Driving home to The Village, Menangle, putting busy roads and city stress behind them, Michael and Deanna Parzakonis have a sweet ritual. Michael turns on country music and then, once they have crossed the bridge over the Nepean River, they both roll down their windows and breathe.

“The air quality here is so much better; it’s fresh air, country air,” says Deanna. “Coming round the bend you can see our village from the top of Menangle Road, and when we cross the river I always say, ‘God’s country’.

“It helps us de-stress and that’s a big thing for us. Stress is a factor in everyone’s lives; work stress, life stress, but here we feel we can really just breathe.”

For the two university lecturers, living at The Village, Menangle in the Macarthur region of Sydney is the fulfilment of a dream, one that Deanna has cherished since childhood.

“As a little girl I would picture myself finding my husband and living somewhere like this,” says Deanna with a glance at Michael that radiates happiness. “I wanted to be as far away from the city as possible, in a cottage on farmland.

“The day we came to view the project and I saw the little cottage sales centre I nearly hit the fence I was so excited. I said to Michael if they tell us we have to build that cottage style, we have to get it. I was praying and praying all that week.” That was back in 2021 when a critical scarcity of new land releases for housing had pushed prices through the roof. Registrations to purchase at The Village Menangle were oversubscribed by hundreds and although Michael and Deanna secured an appointment, it was the last of the day and they had seen red sold stickers posted over every one of their preferred lots.

The only remaining lot measured 687sqm, the largest and most expensive in the release. It was daunting for a couple of first home buyers but the dream had taken hold and they took the plunge.

Two years after moving in to the beautiful home they built with McDonald Jones, they couldn’t be happier and the community they’d envisaged all those years ago is everything they had hoped for. And they didn’t need to move to the country or buy a farm to achieve it.

The design guidelines that have produced such a picturesque new community were established to preserve the rural village charm of Menangle, and to ensure a high quality streetscape was achieved.

Far from being a pastiche of a place caught in a time warp, the guidelines allow plenty of latitude for personal expression and contemporary homes, while setting rules around architecture, materiality and landscaping.

Mirvac’s General Manager – Residential Development, NSW & QLD, Warwick Bible, says the value of Design Guidelines has been borne out by the consistently high standard of homes that have been built at The Village, Menangle.

“You only need to take a walk through any of the streets at The Village, Menangle to see how the community has embraced the design standards that we established,” says Mr Bible.

“The front gardens are beautifully kept, and while each home is different, there is a coherent and consistent design language to them.

“What is most striking is that you see residents out the front of their homes, chatting with their neighbours and those strolling by, or sitting out on their porch enjoying a morning cup of coffee.

Compare that to many suburban areas where the streetscape is dominated by high fences and garages – physical barriers that protect privacy but prevent a friendly connection between neighbours.”

Mirvac-supported community events such as the official opening of the park and twilight movie nights serve as ice-breakers for new neighbours. A future second neighbourhood park within Village Meadow will mean that every home is within a few minutes’ walk of green outdoor space.

Michael and Deanna have every intention of being one of the many families enjoying the play spaces and outdoor walks when they have their own children one day. Yet that hasn’t stopped Deanna setting up a monthly Play ‘n’ Meet group in the park.

The former early childhood teacher who now lectures students in the subject wanted to make a contribution that would have an impact.

“I wanted to give back because we have such a lovely community and we get so much support from our neighbours,” says Deanna.

“My focus was on building togetherness between families. It’s not only important for children to play and make friends, it’s important for their parents. Families want to meet others but where do we start making the connection?”

At The Village, Menangle those connections are being formed everywhere you look. In The Store where the locals gather in the vine-covered courtyard of a heritage building for coffee and weekend brunch and lunch. On the streets as residents regularly stroll, chatting about gardens and lawns, exchanging tips as they pass by. In posts to the community Facebook page where newcomers find a warm welcome with generous hints about local services and groups, even tips for downsizing.

For Deanna and Michael the reality of life at The Village, Menangle has far exceeded the idealistic dreams of a couple of first home buyers.

“This is a place you grow to love,” says Michael. “Before we moved here we were open to so many different places, maybe selling later on and moving closer to our parents.“

After being here for a while now, being able to sit on our porch and watch the sunsets and sunrises, it is harder and harder to envision being anywhere else.”