New Life in Australia

It might be your first experience of things feeling opposite here in Australia. It was our first real experience of celebrating something that we were used to celebrating in cold weather in the UK while it was really hot weather in spring in Queensland. It’s a strange experience getting used to events being hot and sunny rather than being freezing cold!

Welcome to episode 8 of the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks about what to expect from Halloween in Austraila. The show covers:

• How does trick or treating work in Australia?
• What are sweets known as in Australia?
• Where to get Halloween costumes in Australia
• What sort of events you can enjoy in Halloween Down Under
• How to avoid Halloween in Australia if you don’t want trick or treaters knocking on your door

Additional resources

• Find out more about Halloween in Australia in this blog post
• Share what you’re up to to celebrate Halloween in Australia by tagging Karen at @smartstepstoaus on Instagram and Facebook

For the full show notes and transcript, visit: https://www.smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-eight

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

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We had access to a car and a 4-bedroom home with pool for three and a half months. We reckon we saved $25 to $27,000 by housesitting in those first few months...We didn't have to pay any bills or anything like that. So basically, apart from putting petrol in the car and paying for our phone access, there was nothing else.

Welcome to episode seven of the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen chats with Tracy Collins from Tracy's Travels in Time and host of the UK Travel Planning Podcast and the Global Travel Planning Podcast all about her experience housesitting.
The episode we talk about

• How Tracy began house-sitting
• How Tracy and Doug saved $25-27k on their arrival to Australia by organising a 3-month house sit which came with a car and bills
• How Tracy still regularly house sits in Australia and around the world
• How to craft a winning profile on the house-sitting website

Additional resources

• Feeling inspired and keen to try housesitting for yourself? Find out more here in this blog post
• Listen to episode #3 where Tracy talked about moving to Mackay and then relocating to Brisbane.

For the full show notes and transcript, visit: https://www.smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-seven/
If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

Support the show

What would happen if you moved across the work to a city in Australia and then discovered it wasn't for you? That's exactly what today's guest experienced...

Welcome to episode three of the New Life in Australia podcast

In today's episode, Karen chats with Tracy Collins from the UK Travel Planning website and podcast to learn all about her move to Mackay in Queensland from the UK, and her resettlement to Brisbane a few months later.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The experience of moving to Australia and then relocating to a different city
• How feeling homesick is normal
• The mindset needed to make a successful move
• Why communication with your partner is so important
• Why your decisions can change in line with what you want - it doesn't need to be forever and nothing is fixed
• How Tracy and Doug plan to spend their future retirement in Australia
• Why Brisbane is the best place to live in Australia according to Tracy!
  

For the full show notes and transcript, visit: https://www.smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-three/

If you enjoyed listening, don't forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Support the show

We thought we had more time but things changed very quickly. Information changes fast and sometimes you just need to trust your gut and travel back without all of the facts.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks about her experience of losing her dad earlier this year.

This episode covers tips to help you prepare for when the worst happens. Remember, you aren't alone with this - it's something that everybody who moves abroad will go through at one point.

The episode also includes a warning about a scam that targets people wanting to attend funerals online. Don't get caught out by this.

Additional resources

• Read this article about planning a big trip back home (and get the downloadable checklist of things to do)
• Here is an article I wrote about losing my dad for Kidspot

You will find the transcription and more details over on smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-15

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Support the show

You need to plan ahead and know how your assets will be treated in Australia. You need to have a financial plan!

With thanks to bdhSterling for sponsoring this episode.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks to Simon Harvey, Group Managing Directory of bdhSterling. We discuss:

• Moving your pension to Australia
• Planning your long-term financial goals
• Thinking about your retirement plans
• What stage should you consider your financial plans
• Tax returns and international pensions
• If you’ve moved to Australia from the UK, is it worth topping up the UK state pension?

There is a lot to think about when it comes to moving your finances to Australia. This episode is a great starting point to begin thinking about your financial future.
Resources

• Find bdhSterling in the Move to Australia Directory
• Visit bdhSterling.com and book a free one-hour initial consultation
• Find out about making voluntary contributions to the UK state pension

Find the full show notes and the transcript here.

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts!

Support the show