Lifestyle
Trading city chaos for country charm: what it’s like to make the move
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Does your mind wander to a change of pace out of the city? You’re not the only one – a simpler, relaxed lifestyle is becoming an attractive option for more Aussies.
By Karen Bleakley
There’s a growing number of Australians choosing to leave behind the chaos and noise of the city in favour of regional living. While some people are drawn by more affordable housing, a big part of the move is about discovering a quieter, simpler lifestyle in the country.
Although capital cities are still growing faster than regional areas — with 2.4% population growth in capital cities compared to 1.3% across regional areas in 2023–24, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics — it's that slower pace that appeals to many people seeking a better quality of life.
The idea of a tree change or sea change is about more than just moving home. It’s about finding space to breathe, reconnecting with nature and living life on your own terms. It’s never too late to embrace a fresh chapter. You just need to take a leap of faith. You never know, you might discover a whole new passion or purpose in the process!
A new life among the vines: Lizzie and Joe’s story
Lizzie and Joe’s relocation journey to rural Queensland began with a sprawling country holiday home. They bought a doer-upper property in Glen Aplin on Queensland’s Granite Belt as a weekend escape from their busy Brisbane lives, where they had established careers in healthcare and IT.
What started as weekends gardening and fixing up the place soon became a full-time lifestyle change.
“We used to leave Brisbane on a Friday and come down here to work in the garden and do up the place,” Lizzie said. “We did that for two years, then Joe started coming down full-time while I stayed in my job.”
Eventually, Lizzie decided it was time for a change too.
The move wasn’t about slowing down. It was about choosing a new direction. Lizzie, who had been working in healthcare, felt burnt out by the system. Their kids were grown, so it was an opportunity to do something for themselves.
“One New Year’s Eve, I rang my boss just before midnight and quit. He laughed and said, ‘It’s about time,’” she says.
For Joe, the decision to leave the city was a leap of faith. “So many people don’t have the nerve to do it,” he says. “But I’ve always said, jump and the parachute will open. You just have to trust it’ll work out.”
Their holiday home evolved into a business and the Sabo’s on Severn bed and breakfast was born. Food quickly became an important part of the offering, all during the complicated time of the pandemic.
Lizzie explains: “All of a sudden, I found myself catering for breakfast, lunch and dinners for groups of people — all social distancing. The police were our first overnight guests as they were managing the border just up the road. They needed somewhere safe and quiet where they’d be well-fed. It all grew from there with word of mouth.”
Next, they launched their cookery school, Cooked from Scratch, and began catering for events like weddings, funerals and special occasions, while collaborating with local producers and venues. They now also host their own popular events, such as Christmas in Winter, which quickly gets booked out every year.
Lizzie and Joe’s boundless energy is infectious and their focus on making their guests feel like part of a big family is where they shine.
While their move to the country hasn’t meant slowing down (they rarely seem to stop), it has ignited a passion for good food, great company and community connections they never would have experienced had they stayed in the city. They’ve opened up their lives to their guests and they’re richer for it.
“Life’s busy in a different way, and it’s meaningful,” Lizzie says. “We don’t miss the city for a second.”
Sabo’s on Severn provides a welcoming base for exploring the Granite Belt’s many attractions, and is ideally located if you want to time your visit with one of the region’s popular events, such as Grazing the Granite Belt. Find out more about their special events and cookery classes on their website or follow them on Facebook to stay up to date with their latest news.
Following the call of the country: Seana’s story
Writer and content creator Seana Smith also chose to relocate to the country. Her journey from Sydney to rural New South Wales was more than just a change of scenery. It marked the beginning of a deeply personal transformation.
Originally from Scotland, Seana and her husband Paul raised their four children in Sydney’s northern suburbs, close to the beaches they loved. But over time, the city began to feel more crowded and overwhelming.
“The drive to the beach for an early morning swim was easy, but the drive back in peak hour took over an hour,” Seana says. “I felt like my life was being wasted sitting at traffic lights.”
