Article published: 11 November 2020
There’s a lot to love about regional Australia - more affordable property values, wide open spaces and a relaxed pace of life. The appeal of regional living has enjoyed an upswing during COVID-19, buoyed by the trend to remote working and lower population density.
As a growing number of Australians re-asses their work-life balance during the pandemic, we look at why a tree or sea change is becoming a popular choice.
Regional areas have strong appeal
The days when moving to a regional location meant giving up good coffee are over. Regional cities and townships are thriving, and along with less congestion, improved transport links and a wealth of local facilities, one of the key points of appeal is more affordable home values.
CoreLogic figures show that at 30 September, the median home value across the combined regional areas of Australia was $397,791 - that’s 37% less than the combined capital city median of $635,1961.
Other aspects of regional living, including shorter commutes, less crowding, and no problems finding a parking spot, add to the quality of life in regional areas. As many newcomers from the city quickly discover that regional neighbourhoods are warm and welcoming, with a strong sense of community.
The pandemic may have enforced the need to work from home, but it has made more people realise that the daily commute may not be so essential. Working remotely is achievable, and this is opening up the possibility of shifting out of the city and into regional locations.
Migrating to regional areas is not unique to COVID19
The dream of enjoying a more peaceful country lifestyle is something many Australians have already acted on.
The 2020 Big Movers reports from the Regional Institute Australia, shows that in the five years to 2016, more than 1.2 million people either moved to regional Australia or moved around regional Australia from one location to another2.