By Melissa Meehan
The green open spaces and warmer weather of Camberwell has been a massive change for Lara Pilcher and her family.
Before they moved to Australian from London they were used to dreary cloudy days and living in a small apartment with two young children.
“In London, having a blue sky is a special day,” Lara said.
Lara, her husband Andrew and kids Raphael, 5, and Chaya, 3, made the move just under two years ago.
Lara, an actress, and Andrew, a specialist physical therapist were working in the West End when an opportunity came up to move to Australia.
“We have an arty life – and Melbourne has the only practice in the world that does the same kind of work that Andrew was doing in London,” she said.
“We thought it would be a better life for our children.”
Lucky enough to experience life in both London and Melbourne, Lara says her children have both benefitted and been affected by the move overseas.
“They haven’t had the consistency that a lot of other kids have had – everyone has kept changing except for us, so they tend to cling to us as a family unit.”
Coupled with moving overseas, the Pilcher’s have had numerous moves since arriving in Melbourne.
Not sure where to buy they rented in Nunawading before moving to Camberwell, and then needing to find another rental in Camberwell.
“They kids have moved and moved – and it builds resilience but it’s also hard on them,” she said.
“Every time we go on holiday they think we are moving again.”
But why Camberwell?
Lara said she was looking for somewhere with atmosphere and cafes – similar to what the British call a “high street”.
“It’s just a stunning area, with lots of green spaces and moving from London we wanted more of that life,” she said.
“Camberwell is so leafy and beautiful.”
But it might take some time for the family to adjust to Melbourne summers.
On the hottest of days Lara says they barricade themselves inside right beside the air conditioner.
But she’d take Melbourne’s crazy weather over the gloomy skies of London.
Another bonus is the government support in Australia for families.
“I think we, in Australia, are very lucky to have a system that supports famly and childcare,” she said.
“We didn’t qualify for those things in London – you need to be practically homeless to get those benefits.”
The Pilcher family is happily fitting into the Australian way of life – and might even follow in the footsteps and buy a home with a big backyard, something very different to the London experience.
