happyhouse

North place is an extremely quiet culdesac. Only local traffic, mainly the cars of the people who live in one of the four properties or their friends or family. It is extremely safe for children and we have found everyone in the street to be down to earth, accomodating with everyones needs and very friendly. No need to worry about your loud music annoying your neighbours at any of your parties as they are so nice you probably would have invited them but even if you didn't there is so much space between you and privacy it wouldn't matter.

Being honest the initial drive from Morangup to Midland may seem long, though you don't need to go there to get things you have options of Mundaring, Toodyay, or Northam if the local suppliers don't have what you need. But as the saying goes the road less travelled... Once you have driven it a couple of times the time doesn't seem 40 minutes. It would take longer to drive 3 streets in the city. There is no car congestion or traffic lights for that lovely stop start driving. Once you get to the top of Redbrook Hill on Toodyay Road you have good roads with a relaxin tree lined drive home to your door. Then when you get home sit on your verandah to the silence of nature and watch the kangaroos, emus or wallabies hop and run around. If you're lucky you may even see an echidna. Then once the sun sets look up and finally get to see the real view of the stars without the city glare. It is a banket of glistening beauty. I bet you never believed there were so many in the sky and make as many wishes you can on the shooting stars you can now see.

As for the air, well take a deep breath. Real fresh air no pollution!!. Grow your own vegies or if you please fatten your own livestock. No polluted water either just fresh rain water. I have to admit since moving here and having fresh rainwater I do find it hard to stomach a glass of water when we go to friends and family in the suburbs on scheme water. We have just been spoilt with a beautiful clean smelling and tasting water which best of all is FREE!!!!. No water rates or water usage rates for these who live here.

In the 6 and 1/2 years we have lived here we have firmly become locals without having to put our noses into everything. We had our first major bonfire party 12 months after arriving and could not believe that 120 locals attended and there wasn't anyone who wasn't invited by word of mouth. You would never meet that many locals in the city. There is none of the sort of hijinks and dramas that are associated with any city parties where that many attend, as the kids are running around being kids and all the adults are like minded and have that country sense about them.

Where else can your children jump on their motorbikes, horses or build real tree houses in a safe secure environment. You have no problems letting them run around. It doesn't take long for you to recognise and be recognised as a local and you feel safe that if anything does seem amiss there are people to recognise that it is not normal with you still maintaining your privacy. Although people don't live in each others pockets there is always someone having a get together for weekend entertainment or call upon for a hand when needed.

For school age children the local bus service is run by a wonderful crew of drivers, who are very friendly and have the highest regards for the children's safety. There is Gidgegannup Primary where my children have attended and they love it. It is a small school in comparison to some with only around 300 children but that means small classes so your child does receive the best attention. All the teachers I have found to be fantastic, some being larger than life so all the kids want to be in their classes. Some of the teachers bring their own interest into the class to make sure the kids have so much more than regular schooling. It is highly likely with the friendly culture at the school that your child will not only know children and teachers from their year or past years but those in others. Definately an A+ on my scale. Eastern Hills Senior High is the designated high school with one of the best music programs for a government school with funding from the governent for a sound proof music room and facilities. There is a swimming pool on site which is very handy for school activities and sports. There are plenty of activities and sports from scouts to kindergym for the children to do locally. Football and netball have a good following with local teams.

I find that we are close enough to Toodyay (25 mins) and Northam (40 mins)for the country feel to any excursions for retail therapy yet very close to Mundaring (30 mins)and Midland (40 mins) which has everything you need or your heart desires. But there is also that distance which gets you away from that city rat race. 1 hours drive and you are in the city. Have to admit that if there isn't a local (9 times out of 10 there is) it is tricky getting repair men to come out. They don't understand that it is the same to drive 1 hour south of Perth as it is to drive 1 hour east but it is a minor thing compared to all the positives. It is this distance which creates this problem but give us the security to live.

We will miss living in Morangup. Work takes us interstate and away but we have built such strong lasting friendships that it is not goodbye for us from the community but simply a catch you when you come over to visit or we come back . So take the opportunity to look. Open your lives to a new experience. You will never look back. Give your children the experience of being a child with the type of old fashioned play that you grew up with.