jm36

Right, so after five long years of trying to make a go of it in Harden, I'm officially throwing in the towel. And mate, it's not just the bloody hailstorms that have pushed us to this point, though they certainly haven't helped a bloke out. Even before the skies decided to rain down ice, trying to get a tradie out for anything was an absolute nightmare. Forget about weeks or even months – you could easily be looking at a twelve-month wait, if you're lucky, for the simplest bloody job. And forget about urgent repairs – you've got more chance of winning the Powerball.

The chronic lack of decent trades is only half the story, though. What really gets under my skin about Harden is the attitude of some of the long-term locals. For five years, the family and I have felt like outsiders. It's like if you weren't born and bred there, you're always going to be 'that blow-in'. The only friendly faces you'll consistently find are the other families and folks who've moved to Harden in the last few years. They get it. They're in the same boat. But some of the old guard? Forget about getting a hand or even a bit of neighbourly kindness. It's like they've got a built-in suspicion of anyone who wasn't part of their primary school class. Makes you wonder what they're so worried about.

And it's not just a bit of unfriendly behaviour, let me tell you. There's a real undercurrent of dodgy stuff going on in Harden. You see a lot of shady characters creeping about at night, and the amount of obvious drug use is concerning, especially when you've got kids. It doesn't feel particularly safe after dark, that's for sure, and you end up keeping a closer eye on things than you should have to in a small town.

Then you've got the bottom feeders who prey on the vulnerable. I've heard too many stories about certain 'handymen' and lawn mowing blokes ripping off elderly residents, charging a fortune for rubbish work and hiring blokes who look like they've just done a stint inside. It's bloody disgusting, taking advantage of decent people like that.

Even the simple task of popping into the local newsagents is a pain in the backside. They're rude as anything, clearly couldn't care less about customer service because they just expect you to walk in and spend your money anyway. No smiles, no "how are you?", just a grunt and a demand for payment. You'd think a bit of common courtesy wouldn't hurt.

And don't even get me started on the local hardware stores. Honestly, they wouldn't know a decent widget from a wonky nail if it slapped them in the face. Forget about getting any actual advice or finding anything beyond the absolute basics. If you need proper hardware supplies or knowledgeable staff, you're looking at a drive to Young. Every single bloody time. Adds a good chunk of time to any weekend project.

Honestly, it's a real shame because Harden itself has a certain small-town charm, and you want to like the place for the kids. But the utter struggle to get anything done, feeling like an outsider for five years, the dodgy element you don't want your family around, and the sheer lack of decent services just wears you down. So yeah, we're off. Time for a place where getting a plumber doesn't feel like a once-in-a-blue-moon event, where a friendly face isn't a rare commodity, and where I don't have to worry about who's lurking in the shadows or getting ripped off by some cowboy. If you're thinking of moving to Harden, seriously, think long and hard. Maybe visit for an extended holiday first. See if you've got the patience of a saint, a knack for DIY that covers absolutely everything, and eyes in the back of your head, because you'll probably need all three to make it work.