"I know it can be a bit weird to adapt to if you're moving from a country where it's normally cold and chilly and snowy over the Christmas period. But it is different and if you embrace those differences, then I think you will come to love it too!"

With thanks to Tonya Davidson from Davidson Property Advocates, Chris Noone from Carly Car Subscription, Fiona Mayers from True Blue Migration Services and Dianne Horton from Buyers Collective for sharing their festive tips in the episode. 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this episode, Karen shares Christmas tips to help you embrace the festive season in Australia. In the episode, Karen talks about: 

• Embracing Christmas in the sun!
• Ways to stay connected with family.
• How to make the most of the summer weather.
• Plus there are festive tips from Move to Australia Directory members: Buyers Collective, True Blue Migration, Carly Car Subscription and Davidson Property Advocates. 

Additional resources

• Listen to episode 5 - 11 tips to stay sun safe in Australia
• Read the blog post: Celebrate Christmas in Australia 

Find the AI-generated show notes over at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-28

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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What is your priority when you're moving here? Is it the schools? Is it a house or an apartment? Do you love the ocean do you love the countryside? What are your must-haves?

With thanks to Buyers Collective for sponsoring this episode.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast:

In this episode, Karen talks to Dianne from Buyers Collective. In the episode, we cover: 

• Dianne's journey from renovating and flipping homes into becoming a buyer's agent and setting up Buyers Collective. 
• What is the process of buying a home in this area?
• How a buyer's agent can help you find your dream home.
• What the lifestyle is like in South East Queensland down to Byron Bay in New South Wales.
• What do house prices look like in the area.
• What to look for in a home in this region? What to be aware of (bush fires, floods, insurance risks)? 
• Is now still a good time to buy? 

Additional resources

• Find Buyers Collective in the Move to Australia Directory
• Book a Discovery call with Dianne from Buyers Collective
• Email Diane for her First Steps to Buying a Property Guide: [email protected]

 Get the full notes and transcript at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-27

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Australia is quite different to many other countries and a lot of the makes and models [of cars] are different and the way you use your car is different... 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks to Chris Noone, CEO of Carly Car Subscription. In the episode, we cover: 

• What is a car subscription and how is it different from a hire car or car loan.
• How often can you change your car when you're on a car subscription?
• Why a car subscription is particularly suitable for someone who is moving to Australia (or for relatives coming out to visit for a few weeks)
• What fees you need to budget with a car subscription.
• How cars are so different in Australia and how this allows you to try before you buy so you can make sure you aren't rushing into the wrong decision (like Karen did!).

Additional resources

• Use discount code: SMART225 to get $225 off your first month's car subscription
• Find Carly Car Subscription in the Move to Australia Directory
• Visit Carly.co

Find the full show notes and transcript at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-26

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

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Just do it! [Moving to Australia] has been the best decision I've ever made...Nothing has to be permanent so if you don't like it you can always go back.

With thanks to Hoxton Wealth for sponsoring this episode.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this episode, Karen talks to expat Emma Norton Selzer who is Head of Australia for Hoxton Wealth. In the episode we cover: 

• How to be in a stable financial position for your retirement after relocating
• Ways you can maximise your superannuation
• How the Hoxton Wealth app can give you an overview of your financial situation
• When to consider transferring your pension to Australia
• When to begin your international financial planning - before you move or after you've arrived in Australia?
• Why it's important to just 'do it' and give your new life a go! 

Additional resources

• Connect with Emma Norton Selzer on LinkedIn
• Find Hoxton Wealth in the Move to Australia Directory 
• Find out about upcoming events, seminars and webinars on Hoxton Wealth
• Visit MoneySmart.gov.au

 Find the AI-generated show notes over at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-25

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It's important to consider what you want from your Whitsunday Island cruise!

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this solo episode, Karen talks about one of the best travel experiences in Australia - taking a cruise in the Whitsunday Islands! It can feel very overwhelming to choose a cruise as there are so many to choose from from day cruises to overnight and multiday cruises. Karen breaks down some of the things to consider:

• How to decide what it is you want from a cruise
• What are your priorities for your Whitsunday cruise
• Who is going on your cruise - cruises for couples and cruises for families
• Choosing a provider for the trip and what to look for
• What to pack on your Whitsunday island cruise

Additional resources

This list contains affiliate links

• See the Sealink Whitsunday Island cruise that we took on Get Your Guide
• Read all about our Whitsunday Island day trip here
• Find out about our Airlie Beach road trip from Brisbane
• Read my review of the Big 4 Adventure Whitsundays resort
• Check out more Whitsunday cruise options on Get Your Guide

Find the full show notes and transcript at www.smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-24

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

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We were going to live our lives to the fullest. Even if it meant making mistakes along the way. Even if it meant trying to figure things out as we went along. 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this solo episode, Karen talks about the topic of living a life of no regret. The episode covers: 

• The story that inspired this podcast topic.
• Tips to shift your mindset and move towards living a life of no regrets.
• Reframing the experience of moving to Australia - look for opportunities and see it as an adventure.
• The positives that come out of the experience of moving to Australia.
• Turning your 'what ifs' around.

Additional resources

• Read the article Should I move to Australia

Find the full show notes and transcript over at smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-23

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

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I believe everybody needs representation at the table. 

With thanks to Davidson Property Advocates for sponsoring this episode. 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this episode, Karen talks to Tonya Davidson from Davidson Property Advocates. 

We cover: 

• What is a buyer's advocate 
• How can a buyer's advocate help you
• The different suburbs and lifestyles on offer in and around Melbourne
• What does off-market mean? 
• What does the buying process look like in Victoria?

Additional resources

• You'll find Davidson Property Advocates Move to Australia Directory here
• Visit Davidson Property Advocates website 
• You can find the full show notes and transcript over at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-22

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We are trying to make the visa journey as stress-free as possible for our clients.

With thanks to True Blue Migration Services for sponsoring this episode.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this episode, Karen talks to Joy and Maryanne from True Blue Migration Services all about visas for Australia. 

We cover: 

• Who are True Blue Migration Services
• Best first steps for somebody considering moving to Australia
• What does the future hold for migration?
• The best and fastest visas to come to Australia on
• Options for over 45s
• Options for parents wanting to move over to their kids
• Working holiday visas and transitioning to a permanent visa
• And all things visas! 

 Additional resources

• You'll find True Blue Migration Service and their free eligibility form in the Move to Australia Directory here 
• Visit True Blue Migration Services' website
• Listen to episode 12 about Chris who moved to Australia on a parent visa

The full show notes and transcript can be found at https://www.smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-21

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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! 

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Perth is so family-friendly. Everything is built for families...the parks, the beaches, everything is centred around families. 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks to Charles who runs E-Sterling Services, a relocation agency that helps you move to Perth in Western Australia. In the episode, we discuss: 

• What is Perth like as a city
• Which are the best suburbs
• The things a relocation can help you with
• Things to do in Perth
• Choosing schools in your new city
• And so much more!  

If you're heading to Perth, you're going to want to listen to this one but equally, it has a lot of general advice around moving to any city in Australia.

Resources: 

• Find E-Sterling Services in the Move to Australia Directory
• Check out the blog on Charles' website for lots of articles about Perth

Find the full show notes and transcript over at Smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-19

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. 

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