Five reasons why moving to regional Australia could be for you

The richness of regional living has always been a quiet secret that country people share among each other. Enjoying beautiful landscapes, lower cost of living, a slower pace of daily life and all of the perks that country living brings, they've had it all to themselves for decades.

But shifting Millennial lifestyle goals and the rise of working from home has changed the way we think about living in the regions. For the first time in Australia's history, more and more city slickers can viably consider leaving the big smoke behind for a higher quality of life in a small town or burgeoning regional centre.

If moving to regional Australia has been a dream for you and your family, now could be the perfect time to hit the road and embrace a sea (or tree) change.

Here are the top five reasons why country living could be right for you.

Working from home

2020 has changed the way we do many things, including the way we work. Many companies have confirmed they will continue to allow their employees to work from home in a post-COVID world, at least on a part-time basis. With this in mind, your regional living dreams are probably much more viable now than they were before the pandemic.

You could say goodbye to a long commute, or days spent away from your family each week and hello to work-life balance. Each morning, you'd roll out of bed, admire the beautiful surroundings on your doorstep and start your working day from the comfort of your new regional home. With NBN, even rural towns can have reliable internet connections, so you don't need to worry about being unable to stay connected.

Take it from us—this shift in lifestyle has already changed the way we build homes. To facilitate working from home, we are placing greater emphasis on including offices and study nooks. You can learn more about setting up the perfect workspace here.

Affordability

It's no secret that a home in the country is likely a more affordable option to the high entry costs in metropolitan suburbs. You'll be able to make your money go further in a regional area, affording yourself a bigger block or more spacious home. So, if residing in your current shoebox apartment in the big city isn't currently cutting the mustard then it may be a sign that it's time to embrace a more idyllic and affordable lifestyle in a rural location.

Tighter lending restrictions are seeing more people look to regional Australia, where there's a more accessible price point on offer. But buying in some parts of the countryside can also be a better investment. Growth areas, like burgeoning regional cities and regional towns, can create a more favourable outcome when it comes to the bank valuation. These homes are more likely to develop equity quickly, so buyers have a higher chance of having their finance approved.

Great amenities

While regional locations have been previously stereotyped as 'one-pub towns' – we're here to put this myth to bed. Growing communities are home to some of Australia's best amenities, from flourishing restaurants and cafes to newly-improved roads, streamlined public transport systems and schools with smaller class sizes.

If a move to a regional location is on the cards for you, book a weekend getaway where you can experience the fresh food, nature and vibrant community for yourself. Just a weekend of country living could be enough to get you considering ditching city life.

Peace and quiet

If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city suburbs, then relocating to the country may be the haven you've been searching for.

With fresher air, less noise pollution and nature on your doorstep, the peak hour traffic, blaring sirens and frequent rumbling trains will be a distant memory. Breaking away from the city and reconnecting with nature can also improve your physical and mental health. A tree change might give you the fresh air and open space you've always been dreaming of.

Welcoming communities

One of the best aspects of moving to the country is the close-knit communities you will eventually become part of. Forget the clichés of country-folk running newcomers out of town with pitchforks. Instead, you'll likely find regional Australians are excited to welcome you with open arms.

While country sport is an obvious focal point for young people in regional communities, locals are always looking for more people to join their groups and clubs, so you're likely to find like-minded enthusiasts no matter what hobby you're into.

While living in the city can feel isolating at times, moving to the country is a prime opportunity to throw yourself off the deep end, give yourself a fresh start and make a whole new network of lasting friendships. Your old social life is unlikely to suffer because of your new postcode anyway. Your friends and family will be begging to come and visit so that they can escape the bustle of their city life and get a taste for your lifestyle instead.

If you want to get ahead of the curve, start planning your big move to Regional Australia, click here find display homes near you. You can also browse our home designs to find your dream home. For the latest news, head to our blog, Home Truths.

Find out where we build or call 1300 786 733 to get your questions answered.

Metricon can assist you in building a new home across many Australian states, including Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland. That allows you to escape major capital cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.