‘Life’s too short’: Why more people are choosing to live in Geelong areas

More people are opting for a change of residence to Geelong and surrounding areas. An expert and a new arrival have revealed why.

Elaine Edson and her family are one example of the many people making a change of scenery to Geelong areas. Picture: Mark Wilson

Geelong and surrounding areas experienced the fastest regional growth in the state over the pandemic, with an expert saying the new arrivals could bolster local services.

A new analysis by advisory service KPMG found Surf Coast – Bellarine Peninsula and Geelong were the top two fastest growing regions in regional Victoria over the pandemic.

The analysis found the Surf Coast – Bellarine Peninsula region experienced the fastest change in population between 2019 to 2022, recording 13,100 more residents.

Geelong had the second highest change, with 8400 more residents in the same period.

KPMG demographics expert Terry Rawnsley said affordable housing, quality amenities and access to local jobs and services had driven growth in local regions.

Elaine Edson, pictured with son James, 13, moved to Clifton Springs with her family last year, with the mum said everything had “slotted into place” since. Picture: Mark Wilson

He said many families were opting for “greenfield” houses – farmland converted into urban developments.

“(There’s) a few different sub markets,” Mr Rawnsley said.

“There’s some people moving down there from the affordability point of view.

“They compare a greenfield house in western Melbourne to somewhere in Armstrong Creek, for example.

“Then you’ve got people who want to have an inner city lifestyle but can’t afford it in Melbourne.

“There’s parts of Geelong that provide that vibe … and then you’ve got the peninsula and the Surf Coast which is the real lifestyle attraction through there.”

Elaine Edson moved to Clifton Springs from Melbourne with her family nine months ago.

She said they “always loved” the Geelong region, and the pandemic gave them the final push to move.

“Covid … put things in perspective,” she said.

“If I can’t go far from home, where would I like to be?

“The region … it’s so beautiful, and life’s too short, so we decided to make the move.”

Surf Coast – Bellarine Peninsula’s annual growth rate (2019-2022) was almost double that of the second highest, at 4.9 per cent.

Gippsland – South West had the second highest annual growth rate at 2.5 per cent.

Geelong had a rate of 1.3 per cent.

Mr Rawnsley said the region’s growth provided more spending power and an easing of skills shortages.

“As more people come down to Geelong and the Surf Coast, that’s bringing more teachers, nurses, midwives, to help our local economy grow.”

Ms Edson said since moving “everything’s slotted into place”.

She said she and husband Mark along with son James, 13, have settled in nicely.

Her husband works full-time in Portarlington, and she said her son had made good friends.

“And I’m able to run my own business from here too,” she said.

Originally published as ‘Life’s too short’: Why more people are choosing to live in Geelong areas