Gen Z Fuels Australian Urban Exodus to Regional Areas
New research reveals a significant demographic shift, with Generation Z Australians now leading a wave of urban residents considering relocation to regional areas. According to the Regional Australia Institute, almost half (49 per cent) of those aged 18 to 29 are contemplating leaving cities for the regions, overtaking millennials (aged 30 to 45) as the cohort most eager to make the move.
Widespread Interest in Regional Relocation
The study indicates this trend extends beyond younger Australians, with more than 5.3 million metropolitan residents – approximately 37 per cent of the urban population – expressing interest in shifting to regional areas. This represents a substantial portion of the population reconsidering traditional urban living patterns in favour of regional alternatives.
Financial Drivers Behind the Movement
For Generation Z specifically, financial considerations are particularly compelling motivators. More than half (52 per cent) cite cheaper living costs as a primary driver for considering regional relocation, while 50 per cent point to more affordable housing opportunities. These economic factors appear to be reshaping migration intentions among younger Australians facing urban cost pressures.
Personal Experience: From Brisbane to Tasmania
Mikaela Carroll, a 28-year-old economic development worker, exemplifies this trend. After completing university as COVID-19 lockdowns began, she and her partner Ryan left Brisbane in a van with initial plans for a brief stop in Bunbury, a regional town south of Perth.
'We ended up staying there for five years,' Carroll told AAP. 'We really loved it.'
What began as a temporary plan to 'top up the bank accounts' in a more affordable location evolved into a permanent lifestyle change. The couple found good employment opportunities and a quality of life that their city-based friends couldn't afford to match.
The pair have since relocated to Launceston in Tasmania, where they maintain the benefits of regional living while being closer to family. 'Living down here, we were able to buy a place that's only a six-minute drive to work,' Carroll explained. 'That, in itself, is a huge, huge challenge in metropolitan areas.'
Barriers to Regional Relocation
Despite widespread interest, significant barriers remain that may prevent intentions from translating into action. Fear of isolation represents the biggest hurdle, with 44 per cent of young Australians worried about being cut off from family and friends if they move to regional areas.
Carroll acknowledged this challenge, admitting the distance had been difficult at times, but maintained that 'the benefits outweighed the downsides.' She noted improved mental health since leaving Brisbane, explaining: 'I'm not constantly worrying about the end of my lease.'
Timing of Potential Moves
The research suggests many interested Australians are taking a cautious approach to regional relocation. Only 23 per cent of Generation Z Australians considering the move indicated they would do so within the next two years, though this figure climbs to 37 per cent when extended to a five-year timeframe.
Migration Patterns: Not a One-Way Phenomenon
While more Australians are leaving cities for regions than moving in the opposite direction, the Regional Movers Index reveals this is not exclusively a one-way migration pattern. During the September quarter, capital-to-region migration accounted for 11.5 per cent of all major relocations, only slightly ahead of the 8.4 per cent who moved from regions to capital cities.
This data suggests a more complex migration landscape than simple urban exodus, with significant movement occurring in both directions as Australians weigh various lifestyle and economic factors.
