Dreams a reality in Masterton

ON THE LADDER: Kael Blake and Trish Keogh talk about living the dream in Masterton

Masterton has given us many opportunities and opened many doors to living the life we choose.

We are a young couple in our late 20s/early 30s, both originally from Wellington. I moved to Masterton a year ago and had been looking at buying a house in Wellington for a number of years - after moving to Masterton we bought our first house four months later.

This had been a life goal for my partner, Kael, and I, and after buying our house we sat together one night to think about what we wanted in life and work in our next five years.

We decided that in five years we would like to have bought a second property as a passive income. Then we looked at each other and thought, why do we need to wait five years?

We started looking at houses again and were persuaded to look at some rental units - four of them. We did the figures and it all added up - we bought four investments and that is our retirement fund. We plan to be able to retire before I am 40 - not that we actually will - but what this allows us is the freedom and ability to create our dream jobs which both my partner and I are currently in the process of doing.

By the way, our five properties together (given they are not huge or absolutely amazing) cost a similar price to one house in Auckland.

Kael and I see ourselves as young entrepreneurs. We both contract ourselves out as we have a great variety of skills and experience.

I work part time with Masterton District Council supporting projects and events. I also contract out as a virtual assistant, predominantly with an online coaching business called Get It Done Mum. My partner does our property management and maintenance as well as contracting out his employment support and budgeting skills.

We have plenty of other ideas under our hats including starting our own business - so watch this space for what we get up to next.

Now I look back on my past year in Masterton and can't believe we didn't do this earlier.

I have moved to many new towns in many different countries and never felt the same sense of friendliness and community anywhere else. I have joined a netball team, a squash club, and do pilates and the snowball effect of meeting people has led to more fun opportunities and the start of many great friendships.

I have taken opportunities for free development, including a rural leadership programme, a money management course and I am getting free snooker lessons.

Living here is exciting and so much cheaper, allowing us to use our money far more wisely. Masterton just makes sense and we love it.

-Want advice on employment and budget support? Phone Kael on 021 173 2528.