With their younger children — twins — approaching high school and Paul nearing retirement, they made the decision to relocate to Orange in New South Wales, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney.
“We both grew up in country towns in Scotland, so there was a real sense of coming home,” Seana said.
“Life slowed down. We were finally also able to get a dog and enjoy time outdoors together. We did much less driving and the kids could walk to school. It felt calmer, more connected. We were able to rent out our home in Sydney to create an income stream and Paul was able to stop work.”
The move also gave Seana the space to slow down and tackle something she had kept private for years. In her memoir Going Under, she reflects on overcoming a long-standing struggle with alcohol. The tree change played a big part in helping her reset her lifestyle and mindset.
Six years later, with the children grown, they made a second move to Jervis Bay – their long-time holiday destination and retirement dream.
“Life today is filled with ocean swims, coastal bush walks and quiet mornings — no traffic jams!” she says. “Outside school holidays, there might only be one or two people on the beach. Life just feels easier.”
The change has also given her space to focus on creative work. While Seana sold her website about things to do in Sydney with kids when she left the city, she has had time to pursue other projects. Alongside her memoir, Seana has co-authored the Australian Autism Handbook and self-published a book of Australian trivia.
Her advice? “Moving out of the city is a great thing to do, but be prepared. It’s disruptive and you will miss the place you leave, and the people too. Making friends outside the city takes time. But the rewards — the space, the calm, the freedom — make it all worthwhile.”
Thinking of making the move? Here’s how to do it right
If you’re considering moving to the country, you’re not alone. With people flocking to the regions from capital cities as well as people choosing to move to regional Australia from overseas, more and more families and individuals are discovering the benefits of living outside the city.
One helpful place to start is the Move to More website. It’s an initiative aimed at showcasing the lifestyle, career and community opportunities that exist outside the capital cities. You’ll find regional profiles, real-life stories, podcast episodes and resources to help you explore different locations and start planning your relocation.
Getting the right professional advice is also key to enjoying a successful move. Buyer’s agent Dianne Horton from Buyers Collective has helped many clients make life-changing moves and understands the unique challenges of relocating to regional areas.
Here are Dianne’s top tips:
1. Be clear on your lifestyle goals. Are you downsizing? Retiring? Seeking more space? Knowing your ‘why’ makes it easier to find your ‘where’.
2. Get clear on your priorities. What do you want from your new home? What are you willing to compromise on?
3. Research thoroughly. Look at proximity to healthcare, shopping, social hubs and transport.
4. Do your due diligence. Check local council websites for flood zones or bushfire overlays. Pest and building inspections are always essential, particularly in older or rural properties.
5. Consider lifestyle as well as location. Look for communities with clubs, groups or regular markets to help you settle in. Having social connections nearby is as important as having a great view.
6. Take your time. Visit different towns and stay overnight. Experience weekday life, not just the weekend charm.
7. Lean on experts. “I connect clients with lawyers, building inspectors and finance professionals,” Dianne says. “It’s about making the whole process smoother, easier and safer.”
Dianne’s final advice is to “Make it a journey, not a leap into the unknown.” She reminds us that it’s about learning as you go, embracing the experience and trusting experts to guide you along the way.
Moving to the country
Making the move from city life to the country can feel daunting. But as these stories show, it’s not only possible, it can be life-changing. With the right planning and support, this next chapter can bring the freedom, joy and fulfilment you’ve been craving.
Those relocating in mid-life and beyond often discover that regional living is about more than just a change of scenery. It can mean improved well-being, stronger community connections and greater affordability, all contributing to a richer, more relaxed lifestyle.
Whether you’re dreaming of sipping your morning coffee overlooking a field of alpacas like Lizzie and Joe or enjoying a swim in the open ocean at a quiet beachside town like Seana, now might be the time to take the first step.
You might find your best life waiting beyond the city limits.
Feature image: The grounds at Sabo's on Severn. Image: courtesy of Lizzie and Joe Sabo
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