at work in October 2017. Obviously one of the unpleasant ones was no more paycheck. So far it seems we were reasonably well prepared. Since I left the work we have moved couple of times. First from Sydney to our South Coast property. It was great change from busy Sydney suburb to coastal town with 7,000 people. We have absolutely loved it. We had a house just outside of town on flat one hectare next to cow paddocks. For 9 months we socialised with neighbours and friends, worked on land, improved the house, exercised, surfed, took kids to playgroups and playgrounds. Most of the people could not understand why we wanted to move away. Except trying to get to the best place possible for us, we have also considered warmer weather and bit more facilities available for our twins.

To be honest we have absolutely loved the South Coast place and lifestyle. Actually to the point that we have decided to think what would be the best place in the world for our family. We have considered everywhere including Bali, Portugal and Perth. I have always thought about Sunshine Coast. Awesome ocean and countryside, great weather but not as busy as Gold Coast. So we have arranged reconnaissance trip slash holidays there.

On that trip we have seen about a dozen properties. Not sure how our 1.5 years old twin boys liked it at the time but for us it was bit hectic. Takeaway from the trip? Sunshine coast is awesome. Airport close to everywhere. Brisbane under 1.5 hour. Weather incredible. Plenty of facilities, medical centres, hospitals, malls, schools. Not sure about employment (still not sure 2 years later as I haven’t tested the job market). Beautiful beaches, plenty of sun and warm ocean. What is here not to like?

One of the houses we have seen was outstanding. Decent price, bit outdated (30 years old), but swimming pool, 2.5 acres of park like garden with many large mature trees, brick house and extra brick cottage, 10 min to town and 30 min to beaches. It was bit further to the beach than I have wanted but you need to always compromise. We were not going to work for a while after moving here so the second house bringing income counts.

We have put in the offer and after bit of toing and froing we agreed on price with extended settlement. That was to allow us to take one more trip back home to see our parents and friends and show off our boys. Also when you fly with kids under 2 you get big discount. And with the long settlement you have effectively locked in the price and own the property but delay the payment.  After the holiday we came back and 4 weeks later we have found ourselves driving 1,500 km to Sunshine Coast via Sydney. We had to bring 2 cars to Sydney, but from Sydney we took only one car and my friend delivered second vehicle few weeks later. It was a long trip with expensive removalist but it all went quite smoothly.

We have sold as many things as we could, rented out the house in South Coast and we were ready for Sunny Coast. We have become Queenslanders.

Here in Sunshine Coast we have managed quickly tidy up (repaint, clear bushes, mow grass, get rid of any rubbish) the cottage and have it rented out through the agent. We have found a kindergarten for boys, took them to some other supporting services, I became member of local soccer and jiu-jitsu club and my wife signed up to local gym. I have done bit of surfing too. Also we have started making many friends including neighbours, doctor, some Korean and Czech families and others. Once we were ready, about six months later we did bit of makeover of the main house. Things like 2 new bathrooms, paint, new tiles, new doors and remove couple of walls. There was also bit of work outside with many overgrown plants, bushes and trees.

That took about 2 months. Boys’ activities including swimming, playgrounds, childcare and beaches keep us very busy. Life slowed down a bit during the Coronavirus lock down. But that was definitely time to live on acreage instead of in the block of flats in the big smoke. Lately we have managed to sell the house on South Coast for quite a good price and currently we are in the process of looking for another investment property here in Sunshine Coast.

2 years later after the move to Queensland we still both think that it was bold but great decision to act on our dreams and wishes. Worst thing if such a move doesn’t work out, you can always move back. You don’t want 20 years later to be sorry you have not done it.

I love living on acreage. Every morning we can hear noise of wind in the trees, birds, watch kangaroos and ducks. We have now 5 chooks with large fenced chook area, small vegie garden and we even bought a cat. Maru the Devon Rex. Extremely playful and smart. It is one of the dog like cat breeds who is permanently curious what are you doing. He is only indoor cat, but all four of us keep him busy all the time. Every day before sleeping he wants bit of treat. When he is ready, he calls me, I put him in his bed, switch off the light and he sleeps until the next morning.

I think we will have some dog in the future too. But only once the kids will be able to take him out as I do not need to add more pet caring duties onto my list.

I love Sunshine Coast.

I think the only thing which did not work out so far is getting extra income outside our passive rental revenue. It is not crucial as we are currently actually saving money without working and living only off our rentals. But as both of us like making money we originally thought by now we will figure out something. Unfortunately we did not and also to be honest looking after two toddlers as busy as our boys is almost part time job for 2 people. There is bit of free time around the chores but definitely not in 8 hours blocks to be able to pick up proper job. And as an entrepreneur I have so far failed. We will keep hustling.

Well we are definitely not bored, kids taking majority of time. We have long list of hobbies. Also I like to work on the property and hopefully soon we will find one more investment property which will keep us busy for a while making it ready for its new tenants. We usually buy some doer upper, just we have to pay attention not to buy some money pit.

I encourage everyone to act on their dreams (as long as they align with your partner’s wishes). Even then, the compromise might bring some good change, new life experience and fulfillment. It did to us.