Living in regional areas is still difficult

People told me I would save more once I moved out of Sydney. Groceries and eating out would cost less. Rent would be significantly cheaper.

I don't regret my move two hours north of the city. My life has become richer in other ways, but the cheaper lifestyle promised to me is yet to arrive.

Let's wind back. Last year, I lived in an old yet tidy two-bedroom apartment, three minutes walk from a station and five minutes from the water. You could take a river cat from our suburb to Parramatta or Circular Quay.

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My daily commute included a 25 minute train into the city, during which I'd listen to podcasts. It was these factors that meant when I was without a car for three months, I didn't miss it much.

All this for $430 a week in rent, split between myself and my best friend. My lifestyle was, by all accounts, a bargain. Rental asking prices for apartments across the street from us began at $600 a week.

I don't tell you this to glorify Sydney living. It was fast-paced, tiring and often rather grimy. The expectations around work-life balance were skewed towards employers.

I found myself reading less and resting less than I used to. I wouldn't go back to it in a hurry.

But last year, I was working four days a week on a similar salary to now and saving more money. My groceries haven't dropped in price (though this is in part due to inflation) and my rent is just $10 cheaper a week. I now pay more for parking, petrol and eating out.

The quality of my life has improved. I am playing sport again, going for a swim in the evenings, rarely working past my scheduled hours and reading more books. I would recommend leaving capital cities for these reasons.

Yet I think it's a fallacy that moving regionally significantly cuts spending.

Speaking with friends, it appears there are very few places in Australia where job opportunities and lower cost of living combine in such a way that young workers can save well.

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I find myself wondering often what this means for the future. I seriously consider if a week-long holiday will dampen my efforts to save for property - a long way off fever dream, it would seem.

There are plenty of articles floating in the online world in which older Gen Zs catastrophise their future. I do not intend to write one of these.

I am in an incredibly privileged position. I have worked since I was 14. I have parents who are financially literate and taught me how to save effectively from a young age. I've been very fortunate to have a salary during university and a graduate job straight after finishing. If everything went completely pear-shaped, I'd have places to stay.

The current state of play, however, makes me concerned for the economic future of young people nationwide. If someone in my position is struggling to save, what is the plight of those in less privileged circumstances?

I know renting for another decade is a real possibility. Moving year on year is tiring and limits the sense of home for many.

Even in the regions, the cost of living is biting hard.