Sydneysiders are swarming to this NSW region.

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A new report has revealed Lake Macquarie as the most desired spot for Sydneysiders leaving the hustle and bustle of the city.

Regional Australia Institute (RAI) has listed Lake Macquarie as the fourth most desirable area in Australia and number one in NSW for people moving from major cities.

The move to fourth place has seen Wollongong bumped from the top five.

The Lake Macquarie region is well known for its relaxed recreational lifestyle and housing affordability with almost a quarter of a million people calling the local government area home.

The RAI’s “Regional Movers Index”, from the December 2022 quarter, gives an analysis of movements between Australia’s regions and capital cities, finding that Lake Macquarie saw an increase of over 30 per cent in net “capital-regional migration”.

Lake Macquarie is known for its recreational activities and laid back lifestyle.

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Aerial view of the Lake Macquarie ferry.

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Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the finding was “no surprise”.

“We’re increasingly in the sights of people seeking a move away from the hustle and bustle of major metropolitan centres,” she said.

“Relocating to Lake Mac offers all the lifestyle benefits of living by the ocean, the lake and the mountains, and the financial benefits of living outside a capital city.

“But it doesn’t mean missing out on everything a city has to offer. We’re continuing to invest in facilities and infrastructure right across Lake Mac to make it a better place to live today, tomorrow and for years to come.”

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser says it’s “no surprise” people were discovering Lake Macquarie.

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Mrs Gralik and her partner made the move from Manly to Caves Beach.

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Danka Gralik and her partner moved from Manly to Caves Beach, in Lake Macquarie, just before the Covid pandemic.

Ms Gralik said the pair were keen to start a family and buy a house.

“Buying a house just wasn’t possible in Manly but this has been the best change,” she said.

“This place has changed so much over the past few years, there are so many young families moving here and homes being renovated and built.”

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She said they were attracted to the location between the lake and the beach.

“There’s so many beautiful locations as well as great parks,” she said.

“I love the beach, that was the biggest thing for me and I also still wanted a place with a great cafe and somewhere nice for dinner.”

The couple has since had a son and often travel to Manly to visit friends.

“It’s still close enough to visit which was another reason we chose Caves Beach,” Ms Gralik said.

“Life is just so much easier and quieter here.”

Ben and Danielle Strauss bought a house in Lake Macquarie six years ago.

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Ben Strauss and his wife Danielle bought an investment house at Rathmines in Lake Macquarie six years ago and rent in St Ives in Sydney.

The pair are planning to move into the Lake Macquarie home in the next two years to enjoy the more laid back lifestyle.

“My wife is originally from that area and we just love it,” he said.

“At the moment, properties up there are going ballistic. There’s a lot of investment.

“Central Coast has always been popular for people coming out of the city but a lot of people are going further up to Lake Macquarie now.

“You can get more for your money. We see a lot of growth in the future.”

Lake Macquarie is forecast to increase to a population of 252,791 in 2041.

Lake Macquarie City Council spend around $100 million in capital investment each year, while building approvals during 2021-2022 totalled $766.6 million.

Trinity Point has become a popular spot for a lifestyle change.

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The median house price in Lake Macquarie is $860,000 with growth areas including Morisset to Cooranbong, Bolton Point to Teralba, and Edgeworth to Cameron Park.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 2021 indicated that while all age group had increased across Lake Macquarie between 2016 and 2021, Millennial had the largest increase with 4484 extra people.

Some of the recent works in the region include the Swansea Boardwalk, Toronto Foreshore upgrade, Sugar Valley Library Museum and revamps to Rathmines Park, The Hunter Sports Centre and the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track.

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