Millennials are leading the exodus from capital cities to regional areas, continuing a trend that began during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and which has been fuelled by high housing and living costs. But people fleeing the fetid air of the dusty, dirty city are not going far, overflowing to nearby regions that make up the five most popular destinations.
Both are within 150km of Brisbane, while other desired destinations are also close to their nearest capital — with Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney, another popular choice. Greater Geelong and Moorabool, both within 100km of Melbourne, also made the top five most popular spots. But there was a limit to how close people wanted to be, Ritchie said. “People living in ‘commuter belts’ on the outskirts of major metropolitan cities are relocating within a few years of moving there,” she said.