More young people in the city in recent years have given up on their dreams of owning a home – but are they looking in the wrong market?

Figures recently released show a decrease in house prices across multiple holiday regions in NSW and Victoria.

All six of Charles Sturt University’s regional campus cities are on this list – Albury-Wodonga decreased by 2.6 per cent, Bathurst decreased by 2.7 per cent, Dubbo decreased by 3.1 per cent, Orange decreased by 3.6 per cent, Port Macquarie decreased by 2.9 per cent and Wagga Wagga decreased by 2.6 per cent.

Properties in regional areas gaining popularity during COVID-19 caused the market to soar and prices to inflate. But now, the market is stabilising and experts say there is no better time to head to the regions.

Lecturer in Economics with the Charles Sturt School of Business in Albury-Wodonga Dr Nicola Thomas said prices are adjusting after intense spikes through the pandemic.

“The housing price correction is a combination of the end of the remote work boom, interest rate rises, and the natural correction of overheated markets as key drivers of the price falls,” she said.

“While declining property prices might raise concerns for some, this trend opens the door for students and early-career professionals seeking affordable entry into education, housing and secure long-term employment pathways.”

Nicola said affordable housing markets make university life more accessible to a wider range of students. She said it offers students more affordable living off-campus or the opportunity to transition from renting to home ownership sooner than if they lived in a city.

“By enhancing the student experience and helping graduates enter regional labour markets, institutions like Charles Sturt University play a significant role in fostering economic and social resilience throughout regional New South Wales,” she said.

She said towns like Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga have strong connections with transport links, including airports and major highways, ensuring connectivity to city living.

Charles Sturt University ranked first among Australian public universities for full-time employment for graduates for the eighth year in a row.

According to the 2025 Good Universities Guide Graduate Outcomes Survey, 89 per cent of Charles Sturt undergraduates are employed within four months of completing their degrees, with 91 per cent of postgraduates also gaining employment in four months.

Nicola said high employment rates coupled with more affordable housing is poising Charles Sturt’s campus towns to attract the next wave of regional leaders and changemakers.

Head of the Charles Sturt School of Business, based in Port Macquarie, Professor Jac Birt is the perfect example of this within the University’s faculty.

She recently moved from Perth to Port Macquarie and is currently enjoying her new home with access to boating, fishing, beaches and nature walks.

She said there are enough activities to keep locals and visitors entertained and there is a thriving community spirit, as witnessed during the recent floods.

“As Head of the Business School, I regularly meet with industry to discuss career opportunities and important graduate skills for our students,” she said.

“Our graduates are in high demand, and we only need to remember that Charles Sturt is consistently ranked number one in Australia for undergraduate employment … and most of these positions will be in the local regions.”