Adam Gow commutes more than three hours a day between his home in Grafton and his job in Lismore in north-eastern New South Wales.
The 30-year-old says it is not ideal but a lack of affordable homes means he has few options.
"We're trying to move up to get a bit closer but, with the whole flooding situation, there are not many rentals about and they're not really affordable," he said.
Mr Gow is looking to buy a property but nothing is in his price range.
"We would basically have to go out west — Woop Woop — to afford anything but there's basically no jobs out that way," he said.
"At the moment, I'm travelling from Grafton to Lismore – so that's three hours each day travelling just to get to work."
It's no surprise affordable housing is at the top of Mr Gow's list of election issues ahead of Saturday's vote.
It's the first time his age demographic — the under-40s — will make up the majority of voters in the state.
It's also the first time some in Gen Z will cast a vote in a NSW state government election.
Emmilee Taylor, a 21-year-old from Kyogle, says the most important issue for her going into the state election is also affordable housing.
"I'm at that stage where I've got a few years under my belt working so I've got a bit of money saved up and I'm living at home," she said.
"I'd like a bit more independence but I can't move out because: a; I can't afford it, and b; there's nothing around."
Environment, climate change 'the biggest issues'
Environmental issues have also been high on the list of concerns for many first-time voters, like 20-year-old Chloe Simpson from Casino in the Northern Rivers region.
"I think it's probably one of the biggest issues for people around my age and Gen Z because ... we're going to be around to see the damage that is made if we leave things like climate change unaddressed," she said.
"The environment is getting worse over time.
"I think it just really needs to be addressed now before it's too late."
Ms Simpson is most likely to vote for the Greens on election day but others her age are still undecided.
Murwillumbah resident Sienna Bennett is one, but the 21-year-old is clear on what issues rank highest for her.
"Definitely environmental issues first and then housing," she said.
Desire fo gambling reform
For 27-year-old Lismore resident Marian Bailey, gambling reform is the biggest election issue.
Originally from Western Australia, Ms Bailey said she was not exposed to the "intensive gambling" culture growing up in WA that she has seen since she moved to NSW.
"When we would go out to bars and clubs, live music was a huge part of our late-night industry," she said.
"I didn't see people stuck on the pokies and retirees spending all of their money and getting sucked into this dark hole of gambling with no help.
"And then I moved to NSW and it's like a bar or a club or anywhere can't function without these pokies.
"I'm very concerned about the gambling that's going on here and I would really like to see bipartisan support."
