Three years after Brendan Wilkinson, his partner Siew Chong and their young son moved to the regional city of Armidale, they finally feel at home.
"There was a fairly bumpy transition period, though, when we were not convinced we'd made the right decision," admits Brendan. "We realised it would be a big change from Melbourne and we did our homework, but we had reservations about the quietness and isolation, and the limited dining, cultural and entertainment options that a smaller town offers."
Singapore-born Siew and Brendan, who both accepted positions at the University of New England as chemistry lecturers, had also previously lived in Sydney and London. "We thought that we might all get bored, and we were concerned about the educational opportunities for our son," Siew adds.
Like many tree-changers, the couple found the lower cost of living, improved lifestyle and friendliness appealing. "The traffic in Melbourne was horrendous; sometimes it would take me one-and-a-half hours to travel 14 kilometers to work and I would arrive angry and stressed," Brendan says.
"Here, my trip to work takes around 5-7 minutes. It's a personal thing, but the outdoor lifestyle that the New England offers is unrivaled by the big cities. It's amazing and I wouldn't trade that now."
"We also got to know our neighbours, and people are very friendly," Siew says. "We have more of a sense of community, and Ryne likes that it is peaceful and not too busy. He's learning to play two musical instruments and is happy at his school, which has an International Baccalaureate program."
Their colleague Erica Smith, who previously lived in Sydney, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, had never considered living in a regional centre until the opportunity arose 12 years ago.
"It was beyond me why anyone would want to live in a small city," she says. "I loved going to the theatre, an opera, art galleries and bookshops - and I foolishly thought that I wouldn't have any of that in the country. It was city snobbery, I suppose, and for a while I thought my life was over."
Erica initially found the familiarity that comes with a smaller population disconcerting. "Within a week I was bumping into people that I'd just met while walking down the street; my anonymity was lost and I couldn't find my own space," Erica says. "But eventually I figured out that the flipside is that you are never alone and there is always someone there if you need help. That's when I began to understand what community means."
This became increasingly important after Erica became a single parent. "i now love that everything is so close and convenient," she says. "And I can the world-class musical performances on a regular basis, thanks to NECOM (the New England Conservatorium of Music). It has made a big difference. And because of the university, I am always meeting people from other countries and cultures."
However, as more Australians head bush, adopt remote work arrangements or find their jobs decentralised, the trio recommend carefully considering the professional impacts.
"It can be harder to build your career in a smaller city," Brendan says. "However, there are advantages in the networks you build, and you have much better access to equipment and infrastructure. You just need to go in with your eyes open."
Erica believes she's made professional sacrifices. But it hasn't prevented her from becoming chair-elect of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute's Chemical Education Committee and enjoying a variety of professional development opportunities, not to mention regular overseas holidays.
"Working within a smaller uni enables you to develop relationships with your students and colleagues from different disciplines," Erica says. "In a bigger uni I certainly wouldn't be able to have a chat with the Dean or Vice Chancellor shopping for groceries."
So what's the final verdict?
"We own a house here now and I can't see us moving anytime soon," Brendan says.
"It's been a real learning journey, but I would never go back to the city, even if you paid me a million dollars," says Erica. "I give living in the country a big thumbs up. But we don't want to tell too many people, right?"
