Fifty per cent of metropolitan Gen Z are eyeing a move to the regions, chasing cheaper rent and a sense of community.
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But upon arrival, they join a pool of Australia's loneliest cohort, according to Victorian Population Health Survey.
Bridie Hull noticed this when she moved from Melbourne to Ballarat, in Victoria's Central Highlands, herself not too long ago.
"If you think of Melbourne, there's things happening constantly," she said.
"Coming from metro to regional myself, I have found that young people are feeling socially isolated."
The hidden health cost of loneliness
Bridie said that a lack of transport and social events is manufacturing isolation for the city's young adults.
Now a peer worker at Headspace, she sees young people walk through the door every day experiencing the exact same thing.
"There's a smaller population, so for a young person transitioning from the city to the regions can be a little trickier," she said.
An hour and a half train ride from the city can lead to a significant spike in social isolation.
In Ballarat, a primary landing pad for those fleeing Melbourne, 28 per cent of young people feel lonely "all or most of the time" - 9 percentage points higher than the state average, according to the Ballarat Foundation's 2025 report.
"Loneliness is where you don't feel social connection ... and it actually leads to more mental health challenges."
- Nina Fitzsimons, community impact manager, Ballarat Foundation
Nina Fitzsimons, the Ballarat Foundation's community impact manager, warns the public often underestimates the severity of the feeling, saying that chronic loneliness carries the health equivalent of "smoking 15 cigarettes a day."
While 15 cigarettes a day might sound farfetched, the statistic originates from a 2010 study involving over 300,000 participants. The US research team found that lacking strong social connections is more damaging than physical inactivity and obesity.
"Loneliness is where you don't feel social connection ... and it actually leads to more mental health challenges," Ms Fitzsimons said.
"People think loneliness is sadness. It's actually a lot broader than that. It actually reduces your life expectancy."
The most vulnerable are those aged 18 to 24, the very cohort the regions are desperate to attract and retain.
Why connection is hard to find
For a 20-something touching down in their new regional home, it can be hard to find your people.
Over time, this can manifest to a point where you no longer leave your house.
More than just a passing "vibe", Headspace Ballarat's clinical lead Chris Jackson says loneliness is a subjective, distressing experience.
"Basically there's not enough social relationships either in quantity or quality," Ms Jackson said.
"Sometimes you can feel you just don't fit in, or you've not met people with common interests, so, you can be in a group and still feel lonely."
A primary driver of this isolation is the narrow social scope of many regional towns. While metropolitan areas offer diverse subcultures, regional social life often revolves around the footy field.
"A lot of young people that come through aren't interested in sports. We're trying to provide that service for them where they can do different things," Ms Hull said.
Youth-led solutions offer hope
A new wave of "youth-led" solutions are helping to foster community alternatives.
One of the most successful initiatives is NeuroSpace, a group for neurodiverse young people aged 18 to 25 to "nerd out."
Ms Hull describes her role as a "community matchmaker." By identifying shared interests, she helps connect people with like-minded interests.
Like most things, the ability to host these initiatives comes down to funding. A lack of funding to facilitate varied third spaces - places to hang out that aren't home or work - creates a cycle of isolation.
"There are less resources, less groups to find, less activities happening. It kind of is, 'Well, there's nothing to do, so I'm just going to stay at home.'"
While working with what little funding not-for-profit services have, the mission lies within community to help younger people find social connection.
Despite its higher rate of loneliness, Ballarat is unique with a culture of seeking help - particularly among youth.
The next wave's behaviour indicates a strong foundation for early detection and intervention, potentially reducing long-term impacts, according to the report.
But without the proper infrastructure, they could be shouting to the wind.
Rather than a "build it and they will come" approach from the government, Ms Fitzsimons argues the city needs to start asking Gen Z what they actually need to connect.
"We need to be asking Gen Z what they would like to make themselves feel more socially connected ... and then work towards co-building something that would work," she said.
For those starting to feel the creep of isolation, the advice is an invitation to reach out. Headspace offers "single support sessions" for those who just need a one-off chat to navigate the transition to regional life.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Headspace on 1800 650 890.
