Millennials and migrants leaving Melbourne for a better life in regional Victoria: Here’s why

Millennials and migrants are leaving Melbourne to live in the regions with few if any regrets — but their escape to the country is straining resources in some towns.

People are flocking to regional Victoria from the city, new research has found.

The move from Melbourne to regional towns across Australia attracted more than 169,000 punters during the last census period between 2016 and 2021, with more than 117,000 people spreading out across Victoria.

Trends were particularly noticed in the movement of Millennials and people born overseas, with both demographics spiking in their swift exits from the city.

Data from the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) revealed the most desirable locations for those chasing a sea change or tree change were Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, with Geelong in particular attracting 41,583 newcomers.

Chief executive of RAI Liz Ritchie said there were many attractions in the regions for people wanting to escape from the city.

“Their desire to live in regional Australia can be partly attributed to the strong jobs market in country areas, as well as the enviable lifestyle benefits – like the reduced cost of living and more space,” she said.

“Millennials and the overseas-born population are highly skilled and well-educated.

“For so many years we’ve heard stories about young people from regional communities leaving the country to undergo further study and take up jobs in the city, never to return – but we can debunk that myth.”

Nat Anson moved from Melbourne to Geelong with his young family in 2017 and said he did not have a single regret.

The Anson family moved to Geelong in 2017 and haven’t looked back. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“Housing affordability was definitely an element of the decision to move,” Mr Anson said.

“When we first moved, it was probably the start of the trend of my demographic moving out of the city.

“There’s a younger crowd out in Geelong now, loads of families and a rapidly growing jobs market.”

With shopping strips comparable to Toorak Village and some of the state’s best schools in the area, Mr Anson said he would strongly recommend making the move if someone were considering it.

“I would never want to move anywhere else as a family.

“It’s a really vibrant town now with a great food and beverage scene – and the arts and culture scene in Geelong is also really strong.”

He said one of the only features of Geelong he would see improved was the public transport infrastructure.

The influx of ex-city slickers, however, has presented issues for under-resourced regional communities.

“The acceleration in population has strained existing social and physical infrastructure,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Substantial investment is needed in areas like transportation, housing, healthcare, schools and digital infrastructure.

“We must see transparency and collaboration between federal and state governments to ensure regional Australia has the services and investment it needs so it can thrive.”

With regional job vacancies hitting a record high of 94,000 in October 2022, Ms Ritchie said the economic impact of people moving regional could be maximised.

It would, however, require policies focused on aligning Millennials and the internationally-born population with the skills and qualifications needed in the regional towns.