My family moved from a small country town to a big city this year. There are plenty of things we like, but a few we miss.

From Bright to the Gold Coast

The family of five spent four years in Bright, at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, after moving from Melbourne in 2021. The town had fewer than 3,000 residents. They grew to love its people and slower pace, though the move to the Gold Coast brought a striking change: the city has almost 700,000 people.

The family arrived on the Gold Coast in January. They had expected to spend 12 months there before deciding where to settle long-term, but as that point approached, they felt it was too soon to choose.

More choices and opportunities

The Gold Coast offers amenities and activities that were less available in Bright, including beaches, hinterland hikes, nightlife, festivals and a growing food scene. The family can choose from a wider range of restaurants, and the children are doing well at school and in extracurricular activities that were not available in their former town.

The children are mixing with people from different backgrounds, something their mother welcomes. She also sees benefits in the move for their resilience.

Space, nature and connection

Bright offered mountains, forests, rivers, cycling trails and national parks within a short drive. The Gold Coast has sunshine and striking scenery too, but reaching natural areas requires a drive. The mother says she walks and cycles less in the city and has gained a few kilos.

Life in the suburbs also means closer-set homes. The mother can hear a neighbor arguing next door. While she has made caring friends who check in when the family is sick or offer to babysit, she says people seem busier and gatherings happen less often than in Bright.

In the small town, people lived close enough to meet easily, and she formed deeper friendships that brought a sense of security. During a recent holiday in Bright, she felt her shoulders relax and her stress ease.

Anonymity and the next decision

The mother appreciates being anonymous in the city, particularly on difficult mental health days. In Bright, she once wept in a supermarket bread aisle and was approached by her husband’s cheerful colleague, who wanted to talk about the weather.