Moving to the fringe : vulnerability of young families who relocate to non-metropolitan areas

With the recent upsurge of sea change and tree change relocations to non-metropolitan areas, many families with young children have opted to move to rural, regional and coastal locations in search of a better lifestyle and environment (Burnley and Murphy, 2003; Fincher and Wulff, 2001). For many families with young children, this often creates dilemmas such as lack of social support networks, isolation from family and friends, and lack of knowledge about their new place of residence, and availability of support and other services. This situation can often lead to vulnerability on the part of families, and in particular, families with young children. We are concentrating on young families with children aged 0-8, because the opportunities and well-being of these children is compromised by the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors affecting their families (Travers 2001). This project is part of a broader three year ARC funded project entitled, ‘Families on the Fringe’, which is being conducted by researchers from the University of Queensland and other industry partners including the Queensland Government Office for Economic and Statistical Research, the Benevolent Society and Mission Australia.