New neighbourhood

Maintaining the spirit of "Life with the Little Prince of Collingwood", we have shifted from Thornbury to Preston, but still refuse to change the blog's name.
Preston is wonderful, for many reasons:
1. It reminds us so much of Collingwood (which we adored). High St, Preston, is a curious mix of pawn shops, Vietnamese bakeries and curious $2 shops I call "Super Terrific Happy Shops". It's jut a little bit dodgy. It has absolutely no airs or graces. Rather like us, really.
2. The neighbourhood is friendly. Admittedly, we had terrific neighbours in Thornbury, who we will stay in touch with. But after less than a month in our new home we have already been greeted by our neighbours and feel welcome.
3. We live across the road from a primary school. And rather than the bank-of-cars hell I imagined it to be twice a day, it's turned out to be a delightful feature. We love the strange dance-y pop music played just before the school bell three times a day, and adore the sound of children playing at recess and lunch time.
4. We have a HUGE backyard. Big enough for a swing set, a clothesline, a cubby house, a vegie patch and still have room for a smallish backyard cricket match. It's awesome.
5. Preston market is close... and ace.
6. It is the first home that is ours. It's cool and quirky with lots of interesting features - like a pull-down ladder to the roof, evaporative cooling (who knew such a thing was so wonderful?), a bungalow and (gasp) a dishwasher.
7. Ari loves our house. He has had no problem adjusting to a new house and loves his new bedroom.
8. We are still close enough to all our usual haunts - Pizza Meine Liebe, Aunty Lauren's house, Northcote Plaza, Cozzella Bros.
9. Northland is close. Sounds Kath and Kim-ish, I know - and it is - but while it used to be handy to have cafes, restaurants and pubs on your doorstep, when you become a parent it's even handier to have Bunnings, Myer, JB HiFi, Safeway, KMart and a cinema close by. I know, we're all grown-up and boring.