Moving Regionally For Work? Here’s What You Need to Know

With Victoria’s regional economies booming and property markets experiencing a lull after years of growth, now may be the perfect time for any Melbourne professionals looking to make a tree change. 

Even though transitioning from city life to country living can come with its fair share of liberties – including the opportunity to enjoy garden space or live in larger properties with comparatively lower rental rates – the regional shift is still a decision that requires some planning and preparation. Especially so if you’re looking to work locally rather than maintain a remote role with a business based in Melbourne or other capital cities.

If you are looking to move regionally for professional opportunities, then here are just some of the key considerations that should be made.

Get a Car

If you don’t have a car already, the first thing you should consider doing is buying yourself a set of wheels. Personal transportation is just as foundational to regional living as confidence driving on rural highways. So once you get your new car, be sure to take it out often to familiarise yourself with the less congested, but often equally dangerous rural motorways that connect Victoria’s regions together.

And speaking of safe driving, comprehensive car insurance is generally considered to be the best type of cover for regional Victorians. This is because damage to your car will still be covered in the unlikely event of an accident or if you damage someone else’s property while driving in a regional area. As road conditions in regional areas can be greatly impacted by weather forecasts or environmental hazards (i.e. falling trees), securing comprehensive car insurance can provide adequate financial cover and improved peace of mind when compared to third party insurance policies.

Budgeting for a new car may, however, be difficult for some professionals looking to make the move to regional living. You can still secure comprehensive car insurance on a secondhand vehicle. Similarly, if you’re concerned about your carbon footprint or the cost of fuel living in a regional area, then why not consider investing in an electric or hybrid vehicle to reduce your carbon footprint and save on fuel costs over the long term?

Buy or Rent a House

One positive aspect of moving to regional Australia is that house prices tend to be more affordable when compared to metropolitan properties. For instance, a three or four-bedroom house in a sought-after suburb of the city can easily cost over a million dollars or even more. In contrast, a regional house will usually be several hundred thousand dollars cheaper. 

And suppose you’re selling up to buy in a regional town or city. In that case, you should be able to buy a great house in a decent suburb and still live comfortably with your mortgage without facing mortgage stress like some city homeowners who are overextended with their finances. 

The same applies if you’re looking to rent a house as well. As regional landlords will have smaller mortgages when compared to major cities in Australia, the rental prices will be lower in regional city centres and townships. And lower rental fees mean that your money tends to go further in a regional location. 

So you’ll be faced with a decision when you move to a regional location for work. Should you buy or rent when making your big career move? Well, it can depend on how long you reckon you might stay in your new surroundings. If you’re renting a home, you have the full flexibility to break your lease early if a regional lifestyle isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you’re enjoying your new life, job, and schedule and are looking to make the change permanently, then buying property might be the way to go. 

Another consideration is your employment. If you’re employed on a temporary contract for a year or two, then renting might be the best move until your employment is permanent. If you have a permanent gig right off the bat, then buying might be worth it to put down roots. 

Securing Regional Employment

It’s likely that assessing regional job markets will play a vital role in determining where you move to, more so even than property prices. You may be able to find cheaper lodgings in some localities than others, but if there’s no guarantee of work, then it’s best to set your sights on regions that are poised to provide more opportunities. 

This is effectively why Ballarat and the greater Geelong area have both been experiencing consistent population booms and real estate growth. In fact, earlier this year the Regional Movers Index recorded that the Geelong region boasted the fastest jobs growth of all large regional areas in Victoria and the fourth fastest in Australia over the past five years, with a growth rate of 5.1 per cent per annum.

Similarly, Ballarat’s thriving arts and cultural scene and the fact that the city is still accessible for Melburnians via VLine train and bus services, makes this regional hotspot another great option for professionals looking to live regionally and maintain a hybrid or remote job role. 

If you’re looking for regional employment, however, securing work is likely to come first before house hunting. As the State Government pushes regional work placements for training professionals like teachers, medical professionals, and defence recruits, there are pathways out there for students and young professionals who are looking to hone their skills and become an asset to regional Victorian communities.

Joining Local Communities

And that brings us now to the prospect of becoming a member of a tight-knit regional community. One major criticism of city living is that it can be quite isolating for adults and kids. Most people in major cities don’t have a close connection to their local community apart from their immediate family and close friends. City living can be lonely, even when millions of people surround you. 

In comparison, regional areas are more likely to have close, bonded and tighter-knit communities, often centred around sports clubs like footy, other sports or other local clubs like Lions or Rotary. When you move to a regional location for your new job, you’ll have the opportunity to forge close connections with your neighbours and the wider local community, too. Increased involvement in your local community within your regional city or town has many benefits, including increased well-being and having more people in your support network during difficult times. 

So, when you move somewhere for work, you might consider getting involved in the regional community. You could volunteer to coach a sports team, get involved in a local market, community garden, or card-playing club, make an effort to get to know your neighbours and build up those local connections, which can come in handy. 

Mapping Out Your Regional Career Change

Determining where and when to make the regional shift means considering a variety of different factors – from car ownership to housing and ensuring you can make an impact on your new local community. Finding the right setting for your regional transition can make a world of difference on the quality of your lived experience. So take your time making your plans to ensure that you grab the right opportunity to suit your personal and professional goals.

//SPONSORED CONTENT