We've been in our new house in Bentleigh for about two weeks now and it feels more like home than our old house did after two years.

It's funny the little differences that you see in different socio-economic regions. Things that you don't expect. There are obvious things, like every house has their lawns neatly mowed and fences in good repair, but there are more subtle things too.

For example, the check-out-chick at the supermarket is friendly and polite. In Preston you're lucky if you get a begrudging "Hi", but in Bentliegh we always seem to get a smile and a "How are you". Often we'll even get "Have a nice day" (despite the Americanism, the sentiment is appreciated).

I have noticed this in other areas too - in Ivanhoe and Balwyn (both middle-class suburbs) you're more likely to get friendly service at places like supermarkets and department stores. It's interesting to postulate as to the reason behind it. Are middle class teenagers generally happier? Are they raised with a different work ethic? Are they taking the job for different reasons? Maybe all of these things.

Other things are different too. The playgrounds are better equipped and seem to be constantly in use. Perhaps parents spend more time playing with their children? There are more trees and gardens. Many houses in Preston are rental properties or government housing - the tenants tend not to bother with gardening. Children wear bicycle helmets (a rare sight in Preston).

There is also a distinct lack of shemale street-walkers and drugged out teenage parents. And no screaming matches in the street at 2 o'clock in the morning. Since we moved, I haven't heard an obscenity from anyone except our close friends. Oh, and the TV antenna guy.

So now that we're in, we have plenty to do. We've already bought all the stuff we've been wanting to replace for years. We've bought a dining setting, fridge, freezer, and washing machine (poor credit card). Now we're thinking about renovating. Here's a list of things we're considering:

• Replace side and back fences
• Paint inside
• Remove huge palm tree which is touching the guttering at the back
• New locks on doors and windows (single key please!)
• Driveway wide enough for two cars (we've given up trying to come up with ways to fit in a double carport)
• New front fence (remote control gates?)
• Replace broken side gate
• Brick in the old garage roller-door, maybe add a window? (The garage is now the fourth bedroom/study)
• Render or bag the house
• Renovate laundry
• Verandah and decking on North side
• Replace interior doors (I hate hollow-core and those art deco glass doors have to go)

That should keep us busy for a few months.