Meet The Residents
CATH
Global Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer
Cath relocated her family from Seattle to Cairns after receiving a job offer that allowed her to work anywhere in Australia.
While Sydney or Melbourne seemed like obvious choices, the limited space and hefty mortgages felt like a step backward.
With her partner’s regional Aussie background and their love for warm climates, Cairns became the clear choice.
Age
43
Occupation
Global Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer
Household
Owns their property
Family
Hubby and 2 kids
Current Car
Ute and Mazda (with Land Rover next on the list!)
Next Holiday
Recently went to Vietnam and coming up we’re off to Japan, the UK, and the US. Then, we’ll have a family holiday in South Africa over Christmas.
Shopping
Everything! Worked at Amazon for 9 years!
Advice for moving to regional Oz
YOLO! A simple lifestyle doesn’t mean simple people! Our group of friends includes doctors, nurses, tradies, property developers, pharmacists, and tourism business owners. Everyone here is a hardworking, down-to-earth professional who enjoys life to the fullest.
KIM
BRANDED PODCAST CONSULTANT & PODCASTER
Cost-of-living and the decision to have a major career change were the catalyst to start something new in Boomtown.
The ability to explore some of the most beautiful part of Australia, that often reserved for holidays and do so at our leisure (avoiding the peak holiday periods!) was a great drawcard to make the move to regional Australia.
Age
39
Location
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Occupation
Branded Podcast Consultant & Podcaster – Remote
Household
Partner + a Pug
Next Car
Electric Volvo
Next Holiday
South Korea
Own Or Rent
Rent
Shop Online or Instore
Always – I shop for everything online from Clothing, electronics and even Health Supplements.
Favourite Brand
Jac+Jack
Advice for moving to regional Australia
It can be easy to fall into routine and busyness – remember that many people spend their holidays visiting where you live, so get out there any enjoy it as often as you can!
ALEATHIA
Owner of athella store
After living in various cities domestically and internationally, Biz Owner Aleathia has returned home to the beautiful Boomtown region of Mount Gambier.
The pull of family and community together with the cost of living and the great outdoors made it an easy decision to set up life and shop.
Age
48
Occupation
Business Owner
Household
Owns their property
Family
Hubby and 3 kids
Current Car
Jeep
Next Holiday
Greece
Shopping
I shop mainly online for homewares and clothing. Some brands include The Iconic and Myer. I also like to support Australian owned businesses.
Advice for moving to regional Oz
It takes time to settle. What helps is getting to know the locals in your area. They are happy to answer questions about the best places to go.
Tatiana
Head of Communications
After living in Sydney and London, moving to regional Australia with her family of five has seen Tatiana continue her successful career and buy their dream family home.
Tatiana is part of the working group on the Sunshine Coast Events Board, a voluntary role, allowing her to stay connected with the community and contribute to the future prosperity of the region.
Age
42
Location
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Occupation
Head of Communications – Working mostly remote
Household
Husband + 3 Kids
Current Car
VW Tiguan
Next Holiday
We’ve just returned from 4 months travelling through Europe so now we want to see more of Australia, starting with the Great Barrier Reef
Own Or Rent
Own
Shop Online or Instore
Mostly kids’ stuff online, but not groceries as I decide what I’m going to cook when I walk around and see what looks good at the supermarket.
Favourite Brand
Assembly Label, Bose, Frank Green, Muscle Republic
Advice for moving to regional Australia
Do it! Mind you, I’m biased based on my experience.
Honesty, moving to the Sunshine Coast from Sydney was the best decision we could have made to give our family the best of both worlds; financial stability with rewarding careers and most importantly balance and time together.
Emma
Head of Civil Assets
After falling in love with Hobart’s lifestyle, air, and people, Emma and her husband moved from Sydney 21 years ago and haven’t looked back since.
Raising 2 boys, volunteering at the local club, exploring markets and participating in fun run events are what keeps her busy and how Hobart can more than pull its weight when going head-to-head in Sydney.
Age
44
Location
Hobart, Tas
Occupation
Head of Civil Assets – Hydro Tasmania
Remote or in office
Mostly in office, but what an office. I am spoilt by the assets and natural beauty I get to see.
