“I’d say just do it. Don’t be afraid, be brave, take a chance because you won’t regret it.”

Gerringong Career Growth on the South Coast

For Simone, moving from Sydney to Gerringong became the start of a calmer life and a stronger regional career. After years of long commutes, rushed days and city pressure, she found a South Coast community where she could breathe, build genuine connections and keep growing professionally.

“I had to actually teach myself to stop holding my breath because I used to hold my breath in Sydney,” she recalls. “I remember distinctly thinking to myself, gosh, I do not have to hold my breath when I get in the car because I’m not rushing anywhere.” 

Simone’s journey to the South Coast didn’t begin in a straight line. She grew up in Griffith, a regional town in New South Wales, and always wanted to experience the city. She moved to Sydney at 17, studied journalism, and fell into the fashion industry almost by accident. What started as a part-time job in a small Sydney Retailer turned into a 13-year career with a major Fashion Retail company, where she moved from receptionist to PA to production management, liaising with suppliers in Asia and China. 

But the pace caught up with her. 

“It was a lot of work,” she says of her time in production. “I was doing things that I hadn’t done before and teaching myself along the way. It was quite stressful. It was an experience that I wouldn’t want to have again.” 

When a friend mentioned an interior design role on the South Coast, Simone saw an opportunity for a lifestyle change. She quit the job she’d had for 13 years and started working for a small designer in  Kiama, commuting from Sydney at first. Before long, she realised how beautiful the region was. She had no commitments keeping her in the city. So she packed her life up and moved. 

“How did I pick where to live? I think Gerringong picked me,” she says. “I love that I can walk through town and I just know everybody and everyone’s so lovely. It’s a really nice vibe.” 

The shift wasn’t without its adjustments. Coming from the eastern suburbs, Simone had to get used to a slower pace of life. But she quickly adapted and found herself surrounded by genuine connections she hadn’t experienced in the city. 

“I’ve got some beautiful girlfriends here,” she explains. “When you walk your dog in Sydney, it’s not a very friendly vibe. You have to get in the car and it takes you half an hour to get anywhere. Here, we can walk down to the park or beach and you get to know everyone in your local town. You have chats and you smile and you say hello and there’s genuine warmth and engagement. It’s genuine.” 

When COVID hit, interior design became impossible. She was on the lookout for something new, but it needed to be local. She wasn’t going back to Sydney. 

“I loved the lifestyle here, like the beach. By this stage, I had a dog. I was deeply rooted in the Gerringong community.” 

Then she found FD in Nowra. From the moment she walked into her first interview, she knew.

“The moment that I walked in and had the first interview, I knew, oh yeah, these are my kind of people,” she says. “I could see that I wanted something that I could grow as a person. It was a management role and I was at that age where I was like, yes, I can do this. I really wanted something that I could stay at for a long time and enjoy.” 

What attracted her most was the longevity of the team. She noticed how many people had stayed in their roles for years. 

“You don’t stay in a job for 23 years if it’s not a good job,” she says. 

Now two and a half years into her role at FD in Nowra, Simone is learning leadership skills that nobody taught her in Sydney. Director, Julie, mentors her. She’s managing people for the first time and discovering a whole new skillset. 

“The culture was very different in Sydney, no one had time to invest in your development and growth,” she reflects. “I just wanted to work somewhere where I could be appreciated and appreciate what I was doing.” 

For Simone, the contrast between city and regional work culture couldn’t be clearer. And the benefits extend beyond the office walls. During COVID, she was living by herself before she got her first dog. Her neighbours would come and stand outside just to check on her. People she knew from walking by but had never really spoken to became lifelines. 

“It was just such a community feel there,” she says. “I feel very fortunate that I wasn’t in Sydney over that period.” 

Her advice to anyone in the city who is thinking about making the same move is simple and direct. 

“I don’t think any of us who chose to move here regretted it,” she says. “Just do it. Don’t be afraid, be brave, take a chance because you won’t regret it.” 

Simone’s story is part of Think Regional’s growing collection of South Coast career stories, showing how skilled professionals are finding growth, lifestyle and community outside the city.

Useful Links for Moving to Gerringong

For readers considering a move to the South Coast, Visit NSW provides information about Gerringong, including local beaches, food, wine, events and places to stay. NSW Government’s Make the Move program also provides information for people considering regional NSW.