One Year In Australia: A New Migrant’s Honest Review 🇵🇭🇦🇺

Summary

This video shares a family's first year in Australia, reflecting on their transition and the ups and downs of adapting to a new life. From enjoying Sydney's beauty, cultural diversity, and efficient services, to facing challenges like the DIY lifestyle and the high cost of living, they weigh the pros and cons. While missing home, they appreciate Australia's perks, such as work-life balance and time-saving conveniences. Despite some tough moments, the family feels optimistic about their future and has found comfort in their new life, marking a positive year-long milestone.

Takeaways

• 😀 After one year in Australia, the initial excitement and benefits of living there are still very much appreciated.
• 😀 Sydney offers a mix of urban and natural beauty, with beaches, mountains, and multicultural suburbs providing plenty of opportunities for exploration.
• 😀 A DIY lifestyle is a common aspect of Australian living, as tasks like assembling furniture, house chores, and car maintenance often require personal effort due to high service costs.
• 😀 Living in Sydney can save time if strategically choosing a location with easy access to public transport, schools, and workplaces, though owning a car is still essential.
• 😀 Australia experiences all four seasons, each bringing unique characteristics and challenges, from warm summers to cold winters with higher energy costs.
• 😀 The cost of living in Australia is high, but there are ways to save money through tax claims, free activities, and government incentives like childcare subsidies.
• 😀 Despite the high cost of living, Australia offers many benefits like efficient government services, quality healthcare, and subsidized education.
• 😀 The emotional aspect of living abroad includes missing important family events and occasions, which makes frequent travel between countries challenging.
• 😀 The first year in Australia included some unexpected surprises, both positive and negative, highlighting the importance of adapting to new environments.
• 😀 The experience of attending the Vivid Festival in Sydney symbolized the deeper understanding of Australia gained over the year, with the country presenting both good and less desirable aspects.
• 😀 Overall, the family is happy with their decision to move to Australia, and they are looking forward to further experiences and growth in their second year.

Q & A

What was the main reason the family moved to Australia?

The family moved to Australia with the dream of reimagining their lives and reestablishing themselves in a new country.

What are some of the highlights of living in Sydney?

Living in Sydney offers the beauty of the city, its suburbs, beaches, the Blue Mountain region, and iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge. The city also offers a vibrant winter scene and plenty of new places to explore.

How does DIY living in Australia impact daily life?

DIY living in Australia is a common practice, especially for furniture assembly and house chores. It can be physically demanding but provides a sense of fulfillment and saves money, as outsourcing these tasks can be expensive.

Why is having a car essential in Australia?

Having a car in Australia is essential, especially for families, as it provides flexibility for school drop-offs, pickups, and commuting to public transport stations. It also offers convenience in areas with less access to public transport.

What is the family’s experience with the cost of living in Australia?

The family acknowledges that the cost of living in Australia is high, especially for housing, rent, dining out, and private services. However, they benefit from government incentives and savings through public transport, tax claims, and free activities like parks and museums.

How did the family experience the four seasons in Australia?

The family experienced all four seasons for the first time in Australia. They highlight the pleasant weather in spring, the hot and dry summer, the unpredictable autumn, and the cold winter with shorter days and higher electricity bills. They also note winter’s unique snowy activities in the mountains.

What are the family’s feelings about being away from the Philippines?

The family feels sad about missing important family occasions in the Philippines. They wish they could travel more frequently, but it’s not economical. Despite this, they try to plan visits and appreciate the benefits of living in Australia.

How does the family feel about Australia after one year of living there?

After one year, the family finds Australia still a great place to live. They have settled comfortably and are happy with their life there. They acknowledge the positives and some challenges, but overall, it’s been a very positive experience.

What’s the significance of the Vivid Sydney festival in the family’s journey?

The Vivid Sydney festival symbolizes the family’s deeper understanding of Australia. They visited the festival both in their first and second years, using it as an analogy for seeing a fuller picture of the country—acknowledging both its good and not-so-good aspects.

How does the family plan to balance life between Australia and the Philippines?

The family plans to balance life between Australia and the Philippines by focusing on the benefits of both countries and finding ways to travel between them, despite the challenges of distance and cost.