Three former Canberrans on their decision to move to country NSW

If you're thinking about a move away from the city and into the country in 2023, these women have some sage advice about the benefits and challenges of doing so.

Melanie Greenhalgh, Sutton NSW

Melanie moved to Sutton in 2006 and lives with her husband, two teenagers, a dog, a cat, and loads of kangaroos, rabbits and ducks.

Pros of living in Sutton

It's country living with all the amenity of city convenience for both kids and adults, like education, sports, hospitals, medical, shopping, cafes and entertainment. The stars are so bright and clear at night because there are no street lights - it makes you realise you're but a tiny part of a massive universe!

The cons

Postal deliveries take longer to arrive. And friends always need a designated driver when they come for dinner and drinks.

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Lauren McGregor, Yass

Lauren moved to Yass in 2015 and lives with her husband, her 20-month-old son, seven dogs and two horses. She moved to Yass because she "wanted more space. After 12 months of living on 234sqm in Gungahlin, we couldn’t do it anymore."

The pros of living in Yass

Equal parts the space (we’re on 10 acres and it’s our peaceful piece of the world) and the community. Everyone smiles at you as you walk down the street and it’s so easy to make friends. Also - I can sunbake naked in my backyard and no-one can see me, so no tan lines!

The cons

If you’d asked me that even 12 months ago I would have said the need for versus the lack of big amenity, but that’s changing and at a rapid pace. There are so many new businesses set to open their doors across the Yass Valley in 2023, including a new gym, Indian restaurant, Two Before 10 cafe and I am so excited about it.

Honestly, I think by the end of next year, it will most definitely be possible for families to only have to travel across the border one a month (or in my case once a fortnight) to get their Westfield hit and that’s about it.

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Lindsay Anderson, Tumut NSW

Lindsay moved to Tumut in 2020 and lives with her partner, three children and two dogs. She moved to Tumut because "my partner Trent was born and bred in the Tumut region and we wanted to try small town living instead of the hustle and bustle of the capital city."

The pros of living in Tumut

So many! For me, it's the people. The strong sense of community: they mourn together and celebrate together. Nothing is too much trouble, it's laid back and when we arrived, everyone made us feel so welcome. Our kids have thrived and made some really good friends through school and sporting clubs.

The cons

Not many. I don't miss malls at all! I did, however, sit in the Khub (it's a tiny version of Kmart) carpark when we first moved here, bawling my eyes out because they didn't sell any decent work-worthy shoes (which I needed to start my new job the next day!)

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