Verabella Oparah had heard it could be difficult to find housing in regional areas, but she wasn’t prepared for just how hard it would be.
She said she and her husband had to live in a hotel for six months after they moved from Sydney to Newcastle in 2020.
The 34-year-old content creator said anyone looking to make a tree change should save up before they move regionally because housing is so scarce.
"I know that the housing crisis is almost universal at this point — it's everywhere — but I think in regional areas, it might be a bit more challenging," Verabella said.
The number of Australians has surged since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns it triggered.
Verabella Oparah says moving to a regional area was the right decision for her family despite the challenges. Source: Supplied
Verabella has had two children since moving to Newcastle.
Originally from Nigeria, she and her husband were drawn to Newcastle because they wanted a quieter lifestyle for their children and more connection to nature.
But they initially found it hard to settle in the city, which has a population of around 300,000, and were frustrated by the long wait times for medical treatment.
Verabella doesn't drive and said it's been difficult to travel around Newcastle and take her children to appointments.
"Moving from point A to point B takes way longer," she said.
"The other day, the kids wanted to try the bus, and then we went to the shopping centre where it would usually take six minutes to drive, but on the bus, it took nearly an hour."
Is a tree change worth it?
While tree changes have become a trend in recent years, some Australians have come to completely regret the decision.
Sian Lucas now books holidays in the seaside area where she used to live and often regrets moving away.
About 18 months ago, she and her family moved from greater Brisbane to a farm about three hours inland, not far from Toowoomba, "to chase work" and have more space for their young children.
Sian Lucas regrets moving her family to a farm and says the number of chores has tripled now that she lives on a property. Source: Supplied
"The list of chores has tripled daily: I'd warn people to add an additional six hours into your day if you plan on owning livestock or a significant-sized lot," she said.
"The land we moved onto has diseased soil, and we have lost multiple animals. It not only takes a thick skin but a lot of effort and energy.
"I now feel like our beach lifestyle was so much more conducive to [raising] kids," she said.
Bribie Island, where Sian lived previously, has a population of about 16,000 people and quick access to medical services and other amenities in Brisbane.
Now she lives outside a town of about 2,000 people and two hours from the nearest city.
Bribie Island is part of greater Brisbane and has a population of around 16,000. Source: Getty / Peter Harrison
She said it has been hard for the family to fit in with the rural community and differing "social rules".
"If you're coming from the suburbs expecting the country to be laid-back and chill, it will toughen you up real quick. Now we holiday where we used to live and wish we appreciated it when it was our real lives."
Holiday life versus reality
Sue Parker runs a media business and said she still regrets moving to regional Queensland.
She and her husband left Melbourne for the Sunshine Coast in 2016 but only stayed a year before moving back.
They first considered moving to the area after holidaying there. As tourists, Sue said they "couldn't have loved it more".
"But when you live in a tourist town, it's very different than when you holiday in a tourist town."
Sue Parker lived on the Sunshine Coast for a year before deciding she'd much rather return to Melbourne. Source: Supplied
"[There was] an attitude in the local business community that if you hadn't lived in the area for at least 10 years or grown up there, you weren't to be considered a trustworthy person," she said.
She was able to make friends and generally found people to be welcoming on the Sunshine Coast, but she was happy to leave after a year.
How many Australians are moving to the regions?
More Australians are now moving regionally than before the pandemic.
The latest Regional Movers Index, an analysis of internal migration trends by the Regional Australia Institute, shows metro-to-regional relocations are — now 16 per cent above the pre-2020 average.
While the number of people moving declined between March and June this year, the 6.1 per cent decline in the latest quarter is the smallest decline in the June quarter to date, and well below the average June quarter decline of 9.3 per cent.
People moving from capital cities to regional areas make up around 11.2 per cent of all internal migration, compared to those moving in the opposite direction, who represent around 9 per cent.
Experts say cost of living pressures are partly to blame for the metropolitan exodus.
Is it cheaper to live regionally?
Analysis by PropTrack shows that outpaced capital cities over the last 12 months, as did the growth of rentals.
PropTrack economic research director Cameron Kusher said: "Demand for housing has been strong in regional markets. We're seeing price growth and rental growth in regional markets not showing the same softening that we are seeing in capital cities at the moment."
He said many people simply can't afford to live in the capital cities.
"I think now the affordability difference between regional areas and capital cities is widening again, people are being priced out of the capital city markets, so they're looking once more to non-capital city areas," he said.
Kusher explained regional markets boomed during the pandemic but softened as restrictions on movements eased and people returned to city workplaces.
They have strengthened again in the last 12 months, particularly in parts of southeast Queensland, including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba, which are expected to continue to have the fastest growth of any regional markets in Australia.
PropTrack data shows that as people snap up limited numbers of homes to buy and rent in regional areas, potential tree-changers won't necessarily be able to find something more affordable.
Median rents for both Brisbane and regional Queensland were $620 per week, according to
The median weekly rent across capital cities increased by 3.2 per cent in the three months to June and 3.9 per cent in regional areas. Year-on-year, rents have risen by 10.3 per cent in capital cities and 8 per cent in regional areas.
Kylie King, the chair of Regional Capitals Australia and mayor of Albury City Council, said people moving to regional areas should be aware that the challenges are very similar to the metros — just on a smaller scale.
"This means work-life balance is easier to get right," she said.
"You can have a great professional career or trade but your salary goes further, which is so important when the cost of living is so high."
Verabella Oparah says there is a strong sense of community in Newcastle. Source: Supplied
"A pro tip from those of us who have made the move is that you should join a club — no matter if your interest is gardening, arts, netball or, like me, squash — to make community connections, and people will welcome you with open arms," she said.
Verabella said she's not aware of a substantial Nigerian community in Newcastle, but she isn’t necessarily looking for that.
"If a community of people who look like you is very important to you, then I think [be aware] it is not as diverse here.
"I guess you just adapt to the situation — there are huge benefits of living here."
She said, despite its challenges, the decision to move has been the right one for her family overall.
"For raising kids, I love it here. It is more quiet, it's chilled. There’s a great sense of community in general and you have interesting places to go and people organising stuff for everyone."
