Read our how-to story

“I have two homes now. I don’t have to choose between the United States and Australia. They’re both home.”

Right, I thought, that’s true for me, too. Until I heard my friend Kathryn say that, though, I hadn’t made the connection. A little light went on in my brain. My world view shifted just a bit, and in an important way.

“Of course,” she added, “there’s a pretty long commute between my homes.”

So why do it? Why have two homes, one in each hemisphere?

Well, why not?

Now that Australian/US dual citizenship is possible, why restrict yourself to one country when each one has advantages?

Have you thought about touring Australia?

I’d dreamed about it, but I never thought I’d get to do it. I figured I’d have to be content with pictures of koalas, kangaroos, and the outback.

Have you thought about living, for a little while or forever, in Australia?

My wife, Kristi, and I hadn’t until January 2005. Then I encouraged her to apply for a job here and she got it. I quit my job, we moved, and now we have two home countries more than 8,000 miles apart.

But, of course, it didn’t happen so quickly or so easily as all that. There were problems. There were plenty of surprises, many pleasant and a few not.

We did some things right. We’d re-do some decisions if we could.

What’s it like to live in Australia? How is it the same as living in the US? How is it different? How hard is it to adjust?

Moving to Australia: Two Texans Down Under is a guidebook wrapped in our story and it lets you learn from our mistakes.

Learn what furniture, clothing, and other gear we think you should bring with you and what you should leave at home.Learn about our biggest error concerning health insurance and the national health plan and why it wasn’t a terribly costly mistake.

Find out how different it is to try to rent a place to live here. A couple of hints: real estate agents don’t use a Multiple Listing Service, some of the terminology is different, and your new kitchen may lack a large appliance you’d expect to find, back home.

Avoid the several-hundred-dollar surprise we faced when we finally figured out our Australian and US income tax bills. In the end, your total bill may not be as bad as you fear, but getting the calculations done, even with help, can be a bear.

Find out why we think Australia’s beaches (one of which we feature on the cover of our book) are it’s most under-rated asset. Discover one fine beach inside Brisbane’s busy Central Business District and, close enough for a day-trip visit, miles of almost empty beach on the world’s second largest sand island.

How might your professional or work life prospects be different here?

You’ll see how we rate the pros and cons of Australia and the US when you read Moving to Australia: Two Texans Down Under as a download-able book or a paperback.

Get your questions answered. Turn your dreams into plans.

Get an Ebook or paperback copy at http://www.booklocker.com/books/3244.html

Or, if you prefer to order from Amazon (paperback only), click here.

ONE READER’S VIEW

Reading “Moving to Australia” is like taking a big bite out of a crisp, juicy apple – fresh, sweet and crunchy. There are surprises, revealing details, and a willingness to see things anew. You might be tempted to gobble it up in one sitting.

Coming to a new country is a lot of fun Even if you’re not planning to make the move yourself, you can vicariously enjoy the thrill of the new with Bob Hill as your companion.

Bob is a natural Texas story-teller, with a keen eye and a dry wit. But Australia in particular brings out the best in him. His reflections on the meaning of home will start you thinking.

– Lynn Kelly, American living in Brisbane