A country change that was never part of the plan

When Tanya Webber left Wagga Wagga at 19, she was ready for something bigger.

Like many young people growing up in regional Australia, she felt the pull of city life and all the possibilities that came with it. “I grew up in Wagga Wagga and, like many people, couldn’t wait to leave when I was younger,” she says. “At the time, it felt small and limiting — I had big ambitions and a curiosity about the wider world.”

What followed was a career that took her far beyond the Riverina. Tanya built a successful professional life in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Singapore, stepping into fast-paced corporate environments that shaped her both personally and professionally.

“I learnt a lot about people, business, and myself — how to adapt, how to lead, and how to navigate very different environments,” she says. “It was exciting and challenging, but also quite consuming.”

But after decades away, and following a significant personal loss, Tanya found herself rethinking what she wanted the next chapter of life to look like.

“I didn’t think I would ever return to Wagga. It really wasn’t on my agenda for life at all,” she says. “But life shifts as you get older and priorities change.”

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Returning with a different perspective

For Tanya, returning to Wagga in her fifties was not about going backwards. It was about coming home with more clarity, more confidence and a renewed sense of what matters.

“Wagga offered space — not just physically, but mentally and creatively,” she says. “It also offered connection, familiarity, and a chance to slow down in a way that felt intentional rather than limiting.”

That shift in mindset changed everything.

After years of building a life in major cities, Tanya realised she no longer wanted to spend her energy chasing a version of success that no longer felt aligned. “I realised that life is too short to spend it working long hours building something for someone else while neglecting yourself,” she says.

Back in Wagga, she found the room to grieve, to heal and to reconnect with creativity through art. “Returning to Wagga felt less like going backwards and more like coming home — but with a completely different perspective,” she says. “It gave me the space to nurture my heart, to grieve, and ultimately to reconnect with what I’m truly passionate about.”

Her story will resonate with many people considering a country change later in life: those who have built experience elsewhere and are now looking for somewhere they can create a fuller, more balanced life.

Building a creative business in regional NSW

That passion has now become Tanya’s business, Paint and Sip with Tanya, which offers relaxed, welcoming art sessions designed to bring people together.

“I run ‘Paint and Sip with Tanya,’ which is all about creating a fun, relaxed and inspiring environment where people can explore their creativity — regardless of experience,” she says.

Importantly, her sessions are not about perfection. “What makes my sessions a little different is that they’re not rigid, step-by-step classes,” Tanya explains. “I give people inspiration, guidance and techniques, but ultimately encourage them to make the artwork their own. It’s about creativity, not perfection.”

Starting the business in Wagga has been deeply rewarding. She says the city has shown a strong appetite for experiences that are social, creative and community-minded. “There’s a strong appetite for experiences that bring people together, and I’ve found that people are very open to trying something new.”

That openness is one of the things she now values most about living regional. “People show up for each other, and there’s a genuine willingness to support local businesses and creative ventures,” she says. “That’s something I don’t think I fully appreciated about Wagga until now.”

Why Wagga Wagga appeals to people considering a move

Tanya’s story sits within a bigger picture. Wagga Wagga is not just a place to slow down, it is also a major regional city with real economic and lifestyle advantages.

Wagga Wagga City’s estimated population was just over 69,000 as of 30 June 2025, reflecting its role as one of inland NSW’s key regional centres.

The city has a diverse economy, too. According to Wagga Wagga City Council, the largest employment sectors are health care and social assistance, construction, education and training, retail trade, and public administration and safety. Council’s long-term planning also points to continued opportunities linked to defence, logistics, agribusiness and major infrastructure projects.

For people seeking career options outside the capitals, that breadth matters. Wagga has long served as a regional hub for the wider Riverina, supporting jobs in health, education, transport, government and agriculture, while also offering space for small business and creative enterprise.

Housing is another drawcard. Domain’s current suburb data shows median house prices in Wagga Wagga at around $565,000 for a two-bedroom house and $702,500 for a three-bedroom house, with two-bedroom units sitting around $431,000.

Access is a major advantage, too. Wagga is about three hours by car from Canberra, and around five hours from both Sydney and Melbourne. There are regular flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, while rail links connect Wagga to Sydney and Melbourne as well.

That combination of connectivity and lifestyle is part of what makes the city attractive to returners, career movers and families alike.

A lifestyle that feels more intentional

What has surprised Tanya most about returning is just how much both she and Wagga have changed.

“Wagga is far more vibrant and progressive than I remember,” she says. “There’s a growing creative scene and a real appetite for new experiences.”

She also now values the simplicity of regional life in a way she could not have when she was younger. “Compared to the city, there’s a sense of ease — whether it’s going for a walk, catching up with friends, or just having the time to slow down,” she says.

Outside of business, Tanya enjoys running, the gym and continuing to explore her own creativity. It is that balance between activity and stillness that has made this chapter feel so meaningful.

Her advice to others considering a similar move? “Don’t think of it as going backwards — think of it as bringing everything you’ve learnt back with you.”

For Tanya, Wagga Wagga is no longer the place she once rushed to leave. It is the place that has given her the space to create, contribute and build a life that feels more like her own.

And for others considering a move, that might be the most compelling reason of all.