Claire

Hello folks! My name is Claire, I'm 48 and currently living in Naarm (Melbourne). Me and my beautiful 11 year old greyhound Isla are planning to move to Castlemaine in just a few months! I was planning for later in the year but received a notice to vacate when my current least expires in early September, so nothing like a deadline to get one moving! I'm looking for a sharehouse situation as a temporary measure, while I look for somewhere to live on my own. However, we would love somewhere we can land for at least six months, while we settle in. Isla is a gentle soul, well behaved and toilet trained. She comes with her own reference from our vet, which I'd be happy to share!

I am a self-employed piano teacher and I also write music and do some volunteer arts administration. I love music, getting out in nature, spending time with friends and enjoying things like craft, reading (when it doesn't send me to sleep!) and generally learning things about the world around me and beyond. I like a healthy balance of time with friends and time by myself, so I would hope I'd make a good housemate - a mix of conversation and company or leaving you to it! It has been a while since I've shared but I think I can adapt and be a responsible housemate in terms of household tasks.

On to the practical things - I do come with an upright piano and would ideally be looking for space to teach from. I'd be looking to secure some teaching work during and also after school hours, some of which may be from home, unless I can secure a local studio space of some kind, or space in a community hall that has a piano. If you have room in your home but an upright piano is too much for a shared space, then I have a keyboard I could use instead (which would take up less physical space) and the piano could live in my room. You would of course be welcome to play the piano when I'm not using it!

I will be moving to Castlemaine without work in place, however I have substantial personal savings that will be my financial buffer until I start working. I also have the go-ahead from some local schools to advertise my music teaching in their newsletters, so that will no doubt lead to some work fairly quickly.

Lastly, I'm a country girl at heart, originally from north-east Victoria. I've lived in various cities for the last 30 years, but I'm ready to make the move and enjoy a quieter life, immersed in the local community.

If you have any questions, please do let me know!

Warmest wishes to you :)

I think respect, kindness and open communication are the key to having a harmonious home, as well as healthy personal boundaries and an understanding of when someone in the home needs space.

I am vegetarian and I generally enjoy cooking my own meals, but happy to share the occasional meal.

I do come with furniture - enough to fill a one-bedroom apartment, which is what I am currently in. I have the main items of a queen size bed, 2-seater couch, but also have a fridge, washing machine, bookshelves and loads of books! I also have a record player and various pieces of furniture such as a large (and very cool) sideboard and bureau etc. Initially I would probably put most of my belongings in storage.

Isla is a beautiful 11 year old rescued greyhound. She has been with me for almost 8 years now. She is gentle and loves getting to know her people! She is house-trained and apart from our two walks a day and a little bit of excitement after dinner, she'll rest in bed for the remainder. Greyhounds are like the cats of the dog world - they love sleeping!

She is generally good with other dogs, but does need space when first meeting them - rather than a face to face sniff straight off the bat. She could live with another dog but it would need to be a breed of equal energy. She does have some Spoodle cousins with whom she gets along very well.

She comes with her own reference from our vet, which I'd be happy to share with you. And of course I would pay to repair any damage caused by her and I'd be happy to sign an agreement stating that.