Episode Details

“You spend so much time researching your visas, houses, schools, jobs, the costs. You don’t really think about all of the things that you can’t put into a spreadsheet.”

This week on the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen shares five things she wishes she had known before moving from the UK to Australia with her family.

Before making the move, Karen had done plenty of research. She'd watched Wanted Down Under, read magazines, searched online and spent time on forums, so she thought she had a pretty good idea of what to expect.

But some of the biggest surprises were the things she couldn't have researched beforehand.

From discovering that she actually loved Australia from the moment she arrived, to realising just how important networking can be when looking for work, Karen shares five lessons from her own experience of the past 12 years living in Australia.

What you’ll learn in this episode

Throughout the episode, Karen explores:

• Why you might love Australia immediately – even if you expect to feel terribly homesick
• Why you shouldn't assume you'll feel a certain way about leaving your old life behind
• Just how many Australians have connections to other countries and why that can make settling in easier
• Why networking and personal connections can be so important when looking for work in Australia
• How getting involved in your local community can help you build valuable connections
• What to expect from Australia's public transport compared with the UK
• Why having a car can still be important, even when public transport is inexpensive
• The incredible opportunities available for children in Australia
• How playgrounds, parks, beaches, sporting activities, libraries and community events can shape family life
• The unexpected things about moving countries that you can't put into a spreadsheet

If you're planning your move to Australia, this short and practical episode offers some personal insights into the things you might not expect – and a reminder that not every surprise is a bad one.

Additional resources

• Join the Move to Australia Facebook group
• Related episodes: Raising resilient kids in a new country episode 51, tips for moving with kids episode 38, overcoming homesickness episode 4

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

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