New report suggests people from southern states have migrated to Cairns

Cairns has been listed as the eighth most desirable place in Australia that people have migrated to after over a year of lockdowns in the southern states.

CAIRNS has been listed as the eighth most desirable place in Australia that people have migrated to after over a year of lockdowns in the southern states.

New data from Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) has revealed that Cairns was the third highest place in Queensland as well.

Commonwealth Bank spokesman Grant Cairns said a lot of these moves to regional areas has been from places such as Melbourne and Sydney.

“The experience of lockdowns is front of mind for Victorians, so the desire to seek a tree change is rapidly growing,” Mr Cairns said.

People have been moving to Cairns for a change in lifestyle Picture: Brendan Radke

“It is positive to see the development of infrastructure – particularly in regional areas – is growing to meet the increased demand.”

In the 2020/21 financial year, Melbourne’s share of net capital city outflows increased to 47 per cent while Sydney’s increased to 49 per cent.

Champions in Real Estate sales advisor and negotiator David Galloway-Penney said he has seen the increase of people moving from the southern states over the last 18 months.

Mr Galloway-Penney said four out of his last six contracts had been from interstate buyers.

“They are purchasing property as a short-term investment with the intent of moving up,” Mr Galloway-Penney said.

“Covid has taught them they don’t need to live as close to their office anymore, they can be working from home or anywhere in Australia.”

Mr Galloway-Penney said that he has seen them buy properties that range from a five bedroom home in Mooroobool to a two bedroom town house in Cairns North.

He said that there is an upside to all these southsiders moving as a lot of them have not been moving instantly and some short term rentals have become available.

The weather and lifestyle has been a real factor in the decision for people to move. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It is helping out the rental market because a lot of these properties are going straight back into rental until they move. That is certainly helping the highly constrained rental market,” Mr Galloway-Penney said.

Infinity FNQ Property Buyers Agency buyers advocate Tracy Solomon said that she has seen this increase as well with most of her business coming from interstate.

“The people I am speaking to are looking for larger containment areas, swimming pools. They are very much looking for the lifestyle,” Ms Solomon said.

The budget of those moving has also been quite high. Ms Solomon said the price has been attractive for people.

“A house here in Cairns at the million dollar mark could be four or five million down south. You get more bang for your buck here,” Ms Solomon said.

Ms Solomon works with clients to find them a home since they can’t see it in person.

Originally published as New report suggests people from southern states have migrated to Cairns