Thinking of escaping the city? The shocking truth about small-town life every Aussie needs to know before they move
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With the cost of living and housing prices in Sydney and Melbourne reaching dizzying heights, it’s no wonder thousands of Aussies are packing up their city lives and heading for the greener (and supposedly cheaper) pastures of regional Australia. The dream? A slower pace, a friendly community, and maybe even a backyard big enough for a veggie patch and a couple of chooks. But is the grass really greener on the other side of the city limits?
Let’s take a closer look at the real-life experiences of those who’ve made the leap—and what you should know before you trade in your city coffee for a country cuppa.
The Allure of Country Life
There’s no denying the appeal. Regional towns offer affordable housing, less traffic, and a chance to reconnect with nature. For many, the idea of swapping a cramped apartment for a house with a backyard is irresistible. According to the Regional Australia Institute, NSW alone lost 28,000 residents last year, while southeast Queensland gained 26,000 new arrivals. The trend is clear: Aussies are on the move, prioritising lifestyle over location.
And it’s not just retirees or empty nesters making the change. Millennials—those born between 1981 and 1996—are leading the charge, with more than half considering a move to the regions. The promise of a better work-life balance, affordable homes, and a sense of community is a powerful drawcard.
The Hidden Challenges: One Woman’s Story
But as many have discovered, the reality of small-town life isn’t always as rosy as the brochures suggest. Kylie Heffernan, a 37-year-old former Sydneysider, recently shared her experience of moving to a small town in the NSW Hunter Valley. At first, the locals seemed welcoming, and Kylie was excited to pursue her passion for horse riding and start a new chapter in hospitality.
However, things soon took a turn. As Kylie settled in and began to feel more at home, she noticed a shift in the attitudes of those around her. Her equestrian ambitions were met with mockery, and friends she thought she’d made became critical and unsupportive. 'People who I thought were my friends would be really negative about it. They’d tell me I was stupid for doing it, make out that I was no good at it, and just make me feel really s*****,' she shared.
Kylie also found the town’s social life revolved heavily around drinking at the local pub. 'If you don’t participate in drinking at the local venue most days of the week, you kind of just get left out,' she said. Two particularly distressing incidents—a falling out with the owner of the property where her horse was kept, and being bullied at a local venue—left her feeling unsafe and unwelcome.
Eventually, Kylie decided to leave. 'It was the best thing I’ve done,' she said, reflecting on her experience. She emphasised that while she didn’t believe anyone in the town truly hated her, the culture was simply not a good fit for someone single, child-free, and a little different from the norm.
A Common Experience?
Kylie’s story struck a chord with many. Her video was flooded with comments from others who’d felt excluded or isolated after moving to a small town. 'Small communities live in a small world, judgemental, self-obsessed, lacking real world experiences,' one commenter wrote. Another added, 'People are rude, racist and it’s hard to make friends.'
Others described similar experiences of bullying, cliquishness, and feeling like outsiders. 'I have experienced more bullying in a rural workplace than when I lived in the city. Small town, narrow-minded people who have never lived or worked anywhere else. Very cliquey,' one person shared.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Some newcomers reported being welcomed with open arms and eventually finding their tribe. 'I have a beautiful group of friends now. But I still don’t feel like I belong here,' one person admitted, highlighting that even after years, a sense of belonging can be elusive.
Why Are So Many Aussies Still Making the Move?
Despite these challenges, the exodus from the cities continues. The reasons are clear: more affordable housing, a lower cost of living, and the chance to escape the daily grind of city life. As Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, points out, 'Because of the hip pocket, high inflation, high interest rates—the issues we’ve been reading about daily for the last two years—this is driving these decisions.'
James Morrell, CEO of Muval, notes that the most popular destinations are metro-adjacent towns with lifestyle appeal. 'People are prioritising lifestyle, and they’re willing to cross state lines for it. Once people settle in, they’re more likely to stay put. That kind of stickiness is a strong indicator of local satisfaction.'
Moving to a small town can be a wonderful adventure, but it’s not without its challenges. For some, it’s a dream come true; for others, it’s a lesson in resilience. If you’re thinking about making the move, do your research, talk to locals, and be honest with yourself about what you need to feel happy and connected.
