For many Sydney renters, the dream of more space, less stress, and a genuine sense of community feels out of reach. But increasingly, that dream is being rediscovered just down the motorway — in the rolling hills and villages of the Southern Highlands.
With a lifestyle defined by fresh air, heritage homes, farmers markets, and strong community values, the Southern Highlands has become a top choice for long-term renters seeking balance, quality, and calm without completely leaving city life behind.
Here’s why so many people are making the move south — and how Find My Rental Property makes it possible, even if you’re still living and working in Sydney while planning your relocation.
🌿 The Southern Highlands Lifestyle: Country Calm, City Connection
Located around 90 minutes from Sydney and two hours from Canberra, the Southern Highlands offers something increasingly rare: a regional lifestyle that’s refined, connected, and welcoming.
It’s where sandstone cottages and sprawling gardens sit alongside boutique cafes, excellent schools, and sophisticated wineries. Whether you’re in Bowral, Mittagong, Robertson, Berrima, or Moss Vale, there’s a sense of old-world charm balanced with modern convenience.
For renters, it’s a place where you can live the way you’ve always wanted — without the compromises that city life often demands.
Life in the Highlands offers:
Charming villages with artisan shops, galleries, and weekend markets.
Cool climate living — winter fires, misty mornings, and autumn leaves.
Proximity to Sydney for hybrid workers or families with city ties.
A strong sense of community — where neighbours know each other and local life thrives.
Access to nature — from Morton National Park to waterfalls, gardens, and walking trails.
It’s not a surprise that the Highlands has seen an influx of renters from Sydney’s Inner West, North Shore, and Northern Beaches — people trading traffic for tranquility and small spaces for soul-filled homes.
💰 Why Sydney Renters Are Moving to the Southern Highlands
1. Value and Space
While Sydney’s rental market remains brutally competitive — with vacancy rates around 1.3%, an all-time low — the Southern Highlands offers much better value for money, and with far higher vacancy rates that reflect a more balanced rental market.
You can rent a full house with a backyard for the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney. Even high-end rentals here tend to offer a quality and setting that’s unmatched in the city.
For families, that means space for children to play. For professionals, it means home offices with views of rolling hills. For retirees, it means peace, privacy, and gardens that actually grow.
2. The Rise of Hybrid Living
Many renters now work from home for part of the week. The Southern Highlands is ideally placed for those who still need to access Sydney occasionally but crave a slower rhythm the rest of the time.
The Hume Highway provides direct access to the city, and train lines from Bowral and Mittagong connect commuters with Central Station. The Highlands lifestyle now fits perfectly into modern, flexible working arrangements.
3. Lifestyle Appeal
The Highlands isn’t just a place to live — it’s a way of life. Locals enjoy weekend markets, local wine tastings, bushwalks, and long lunches by the fire.
There’s a strong sense of community pride, a vibrant arts scene, and year-round events that bring people together. It’s refined but relaxed — and renters who come for a year often end up staying for many more.
🏫 Schools and Education in the Southern Highlands
For families moving from Sydney, education is often top of mind. The Southern Highlands offers excellent public and private schooling options, known for smaller class sizes, community involvement, and strong academic results.
Top Schools Include:
Oxley College (Burradoo)
Chevalier College (Burradoo)
Frensham (Mittagong)
The Scots School (Bowral)
Moss Vale High School
Mittagong Public and Bowral Public Schools
For early learning, there are numerous high-quality childcare centres and preschools, many with long-term staff and strong community reputations.
🏡 The Southern Highlands Rental Market: Boutique, Competitive, and Lifestyle-Driven
The rental market in the Southern Highlands has evolved significantly over the last decade. Once considered a weekend or holiday-home destination, the area is now firmly part of the long-term residential rental market.
Current Rental Trends (as of 2025):
Vacancy rates: Typically between 2% and 3%, depending on the season.
Median weekly rent: Around $650–$850 for houses, $500–$600 for townhouses/apartments.
Most in-demand suburbs: Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Berrima, Burradoo, and Robertson.
The challenge? Quality rental stock moves quickly. Many properties are leased within days of being listed — often to tenants who are already “ready to go” with applications and documentation in order.
