“I chose a good city!”: Car breakdown leads to unexpected connection

Some people come to New England to work. Others come for the lifestyle. We've heard that some are inexplicably drawn to the region. And for others… it's more of a coincidence.

For Kim Cleverly, the move to Armidale began with a car breakdown.

Leaving Cairns a few months ago, she packed her things into the car and headed south, unsure of her destination. As she left Moree, her car began to overheat. By the time she reached Armidale, it was clear she needed a mechanic.

“I landed here and met someone at a car repair shop.”

“And I thought, wow, these are nice people!”

Nice people planted an idea

While the local mechanic couldn't fully repair Kim's car, she was able to get it to Kempsey. There was no mechanic available in Kempsey, so she ended up getting her car fixed in Sydney with her old mechanic and staying in cheaper Newcastle while she waited.

“That's when the decision to go to Armidale became really clear and solidified. And then I came back with my repaired car and here I am.”

“I gave myself a few weeks to find an apartment and/or a job. I have found an apartment and am still working on finding a job.”

Kim is in good company in Armidale, which has a strong community of incredibly overqualified people ready and willing to work in roles well below their skills in order to stay in the city. A divorce and litigation lawyer in the US with multiple degrees, she followed her husband, a climate change researcher and lecturer, to Australia over a decade ago. Burnt out by her demanding legal practice, she enjoyed the break from the legal industry when she arrived and now wants to, as she puts it, “serve my fellow man”.

“One of my jobs is to moderate an online community of about 31,000 people who suffer from climate anxiety.

“This is real and it causes a lot of stress, especially among the younger generations, the Zeds and the Millennials, and I am happy to support them,” Kim said.

“But because I have a master's degree in business, a law degree and a degree in English, I am not eligible to become a social worker or care worker under the Australian admissions system. But I hope I can cheat my way through.”

She has applied for several jobs in the city at nonprofits and in government and knows that finding the right job will be important for her to get her footing in her new city.

“You could say that I haven't quite found my feet yet. I have made a few friends.

“I met a woman who lives in Newling Gardens at the Cancer Council tea. She heard me talking and started a conversation, which is common in Armidale when I open my mouth with my thick North American accent.”

“Through my rental situation I met a wonderful woman from Indonesia, we spent time together and I am thrilled that I was able to go to the theater.

“We would have to save for months to be able to afford theatre visits in Sydney and things like that.

A dramatic difference

“My head is still spinning when I think about the dramatic difference in being able to enjoy the finer things in life here.

The gifted pianist has used her skills to entertain dementia patients and accompany local choirs, including at Newling Gardens, and has been surprised and touched by the abilities of ordinary local people in her choirs.

“You know the old piano, so I turn my back, but I listen carefully because I'm the accompanist. And then the harmonies come in, and everyone has a beautiful ear, and they're all like they're in their 80s!”

“I say don't cry while you play, Kim. Just pull yourself together!”

It is not just the art and culture that touched Kim.

“I guess I'm a little bit surprised by it, like when I found the Dumaresq Dam and went out there, and I mean, I couldn't walk five steps without having a wildlife encounter. It was just wonderful.”

“And I thought, boy, this is pretty good. I picked a good city!”

“And then I started joining all the Facebook groups and following the events, and it's just incredible how much there is here.”

Kim also noticed how unique and diverse New England is and how different it is from the Hunter in particular.

“When we lived in Sydney, we would go to the Hunter every now and then.

“If you drive 100 kilometers, employment, politics, everything changes,” Kim said.

“That's actually one of the appealing things about New England to me: the lack of monolithic nature, or at least that's how it seems to me so far.”

Here forever

Originally from the Midwest, the Australian-born New Mexico resident has recently become an Australian citizen and says she has no desire to return to the United States.

“I received a warm invitation to return to America, and I really reflected.”

“I can't put into words what Australia is all about, but for me it is absolutely clear that I want to stay in Australia.”

When asked what advice she would give to others considering a move to New England, she offers a warning of sorts.

“Be prepared for the possibility of eye contact with people you don’t know.”

“People will notice you and generally be very, very friendly.”

“And if all this appeals to you, let’s have a coffee.”