I met Zoe through our mutual friend Magz, a couple years ago, when she came to Houston for vacation.  She’s fun, energetic, wicked crafty and living in Australia!

Where were you born? Sunderland, England

Where are you currently? Sydney, Australia

How long do you expect to be there? For a while yet – claiming Citizenship in a year

Where else have you lived? N. Ireland, Germany, Gibraltar, Egypt

What you love about where you are living? So much; the weather, better quality of life, the social scene (though not the dating scene), Though it’s a bit of a nanny state, you certainly feel freer here and life isn’t really all that influenced by the government.

What is the worst thing about where you live? The high cost of living. Sydney especially is just so expensive. Buying a house is beyond achievable for a single person or even a youngish couple. I shudder every time the power bill comes in and dont get me started on food shopping. I don’t clothes shop here because it is badly made and not worth the money.

The hardest part of living where you live? I went through a patch where it was the distance from the UK but that passed very quickly.  The hardest thing is making new friends.  Sydney can be a bit of a insular city…very much set to its own groups.  It makes networking and building your people base difficult at times.

What has surprised you most about where you live? My biggest surprise was actually how quickly I came to love my adopted home. I didn’t expect to slup the feeling of being a visitor instead of a local. The local part came within in months, even more so when my sponsorship visa came in. It did take me a year to pick up the lingo though!!!

Your biggest lesson learned? Biggest lesson is to know a country before you move there. I had a choice where I moved, it wasn’t designated by my company. Still, I expected a mini-UK in terms or legal, financial and operation areas of the country. NOPE – whole different ball game. Centralisation has gotten better but still it can be a mine-field that leavings you feeling a little lost and out of your depth in the beginning.

One reason you wouldn’t have missed living there for the world? I’m so glad I picked Australia over the US now – who’d be thankful for the Western economy tanking? I certainly couldn’t imagine not being who I am now. The things I’ve done, the people I’ve met. The me who has grown.  It wouldn’t have happened anywhere else I don’t think.  Higher wages, better health care etc do a bit to help but I wouldn’t miss being who I am today.

The best food? Best food…where to start!!! I find the UK so limited now. In the “winter” I love my hotpot and Pho. In summer, sitting in the garden with chicken or snaggers on the BBQ.  Thai here is like Thailand…but I am all Thai-ed out after 5 years!

The best sight? I love going up to Hunter Valley, the NSW wine region. It’s just a wonderful area and so much to do. In Sydney, I love the NSW Art Gallery in the Domain for a few hours wandering and then into the Domain on a nice sunny day.

Your biggest fear for the future? Well up until 4 days ago, it was not being granted permanent residency (Australian version of a green card) to stay and having to return to the UK. Now, I suppose it is, do I have time to move somewhere else before I actually settle down. I think, no matter where i move to…I will always return to Australia (though I’ll retire to NZ!)

Funniest incident? The language…its an English all of it’s own! It took my 6 months to realise that Arvo wasn’t a place. I kept asking people where the heck Arvo was…they would just shake their heads and mutter Pome. *Arvo is actually a shortened form of afternoon! Also, rooting “I’m rooting for you” and on the pull “going out on the pull tonight” soooo don’t have the same meanings here. My friends thought I was a bit of a slut at the start!!!!!

What NOT to do in your location? Don’t tag Australian’s with the stereotype…they are so much more. They aren’t slow and uncultured.  they don’t take everything in their stride and they have passion about other things aside from sport (though sport is the number one passion still). We don’t all surf and life doesn’t always start and end at the beach! Also, DON’T constantly go on about England winning the Ashes and the sorry state of the Aussie cricket time..you’ll be using that Medicare faster than you think!

The person who has inspired you most where you live and why? I really wanted to come to Australia after seeing Bondi Rescue on ITV. I guess, the friends I have made is really what makes me stay. I’ve visited other states and capitals and it is Sydney that always feels like home.

Best piece of advice you could give to newbie expats? Best piece of advice is to be prepared for the change in life style. The first year is HARD financially – mainly because of the high cost of living and the shitty incoming exchange rate. It eases off considerably after the first 12 months or so. Also, your kids will adapt much faster than you will. This is a country build for the family…! Finally, don’t believe the adage that it’s only a plane ride home and not that far…its 30 hours and 13,500 miles! It’s far. Being an expat is awesome. You have your British (in my case) identity but you have a unique chance to pick up another identity in your adopted country too. No many people get that opportunity.

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