Moving From Melbourne to Regional Living? Here’s How to Prepare

Moving from the busy streets of Melbourne to a quieter regional lifestyle is a big adjustment for anyone. Physical and psychological preparation is required as you adjust from the inner-city buzz surrounded by people and amenities to the wider spaces and slower pace of life in the regional suburbs.

In this article, we provide you with some applicable tips to help you prepare for the move, which involves identifying the exact regional neighbourhood that’s right for you, streamlining the move itself and learning how to settle into your new home.

Read on to find out how to prepare for regional living as a household moving from Melbourne City.

Sort out what you’re taking and leaving

Any move is a great opportunity to cast a critical eye over your furniture and belongings and decide what should really be donated or recycled, and what simply needs to be taken out with the trash. 

There’s no point carting your waste across the state if you no longer need or plan to keep it, so before you bring out the cardboard boxes, enlist the help of professional rubbish removal in Melbourne. These services can provide you with prompt waste removal, saving you the time and hassle of going to the tip, and the manual labour involved in removing all your unwanted stuff from your property.

Once you’ve cleared out your trash, it might be worth getting some treasure while you can. You might not have access to or proximity to all the same interior decor or hardware furnishing stores as you do in the city, so make the most of the shops around you before you move to stock up on the furniture and decorations you’ll want in your new home. Of course – if you forget something, you can always come back!

Visit the town or neighbourhood like a local

Visiting the town you plan to live in for a short time is essential before you decide to commit to the move. There is only so much you can learn from second-hand experience and videos online. Going to the place in person will give you a more complete experience of what it is like to be there, though it’s important to resist your temptation to be a tourist while exploring or make your decision based on short vacations in the past.

Try to figure out how the locals live and what they get involved in, and picture what it would be like for you to settle into the routine. Where do they buy their food? Where do they go out at the weekend? Where are the nearest riverbeds, beaches or national parks? Save the tourist attractions for after you’re settled in, as these likely won’t be part of your day-to-day lives.

Evaluate the availability of regional services

While researching and visiting any regional area, it is important to consider what kind of services are available and what you are willing to sacrifice. In the city, we can sometimes take for granted that we have the world at our fingertips. Not only can we access almost any experience we’re after, but we can also get most essential services whenever we need them. 

Whilst young Victorians are embracing the regional property boom thanks to more affordable housing, it’s important to consider how settling in certain areas may affect your future needs. For example, depending on where you are, you might be an hour or two from the nearest hospital or school or lack public transport to a commercial shopping or events centre. Define what is most important to have access to in your household and how easily you will be able to access these services from your new area.

Plan for some self-sufficiency at home

Regional homes offer more space, but can also be more isolated, both from neighbouring properties and amenities in the city, such as lightspeed wifi and endless hot water. Especially if you’re buying your first home, make sure to check what utilities are connected and what you’ll need to handle yourself. In more remote regional areas, properties may have septic tanks and generators, or solar panels that can help with electricity generation and heating in the winter months. 

You may also want to consider planting easy-to-grow vegetables. You might be moving further away from a grocery store where you can’t nip out for single ingredients, so it’s wise to have a pantry well stocked with dry goods, plan meals in advance, and store frozen meals. Much of the country can experience extreme weather, so this is also something worth taking into consideration when evaluating how self-sufficient you can be at home.

For these reasons, it can also be a good idea to rent before you purchase your first regional home. This will help you get a feel for the day-to-day routine of regional life, away from the ability to grab everything you need within a few minutes.

Adapt to the lifestyle change

Moving to a regional area is not just about the physical change, but also adapting to a new lifestyle. In your adjustment period, allow some time and accommodations to get used to the new routines and habits. Regional areas tend to be formed of smaller but tighter communities that rely more heavily on each other for support and social life. 

Getting involved in the community and seasonal events is a great idea for anyone new to a regional area. It’s a way to meet neighbours who may not share a wall or building, or perhaps even a postcode with you! You can also set up your own event through our community corner to connect with those who share an interest or hobby.

Regional life after Melbourne: are you ready for the change?

Moving from Melbourne to a regional area is a big decision, especially if you’ve been a city dweller for most of your life. Going to visit potential locations is a great way to get an idea of what it’s really like to live away from the hustle and bustle.

Once you’ve settled on the area that’s right for you, consider practical steps to setting up your new house, as well as boxing up your existing belongings and removing those you no longer want with minimal fuss. Get involved in community initiatives to help you feel more emotionally settled into and connected to your new regional home. 

Finally, be patient! The change is a big one, and it will take time until all the puzzle pieces are in place. We hope this guide has given you some tips and reassurance to help you prepare for the move out of Melbourne.