For more than 60 years migrants have flocked to Australia's big cities, but if they can be persuaded to go to the country instead most will find jobs, a warm welcome and happiness.

A study of almost 1000 migrants who settled in regional and rural towns found almost four out of five intended to stay there and 80 per cent would recommend the town to family or friends.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/smal...s-20100430-tzat.html

I for one wholeheartedly agree!!!

I knew before I even made my visa application that I did NOT want to live in a city. I wanted to be in a rural area.

Within 6 weeks I had secured employment in a public accounting firm in a regional town which has since made me feel more welcome than I felt in my own home town back in the USA (which was about 1/4 the size of where I live now).

Small town, country living is not for everyone, but I definately encourage people to spend a month in a regional area and take the time to get to know a few people. I think you'll find that you'll feel more comfortable and have more of a personal identity than you ever will living in a massive city where everyone is anonomously going through their life. Not to mention you'll find less discrimination and cultural tensions in regional areas.

Just my opinions as usual.

Cheers everyone,
Marilyn