Why A Sea Change Is For Everybody, Not Just For Boomers
Go Wild Before Uni.
It was 1998 when a certain high-flying lawyer escaped the rat race by relocating to a small coastal town. There, she learned to love the quiet life… and a red-headed cafe owner called Diver Dan.
Yes, the plot to ABC’s classic TV show Sea Change may be fictional, but there’s a lesson to be learned from Sigrid Thornton’s starring role. Moving somewhere completely new can be a life-altering adventure and, in 2019, it’s one you don’t have to wait until middle age to embark on.
More and more members of The Youth™ are opting to shake things up and set off on a sea change of their own – not least because, with the University of Tasmania ranked as one of Australia’s best institutions, relocating to the Apple Isle for study makes a lot of sense.
Getting out of the big city bubble can open up a whole new lifestyle, complete with fresher air, lower costs of living, and more time spent outside. So, if you’re considering a change of scenery, here’s a few reasons why you really should make the jump.
Being Closer To Nature Is A Good Thing
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Nothing crushes the human spirit quite like an expanse of grey concrete. Being in nature, on the other hand, is proven to be restorative – even spending two hours outdoors each week can have positive effects on your health and wellbeing.
When you live in Tasmania, those tranquil outdoor adventures are right at your doorstep. Swim, surf, kayak or boat in the waterways surrounding the island; or, if being on land’s more your thing, go and hike, camp or mountain bike ‘til your heart’s content in the state’s pristine protected wilderness.
Tassie is small, so no matter where you live, you won’t have to fight through traffic to reach its scenic havens – which means you have more time to enjoy it. Just submit that essay, grab your hat and go.
It’s Cheaper, Duh
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It won’t shock you to hear that living in Sydney or Melbourne is kind of expensive.
So, owning a home – or just, you know, renting one – is a hell of a lot easier somewhere like Tasmania, where the housing crisis is far less crisis-y. Down south, you’ll pay less money for heaps more space.
Hell, you’ll even be able to afford a spare bedroom for friends to stay in when they come visit for Dark Mofo (because yes, they will come visit).
You’ll Make New Friends
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Speaking of friends, moving is a great way to make new ones. Relocating forces you to meet new people, expand your social circle and ultimately wind up with a bigger bunch of buds.
Plus, living somewhere smaller also means you’ll reap the rewards of a supportive, close-knit community. Think Gilmore Girls, only with slightly slower talking.
You Don’t Have To Choose Between The City And The Country
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A sea change doesn’t have to mean you’ll never get a decent flat white again, or that you’ll spend the rest of days in commuter hell. In somewhere like Tasmania, you get the best of both the city and the coast. It’s not an either-or situation.
It only takes a few hours to drive across the entire island. So, you could set yourself amongst Hobart’s world-class art, food and culture (hello, Mona) and still enjoy bustling city life without the pollution and high prices. Or you could shack up somewhere totally serene and secluded… and still only be 30-odd minutes’ drive from the city. Like the little girl in the Old El Paso ads, you really can have both.
It’s Easier To Move When You’re Young
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If you’re toying with the idea of moving somewhere new, now is probably the time to do it. It’s a hell of a lot easier to relocate your life when you’re young and don’t have a marriage, kids, mortgage, and career to work around. This is the point in your life when it’s actually very easy to just pack up and go – so why not try it out?
This article originally appeared on Junkee.
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Ready for your sea change? Apply now to study at the University of Tasmania in 2020.
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(Lead image: Will Langenberg / Unsplash)