With many people getting out of the city during COVID lockdowns and the sudden reminder that it actually feels nice to slow down, moving to the country has never looked so good. But would you do it for love?
Data from eharmony shows that more than half of Australians (54%) have relocated to
be with a partner or would consider relocating in the name of love.
For some reason this surprises me. I’m stubborn and independent, so I guess I’d like to think that I wouldn’t just drop everything for someone else. If I wanted to move to where they were for reasons other than them, that’s an ideal scenario. But I’m not sure I’d move solely in the name of love.
Then again, I think back to my first love and I would’ve done anything for him so perhaps I’m just being judgemental. It’s actually really nice that over half of us are clearly romantics.
There’s certainly something in the country air if Farmer Wants a Wife is anything to go by,
with 99 marriages and 225 children resulting from on-air matches to date worldwide.
Arguably the best reality dating show ever to air on Australian television, Farmer Wants a Wife sees city women go and live with farmers across Australia on their different farms for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, the farmer has to decide which women he’s fallen for.
Not only is the show hilarious, it’s also relatable, the guys usually aren’t assholes and the women all seem genuine and down to earth. It’s maybe the only dating show that shows people actually dating and forming real feelings from each other. And given its marriage rate, I’d say it’s probably the most successful one too.
Country life, in general, is seemingly enticing, with 66% of Australians willing
to leave the city and move to the country to be with a partner, while only 51% would be
willing to do the opposite and relocate to another major city.
These statistics seem to support the theory that opposites attract, which from experience, I would say has proven to be true. I would classify myself a city girl that loves the country. I feel the most at home in a big city, with its sparkling lights and “a place that never sleeps” energy, but I love the quiet comfort of the country. I also love country people. They’re warm, genuine and usually more laid back than me.
Come to think of it, I’ve dated a few country babes. But even when I think about the meaningful relationships I’ve had throughout my life, the people have always been able to balance me out. They have qualities I lack and vice versa, so we even each other out.
But you’d have to be pretty sure about someone to pack up your life for them. Starting fresh can be rewarding, but it’s also pretty tough.
eharmony relationship expert Sharon Draper, says that getting out of your comfort zone and building a new life for yourself is never easy.
“My advice would be to make sure you’re both fully committed to taking such a big step.
There are going to be key challenges for the person relocating, such as settling in and starting over in a new environment.
“When two hearts come together, it doesn’t matter where you come from. Love is a very
powerful emotion – it can move mountains, or in this case, postcodes.”
This is extremely true for Emma, who moved from Melbourne to Swan Hill to be with her partner after a year of long-distance. She was only supposed to move there for a year, but it’s been three years and she’s permanently relocated. But she wasn’t into the idea at first.
“As I’m from the city, I had never really been interested in moving to the country, but once I experienced the more relaxed (and cheaper) lifestyle, I started to truly consider it and now here I am in Swan Hill,” Emma tells The Latch.
But being in a long-term relationship can be super challenging and that was the case for Emma.
“The main challenge we faced doing long-distance, was trying to find time for each other. Given we were quite young, we both worked part-time/casual jobs so our rosters meant we’d often have to work weekends and we struggled to find a time that’d suit both of us.
“We’d usually go about 2-3 months without seeing each other. It made things hard, but when we’d finally see each other, it was definitely worth the wait.”
Imagine not being able to see your partner for three months! That’s a long time between dates. Although Emma loves her new home and doesn’t regret the move, it still has its challenges.
“It’s been an adjustment, but I’ve got the most amazing friends here in the country which has made things very easy. I do find it difficult not having any family here. I often miss out on family events, birthdays and catch-ups which can make me feel like I’m not part of the family.
“It’s also hard seeing my mum, dad and brothers spend time together on weekends and not being able to join them. You definitely feel like you miss out.”
Emma says that there’s never a right time to make such a big move.
“I made a very sudden decision to go to the country, take a year off my studies and spend a year with my partner. It was only meant to be a year but three years later I’m still here! I think if you know in your gut this person is going to be ‘the one’, then it makes the decision a whole lot easier.
“My advice is for people to keep an open mind about it! It sounds daunting at first, but I would definitely recommend taking the leap. I was such a city girl, people never imagined that I would ever leave and actually stay.
“I feel like there is so much more to Australia than just the big cities, and I didn’t realise that until I moved. The city is still my ‘home’, and while one day I hope to move closer, I would encourage people to be open to the idea of relocating, because you never know who you might meet and the new lifestyle you can create.”
And with that in mind, Farmer Wants A Wife 2021 has just begun and I’ll definitely be watching.
You can catch up on all the episodes online at 7Plus.
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.