At 31, Tim Abbott was doing everything right.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today He had a steady job in Sydney\u2019s digital marketing industry, a buzzing social life and access to all the conveniences of city living.<\/p>\n But like many young Australians, he was getting nowhere financially.<\/p>\n \u201cI was earning decent money,\u201d Tim said on TikTok<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBut at the end of every month, I had nothing left. Rent, tolls, food, and commuting just drained it all.\u201d<\/p>\n The frustration pushed the Sydneysider to make a bold move: Abbott ditched the city and relocated to outback Queensland<\/a> for what a financial gap year.<\/p>\n And he said it\u2019s the best decision he\u2019s ever made.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2018ve only been here for a short while but I\u2019m already able to make significant and meaningful savings because I\u2019m not paying $40,000 a year to live in a sharehouse in Sydney.\u201d<\/p>\n Abbott now lives hundreds of kilometres away from Brisbane in a remote part of Queensland, working on a farm.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a far cry from city offices and Wi-Fi-equipped cafes.<\/p>\n His days start at 5:30am and involves logging trees and other outdoor labour.<\/p>\n But he\u2019s not complaining. His weekly rent has dropped from $600 in Sydney to nearly nothing, as he\u2019s living in a caravan.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m having a lot of fun so far and I\u2019ve come here with absolutely zero experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Groceries are simpler, fuel lasts longer and there are no tolls roads or tempting expensive takeaway restaurants in sight.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery month I\u2019m saving more than I ever could in the city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s easily 75 per cent cheaper. I\u2019m aiming to put away $100,000 in a year.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings.<\/p>\n To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n Abbott\u2019s story isn\u2019t unique.<\/p>\n Across TikTok and social media, thousands of young Aussies are sharing how they\u2019ve stepped away from traditional career paths to take time off from high-cost cities to reduce expenses to build savings.<\/p>\n Regional Australia is a strong draw for city dwellers, with 26 per cent more people relocating from capital cities to regional areas than vice versa, according to the June Quarter Regional Mover Index<\/a> (RMI).<\/p>\n \u201cRegional Australia is no longer a second choice \u2013 it\u2019s the smart choice. From career opportunities to community connection, the regions are delivering,\u201d said Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute (RAI).<\/p>\n How to take a financial gap year<\/p>\n If you\u2019re thinking about leaving Sydney to earn money in a regional area for 12 months, here are four important steps to take.<\/p>\n Crunch the numbers: Figure out your total monthly costs in the city and compare that to a remote or regional setup. Factor in rent, transport, groceries, and healthcare.<\/p>\n Have a savings goal: Whether it\u2019s $20k or $100k, having a target helps you stay motivated.<\/p>\n Be realistic: Remote work may be physically demanding or offer less flexibility. You may be far from support systems, entertainment, or healthcare.<\/p>\n Plan your return: Whether it\u2019s six months or a year, consider what comes next \u2014 job prospects, housing, and how the gap affects your long-term career path.<\/p>\n Abbott said after two month in the outback, he didn\u2019t regret his move.<\/p>\n \u201cI think 40 year old Tim is going to thank 30 year old Tim for taking the time to do this,\u201d Abbott said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Allegedly stolen hearse crashes into two cars<\/p>\n 1 min read<\/p>\n![\"Download](\"https:\/\/7news.com.au\/static\/media\/right-red-arrow.92bca5db.svg\"){kind=icon}
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