Sarah Brookes, a writer who relocated from Perth to Sydney's Northern Beaches two years ago, has written about why she is now leaving what she calls Australia's most beautiful city. She moved after her daughter chose a local public school and following the loss of her mother and grandmother, but says the city's high cost of living, cramped housing, traffic congestion and unwelcoming rental market ultimately outweighed its scenic appeal.

Brookes describes swapping a four-bedroom home on a half-acre plot in Perth for a 59-square-metre Sydney apartment plagued by mould and stifling heat, alongside difficult property managers and a fiercely competitive, expensive rental market. She also highlights the area's insular reputation, citing hostility towards outsiders at surf spots such as North Narrabeen, long travel times caused by the peninsula's geography, and steep prices for everyday items like porridge and brownies.