Tranquil retreat in vibrant neighbourhood 15 minutes from the heart of Melbourne

Our four bedroom California bungalow gives us all the comfort we need to support our busy lives. Our large open space family area is where we relax and enjoy our HDTV, Blu Ray and entertainment system on our five seater and three seater leather sofas. Or we gather around our antique eight seat dining table for a creation from the European gourmet kitchen, which includes a six burner stove and large oven, deep pantries,microwave, dishwasher and enormous island bench. On warm days we open up our five bi-fold doors to the back veranda which opens to our long established fruit and vegetable gardens, barbecue, picnic table and bungalow. If it gets a little too warm, we turn on the cooling system, which, like the gas central heating, operates throughout the house. The house has wireless internet access.

Two of our four double bedrooms have ample built in wardrobes and there is storage space available in the other two. The kids bedrooms have single beds with trundles underneath and there is a Queen and King size beds in the other two. There is a large central bathroom with deep plunge bath and a second bathroom off the family area with shower, second wc and washbasin. The laundry has a front loader washing machine and dryer.

Along with the modern creature comforts, we enjoy the old style character of our home - with deep plate rails, antique light fittings, stained glass windows, ornate ceilings and polished wooden floors throughout. The peaceful interior matches our front garden, full of Australian native flowers and plants that attract local birds even in our busy city, and our back yard where we can relax with friends among the lemon, olive, peach and apple trees and our herb and vegetable garden.

Our home is a short fifteen minute train ride, or slightly longer twenty five minute tram ride to the centre of Melbourne CBD. On the ten minute walk to the train or tram stop you could pass one of the the local supermarkets, one of the six local banks, hairdressers, chemist, medical centre, Vietnamese, Lebanese or Italian bakeries, Chinese cake shops, travel agents, Asian groceries or more. You will definitely walk through Preston Market - a bustling multicultural explosion of fresh food, deli, coffee and convenience food.

Although you might have to travel into the City for five star dining, arts and culture, if you're feeling like a quiet night in you could try one of the more than twenty restaurants within ten minutes stroll. There's Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Lebanese, Turkish, Italian, Greek, Northern and Southern Indian, Japanese - or just good old fish and chips or barbeque chicken. The local cuisine reflects our neighbourhood and it's easy to pass a few hours sipping coffee and just watching the wonderful diversity walk by in Preston.

There are local parks also ten minutes away, or if you want a little more space, you can take a short tram trip to Bundoora Park where you can see Emus and Kangaroos, pet farm animals or picnic under the huge ancient River Red Gums. A half hour trip in either of our cars will take you into the bush, or across to farmlands, vineyards and wineries. Forty minutes the other way and you'll be sitting on St Kilda or Elwood beach.

Of course, we assume you'll be here to take in Melbourne - with our world beating arts and cultural scenes, sporting events and festivals (not to mention the shopping) - we'll make sure our lovely neighbours and old friends tip you off to some of the secret spots. We're only thirty minutes drive from the Airport so, with Sydney, Hobart and Adelaide an hour or less away by plane - the whole of southern Australia is yours for taking.

One from Ireland and one from Queensland, we both fell in love with Melbourne in 1989 - and with each other some years later. We've lived in Preston mostly since and have raised our three daughters - aged 7, 11 and 18 - here. Our girls attend local schools and university and spend time playing with neighbourhood friends on week ends.

We love food and cooking and learning about other cultures and share a passion for travel. We are avid readers and film buffs and spend much of our exploring all the events and activities that Melbourne has to offer.

We are both professionals with busy lives and believe strongly in respecting the rights and property of others. We believe in playing an active part in our local community and practicing a culture of considerate curiosity toward others and the world.