That’s where Find My Rental Property comes in — helping renters navigate this highly competitive market with confidence and strategy.
🤝 How Find My Rental Property Helps Renters Move to the Highlands
Relocating from Sydney to the Southern Highlands can be exciting — but it’s also logistically complex. Inspections often happen midweek, agents prefer local applicants, and the best homes are leased quickly.
At Find My Rental Property, we remove those barriers. We’re not just rental search agents — we’re rental advocates and navigators, helping you find, inspect, and secure the right property from wherever you are.
Here’s how we make it easy:
1. We Handle Inspections for You
If you’re in Sydney, you don’t need to drive down for every open home. We attend inspections on your behalf, providing detailed reports and images - honest commentary; not sales talk.
2. We Know the Market Intimately
We understand the subtleties between Bowral and Moss Vale, or why Burradoo might suit your lifestyle better than Robertson. Our local knowledge helps match you to suburbs that fit your needs, your commute, and your lifestyle goals.
3. We Strengthen Your Application
With tight competition, presentation matters. We ensure your rental application is professional, complete, and stands out to agents and landlords. We know what property managers are looking for — and we position you as the right tenant.
4. We Tell You the Truth
You don’t hire us for sugar-coated optimism. You hire us for results. We’ll tell you what’s achievable, where to focus, and what strategy will get you into your new home faster.
5. We Deliver Measurable Results
The proof is in the data:
Average number of applications clients submit with us: 1.7 (vs. 8 on their own)
Average time to secure a property: 10 days (vs. 6+ weeks alone)
Average number of inspections viewed: 3 (vs. 15 independently)
That’s the benefit of strategy, expertise, and strong relationships with agents across NSW — including in the Southern Highlands.
🏘️ Popular Southern Highlands Suburbs for Renters
Bowral
The region’s largest town and cultural centre, Bowral is known for its boutiques, cafes, and proximity to top schools. It offers a mix of period homes and newer developments.
Mittagong
A commuter favourite with easy access to Sydney via the Hume Highway and train line. Family-friendly and full of charm.
Moss Vale
Spacious homes, modern estates, and semi-rural living make Moss Vale ideal for families seeking value and lifestyle.
Berrima
Historic and beautiful, Berrima offers village life at its finest — sandstone cottages, heritage pubs, and quiet, leafy streets.
Robertson
High on the escarpment, Robertson combines rainforest beauty with a country-town feel — perfect for renters seeking tranquility and open space.
🌳 Lifestyle Highlights: Why People Stay
People come to the Southern Highlands for affordability — but they stay for the lifestyle.
Whether it’s morning walks through Bowral’s cherry blossoms, dinner at a local vineyard, or weekends at the farmers’ market, life here moves at a gentler, more meaningful pace.
There’s space to think, room to breathe, and a sense of belonging that’s hard to find elsewhere.
And unlike many regional areas, the Highlands offers this without feeling remote — Sydney is still close enough for work, family, and weekend visits.
🗝️ Making Your Move: How to Get Started
If you’re ready to explore a rental move to the Southern Highlands, the best first step is strategy.
At Find My Rental Property, we help you:
Define your search parameters
Identify suitable suburbs based on your lifestyle and budget
Get “rental-ready” with all documentation prepared
Attend and report on inspections on your behalf
Submit compelling applications
Secure your ideal home quickly and confidently
We know the Highlands market — and we know how to make it work for you.
🌟 The Bottom Line: More Space, Less Stress, Real Living
For many Sydney renters, the Southern Highlands represents more than just a new postcode — it’s a lifestyle reset.
With affordability, community, and natural beauty in abundance, it’s little wonder more people are heading south and staying for good.
And with Find My Rental Property, you don’t need to navigate that journey alone. From search to settlement, we handle the details so you can focus on what matters: living well.
Your Highlands home might be closer than you think.
Contact Find My Rental Property today to discuss your move and discover how we can help you secure the perfect rental — even if you’re still based in Sydney.
📍 We help renters secure homes across Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Robertson, Berrima, and the broader Southern Highlands region.