Domain findings from March revealed that outer area buyers from Sydney are choosing to uproot to coastal locations like the Central Coast while regional areas, including Dubbo and Orana, the Southern Highlands and Hunter Valley, all seeking more interest than Wagga. 

The 2019 data showed Sydney buyers were drawn to Central Coast the most at 30.3 per cent, Wollongong and Illawara at 10.8 per cent and Southern Highlands at 5.1 per cent. 

Professionals Real Estate managing director Paul Irvine argued that coastal and regional inland areas are two different markets and cannot be compared. 

"Most people we speak to in real estate would all love to live on the coast or beach and speaking to our counterparts in Sydney, price is a major influence to those relocating to the Central Coast," Mr Irvine said. 

"The Southern Highlands, including Bowral, Mittagong and Goulbourn, is only a couple of hours from Sydney and offers much more affordable housing options than the major city, which is why I think that area would win over Wagga and the Riverina. 

"Dubbo and Wagga are virtually comparable in investors' eyes as they are similar in distance to both Melbourne and Sydney and returns are nearly exactly the same, but perhaps the Taronga Zoo would be a big draw card." 

According to the data, Dubbo saw 1.4 per cent of Sydney buyer enquiries, while Wagga attracted one per cent less. 

Mr Irvine said out of area buyer enquiries for Wagga are mainly investment based, which has witnessed strong interest. 

"Wagga is a city of good sports, with a great university and an unbelievable hospital which has seen growth," he said. 

"The amount of enquiries from the Sydney investor is because of our great returns and comfortable bedroom homes that lease quickly with low vacancies. 

"There is also less volatility in Wagga than in Sydney as people can buy a home for $350,000 and while they might not have exponential capital growth, they won't lose any value." 

Fitzpatricks Real Estate director Shaun Lowry said majority of people moving from the major cities to the regions is due to lifestyle choices. 

"People choose to locate to be closer to family, certain schools and recreational facilities as well as space; whether that is a bigger backyard or extra living or bathrooms," he said. 

"We rarely get people enquiring about deciding to live in either Wagga, Dubbo or Orange. Out of area buyers are usually making the choice to live in Wagga as opposed to other towns." 

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