Woman Buys Dream Cottage on a Whim, Regrets Nothing

Sometimes the best decisions we make are the ones we don't overthink.

Eunice Golder was on vacation in Central Otago, New Zealand, when she saw a cottage that stopped her in its tracks. The tiny stone and corrugated iron dwelling looked like it had stood for centuries in the historic gold rush village of Cambrians, but it was actually built in 2007 to match the area's 1800s character.

Golder, who was going through a life transition at the time, decided to go for it. She bought the two-bedroom cottage sight unseen and moved from the North Island to a village where only a few dozen people live.

"I never really thought I would ever make such a huge move," she says. "But I had a change in life circumstances, and I just thought, 'Right, I'm going for it.'"

Four years later, she has zero regrets. The cottage sits on nearly 2,800 square meters of private land, complete with an original coal range in the kitchen, a separate outbuilding she's rented as an Airbnb, and an outdoor spa perfect for stargazing with no light pollution.

But what really made the move special was the community. Despite the remote location, 40 minutes from the nearest shopping center, the tight-knit group of neighbors looks out for each other.

"If someone needs something, you just put it on our community messenger page, and someone always puts their hand up to help," Golder explains.

Sunny's Take

This is the kind of story that reminds us courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it's a quiet voice saying "I'm going for it" when you spot something that feels right, even if it doesn't make logical sense on paper.

Golder filled her years in Cambrians with horseback riding, hiking, four-wheel driving, and gathering friends around outdoor barbecues in her stone-walled garden. She explored the nearby Oteake Conservation Park and built a life that centered on nature, community, and simplicity.

Now she's selling the cottage to move closer to her four children and ten grandchildren. It's bittersweet, but she knows she made the right call both times.

"I'm really going to miss this place because I love it with everything it offers," she says, already planning her return visits.

Sometimes home isn't just where your family is; it's also where you took a chance on yourself.