Well, not really in our back yard but just over the road from home. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago on a Friday Grump post that we seem to be getting built out here in Mentone. Lately there has been a spate of apartments being built in our suburb. Several are the usual two story townhouses but now we are seeing developments of multi-level apartment blocks going up. They won't be cheap either. One that's been completed for over a year now has a gym, restaurant and several fashion shops. Another three are on the drawing board for the next 12 months.
The one across the road from us will be another lot of "Luxury" apartments. The big hole I mentioned will be an underground two level car park for the residents. It's huge so no telling how many apartments, and how many new neighbours we'll be getting.
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| Two levels of car park - that's a bloody big hole. |
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| I did think of digging up our old pet Wolfhound's bones buried in the backyard and throwing them into the hole and then suggesting that this might be an old aboriginal burial site - that might slow things down. |
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| The crane we see from our backyard approximately 200 metres away. |
They tell me its progress and that we need to grow our population for the economy. Well that's all well and good but we were here first and it use to be a nice little village atmosphere here in Mentone.
Or maybe I'm just a grumpy old man. Mind you, the cafes are getting better and we do have some great eating houses now.
It's frustrating to see changes in your neighbourhood, ones that make you wonder if you would choose to live there if they were already in place.
ReplyDeleteRather like the changes to one's work or profession, would I have chosen to do that job if I had known what it would be like after twenty years? (Probably not.)
Jean,
Deletethere's just a little tongue in cheek with my grumpiness, but I understand what you say about changes. We can't foresee the future but we can either adapt or change to suit our situation. We still like all the good things about where we live and quite honestly, its a great part of Melbourne. We are very fortunate.
Sounds rather 'invasive'. Even if the building itself blends in perfectly, you'll have the extra traffic and coming and going changing your life. I hope it'll work out just fine for you. Martine
ReplyDeleteMartine - its the traffic with the extra residents that trouble me more that anything. Over the next few years we'll be considering our options for a more relaxed life.
DeleteWe used to live in Kent which was the 'garden of England' at one time, full of orchards and produce, most of which has been taken over by bricks and mortar. It is sad, and I was glad to move away. Here in SW France there is change as well, but very much slower.
ReplyDeleteHope you are not to fazed by this new development. I think I would be. x
Vera, I've been reading your posts as Summer says goodbye and here its saying hello. We do have a great social network here so that would make it sad to move. Still have a few years before retirement so until then I keep working away on the house.
DeleteWill not all that building going on so close drop the price of your house? Sounds like it is time to make your retirement move to me :-) Keep well you two, Diane
ReplyDeleteDiane, I'm actually thinking that it will increase the value of our property over the next few years. We are close to amenities, beaches, cafe culture, shopping - all the things that young professional families crave.
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