Ease of living a top drawcard

HOBART’S walk-ability and friendliness are what sets it apart in the lifestyle stakes, says Lord Mayor Sue Hickey.

“Our size allows us to remain connected on so many levels,” she said, noting the area’s natural attributes as well its vibrant urban heart.

The University of Tasmania knows this too, even trying to lure prospective students based on the lifestyle — and the proximity of the university to “numerous drawcards” such as waterways, beaches and wilderness areas that are available for myriad outdoor activities.

“This place is pristine and, quite simply, beautiful,” the university website says.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman, right, believes our fresh air and blue skies are a key factor, as well as relatively low-cost housing compared with prices in Melbourne and Sydney.

“We’ve got those really attractive features, like open space, lack of crowding relatively compared to the big cities, blue sky, fresh air, and opportunities that come with that, so more and more people are being attracted to it,” he said.

“One of the reasons for that is you can sell a house in Melbourne or Sydney for over a million dollars and buy a really lovely property in Tasmania and you don’t have to put up with traffic or pollution.”

Alderman Hickey said it was important to protect Hobart’s historic charm, while embracing a “city for the future” with “opportunity for all”.

Alderman Chipman said if we had protected our lifestyle completely 100 years ago, Tas- manians would still be driving around in horse and carts on unsealed roads.

“I don’t think we ought to be closing our mind,” he said.

“The lifestyle as we know it is fundamentally changing. We have to be vigilant to ensure quality of life improves with it.”