A Family’s Journey from the City to the Snowy Mountains

Images by Divya Gordon.

At The Lake, East Jindabyne, families can make the dream of mountain living a reality. Offering affordable land that comes with more space, more freedom and a lifestyle shaped by lakeside beauty, outdoor adventure and the warmth of a close-knit community.

Thinking about a city to country lifestyle swap? Meet the Mussachio family, who made the move from Sydney for Jindabyne and found not only wide-open spaces, but also a simpler, healthier way of life in a welcoming regional NSW community. 

From Sydney Streets to Snowy Peaks

For Monique and Andrea Musacchio, along with their ten-year-old daughter Mati, life in Sydney’s Northern Beaches was comfortable but busy. Commutes, crowded schedules and, while weekends at the beach were enjoyable, the family craved space and a slower pace.

Then came the pandemic. A ski holiday in the Snowy Mountains stretched into an unplanned stay, which quickly became a decision to relocate permanently. They stumbled across their dream property not far from Jindabyne - a place where they could keep animals and enjoy a lifestyle shaped by seasons rather than traffic.

According to Monique: “Life became simpler. Not necessarily easier, but more wholesome. We had the opportunity to re-focus our lives.”

A Country Lifestyle for Kids

For Mati, moving to the Snowy Mountains has opened up a whole new world. Her playground is the outdoors. Of course there’s skiing, but also long walks with her mum and their dogs, motorbike rides on bush trails, pony rides, cross-country skiing adventures with friends and relaxed evenings at home by the fire.

“Skiing was the main reason we came here. We grew up skiing, now Mati skis too, and it’s something we’ll always be able to do together, no matter our age.” — Monique

Garden to Plate

Since moving, Monique and Andrea have discovered a newfound determination to source and grow their own organic, wholesome food, driven by a closer connection to the land and a desire for a cleaner, more authentic way of living. Vegetables come from their own garden, daily eggs from their chickens, meat from neighbouring farms and even their own livestock.

This connected way of living is what makes a family move to the Snowy Mountains so appealing: it’s real, sustainable and close to nature.

“We live more outdoors than we would in Sydney. Despite the climate here, we’ve got a healthier, more sustainable life. We grow our own veggies, we know where our meat and poultry comes from, and we have the beauty of locals who farm livestock.” — Monique

Community That Feels Like Family

Starting fresh in a regional town can feel daunting, but Monique and Andrea quickly discovered Jindabyne’s strong community spirit. Their first connections came through Mati’s school, and then through the broader local network and neighbourhood.

“Our neighbours feel like family. People step in when you need them. Cups of tea and paddock fireside chats are important. That doesn’t always happen in the city.” — Monique

Work and Balance in Regional NSW

Relocating to the Snowy Mountains hasn’t meant leaving careers behind. Monique runs her own interior design company, Nyumba Mawa Design, working with clients both locally and in Sydney. Andrea works for Snowy Hydro, with the flexibility to split time between the office and different work sites, so no day is the same as the previous one - a balance that complements the family’s active lifestyle.

The old pressures of city life, like juggling work, long commutes and family, have eased.

Why Families Are Moving to the Snowy Mountains

For the Musacchio family, moving from Sydney to the Snowy Mountains wasn’t about escaping the city, it was about creating a lifestyle that felt authentic. They’ve shown that relocation to regional NSW is more than a change of address; it’s a chance to live more simply, sustainably and fully.

Their story reflects a broader trend: families leaving the city in search of balance, affordability and connection. In Jindabyne and the wider Snowy Mountains, that lifestyle is no longer a dream - it’s reality.

The Musacchio Family Favourites

Next time you’re visiting the Snowy Mountains, try some of the family’s favourite spots:

• Coffee & pastries – ESS
  

• Fresh smoothies after school – The Market
  

• Organic produce to top up our own veggies – MoonTree, Cooma
  

• Best bacon & egg baguette – Trader Joes
  

• Pizza night – La Famiglia
  

• Post-skiing hot chips – Mountain Munchies
  

• Weekend pub meal – Dalgety Brewery
  

• Coffee & hot chocolates on the mountain – Brunelli
  

• High Country / Alpine homewares – Design & Detail, plus Nyumba Mawa Design online
  

• Pilates – Centred Health Studio
  

• Kitchen, bathroom and home cabinetry – Into Joinery