What I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Australia (from Asia, Mid-Year, with Kids and No Net
There’s something about the mid-year move that humbles you real quick.
We landed in Sydney in the middle of winter, halfway through the school year, after years of living in Asia—where the expat safety net was strong, the IB system was familiar, and the coffee catch-ups happened before you even unpacked.
This move? It was different.
We didn’t land in a tight-knit community of expats.
We landed in a quiet suburb with gorgeous views, yes—but not a single familiar face. No mom’s group for expats: No “Hey, welcome!” text. Just us. And a lot of unknowns.
Here’s what I wish I had known:
1. Landing mid-year is disorienting.
Everything’s already in motion—school routines, social circles, weekend sports. Your kids are the “new ones” when no one else is. No orientation buzz. No welcome events. You’re not just catching up—you’re starting from scratch while everyone else is mid-season.
2. The school system matters more than you think.
We’d come from an IB school where our kids thrived. In Sydney, many public and private schools follow a different curriculum—and that change is not just academic. It’s social, emotional, cultural. I underestimated how jarring that would be for my children… and for me.
3. Community here isn’t automatic.
In Asia, expat life often comes with built-in friends. You bond fast, because everyone’s in it together. In Australia, especially in the suburbs, people are lovely—but they’ve got their lives. Their routines. You have to work a little harder to find your crew.
4. Suburbs have very distinct vibes.
You won’t really know what a place is like until you live there. And you won’t know where you fit until you’ve tried. The Northern Beaches are not the Inner West, and neither are the East or the Shire. Each community has its rhythm. I wish I’d known how different they could feel.
5. Things I leaned on in Asia—gone.
Affordable home help? Nope.
Late-night food delivery? Limited.
International school support systems? Mostly absent.
You will grieve the convenience and community you had, even if you’re excited about what’s next.
6. And yet…
You find your way.
You walk through the school gates.
You smile first.
You get the invite.
You figure out where to buy soy sauce and which mums talk at soccer.
It’s slower, yes. But it sticks.
I’m writing this for the mum who’s packing up in Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok or KL, thinking: “Australia’s close enough. It won’t be that different.”
It will.
But you’ll be okay.
Better than okay.
You’ll build something beautiful. It just takes a little longer.
And when you do find your people, they’ll be golden.
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Want to make your landing softer? Join the waitlist for The Settled Circle—my community for women who’ve done the hard moves and still crave connection, style, and support in their new country. We launch in September. Come sit with us.
