3 years ago I moved away from the state capital (Adelaide, South Australia) to a 100,000-ish people city in another state (Launceston, Tasmania). Haven't looked back. I'm paying $1100 a month for a three bedroom house. I live 10 minute drive from the city centre. Work is 1.5k away (about a mile). Looking to buy a place similar to the one we're renting for around the $220,000 mark, which is three years income for me. Any place I wanted to live in Adelaide was way out of my price range.

Screw the big cities.