Tree-change triumph – Survey reveals Woodend as most liveable town

WOODEND HAS TOPPED THE LIST AS THE MOST LIVEABLE TOWN IN REGIONAL VICTORIA, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY BIG FOUR ACCOUNTING FIRM PWC.

According to PwC Melbourne managing partner Suji Kanagalingam, the analysis of regional towns indicated that top destinations shared certain characteristics.

Set in the picturesque Macedon Ranges and home to GemLife Woodend over-50s lifestyle resort, Woodend achieved the number one position as the top tree-change destination based on a range of considerations, including job opportunities, services, and transport links.

Torquay, Ocean Grove, Mount Martha, and Anglesea rounded out the top five in the first-ever PwC RegionalPulse survey which revealed that the most popular tree-change locations also enjoyed a mix of job opportunities, family amenities, and entertainment.

In a post-Covid world, with many jobs able to be done remotely and flexibly through advanced technology, the number of workers moving to regional locations for a better quality of life has increased in Victoria.

GemLife Woodend homeowners John and Sylvia said their recent move from inner city Melbourne to Woodend could not have been more ideal.

“We wanted to retire somewhere out of the city. We were never beach people. In fact, the coast would be wasted on us. However, Woodend was the ideal location – far enough away to be out of the hustle and bustle of Melbourne or Bendigo, yet close enough to stay in touch, being only an hour’s drive away,” said retired accountant John.

The couple are no strangers to the area either having enjoyed many weekend trips to Woodend and Gisborne over the years.

“There is so much to love about the area. The pace of life is much gentler, the air is cleaner, it has a country feel about it, and the residents and business owners seem so friendly.”

Both John and Sylvia, who have been married 30 years, are keen walkers. Once they have unpacked and settled into their quality-built new home, which they love, they are looking forward to exploring the Macedon Ranges region on bushwalking outings.

“We also enjoy cycling, so the great outdoors is among our many passions,” said John, who could not be happier at making the choice to move to Woodend for a tree-change.

“We can certainly understand why this area topped the list. It really has so much to offer and, for us, represents the perfect lifestyle!”