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Moving To A City From The Country
Each year, thousands of Australians move to cities from the countryside for many reasons. And even presently, when you may think that moving to the country should be more appealing due to rising housing costs in the cities, COVID-19 lockdowns, and work from home mandates, Australians are still attracted to city life.
Many of them believe that life in the city offers incredible opportunities and therefore relocating there from the rural areas can transform their lives in many ways.
Whatever your motivation is, relocating your family to a completely different place can be a daunting task that will require you to consider a number of things. This blog post highlights some of the fundamental reasons why people move to cities from living in the country and the tips for making such a big move successful.
Why Australians Move To Cities
Moving from the countryside to the city is considered a form of rural-urban migration. Rural and urban areas are different in many aspects. Australians who live in the country are attracted to life in the larger cities for economic and social reasons.
Despite the cheap, peaceful, and quiet life associated with living in the countryside, the following pull factors influence the movement of people to the larger cities in Australia:
Job Opportunities
There are plenty of opportunities for work across most major cities in Australia. Therefore, the prospects of finding a job among skilled Australians are high in the cities compared to rural areas. This motivates people to leave the countryside for the cities to take up available employment opportunities to better their living standards.
Efficient Healthcare System
Even though medical costs are subsidised for all Australian citizens through a universal healthcare system, the most efficient healthcare facilities are found in the cities. It gives most individuals peace of mind to move and live in the cities where the healthcare system is efficient.
Learning Institutions
Access to learning institutions and quality education opportunities influences the movement of people from the countryside to the cities. Many private and international schools are within city neighbourhoods, making it convenient for learners to commute every school day.
Australian cities also have world-renowned institutions of higher learning, such as the Australian National University (in Canberra), the University of Melbourne (in Melbourne), and the University of Sydney (in Sydney). The desire to acquire education in top notch institutions is attracting families to the cities.
Tips For Moving To The City
There is no doubt that life in the city can be thrilling. However, the process of moving from the countryside to the city can be daunting. If your dream is to have better living standards associated with life in the city, there are a few things you need to consider before making such an ambitious move.
Here are some fundamental tips that will make your big move to the city a success:
Choosing the Right City
Before leaving your rural home to start life in the city, you should know well in advance the city you will be moving to. What does city life mean to you, and what is your motivation for moving? The location of the city impacts your lifestyle in many aspects, and it is essential that you choose wisely. Climatic conditions, availability of public transport, employment opportunities, and the popularity of a city can influence your choice.
Deciding which city to move to can be complex. If you are considering moving to the city from the upcountry, here is a brief, moving guide to help you navigate the difficult step of choosing the proper city.
When choosing the correct city for you and your family, consider the following:
Cost of living
Life in Australia’s popular cities is notoriously expensive, and you must weigh this against your current or expected sources of income before you pick a relocation city. Cities with less migratory flows experience little pressure on available amenities hence the affordability.
The cost of living is high in larger cities that are home to international organisations and a significant representation of the world's population as they tend to attract international immigrants. Moving to a less expensive city can improve both your finances and your quality of life.
Available job opportunities
If finding a job is the number one reason you are moving to the city, you need to find out which city has job opportunities that match your skills.
Nearby schools
If you have children who will need to attend school, check out cities with schools around residential neighbourhoods. Confirm if the schools have open admission spaces lest you move to a city with oversubscribed schools.
Cost of housing
Check cities with home rental or buying prices that are within your budget before making a move. If you are moving temporarily to the city, living in a rented home would be ideal.
Buying a home is convenient for you if you are relocating to the city permanently. Property prices in popular cities in Australia are high, so you should choose cities with housing costs that favour your budget.
City culture
Australian cities have unique cultures. Choosing a city with a culture that conforms with your lifestyle can make your city life fulfilling. Some cities have a laid-back way of life while others are outgoing with lots of recreational activities to enjoy. If you love quality life on the beach, the coastal cities are ideal for you.
Popular Relocation Cities in Australia
Australian cities are unique in many ways, making them attractive to many people living in the country. The most popular relocation cities in Australia that you may consider when moving from upcountry include:
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia and has many light industries, a growing tourism sector, warm summers, and an incredible landscape. The city is affectionately known as the bush capital by locals.
Sydney
Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and the largest city in Australia, with over 5 million people. Sydney has a temperate climate and is surrounded by national/regional parks and recreational amenities. More than two-thirds of Sydney’s labour force is employed in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and Australia’s second largest city by population, with more than 1 million people. It headquarters many local, national, and international organisations and companies.
Melbourne experiences excellent waves of immigration from the countryside. People move to this city for employment opportunities in its clothing and metal factories as well as the service sectors such as banking, insurance, entertainment, and transportation.
Brisbane
Brisbane city is Australia's third most populous city and the capital of Queensland. It is a transport hub with rail lines, highways, and a port, all of which facilitate the export and import of food products and minerals. The city has heavy and large manufacturing and processing industries for shipyards, automobiles, cement, fertiliser, and food.
Hobart
Hobart is Australia’s second oldest city after Sydney and the capital of Tasmania, with a mild temperate oceanic climate. Although it is more beautiful than other Australian state capitals, Hobart is less urbanised, with a population of just over 216,000. The city experience's a relatively stable rural urban migration hence has the most affordable property prices in Australia.
Adelaide
Adelaide is a civilised calm city and the capital of South Australia. The city is cosmopolitan with a diverse range of cultures, industries, and landscapes ideal for people who want to experience the convenience of life in a mid-sized city.
Finding the Right Removalist
Relocating to the city can be an expensive and complex process, especially if you have to move with your entire family and all your belongings. Many people find it much better to sell or donate some of their belongings to cut the cost of moving to the city.
However, with the right removalist, all your household items can be moved from the upcountry to the city at an affordable cost. If you’re relocating to the city from the country, research available long-distance movers and choose the one that will ensure your relocation goes as smoothly as possible.
Generally, here are the things to consider when choosing a removalist:
- Getting value for money.
- Able to move all items, heavy or bulky.
- Convenient and reliable, especially door-to-door services.
Know the different removalist options available, as some will suit your personal needs better than others. The internet is an excellent tool if you are seeking information on removalists.
Pros And Cons Of Moving To The City
It is easy to glamourise life in the city when you have a job of your dream and a variety of restaurants, cultural attractions, and leisure opportunities at your reach. The experience is different if you move to a congested city with pressure on the available social amenities. Therefore, it is worth noting that while there are numerous benefits associated with moving to the city, there are some disadvantages as well.
Pros of moving to the city
- If you plan well and choose the correct city, you can enjoy immense employment opportunities hence improving your standard of living.
- Access to quality education.
- Better housing conditions.
- Access to quality healthcare.
- Stable piped water and electricity supply.
Cons of moving to the city
- Potentially lengthy and expensive commute to work using public transport.
- Fewer employment opportunities in highly populated cities.
- Limited access to social amenities in highly populated cities.
- It means living away from family and friends, and you need to create a new social life and support network.
- The cost of housing is high, making it difficult to afford a spacious home.
- Polluted cities compromise the quality of health.
- Noisy urban life with potentially annoying neighbours.
Hire Professional Movers
In Australia, rural-urban migration is the primary driver of population growth in the cities. Moving to the city from living in the country can make a big difference in your life if you follow some of the tips in this blog. If you are moving from upcountry to Sydney and across New South Wales, you can consider hiring a moving company to assist you move cost-effectively and professionally.
