Study finds 1 in 5 city dwellers are planning to leave as cost of living soars

A staggering amount of city dwellers have pledged to take action into their own hands as the cost of living becomes increasingly ridiculous.

Have you been staving off thoughts of packing up life in the city and going rural because the cost of living is getting ridiculous? You’re not alone.

According to a recent study commissioned by the Regional Australia Institute, one in five metropolitan Aussies are considering the move to regional Australia as a solution to rampant inflation, traffic congestion, and stress that come with city life.

The pandemic has caused a shift in migration patterns, with regional Australia experiencing a growth of 70,000 people in 2020-2021.

This trend is set to continue, with regional migration up 16 per cent on pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Despite a small uptick of regional Australians returning to the cities, the study found that many Aussies are still drawn to regional areas for their sense of space, affordability, and improved overall wellbeing.

But it‘s not just a desire for a better quality of life that’s driving this trend. The study also revealed shifting attitudes towards regional job opportunities, with over a third of respondents viewing salary prospects in the regions on par with major capital cities.

Younger Australians, aged 18-29 years, were the most optimistic about regional job prospects, with nearly half recognising the plethora of professional, skilled, and entry-level jobs on offer.

Flexible working arrangements have also fuelled the appetite for a move to the regions. With commuting no longer a major factor, nearly three-quarters of those surveyed said their ability to work from home has made the move more appealing.

However, over half said they wanted to remain within a two-hour drive of their current city home.

According to a recent study commissioned by the Regional Australia Institute, one in five metropolitan Aussies are considering the move to regional Australia.

If you’re one of the many considering a move to the regions, you’ll be happy to hear that regional centres are prepped and primed for city dwellers looking for a change.

According to Regional Australia Institute CEO Liz Ritche, “there are well-paying, professional, skilled, and entry-level jobs waiting to be filled in country areas”.

Steven Wright, Practice Manager for NSW Legal Aid, recently made the move from Sydney to Broken Hill and says the decision to “go bush” has dramatically progressed his career.

“The career progression has been incredible,” said Mr Wright. “The shared experience of living in a remote town connects people in a way that’s incredibly special. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

The federal budget released on Tuesday has projected that over 124,000 residents will leave New South Wales for other states in the next five years. The data shows about 23,000 people will move interstate from NSW every year, with Queensland being the preferred destination.

The federal budget released yesterday has projected a decrease in New South Wales’ population, with over 124,000 residents predicted to leave for other states in the next five years.

Meanwhile, Victoria is expected to lose around 2,000 residents to other states this financial year. On the other hand, Western Australia is expected to gain more domestic residents, while South Australia is projected to continue experiencing annual population losses.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest population data showed that the country saw 536,900 arrivals and 233,000 departures from overseas migration in the year through to September of 2022, contributing to a net population increase of 303,700.

The projection predicts that NSW’s population will reach 8.3 million by the end of this year and expand to 8.6 million by 2026.

Similarly, Victoria’s population is also expected to grow from 6.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million by 2026.