When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Victoria in 2020, many Melbourne residents relocated to regional areas where housing costs were lower and there were fewer lockdowns and restrictions.

And it hasn’t stopped there. Regional towns and cities are still experiencing growth, including Mildura, Sunraysia’s most populated city. It’s easy to see why. As a beautiful city built on the Murray River with a population close to 60,000, Mildura has much to offer and is a lively community to integrate into.

For those who have their sights set on Mildura to escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, there are important considerations to navigate before packing up your life and moving across the state. In this article, we address these factors below so you can make your move as stress-free as possible and focus on the excitement of your new journey.

The pre-move logistics

Deciding to relocate across the state is a big commitment. That’s why having a clear plan before commencing is key to adapting to the change as gracefully as possible. Luckily, moves like this are easier than ever with modern services that can do a lot of the work for you. 

Your move might involve transferring your rental lease or even selling your home, and that’s just one of the major changes involved. If you haven’t moved houses in a while, you might have forgotten the spring-clean aspect of the packing journey, where you realise just how much you’ve hoarded over the years. If you know what date you’ll finish packing, you can arrange rubbish removal in Melbourne in advance. Services like these not only collect and sort your rubbish, but they rehome the things that can be reused so that less of it goes to landfill.

With the junk gone and your life in boxes, you can book a removal company that travels to Mildura on the day of your big move. Most companies give the option to insure your belongings, which is highly recommended, the last thing you want is to start your new life in Mildura with your favourite decor damaged.

Climate

Mildura is located in a different climate zone to Melbourne and delivers hot, dry summers and mild winters. Overnight temperatures regularly dip close to freezing, so you can expect frost in the early mornings.

The privilege of being located in a hot and dry region makes Mildura susceptible to weather phenomena not often experienced in Melbourne. Dust storms occur when strong winds blow up the loose topsoil creating a moving wall of dirt and sand, and you’ll need to remember your protective clothes for materials a little more harsh than raindrops.

The region also experiences bushfires that overcome the city with smoke. Both of these conditions pose a high risk to asthmatics and can damage crops, make water supplies undrinkable and cause problems in air conditioners.

Housing availability and cost

With such a drastic and fast influx of people moving to Mildura, the housing supply has not kept up with demand as the population has swelled. There’s high competition for rentals, and the increasing rent has priced some residents out of the market. As such, homelessness is becoming a significant issue for the local area.

The buying market is more stable, however, with enough supply to meet the needs of current and new residents. Houses cost around half as much as in Melbourne, which may mean that more Melbournians look to regional areas like Mildura to purchase either their first homes or to experience a significant upgrade in their home and land.

Employment opportunities

If relocating also means looking for a new job, Mildura has plenty of opportunities for you. In the regional city and the surrounding areas of Sunraysia, there are three main industries that employ over 40% of working residents. The health and social assistance sector is the largest, followed by fishing, agriculture and retail work. Alternatively, you can make use of the rise of remote work and find a work-from-home job from anywhere across Australia before you relocate to ease your transition.

Schools and childcare

For families, we know school or childcare facilities will be top of mind. Don’t worry, you won’t be left without support, as Mildura has a total of 22 schools across the public and private systems and a similar number of childcare centres to choose from. If you have children and want to check out education options, visit MySchool to help you make your decision.

Health services

Again, Mildura is well-resourced in terms of healthcare services. The Mildura Rural City Council is serviced by the Mildura Base Public Hospital and the privately owned Mildura Health Private Hospital. Like other major centres, the city is supported by a range of quality medical clinics, dentists, physiotherapists, osteotherapists, optometrists and many more services. If you want to get organised before your move, you can email local healthcare services and register as a new client.

Activities and leisure

Being situated along the Murray River, Mildura has an abundance of opportunities to enjoy life on the water. The river is perfect for fishing, with the elusive Murray Cod prized as the catch of the region. On the water, you’ll find a crowd of people canoeing, motorboating, water skiing, and swimming on any given day. If swimming or rowing are your thing, there are strong local clubs to get involved with.

The natural beauty of the area is hard to fault. A single walk will showcase the many-hued cliff faces along the river, the bird-calls heard from the wetlands and the still calm of the trees surrounding Kings Billabong. To top it all off, the region is dotted with prestigious wineries, fine dining, and hundreds of fruit orchards.

Transport in and around Mildura

It takes around 6 hours to drive from Melbourne to Mildura, 4 from Adelaide and 11 from Sydney. For a much faster trip, or for when you need to dash down to the capital to visit friends and family, Mildura Airport has regular direct flights to and from Sydney and Melbourne.

Public transport is readily available within Mildura, with 13 bus routes servicing the city centre and surrounding suburbs. Additionally, the V-Line train frequently travels between Melbourne and Swan Hill and a short coach ride finishes the journey - both of which are affordable and efficient.

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Moving is no mean feat: it takes time, energy and money, whether you are relocating to the next neighbourhood or across the country. It’s a venture worthy of celebration – one you can do with peace and tranquillity by the river or down at the local pubs. Relocating to Mildura offers a refreshing change of pace and, with proper planning and an understanding of the area, you can ensure a smooth transition into this thriving regional community.