Bought a weekly Zone 1+2 pass to do the house-hunt next week. Decided that we should go over some of the suburbs to check them out again.
Called Marcus at 11:00 AM and woke him up! Told him we should head out to the outer suburbs before sundown.
Went over to the Library and started compiling lists of real-estate agents to call. Came back to the apartment after the library and ate lunch - sandwiches, leftover casserole and fruit. By now it was 1:00 PM, and we were still waiting for Marcus. He finally arrived - and still hadn't had anything to eat.
Walked over to Flinders Street Station, and popped into Flora's - an Indian restaurant which reinforced every experience I've had of Indian food outside India - for Marcus' lunch. When we finally left Flora's at 2:00 PM and walked across the street to the station, where we found out that the next Belgrave train was at 2:30 - barely 3 hours before dark. I was quite frustrated that the whole day was more-or-less gone before we even started.
The Saturday schedule on the Belgrave line consists of a Lilydale service, with a synchronized spur service off Ringwood to Belgrave, and it took about 15 minutes longer than the usual hour.
We got off at Upwey and walked up the street, taking in the cool air, the fresh smell of the trees, the sound of sulphur-crested cockatoos and king parrots as they flew in formation around the trees. Definitely breathtaking in more ways than one!
The property we wanted to look at was a sharp uphill walk from the station. The place itself was not attractive looking but the view around the area was phenomenal. Both Smitha and Marcus were apprehensive about the region though - given its distance from the city and the remote, hill-country feel. Personally, though, it takes me back to a happier time - back to the wooded hills of New Hampshire and Vermont, and the simple wisdom and charm of the people who live there.
Stopped off at a real-estate agent's office on the way back to Upwey station, just to get a feel for the people and the available houses. He took us to see a beautiful house - too big and expensive for us - and we decided to head back home. It was already dark even though it was only around 5:30 PM.
We got off at Spencer Street, headed over to the Crown Casino Food Court for a doner kebab, parted ways with Marcus and headed for home.
As we walked back home from Parliament Station, we called Tabitha and sang her a Happy Birthday - she was thrilled - and then called and talked to the families at home in India.
Then we sat down and took stock of the day...
We'll go over the same checklist of things we're looking for in a home for any of the houses we'll consider - distance from the city, distance from the railway station to the home, distance to church, grocery stores, hospitals, the cost factor, the construction quality, the size of the home, the general value for money and other factors which aren't so tangible like safety, security and the attractiveness of the area.
That in mind, next week should be interesting - we've lined up at least a dozen agents in the Upwey, Frankston and Berwick areas, and hopefully we'll be able to get a nice home soon!
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