Loads have moved to regional areas like me. Fits way better out here. I can actually go somewhere quickly and park out front 😂
This is a rollout of future city planning so it’s not like you get locked down like in the movies. Think of it as cars and driving becomes more expensive, you spend more time at home therefore need more services around you to do your daily tasks.
You won’t think the same today as you will 5yrs from now. Just like if you live somewhere that requires $30/day in tolls and $60/day parking you will instinctively consider the costs and challenges of where you are based and look to make it simpler in another area.
This is a good thing. People ‘think’ they love being able to drive to 10 shopping centres, work, cafes, restaurants, gyms etc. once you live a life mostly at home you realise you want everything really close because it’s a headache driving to all these places.
My neighbour has a deposit on one in Australia but they’ve closed it off. No news they’re even coming downunder. If they do we’ll be buying one.
I have all the shopping I could want within 5 miles of my house.
I could walk if needed but why would I want to lug groceries a few miles on foot?
There are two gyms within a couple miles.
Most Americans who live in suburbs have the same.
What we don't have or want in the suburbs is urban blight, crime, lousy schools, etc. which is what you get in the cities.
To escape the above and raise familes we move to the suburbs.
They can build all this urban housing they want but nobody who raises kids will live there because the city schools are bad. Only singles will live there or childless people or the poor who have no choice.
There are already what they call "Town Centers" which have been built over the past decade or so. These consist of some small shops and townhomes and condos. This is the flavor of the month for developers to try to sell to retired or those who can't afford detached homes.
Planned communities go back 40 years but few have been successful and most are less than desirable for families compared to detached homes in suburbs.
Not sure what you mean by "regional areas" but it sounds like American suburbs.
Most American suburbs surround a city. Each town has it's own self-funded school district.
Australia is no doubt different than the US in some ways.
Living in the suburbs I have all services within a couple miles.
Being close to work depends on who you work for and where the job is located.
Working from home is sometimes an option depending on the job.
I have neighbors who work from home and either shop locally or buy online.
My brother prefers to live way out in the country a good 40 miles from shopping but that's his choice.