“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 new life in Brisbane, including.

• Housing costs: Rent, utilities, insurance and more
• Transport & registration: Car registration, fuel, insurance
• Lifestyle expenses: Food shopping, take aways, eating out, clubs, subscriptions and attraction passes
• Other bills & subscriptions: Internet, phone, streaming services, and miscellaneous regular costs
• and so much more.

Additional resources

• Get the Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle
• Related podcasts about costs: Episode 10: Australia is expensive: True or false, Episode 30: How much do you really need for your move to Australia...and is it worth it?
• Podcasts about buying a home: 37 How the Olympics is going to shape Brisbane's property market, 35 Strategies for buying and negotiating property, 33 Rent, buy, invest in Queensland, 27 Buying your home in Queensland the smart way, 22 Buying a home in Melbourne
• Blog post: The cost of living in Brisbane
• Blog posts: Guide to schools in Australia, Choosing a high school in Australia
• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find buyer's agents, mortgage brokers and more.
• Comparison sites: iSelect, Compare the Market, Finder, Energy Made Easy

Found the episode helpful?

Buy me a coffee to say thank you here!

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

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

Find the AI-generated transcript and show notes over at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-46

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

Support the show

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 you’re moving to Australia or planning to relocate within the country, this episode is packed with practical tips and insider advice, including:

• The current rental market in Australia – how challenging is it really?
• How to create a compelling rental application that stands out.
• What life is like in Melbourne – insights into the city and lifestyle.
• Whether you need professional help to find a rental, or if you can do it yourself.
• Common mistakes renters make – and how to avoid them.
• Plus, Jade shares extra tips and hacks to make the rental search process smoother and less stressful.

Additional resources

• Find Rental Search Australia in the Move to Australia Directory
• Fill out Rental Search Australia's questionnaire to get started
• Download Karen's free Relocation Dream Team download to help you do your due diligence when choosing relocation and migration services

Found the episode helpful?

Buy me a coffee to say thank you here!

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

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

Find the transcript and show notes at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-45

Support the show

“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.

Additional resources

• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find migration agents and other services to help with your move
• Join the Move to Australia Facebook community
• Related episode: Six tips for living with Australia's extreme weather, Enjoy Christmas in Australia

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

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

Find the show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-44

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

Support the show

“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 knowledge is power.
• The not-so-nice wildlife in Australia (and it's not what you think!)
• and more

Additional resources

• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find migration agents and other services to help with your move.
• Join the Move to Australia Facebook community
• Related episode: Bucket list experiences: The unforgettable experience of whale watching
• Related blog posts: Should I be scared of dangerous spiders?, Find a natural mosquito repellent, Snakes, Spiders and bugs in Australia + first aid tips

Found the episode helpful?

Buy me a coffee to say thank you here!

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

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

Find the AI-generated show notes at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-43.

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

Support the show

“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 her, and how her perspective has shifted over the years. The episode covers:

• The places where Karen has lived and her feelings around 'home' in those places.
• How she was always searching for the elusive feeling of 'home.
• How home is a feeling, but it comes from a choice you make. If you don't feel at home where you are, you get to choose and move on.
• How you can choose to leave places even if you love it and feel at home there - it's OK to end up loving more than one place!
• How staying somewhere because it's easy isn't usually the right decision. Growth comes when you challenge youself.
• And more!

Additional resources

• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find migration agents and other services to help with your move.
• Join the Move to Australia Facebook community
• Related episode: Will I regret moving to Australia?

Find the show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-42

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

Support the show

“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 episode where Karen talks about her five worst things about living in Australia.

Additional resources

• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find migration agents and other services to help with your move.
• Join the Move to Australia Facebook community

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

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

Find the full show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-41

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

Support the show

“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 is just for you!

Additional resources

• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find migration agents and other services to help with your move.

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

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

Find the full show notes and transcript over at, https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-40

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

Support the show

“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 all of your belongings, this episode explores some of the mistakes you should try to avoid when making the move.

Additional resources

• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find migration agents and other services to help with your move.

For the full show notes and transcript, visit https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-39

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

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

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

Support the show