The trend of relocating from bustling cities to Australia’s remote regions is gaining traction as rising living costs encourage many to seek a more affordable country lifestyle. Caitlin Buckle, a lecturer in City Planning at the University of NSW, notes that the pandemic has prompted people to reassess their life priorities, sparking interest in regional migration.
Couple Deb and Ian Green discovered Silverton during a caravan trip and fell in love with its rustic charm and small population of under 50. Yearning for a farm-like lifestyle, they found a home for sale, where they happily ‘test-drove’ their future residence before committing. Ms. Green expresses joy in their new surroundings, where they can see local cows and horses from their window, fulfilling their dream.
Their move has also positively impacted their adult daughter, who is navigating the housing crisis; the Greens retained their Southern Highlands home, enabling their daughter to live there amid high costs. New research by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute highlights affordability as a key motivator for regional moves, alongside employment and lifestyle factors, with many seeking better work-life balance and community.
Another couple, Conrad Brown and Shona Collins, moved from the Gold Coast to Wilcannia and have become community pillars through their local cafe, emphasizing the value of connection and opportunity in regional living.