Why more over-50s are swapping the coast for Toowoomba

Downsizers are looking beyond the traditional over-50s hotspots in search of lifestyle, security and better long-term value in regional centres.Instead of looking for a sea change in a large coastal city, many downsizers are drawn to regional locations that strike a balance between long-term value and lifestyle.Toowoomba, for example, is now one of Queensland’s strongest regional growth centres, especially when it comes to residents moving from capital cities.According to the Regional Australia Institute’s March 2026 Regional Movers Index, Toowoomba had a 236.4% annual increase in capital-to-regional migration, the strongest in the country.“People are realising they don't have to choose between lifestyle and convenience anymore,” says Jenny Rickwood, Sales Manager at GemLife Cotswold Hills, a new over-50s community in Toowoomba.“Regional cities like Toowoomba offer space, value and a genuine sense of community, while still delivering excellent healthcare, shopping and entertainment. For many buyers it means enjoying the benefits of city living without the pace and congestion.”Over-50s buyers are increasingly drawn to quieter pace and long-term value of Queensland's regional cities....