Credit: TikTok
Have you made the move from the city to a small town? What was your experience like? Did you find it welcoming, or did you struggle to fit in? Share your stories in the comments below—we’d love to hear your thoughts and tips for making regional life work!
Let’s take a closer look at the real-life experiences of those who’ve made the leap—and what you should know before you trade in your city coffee for a country cuppa.
The Allure of Country Life
City movers to small Aussie towns face isolation and exclusion as judgmental local culture pushes some away. Credit: @kylie.heff / TikTok
There’s no denying the appeal. Regional towns offer affordable housing, less traffic, and a chance to reconnect with nature. For many, the idea of swapping a cramped apartment for a house with a backyard is irresistible. According to the Regional Australia Institute, NSW alone lost 28,000 residents last year, while southeast Queensland gained 26,000 new arrivals. The trend is clear: Aussies are on the move, prioritising lifestyle over location.
And it’s not just retirees or empty nesters making the change. Millennials—those born between 1981 and 1996—are leading the charge, with more than half considering a move to the regions. The promise of a better work-life balance, affordable homes, and a sense of community is a powerful drawcard.
The Hidden Challenges: One Woman’s Story
But as many have discovered, the reality of small-town life isn’t always as rosy as the brochures suggest. Kylie Heffernan, a 37-year-old former Sydneysider, recently shared her experience of moving to a small town in the NSW Hunter Valley. At first, the locals seemed welcoming, and Kylie was excited to pursue her passion for horse riding and start a new chapter in hospitality.
However, things soon took a turn. As Kylie settled in and began to feel more at home, she noticed a shift in the attitudes of those around her. Her equestrian ambitions were met with mockery, and friends she thought she’d made became critical and unsupportive. 'People who I thought were my friends would be really negative about it. They’d tell me I was stupid for doing it, make out that I was no good at it, and just make me feel really s*****,' she shared.
Kylie also found the town’s social life revolved heavily around drinking at the local pub. 'If you don’t participate in drinking at the local venue most days of the week, you kind of just get left out,' she said. Two particularly distressing incidents—a falling out with the owner of the property where her horse was kept, and being bullied at a local venue—left her feeling unsafe and unwelcome.
Eventually, Kylie decided to leave. 'It was the best thing I’ve done,' she said, reflecting on her experience. She emphasised that while she didn’t believe anyone in the town truly hated her, the culture was simply not a good fit for someone single, child-free, and a little different from the norm.
A Common Experience?
Kylie’s story struck a chord with many. Her video was flooded with comments from others who’d felt excluded or isolated after moving to a small town. 'Small communities live in a small world, judgemental, self-obsessed, lacking real world experiences,' one commenter wrote. Another added, 'People are rude, racist and it’s hard to make friends.'
Others described similar experiences of bullying, cliquishness, and feeling like outsiders. 'I have experienced more bullying in a rural workplace than when I lived in the city. Small town, narrow-minded people who have never lived or worked anywhere else. Very cliquey,' one person shared.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Some newcomers reported being welcomed with open arms and eventually finding their tribe. 'I have a beautiful group of friends now. But I still don’t feel like I belong here,' one person admitted, highlighting that even after years, a sense of belonging can be elusive.
Why Are So Many Aussies Still Making the Move?
Despite these challenges, the exodus from the cities continues. The reasons are clear: more affordable housing, a lower cost of living, and the chance to escape the daily grind of city life. As Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, points out, 'Because of the hip pocket, high inflation, high interest rates—the issues we’ve been reading about daily for the last two years—this is driving these decisions.'
James Morrell, CEO of Muval, notes that the most popular destinations are metro-adjacent towns with lifestyle appeal. 'People are prioritising lifestyle, and they’re willing to cross state lines for it. Once people settle in, they’re more likely to stay put. That kind of stickiness is a strong indicator of local satisfaction.'
Moving to a small town can be a wonderful adventure, but it’s not without its challenges. For some, it’s a dream come true; for others, it’s a lesson in resilience. If you’re thinking about making the move, do your research, talk to locals, and be honest with yourself about what you need to feel happy and connected.
Credit: TikTok
