Beachmere -- Week The First.
We got into Beachmere a week ago just before the rising flood waters cut off the road. Since the house is on sand there was no mud -- let alone surface water -- under foot and our new address weathered the deluge without one iota of sogginess.
Unloading the pod of our worldly goods and chattels between rain squalls was another matter.
What with the unpacking and settling in I haven't explored the place in much detail but every day I go out either on the kickbike or walking the dogs or under some other excuse to reconnoiter the neighborhood.
Just south of the house -- beginning 500 metres away and running parallel to the coast -- is this wonderful primeval swamp which empties into the mouth of the Caboolture River. The terrain and ecology remind me of Moreton Island which dominates the horizon to the east, on the other side of Moreton Bay.
I can also access the river directly by skirting the new canal estate -- Trinity Waters -- a local rarity fortunately. -- to the bank upstream from the main public boat ramp.
So think swamp -- 'wetlands' plus plus -- and flat land with very broad avenues occupying a peninsular at the mouth of a river and you'll get a feel for the local geography.
And yes the tides: the low tide goes out a very long way.
Within this ecological package imagine this massive aviary where birds rule suburban streets such that they are everywhere. Species so many to list and many I don't know.
I also expected more mud especially along the shoreline, but instead there is sand -- some of it built up and very white.... and mangroves (always a standard on Moreton Bay)
Ironically despite the natural environment we're only a short walk from the shops -- grocers, take away, grog, butcher, baker, etc type retail mix. There was a newly opened pet shop but it was burnt out three nights ago.
So with it's own in house caravan park, Beachmere is like a seaside resort if you were into nothing fancy and limited nightlife: the tavern or the bowls club.
The major local industry seems to be the buying and selling of houses. This penchant for real estate turnover is an economic feature I'll explore as I settle in But the cheap land and the seaside aspect no doubt feed the dynamic. It explains why people come, but not why they go. 'Go' may be too general a word as not much real estate is moving at the moment as the local marketplace is not buoyant at all.
So those hoping to go are stuck for now...
We arrive and that 's all about stimulating the local economy. But for those seeking to leave, I'm sure failure to sell or failure to sell at your hoped for price would be cause for much seaside angst. But in Beachmere this week you can buy at both ends of the market -- under $300,000 or over $2 million -- and be shown a range of properties to suit your capacity to pay off your mortgage.And boy! at the top end of the market we 're talking huge palatial castles with absolute beach frontage set in acreage.Some are obscenely grandious.
And when you have a slow sales market you also get a lot of rental offerings on cheap leases. That's Beachmere too -- we even have one shop front and agent dedicated to flogging and administering local rental properties alone.
So come live in Beachmere. Walk the beaches and the swamps at a price you can afford. It's one of the few places where it is cheaper to buy rather than rent. And the money you save can go towards that cabin cruiser you've always dreamed of...
I kid you not...
There is logic in the move but a rationale that few are aware of because I reckon that this township is one of Brisbane's best kept secrets.
Unloading the pod of our worldly goods and chattels between rain squalls was another matter.
What with the unpacking and settling in I haven't explored the place in much detail but every day I go out either on the kickbike or walking the dogs or under some other excuse to reconnoiter the neighborhood.
Just south of the house -- beginning 500 metres away and running parallel to the coast -- is this wonderful primeval swamp which empties into the mouth of the Caboolture River. The terrain and ecology remind me of Moreton Island which dominates the horizon to the east, on the other side of Moreton Bay.
I can also access the river directly by skirting the new canal estate -- Trinity Waters -- a local rarity fortunately. -- to the bank upstream from the main public boat ramp.
So think swamp -- 'wetlands' plus plus -- and flat land with very broad avenues occupying a peninsular at the mouth of a river and you'll get a feel for the local geography.
And yes the tides: the low tide goes out a very long way.
Within this ecological package imagine this massive aviary where birds rule suburban streets such that they are everywhere. Species so many to list and many I don't know.
I also expected more mud especially along the shoreline, but instead there is sand -- some of it built up and very white.... and mangroves (always a standard on Moreton Bay)
Ironically despite the natural environment we're only a short walk from the shops -- grocers, take away, grog, butcher, baker, etc type retail mix. There was a newly opened pet shop but it was burnt out three nights ago.
So with it's own in house caravan park, Beachmere is like a seaside resort if you were into nothing fancy and limited nightlife: the tavern or the bowls club.
The major local industry seems to be the buying and selling of houses. This penchant for real estate turnover is an economic feature I'll explore as I settle in But the cheap land and the seaside aspect no doubt feed the dynamic. It explains why people come, but not why they go. 'Go' may be too general a word as not much real estate is moving at the moment as the local marketplace is not buoyant at all.
So those hoping to go are stuck for now...
We arrive and that 's all about stimulating the local economy. But for those seeking to leave, I'm sure failure to sell or failure to sell at your hoped for price would be cause for much seaside angst. But in Beachmere this week you can buy at both ends of the market -- under $300,000 or over $2 million -- and be shown a range of properties to suit your capacity to pay off your mortgage.And boy! at the top end of the market we 're talking huge palatial castles with absolute beach frontage set in acreage.Some are obscenely grandious.
And when you have a slow sales market you also get a lot of rental offerings on cheap leases. That's Beachmere too -- we even have one shop front and agent dedicated to flogging and administering local rental properties alone.
So come live in Beachmere. Walk the beaches and the swamps at a price you can afford. It's one of the few places where it is cheaper to buy rather than rent. And the money you save can go towards that cabin cruiser you've always dreamed of...
I kid you not...
There is logic in the move but a rationale that few are aware of because I reckon that this township is one of Brisbane's best kept secrets.