Bold claim: the long-held baby boomer retirement stereotype is being overturned, and the shift is real enough to reshape where Australians live. But here’s the nuance you’ll want to understand before you decide what’s possible for your own plans.
In brief
- A fresh survey identifies which Australians are most and least inclined to move to regional areas.
- Younger generations find regional living more affordable, yet they still encounter challenges.
More and more young people are deciding to leave city life behind in search of new financial and lifestyle opportunities, and to unlock goals that feel out of reach in metropolitan settings.
Gen Z Australians are now the group most likely to consider relocating away from big cities, a trend that appears as regional property values outpace city prices.
Regional advocates say this population movement injects energy and diversity into smaller communities, though uprooting isn’t without its obstacles.
’No brainer’ moves
Zoe Gleeson, a 24-year-old town planner who moved with her partner from Sydney to Mudgee in regional NSW, describes the change as “really positive.” She and her partner bought a home about four hours’ drive north-west of Sydney. The difference is tangible: a five-minute commute, a lunch available at home, and the joy of a big backyard (including the possibility of a dog). For Gleeson, the move happened in October 2024 after considering regional options for some time.
“It was a no-brainer for us to give it a crack,” she says.
The couple found roles with higher pay than they had in Sydney and escaped the long train ride. Beyond finances, they prize the sense of community and the slower pace of life, which they believe redefines daily experiences.
Gleeson emphasizes housing affordability as a decisive factor for her generation. “Many of us grew up dreaming of a classic Australian home on a quarter-acre,” she notes, but that dream feels out of reach in Sydney today. She identifies herself and others as part of a growing wave of “Sydney refuges” choosing regional towns like Mudgee for a better balance of money and lifestyle.
“The pace is slower here. There’s no rush to get anywhere. It really changes your whole life,” she reflects.
Gen Z on the move
Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, explains that the organisation’s latest survey shows Gen Z Australians under 29 are the most open to moving to regional areas. Almost half of this group said they would relocate regionally, followed by 41% of millennials aged 30–45. In contrast, only about a quarter of baby boomers (over 62) would consider such a move.
Ritchie points to housing affordability and the cost of living as the primary motivations for Gen Z to relocate. She notes, “The cost of living in our capitals has been biting for years,” and adds that younger cohorts are weighing financial health against quality of life when imagining a regional life.
Older generations appear less likely to move from cities due to concerns about healthcare access and proximity to family. The traditional view of retirees leaving the city for a quiet regional life is shifting, with the data showing a reversal in this pattern.
A growing city–region divide
Property analytics firm Cotality reports that regional property values rose faster than those in major cities in the three months ending January. Regional dwellings increased by 3.2% while capital cities rose by 2.1%, driven by affordability pressures, internal migration, and tighter competition.
Cotality’s head of research, Gerard Burg, describes a “deepening divergence” between city and regional markets. He remarks that with city prices still near record highs and stock limited, many households are re-evaluating where they want to live. The momentum is broad, spanning inland hubs, coastal towns, and regions adjacent to mining.
Western Australia leads regional growth, up 6.1%, while Wagga Wagga in NSW posted the strongest individual market gain at 8.1%.
Rent trends mirror this shift: regional rents rose 1.6% in the quarter and nearly 42% over five years, pressured by limited vacancies and supply shortages.
Social fabric and connection
For some, the regional transition comes with social challenges. Mikaela Carroll moved from Brisbane six years ago to regional WA and now resides in Launceston, Tasmania. While the financial upside is substantial, she notes that building a social network can be tough for someone naturally less outgoing.
“The social isolation or feeling cut off from family is challenging at first when you move away, and you feel the distance,” Carroll explains. She and her partner joined local activities—like a book club and a football team—to establish connections and sustain a sense of belonging.
Ritchie emphasizes the upside for communities as younger people bring energy, education, and fresh ideas. The Institute sees Gen Z and millennials as well-educated, energetic, and ready to contribute to regional life. The hope is that more young people choosing regional Australia will enrich local communities as much as they benefit themselves.
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