Why Australians are ready to leave Sydney and Melbourne for the coast and bush
Why Aussies are done with city life – as those who’ve already escaped boast: ‘I wouldn’t change it for the world’
- One in five city dwellers wants to move, according to research
- Residents are looking for space, affordability and more well-being
One in five Australians living in capital cities are now considering escaping to the regions for a better quality of life, a new report finds.
A new report, from the Regional Australia Institute, has found that the Covid-era trend of workers leaving cities like Sydney and Melbourne for the bush and beach will continue into 2023.
About 70,000 Australians moved from urban to rural areas in 2020-2021. And while the flow has slowed, regional migration is up 16 percent from pre-pandemic levels – despite a small increase in regional residents moving the other way.
The report’s authors, who surveyed more than 1,000 residents in major capital cities, found that 73 percent agreed that the ability to work remotely had fueled their aspirations to escape the city.
And 35 percent of that survey said they didn’t believe their pay would suffer if they left town.
Aussie urbanites are desperate for the crowds and rising cost of living, according to a new study (pictured, Sydneysiders in the CBD)
More Aussies seek a turnaround in regional areas like Wollongong (pictured)
Young people under 30 are the most optimistic about job prospects in the region, the survey found.
Cost of living, traffic and stress were cited as the top reasons for moving, along with the desire for more space, an affordable home and greater well-being.
Healthcare and being separated from family and friends were the top concerns keeping urban residents from moving, with 55 percent wanting to stay within a two-hour drive of their home in the city.
About 56 percent would consider turning the sea into a large coastal area, while only a third would consider moving inland.
Regional centers are ready to welcome the influx of newcomers with open arms.
“During the pandemic, we saw thousands of Australians make the ‘move to more’, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city for a life in the regions,” said Liz Ritche, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute.
Steven Wright (right) has seen his career blossom since moving from Sydney to outback NSW
About 70,000 city dwellers packed up and fled to regional areas in 2020-2021. Pictured are commuters during rush hour at Wynyard station in Sydney
“People are realizing that moving to regional Australia doesn’t mean jeopardizing your career, income or lifestyle. There are high-paying, professional, skilled and entry-level jobs waiting to be filled in rural areas.
‘From Toowoomba to Tamworth, from Wollongong to Warrnambool, dozens of dynamic regional centers stand ready to welcome city people with open arms. There’s never been a better time to move to more.”
NSW Legal Aid Practice Manager Steven Wright hasn’t looked back since making the 1,150km move from Sydney to outback Broken Hill in the far west of NSW.
“The career progression is incredible,” he said.
‘The shared experience of living in a remote city connects people in an incredibly special way. I wouldn’t change it for the world.’
The report’s findings come as the 2023-24 budget revealed that Sydneysiders were fleeing en masse.
Treasury figures say more than 124,000 residents will leave Sydney for other states over the next five years, with Queensland the preferred destination.
Victoria is expected to lose about 2,000 residents to other states this fiscal year. On the other hand, Western Australia is expected to gain more domestic residents,
Regional centers are now poised to welcome an influx of city folk with open arms, including the Queensland town of Toowoomba (pictured during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade)