Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or the bush. I could continue but I am sure you discern my drift. Those who have lived in large metropolises, unless they have previously owned huge properties, are considered the lucky ones. The rest put up with being remote from society, friends, family, sporting and cultural activities and close contact with the rest of the world.

That ended when the industrial revolution continued into the 20th century — automobiles, wireless, electricity, the telephone, the printed word, television and the internet brought the bush and the city closer together. Each year the gap narrowed. It enabled people to live a life previously imaginable only in dreams. Those with modest means were able to sample the good life. That raises the question, why are so many people crowding into cities when they can have the same contact at a much lower cost? Vast numbers don’t need to live in cities — pensioners, the retired, the affluent, athletes, artists etc. There isn’t space to list every occupation that needs to be where the big decisions are made.

The majority of inner-city dwellers live in crowded, polluted areas with increased crime and traffic congestion when they could live as good or better lifestyles outside the metropolitan areas at half the price. This doesn’t apply to everyone by any means but it does apply to those who are retired or are nearing retirement who don’t have to be at work nine to five.

If you are one of the high earners working in the top echelons of commerce and industry, education, entertainment and a range of other activities, or you are financially well off and can afford a million or two on a luxury house or apartment, you can pick what you like.

But if you’re living in a bungalow built in the 1920s a short taxi drive from the CBD, you can sell it for between one and two million dollars and have the luxury you’ve always wanted. All you have to do is shed the feeling that you will miss out on the good things of life if you’re not living right where it’s happening. Trust me, it’s possible and you won’t need a bank overdraft. You can pay cash and yes, you won’t need credit cards. It’s a great feeling. And there’s enough left over for the annual overseas cruise or two. You can also afford a gardener.

Almost a decade ago the First Lady and I decided we wanted to be near our grandchildren. We sold the Central Coast home for $600,000 and within weeks we were installed in our ‘Manor House’, a four bedroom, two garage, gracious modern home on three acres — 25 minutes from Parliament House, about two hours from the beach, with close to 400 restaurants at very reasonable prices and a nostalgic two and a half hours from Sydney. If you fancy a ski, it’s less than two hours away. Would I lie to you? For God’s sake, I’m a politician. Leopards never change and all that rubbish.

It’s not all perfect. Driving out of one’s property it takes a minute to get out of the urban environment and you have to drive the rest of the way through the sheep and cattle country of the Monaro. It used to be quite popular with Banjo, Henry Lawson and Ned Kelly. Some will question the times I quote but it depends on where you buy. The Australian Capital Territory is about the same size as my old electorate of Robertson on the Central Coast that included Woy Woy, Gosford Wyong and Ettalong.

Some have taken my advice but not everyone loves farming and you can’t get too many sheep and cattle on three acres.

Let me make it perfectly clear that I’m not working for Canberra real estate, for what I’m saying about Canberra applies equally to all capital cities and the many large towns and villages that have developed since Governors Phillip and Macquarie decided this wasn’t a bad country to live in.

We live in Bungendore, 20 kilometres from Queanbeyan, and close at hand to Braidwood, Sutton, Captains Flat etc. If you want a quiet life, you are still only half an hour’s drive from the action. But if you don’t want to live far from your present life, there are dozens of large towns that can offer you the ‘good life’. Nearby to us are Wagga, Goulburn, Nowra, Cowra and many more. The same is true in the other states.

Is there any better place than Tasmania to live, or if you want to spend the rest of your life in shorts, how about Queensland, with Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, the Great Barrier Reef? Forgive me if I didn’t mention the area where you presently live but there is a limit to how long this piece can be. Editors are funny people.

This is not a column for everyone but will, or should, interest those people who don’t like cross-country, skiing, squash or running in marathons. Don’t hold you breath looking for me.

Sure it’s a lifestyle change, but at your age, and I’ll be 80 next year, it’s a lifestyle that will suit you most. What about medical care? Well it’s two minutes to the family health centre, 20 minutes from Canberra Hospital and if that’s not close enough, stiff cheese. I’ll see you in the next life. And that’s a long way to go. Don’t forget last century the doctors and scientists extended the average life by 30 years and are predicting they will extend it to 120 so you have 40 years extra.

If you don’t trust me, go and have a butcher’s for yourself. You won’t regret it. By the way you’ll be the toast of the city. You’ll making more room for all those poor bastards that spend three hours a day driving to and from work. They’ll love you.