'I MOVED FROM UK TO AUSTRALIA - I'VE COMPLETELY CHANGED THE WAY I LIVE'

Following a relocation to Australia, a British expat has shared the five things she wishes she had known about.

Cat Scully, 31, was seeking an improved work-life balance and an outdoors-focused lifestyle, prompting her to make the bold choice to leave Newcastle behind and relocate to Australia in 2021. After first discovering Western Australia, Cat chose Perth, attracted by its more relaxed tempo and varied terrain encompassing pristine beaches, undulating countryside, and metropolitan living.

Five years have passed since the move, and Cat has adapted to her new existence and has even become an official Australian following the approval of her citizenship. She's built a life with her husband, and the couple enjoy evenings by the coast and weekends discovering the neighbouring regions.

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However, relocating to the opposite side of the planet and overhauling her way of life hasn't always been straightforward, with the project manager disclosing what took her by surprise after making the international leap. Speaking to 1st Move International, the removals specialists to Australia, Cat explained that anyone who makes the move will become a morning person, something she has adapted to.

"Most of my social plans are now built around early mornings, meeting for a walk, a beach dip or breakfast at 7:30 or 8 am. Everyone's keen to get out and start their day early, generally before it gets too hot," she said. For those early morning starts, the coffee culture alone is enough to transform even the most casual drinker into a self-proclaimed connoisseur, reports the Mirror.

"Even your standard coffee shop does an amazing coffee, and for a fraction of what you'd pay in the UK. You very quickly stop settling for anything less," Cat revealed.

Australia's sun-drenched climate yields an impressive abundance of avocados, something Cat has wholeheartedly embraced as part of her new life Down Under. "Avocados are everywhere here! It's often 2 for $5 (£2.65) and they're huge and really good quality. Even other groceries feel different; some things are more expensive, but avocados are definitely cheaper than in the UK and feature on loads of breakfast menus," the 31-year-old said.

While Britain languishes in grey, gloomy winter darkness, those who take the leap will find their evenings and weekends transformed beyond recognition. She said: "After work, it's so normal to head straight to the beach for sunset, go for an alfresco dinner, run along the river, or even just jump in the car on a Friday and head into the bush for a weekend trip. You really make the most of your time in a different way."

It seems Cat has already consigned her former British existence to distant memory. "I can barely remember what it was like when it got dark at 4pm in winter, or that really fast-paced UK lifestyle. Life just feels more outdoors, more stretched out, and a lot more balanced here," she revealed.

Since relocating, Cat chronicles her Australian lifestyle on her YouTube channel, offering an honest portrayal of life on the other side of the globe, while sharing weekend escapades to destinations such as Fremantle and Melbourne.

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2026-08-03T11:15:27Z