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As rising interest rates and the cost of living take its toll on ordinary Australians, regional centres have emerged as a hotspot as young families shift away from metropolitan cities.

According to the 2008 Country Matters: Social Atlas of Rural and Regional Australia, the
2006 Census shows that more than 7.5 million Australians now live outside capital cities; an increase of almost 473 000 since 2001.

Anecdotally, many of LJ Hooker regional and rural offices are noticing an increase in
young families purchasing ‘lifestyle’ properties. Traditionally these have been known as hobby farms and tend to offer a unique style of country living. They are centred close to the types of facilities, such as schools, medical practices and sporting venues, that families have in the city.

With the increased demands on the family purse, in terms of rising food and fuel prices,
and upward pressure on interest rates, people are looking for more affordable lifestyle alternatives.

It is encouraging to know that rural areas have the highest level of home ownership;
76.2 per cent compared with 63 per cent for urban areas. And rural areas also have a
higher level of workforce participation and lower levels of unemployment compared with
major urban centres. Families and couples who would normally consider this type of move later in life are bringing their ‘tree change’ or ‘sea change’ forward due to