"If Brexit is voted, we will move to Australia". With these words, Valentina chose to fly to the Land Down Under with her boyfriend in 2016. Originally from Italy, they both lived in London for six years. She talks to us about her everyday life, her plans, and the COVID-19 crisis in Sydney.
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Valentina, and I come from the small town of Cavallino-Treporti, located in the province of Venice. I decided to move abroad in 2010 when I had completed my studies. I wanted to learn English and to travel, and that brought me to England. At the same time, I met my current boyfriend, who decides to come along. We had initially planned to stay in London for only three months.
So what brought you to Australia?
I've lived in London for six years. I must admit that I have mixed feelings for this city. I used to love London until Brexit took over. Honestly, there were plenty of questions that remained unanswered for too long. I was also looking to a change of scenery, to live new experiences abroad. I already knew London like the palm of my hand. Then came the referendum, and I made a bet with my boyfriend. “If Brexit is voted, we will move to Australia." We all know how things turned out. In December 2016, we bid farewell to London and relocated to Sydney in January 2017.
Did you find it hard to adapt to life in the “Land Down Under”?
Not at all. London taught me a lot of things. But at that time of my life, all I wanted was to get away from the stress of this chaotic city. I found that serenity, that peace of mind that I had been looking for for so long in Sydney. It feels so good to be here.
Which steps did you follow to relocate to Australia?
In 2018, after a Working Holiday Program in Australia and a student visa, my boyfriend's employer offered him a 482 sponsorship visa. It's a 4-year visa with the possibility of applying for a permanent visa in 2022 and then applying for citizenship if we wish to stay longer. You are probably wondering what this means. Actually, the company considers him as an asset, so they offered him a permanent job.
What are the first things to do when moving to Australia?
First of all, you have to open a bank account and register with Australian Social Security. These are two essential steps to living in Australia. Then you have to register for Medicare, health insurance which is free of charge for six months and renewable until you leave the country. If you plan to work in Australia, you will also need a tax code (TFN). To make phone calls, consider buying a Lebara sim card, which is more popular and has fewer restrictions. You may need to buy a car so that getting around becomes easier. It's actually the best way for exploring the country's beautiful landscapes.
Did the pandemic have an impact on your career?
I had been working in a restaurant for two years, but the pandemic made me realise that this job was not meant for me. Over the past few months, I have thought a lot and worked on several personal projects that should be accomplished in the coming months.
What is the current situation in Sydney? Have there been a lot of COVID-19 cases?
Fortunately, we haven't had a lot of cases in Sydney, and there haven't been any deaths. We hope that there won't be any changes. Wearing a mask is not mandatory, but it is recommended in places where it is difficult to comply with the 1.5-meter social distancing rule. Also, most Australians wear a mask while travelling on public transport.
What are your views about the cost of living in Sydney?
Sydney is an affordable city. Since we both work, we're managing pretty well. It was different in London, where everything is expensive. Here we live, by choice, in a small green village which is 20 minutes from Sydney's city centre. Whether it's in terms of bills, food or transportation, everything is affordable. Besides, when you rent a house in Sydney, the water bill is included in the rent.
What do you do in your free time in Sydney? Would you recommend any activities to those who would like to move there?
We travel a lot. As soon as we have a few days off, we set off to explore this country. Some of the must-sees are the beautiful beaches, the most famous being the Bondi promenade in Coogee. A little further, you will be delighted by the Harbor Bridge, the Opera House, Manly, etc.
Are Australians welcoming? Is it to make new friends there?
They are very hospitable people and are always ready to help. We especially noticed this during our road trips. It's relatively easy to make new friends here, although we are Italians, as there is an Italian community in Sydney. At the end of the day, even though we are overseas, we still long for that familiar feeling.
What is your blog about?
We are still working on it. I said 'we' because besides our Instagram account, many people, mostly friends, are helping me to create the blog. It should not take too long. In the meantime, we are present on social networks.
