New Life in Australia

“You’re not just going on a holiday. You’re returning to your old home while living somewhere new.” After travelling between Australia and the UK quite a few times, I’ve gradually worked out my travel essentials, so I wanted to share them in this episode.  This is my ultimate travel essentials checklist for long-haul travel, including the things I always have in my hand luggage, what I’ve learned...

“When it comes to purchasing a property, the biggest thing is finding the right location. You don’t want to put your money into the wrong street or the wrong property.”  Thanks to Buyersagents.com.au for sponsoring this episode.   Moving to Australia and trying to buy property can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unfamiliar with suburbs, pricing and the fast-moving nature of the market. I...

“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...

“You don't arrive with a network in Australia, but it's something that you actually build and cultivate yourself.” This week on the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen talks about one of the biggest challenges of starting over in a new country: making friends and building a support network. Leaving behind friends and family can be one of the hardest parts about making the move. Karen sh...

“Relocation is like a puzzle, so there are many pieces, and they all need to come together. One missing piece and the puzzle is incomplete.”  Thanks to Homeward Australia for sponsoring this episode.   This week on the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen speaks with Suja from Homeward Australia, a relocation support service helping families navigate the complexities of moving to Australia and sec...

" Nobody has set out to move to Australia for a worse life. We've all done it because we believe this is a really good move for the benefit of everybody in our family. " Moving to Australia with children brings a whole layer of complexity on top of the usual relocation admin, from visas and schooling to helping your kids find their feet socially and emotionally in a completely new e...

“I think the service can just relieve you of an additional weight physically and mentally whenever you first arrive in a country.” Moving to Australia is an exciting new adventure, but the practical side of relocating your life across the world can feel really overwhelming. What should you bring? What should you leave behind? Is it worth shipping your belongings, or would it be easier to replace t...

“You don’t accidentally build your dream life. You build it by noticing when you’re drifting and choosing a different direction.” Moving to Australia is often framed around big goals, new beginnings and exciting possibilities. But what happens after the move? When the dust settles, routines take over and life starts to feel like it’s running on autopilot again? In this episode of the New Life in A...

"Creating a vision for your new life begins the moment you start imagining what's possible for you."  In this final episode for 2025, Karen talks about how to intentionally design your life in Australia, whether you’re still planning your move, deep in the admin, or already settled. Moving to Australia is a huge achievement — but building your dream life here goes beyond just making...

“We helped to move just over £300,000 to Australia and were able to achieve an additional $18,000 Australian dollars into her bank over the UK bank she was using. That's huge!” Moving to Australia is exciting, but it comes with challenges - especially when it comes to transferring your money internationally. In this episode, Karen chats with Brett from TorFX , an international money transfer...

“ Is Australia affordable? I think it is definitely more expensive than the UK in many ways but there are areas where life is cheaper, so it's swings and roundabouts as to which one is actually cheaper.” Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this episode about the real costs of living in Brisbane in 2025, Karen breaks down everything you need to know to budget confidently for your n...

 With thanks to Rental Search Australia for sponsoring this episode. “ More people in this industry is great but you really need to do your research. Do some background checks by looking at reviews and social media.” Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this episode, Karen chats with Jade from Rental Search Australia about everything you need to know to secure a rental in Australia. If...

“ My husband thinks I'm bonkers but it really does cool me down! ” Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this episode, Karen talks about how to survive and thrive in summer in Australia, including: Tips and hacks to stay cool during hot weather How important is air conditioning?  Things you don't do in summer in Australia that you used to do in the UK during summer and more. Ad...

“ The wildlife here is more incredible than dangerous - you just need to be aware of it .” Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this episode, Karen talks about her experience with Australia's scary and dangerous wildlife. Including: Will your house really be full of spiders?  Heads up: Cockroaches can fly! Sharks and stingers - you're venturing into their home!  Awareness and...

“ When we decided to move to Australia, one of my biggest fears wasn’t about visas or jobs or even the flight… it was about whether I’d ever feel at home again. I worried that I’d always be in this in-between place — missing my old home more than I loved my new one .” Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this week's episode, Karen chats about her feelings around what home means to...

“Most of these are all connected with the same theme!” Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this week's episode, Karen gives a different perspective about living in Australia by exploring some of the worst things about living in Australia. Of course, there are lots of amazing things about living in Australia, but there are also some things that aren't so good. Listen to this e...

“I don't think you regret giving something a try!” Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this week's episode, Karen answers this important question: Will I regret moving to Australia?  Karen shares an eye opening experience that really got her thinking about the concept of regret. If you've been wondering if making the move is the right decision for you, this short episode...

“We assumed because we were eligible now, we'd always be eligible!” Don't make these common mistakes with your move to Australia!  Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this solo episode, Karen explores 10 common mistakes that people make when moving to Australia so you can avoid making them!  From listening to incorrect visa advice, skipping a leaving party and getting rid of...

“Do it with your kids, not to them. Include them!” Moving to Australia with kids? In this episode, Karen chats with Tracy Collins about how to help children adjust to their new life Down Under. From choosing the right school and managing goodbyes to handling long-haul flights and building new routines, this conversation is packed with practical tips and personal insights to support your family thr...

"I like to reference Sydney when they announced the Olympics 1990 to when they held the games in 2000, the government spent a similar amount on infrastructure projects...these things make the city a more desirable location. Sydney saw a growth across the metro locations of around 94% over that ten year period. If history is anything to base it off, Brisbane has a similar opportunity here. The...

"Be flexible. Don't overplan. Work around the things you absolutely have to do. 28 days isn't a long time!" Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this episode, Karen chats to Tracy Collins from the UK Travel Planning and Global Travel Planning podcasts and websites all about planning a big holiday back to the UK after you've settled in Australia.  This episode is...

"I had these clients…they’d seen a property in Hawthorn. That area wasn’t in our brief…this is why we do a brief, so we aren’t tempted by shiny things. They told me they wanted capital growth, and that property wouldn’t provide that. Stick to the plan!" Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast In this episode, Karen talks to Tonya Davidson from Davidson Property Advocates all about c...

"It always surprises me when I go to do viewings. People walk in and view and don’t have a conversation with the agent. You are there to present…always try and have a conversation with the agent and introduce yourself. If you love the property, tell them how much you love it. We always do that on behalf of our clients." With thanks to E-Sterling Services for sponsoring this podcast episo...

“If I wouldn’t live in it or invest in it myself, I wouldn’t recommend it to any of my clients either.” With thanks to Minihan Group Australia for sponsoring this episode.  In this episode, Karen chats to Janice Minihan from Minihan Group Australia. Janice is a licensed real estate agent in both Queensland and the UK who supports clients across the full spectrum of the property journey - from find...

"We know pets are part of the family, and we want the journey to be as stress-free for them as it is for you." In this episode, I chat to Andy Simons, owner and director of Transfur Animals, a UK-based pet shipping company specialising in relocating cats and dogs to Australia. We cover everything you need to know about moving your pet to Australia, including timeframes, costs, crate requ...