Household
Married – 2 Kids
Next Car
VW Tourag and Subura Impreza
Next Holiday
My son made the Australian sailing team and will sail in UK Plymouth, but also maybe planning a trip to Denmark
Own Or Rent
Own
Supermarket
Woolies, Dan Murphy’s
Shop Online or Instore
Online – I will go online first and find a way to purchase anything that is available. Thanks Google!
Favourite Brand
Anything Sporty – we are a sporting family.
Kelli
Manager Finance Services
After moving to Boomtown from Perth 3 years ago, Kelli knows that there’s a real sense of community, with people there for work, and friends becoming your family.
And let’s not forget the slower pace of life is amazing!
Age
34
Location
Karratha, WA
Occupation
Manager Finance Services – Remote with 1 monthly meeting in office
Household
No Partner / No Kids
Current Car
2022 VW Tiguan
Next Holiday
2 weeks in Morocco
Own Or Rent
Own – Renovating
Shop Online or Instore
Online – The Iconic (Clothes), Mecca (Skincare & Makeup)
Favourite Brand
Zimmermann, Mister Zimi, Thrills
Advice for moving to reginal Australia
Do it now! The level of community spirit and support will exceed all your expectations.
Andrew
Dental Surgeon
Andrew and his partner live an idyllic life in one of Boomtown’s most sought-after beach towns. Living minutes from his practice allows him to workout, eat out and walk the dog all before his first appointment of the day. He has a passion for European cars and exotic holidays, and flosses daily.
Age
43
Occupation
Dental Surgeon
Household
Married – 0 Kids
Next Car
Mercedes GT
Next Holiday
New York & Miami
Own Or Rent
Own
Supermarket
Woolworths & Harris Farm
Favourite Brand
Abercrombie & Fitch
Kelli
Co-Founder of Marketing Tech Start-Up
Kelli is a classic high achiever who lives and breathes technology. She’s part of Boomtown’s growing number of entrepreneurs who maintain a better work/life balance outside of the cities.
Age
39
Occupation
Business Entrepreneur
Household
Married – 2 Kids
Next Car
Range Rover
Next Holiday
Family trip to Fiji
Own Or Rent
Own
Supermarket
Woolworths & Harris Farm
Favourite Brand
Zimmerman
Malakai
Barber, Business Owner
Boomtown was the perfect place for Malakai to crack the formula for his fashionable barber / café / surfboard store. Now he’s opening up in the cities and his stores are a real hit with the hipsters. But despite this success, he’s staying put, and will manage his growing empire from the comfort of his beachside Boomtown home.
Age
41
Occupation
Barber & Entrepreneur
Household
Married – 2 Kids
Next Car
VW Tourag
Next Holiday
Gold Coast theme parks
Own Or Rent
Own
Supermarket
Mix of supermarkets and local produce stores
Favourite Brand
Nike & Adidas
Cveta
Property Partner / Licensed Real Estate Agent
Thanks to Boomtown’s fast growing population, Cveta’s real estate career is going from strength to strength. As a mother of four, her grocery bill is bigger than Ben-Hur but she generates an income that keeps up with her lifestyle and allows her to buy a few of the finer things.
Age
40
Occupation
Real Estate Agent
Household
Married – 4 Kids
Next Car
Mercedes GT
Next Holiday
Family trip to Hawaii
Own Or Rent
Own
Supermarket
Woolworths
Favourite Brand
Valentino
Stanislav
Astrophysicist and ARC Super Science Fellow
There’s a huge range of careers represented in Boomtown, and like many professionals, Stanislav realised that he can do what he does from anywhere. Boomtown’s lower cost of living means he can study the galaxies without getting into a financial black hole.
Age
28
Occupation
Astrophysicist
Household
Married – 2 Kids
Next Car
Subaru Forrester
Next Holiday
Family trip to Barcelona
Own Or Rent
Own (renovating)
Supermarket
Hill Street – local produce
Favourite Brand
Asics
Belinda
Part-time Graphic Designer / Full-time Mum
With Boomtown’s lower housing costs, The Buckinghams can get by comfortably without both parents working full-time, allowing Belinda to focus on what she loves – her children. Working part-time as a graphic designer, plus freelance gigs, Belinda is always well connected to work and importantly, her family.
Age
36
Occupation
Graphic Designer
Household
Married – 2 Kids
Next Car
Subaru
Next Holiday
The Grampians
Own Or Rent
Rent (building home)
Supermarket
Coles
Favourite Brand
Country Road