Escape to the country, escape the traffic and your mortgage: Ten homes under $350K

City traffic and cost of living is driving Victorians to the country for a less stressful life — and with homes under $350,000, they can also reduce or eliminate their mortgage.

A home for sale in country Victoria, on an acre of land, for just $250,000. It could be yours.

Traffic chaos in and around Melbourne is causing Victorians to want to leave the city and suburbs for the country, to reduce their stress levels and improve their overall wellbeing.

Research shows one in five metropolitan Australians want to make a move to regional Australia, citing their main reasons as reduced cost of living, avoiding traffic and minimising stress.

Regional Australia Institute chief Liz Ritchie said in Victoria, traffic congestion was pushing people away from city living at an even faster rate, with the desire to avoid traffic congestion and hectic commutes increasing seven per cent since 2020.

There was a perception among Victorians that regional or country living would result in their improved wellbeing and greater happiness, Ms Ritchie said.

“The new research shows net dissatisfaction with city life has grown with multiple factors pushing Australians to move to the country,” she said.

“Across Australia net dissatisfaction with city life has risen from 10 per cent in 2020 to 14 per cent in 2023.

“A sense of space, overall wellbeing and regional affordability are the biggest drawcards for residents living in inner metropolitan regions . . . more than 80 per cent of people cited a sense of space as the main benefit pulling people to the regions, making it the most enticing factor. For those who live in outer metropolitan suburbs, having more times for themselves is the most enticing factor for living in regional Australia.”

CHEAP COUNTRY HOMES, WITH NO TRAFFIC

If you thought the days of being able to purchase a family home for under $350,000 in Victoria were long gone, think again.

For Victorians prepared to spread their wings beyond the city and suburbs, there are still big bargains to be had in the regions — where you can secure a family home, on a large block, either in, or within reasonable driving distance of, a regional city or town.

We’ve found 10 on the market right now, in places including Ballarat, Bendigo, Colac, Mildura, Sale, Stawell and Hamilton, where there are services in town, schools and also jobs on offer.

If you work remotely, as many Victorians now do, you could find yourself the perfect patch of tranquil paradise in which to perform your paid duties, while not being burdened with enormous weekly rent or a mortgage on a home costing upwards of $1m, just because it’s close to Melbourne.

If you have a home to sell in the city, you may not need to work at all!

Some of the country homes we’ve found are pretty as a picture and mostly renovated, others have character and are full of promise but in need of work, and one is a secluded beach house.

All are on large blocks, where children can play and all are about, or under, the magic $350,000 mark. Two are even under $250,000.

For Millennials looking to buy and start a family without a massive mortgage hanging over their heads or gen Xers and Baby Boomers looking to retire without one — or anyone else searching an affordable, charming home for that matter — the country could be calling.

MILDURA

1. At 21 San Mateo Ave Mildura, you’ll find this two bedroom, largely renovated home, full of period charm on a 619sm block. With a picture perfect front entrance, country kitchen with stainless appliances, lounge with majestic open fire, all-white bathroom and lovely outdoor entertaining porch, it’s for sale through Elders for just $320,000 - $350,000.

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21 Mateo Ave, Mildura, presents from the street like a secret garden.

What’s not to love about the charming living and dining rooms?

The kitchen is full of country charm, with a huge stainless stove.

There are worse spots to sit on a warm Mildura night than this porch.

2. Just a 16km drive from Mildura central — at 176 Commercial St, Merbein — a three bedroom home on a huge 1012sm fenced block and dual access is up for grabs for just $200,000 - $220,000 through Barry Plant.

It might not have period charm but 176 Commercial St Merbein is cheap as chips.

BALLARAT

3. 805 Barkly St, Mt Pleasant, might just be the worst house (right now) in the best street, but has potential to be the best house. Surrounded by mature trees including quince, apricot and camellias, as well as heavenly wisteria, this 1920s two bedroom Californian bungalow on 466 sqm had its renovation started, but it’s certainly nowhere near finished.

In the right hands, this place - on the market for $330,000 - $350,000 with Biggin Scott - could be a dream house, in a burgeoning regional area and within driving distance to Melbourne.

This Mt Pleasant home needs a lot of work, but will come up a treat.

The street aspect of the cute Ballarat home.

A taste of what’s in store for the buyer of this home, but a challenge tradies may enjoy.

4. In the suburb of Sebastopol is a two bedroom home at 165 Walker St, on a bigger 616sm block for $340,000 - $360,000, for sale through Ballarat Real Estate.

165 Walker St Sebastopol has less charm, but also less work to do.

BENDIGO

5. Not far from the Bendigo CBD you’ll find this character-filled but as yet unrenovated three bedroom home at 103 Eaglehawk Rd, Long Gully, on the market for $320,000 - $350,000. On a big 729sm block, it’s listed with PRD Real Estate Bendigo.

103 Eaglehawk Road, Long Gully, is near Bendigo’s CBD.

HAMILTON

6. OK, so it’s not quite in Hamilton, but just 25kms away in country Branxholme is this pretty, two bedroom weatherboard home set on one whole acre of land at 2 Cox St. It has three titles and dual road frontage as well as a renovated kitchen, wood fire and also reverse cycle airconditioning. Better yet, it’s for sale at just $250,000, through the The Professionals.

This Branxholme home on an acre of land is pretty as a picture.

Did anyone mention country views?

COLAC

7. This three-bedroom, light-filled and sturdy brick veneer home at 18 Bilson St is not far from the lake. It’s fully fenced for kids and is just $340,000 - $360,000 through Casey McDonald Realty Colac.

This Colac home may not have character but it’s very family friendly.

ARARAT

8. All white throughout and with a renovated kitchen and polished floorboards, this three-bedroom family home at 14 Truscott St, Ararat is listed as for sale at $340,000 - $360,000 through Ballarat Real Estate - Ararat.

14 Truscott St Ararat has polished floorboards and is white and crisp inside.

STAWELL

9. It’s the home of the famous sprint race The Stawell Gift and this three bedroom, unrenovated home on more than 1000sm of land, behind a cute white picket fence at 41 Darcy St is also a gift for the budget-savvy at just $250,000. It’s also for sale through Ballarat Real Estate - Ararat.

If it’s a white picket fence home you’ve been dreaming of . . . we’ve found it.

SALE

10. About 35km from Sale, on the stunning 90 Mile Beach, is a patch of coastal home paradise for $309,000. Surrounded by bush and in a quiet court, this two bedroom house at 28 Pacific Court, Golden Beach, is on a 600sm, fully-fenced block, just a short walk from the ocean. It’s listed with Golden Beach Real Estate.

A little further from towns than the others, but this is a private beach paradise.

Originally published as Escape to the country, escape the traffic and your mortgage: Ten homes under $350K