If say you probably need to learn to drive if you go rural otherwise it would be hard to get around to places especially if you need groceries

Driving is essential when you live rural. The kids can catch the bus too and from school but the bus stop could be a few kms away! You also need to be able to get groceries easily, Cole’s or Woolworths May not deliver to where you are. But there’s are many benefits to living rural. We don’t at the moment but we miss it every day and will move Back as soon as we can!

I think this would be very hard. Especially when your kid wants to go somewhere or do somehting.

I personally would not be able to do it, especially without a highschool or supermarket, these would be necessities for our family. Have you considered how you would get your groceries if you don’t drive? For highschool, it would depend on if you have kids and their current ages. I think I’m more shocked they the town does not have a supermarket. I guess weigh up the pros and cons and then decide. Or maybe choose another rural area best suited to your needs and circumstances.

I have done this and i found that over the 5 years i have lived here the infrastructure has changed dramatically with more families choosing to move rural, i did eventually get my drivers licence but until I did i managed by ordering groceries in and relying on my husband to get around

I personally would be concerned about the limited education and recreational options in a more rural area.

Immersing, learning and gaining as much knowledge as possible about a possible new location is a very sound and practical step.

I drive BUT if you find the right regional area this shouldn’t be a problem. Focus your housing search in convenient places, but also remember riding a bike may be an option without city traffic. I made the move from city living to regional about 5 years ago and haven’t looked back. I have taken advantage of walks to work and even rode my bike a few times. The air is cleaner and so much more connection with neighbours and community.

100% I would do it – you can home school or school by the air for rural and you learn to shop in bulk I lived rurally with my first born and would love to do it again it’s a different kind of life and lifestyle

You’d have to see if groceries are home delivered to that area and transport to a high school is available. It sounds very isolating for any children as I’m assuming there wouldn’t be much for them there, and a big change. Not driving would be an issue if you want to go to functions any distance away. I’d probably only do it if I could drive.

Personally I would feel rather isolated without driving the car. And without a car I would find a good public transport system essential

I have done both; but had a car.
Possibly research public transport options.
We also do due research before any big life moves and decisions.

We moved rural for 2 years and just moved back to a regional area. I can’t imagine doing it without driving, I would have felt pretty isolated. The smaller town outside of where we lived was somewhere we considered. It had a pub and a convenience store. I need a little more options than that. This was a location 2+ hours outside the metro, though. 20-40 minutes is nothing! If it’ll make you happy, do it. You can always take a bus into town.

I think it would be tough moving rural and not driving, especially if a supermarket and school weren’t in the area. Have you considered going regional instead? Still less busy but you’ll have more public transport options.

I did the opposite. Moved from rural (nearly 2 hours from our capital city) to closer, now approx 30 mins from the city. Still a little rural tho, which I love

I don’t have any personal experience, but I’d probably look at how accessible the public transport system is for you to get to where you need to.

I think your kids have fewer opportunities for extra curricular activities like sport. Friends are moving back to the city for just that reason.

It’s definitely nicer to live rural when you have kids. But it all depends what area. Where I’m living driving is a must. There is not much public transport.

You can still go more rural and have amenities. We moved from Brisbane to Launceston, Tasmania. It is considered regional/rural, however, we still have a cinema, shops and everything we need. There is actually farmland behind my house with friendly cows we can sometimes feed and I buy eggs fresh from the farmer. I am a 5-10minute drive from the city and can also walk or ride a bike into town and get there within 30minutes (riding a bike).
If you are really considering moving somewhere rural, maybe do some research and look into towns that are still rural but have more amenities.
A bike may also be a good investment.

Do you have a partner who drives? You may find yourself pretty isolated if ypu don’t drive as I can’t imagine there would be much public transport? You also mentioned no highschool or supermarket? Do you have kids? I think it would be very difficult to live in a country area without transport especially if you have kids.