Australia is unique and known as the “Land Down Under”. It is an island, a country, and a continent all by itself! In fact, there are regions in the country that are totally different from the other regions, making Australia a country filled with various cultures and traditions. Living in Perth, for instance, is a completely different experience compared to Brisbane or Sydney. There are various ways of immigrating to Australia and the number of people going is rapidly growing. Australia, although being a popular immigration and vacation destination, is not entirely free of challenges, however.
Moving into a new home in Australia for the first time can be daunting if you are not adequately prepared for it. Sure, the country has almost everything needed to live a safe and happy life, but for an expat, things can get more confusing than you think. Make sure you do thorough research on life in Australia before immigrating. This article focuses on a few aspects that you should be mindful of as you begin to settle into your new home in Australia.
Get Accustomed to Your New Home
The best way to settle into a new country and its surroundings are by making your house feel like home. There is no alternative to it. You will spend most of your time in your home – at least during the initial months of moving in. Try to explore every inch of your house and start familiarizing yourself with the new surroundings. Spend the first few weekends lazily cuddling on your couch. You might like to add some things from your home country to help you settle in better and kill homesickness. If you have a television, check out some of the popular channels in your region. You can gather tons of necessary information from casual sessions like these, which will help you settle in even better.
Make sure your house is exactly how you need it to be. Certain people have specific preferences. Some like a large porch while others may want a bigger living space inside instead of that. Many people like to have an attached dining area with the living room, whereas others might not even bother about such layout issues.
Realtors have claimed that a lot of their customers look for aesthetic washroom designs and functionalities more than anything else these days. Smart toilet seat Australia is in great demand now and can make living more pleasant. The variety of options that you can choose from is staggering. The same goes for plenty of other equipment and appliances that are very easy to acquire in almost any region in Australia. Make yourself comfortable in your new home and you’ll achieve a major step towards settling into a new country.
Socialize With Your Neighbors
Believe us when we say this: your neighbors determine a great part of your quality of life. Being an expat, you might have a tough time settling into your new neighborhood as it is not the city, but the entire country that is new to you. Do not hesitate or be intimidated when you are about to approach your neighbors for the first time. Creating a friendly first impression is key to a continued relationship. If things go well, chances are, your neighbors will take responsibility for showing you around and suggesting the best services the city provides.
Share your experiences with them because people love listening to personal stories. Study your neighbors and try to figure out what they like. Do not criticize any of the Australian customs or norms in front of them as they might not take it lightly. Spending time with your neighbors can be more educational than you think. Try being useful to them down the line. It is you who will benefit more from such interactions. Invite them over to breakfasts and dinners. Soon you will find yourself hanging out at your neighbor’s house more than your own home!
Explore the City
No matter what city you choose to move into, you are bound to bump into something unique. Sydney has some of the best beaches in the world which host extraordinary night parties and events, making it an ideal location for people looking for a fancy lifestyle. Cairns has zoos with exotic animals like crocodiles and kangaroos and is also a great location to try out water sports. In fact, you can even go on trekking adventures within some of the city limits.
Perth has mostly a desert landscape, making it one of the hottest regions in the country. If you are looking for a casual and laid-back way of life, this city can be ideal for you. The average temperature in Brisbane is not very different from that of Perth. However, it is tropical and experiences a lot of rain. Brisbane is also a very popular sporting city in Australia.
Finally, for the people looking for a sophisticated way of life, Melbourne is, arguably, the best choice. The city hosts an array of top-notch restaurants, musical theatres, and entertainment zones that make living in Melbourne totally exciting and worthwhile. In fact, the city provides an abundance of jobs for its citizens, making it a successful corporate region as well.
The choice is yours. Choose the region that best fits your requirements. Once you move in, go out and explore the city. Learn the street names and transportation options. This will be your place of residence for a long time – if not forever – so getting to know all about it will surely come in handy down the line.
Set Up Your Means of Communication
Communication platforms are not restricted to landlines and mobile networks anymore. The internet itself is the strongest and most viable means of communication nowadays. Install a reliable internet connection as soon as you reach your new home. The speed of connectivity may vary among different regions. Do the necessary research so that you do not face any surprises moving in.
Australia is an absolutely massive country. Thus, not every area has access to high-speed broadband connections – especially desert and rural regions. Urban areas, however, do have great internet options that you can choose from.
The same goes for mobile phone networks. Make sure you subscribe to a decent connection that is reliable and feasible. The ideal option for most Australians is Telstra. Statistics show as much as 99.4% of Australians are under its widespread network coverage. Surely their service is trustworthy.
Familiarize Yourself With Australian English
Although Australians do speak English, their accent is thick and unique. They often tend to say words in short forms that are well understood all over the country. Do not be surprised if your neighbor is referring to breakfast as “breaky” or barbeque as “barbie”. Some locals use the term “mozzie” instead of mosquito. Further examples include “maccas” for McDonald’s, “postie” for the postman, “firey” for the fireman, “footy” for football, “doco” for documentary, and so on.
Respect the colloquial touch that Australians add to the way they speak. Chances are, you will be following the same patterns once you adjust your life in the country. This is actually beneficial, as Australians will welcome you even more. Do not be alarmed to find yourself conversing in Australian English soon after settling in!
Be Mindful of the Laws
Australia is an extremely strict country in terms of rules and regulations. In fact, some of the laws are quite strange and impossible to know about without any prior knowledge about them. For example, here are just a few:
- Only licensed electricians are allowed to fix even the smallest of issues – like changing a light bulb.
- You can not keep your car keys in the vehicle if it is unattended.
- Underage children can not physically purchase cigarettes from a store but can smoke them if in possession.
- Riding a bicycle without a helmet is illegal.
- Reading tarot and fortune-telling are illegal activities.
Strangely enough, a life sentence in an Australian prison can mean only 25 years of jail time!
There are many more Australian laws and ethics that might seem very strange to an expat. We suggest you learn all the necessary government guidelines before moving in. Rule breakers are usually punished heavily in this country. Surely, you do not want to lose hundreds of dollars or be imprisoned for something you could’ve avoided with a bit of research.
Final Remarks
Australia is a country rich in discoveries and with endless opportunities. After properly moving in, all you need to do is spend time settling down and learning the new culture and heritage. The initial months can be difficult – making you severely homesick. We suggest you follow the guidelines mentioned in this article which will take you through the tough periods and prepare you for a successful life in Australia.
