Welfare outcomes of migration of low-income earners from metropolitan to non-metropolitan Australia

Abstract

The search for affordable housing was a significant trigger for moves. Over 50% of movers who rated housing affordability as a relocation factor regarded it as being “very important”. More people in total rated housing affordability than rated any other factor. Lifestyle considerations and personal circumstances were also very influential in relocation decisions. Many movers wanted a better place in which to raise a family (58% very important), preferred to live a quieter lifestyle away from the city (45%), were concerned about crime levels in the city (45%) and had other personal or health reasons for relocating. A large majority of movers believed that they were better off after moving with regard to housing cost, quality and size.