I moved to Australia for a dream life - but it wasn't all it's cracked up to be. Here's why I prefer my rainy hometown
An Irish woman who lived in Australia for 15 months has revealed the reasons she moved back home after the 'three-month honeymoon bubble burst'.
Fitness influencer Maria Ryan, from Galway, said that while living in Australia was like being on 'a holiday in Spain but constantly', she felt like her life 'wasn't moving forward'.
She said the Aussie soap Home and Away inspired her to move but when she landed in Sydney, it wasn't like the Australia she had envisioned.
Maria described the city as more 'fast-paced' than she imagined so she relocated to the sunny Gold Coast.
The 28-year-old said she loved the people and sunrises but admitted there was 'nothing really more to it than that'.
Maria is now living back home in Galway where she says she feels more 'content' - and many were quick to agree with her hot takes.
'If you have ever lived in Australia, you're currently there or you've moved home or you've ever been there, you will know what I mean to say, you kind of decide within three months whether you think you're going to be there long term, whether it's just a fun thing for a year or so,' she explained in a TikTok video.
The runner said she was originally based in Sydney when she relocated in September 2023 but quickly realised she 'had moved to the wrong part of Australia'.
'Everyone moves to Sydney, to be honest, and I'm not sure why that is,' she said.
'Sydney was more city, fast-paced. It kind of feels like a L ondon of Australia - that's my own fault because if you do enough research you would realise that.
'After going to visit the G old Coast and Byron, that was more the Australia that I had envisioned.'
Maria said that after three months, it was clear to her that Australia was never going to be her 'forever home'.
'I obviously knew I wasn't going to permanently settle down there - it was one, too far away and then also, I really liked it, I don't know if you'll understand this if you have been there, it kind of feels like a holiday in Spain but constantly,' she said.
'There was a point where I felt like my life wasn't moving forward.'
Maria said that on the Gold Coast she lived her 'Home and Away dream' doing daily sunrise runs and meeting 'amazing people' but felt there was 'nothing really more to it than that'.
When she visited home for Christmas, she said she felt 'really content'.
'I see a lot of people's stories from Australia because obviously I have a lot of friends still over there and I see it and I'm so glad that they're having a great time and I'm so happy for them but it's not a missing thing that I have for it,' she explained.
'I've lived in America, England and Australia and I think when you're a hopper, you know that some places are going to be a forever home or others are going to be a one-year thing.
'I've been really content since I've been home.'
Maria's thoughts struck a chord with some viewers who are planning to return to their home countries after living in Australia.
'I'm currently in Melbourne from the UK and I completely agree with you. That's why I've booked my ticket back and I'm grateful of the experience in Australia but as you said this chapter needs to be closed,' one woman said.
'I've just moved home after 18 months in Australia and agree with everything you said. It's a gorgeous country but has made me realise how to appreciate the little things at home and family time,' a second wrote.
'Love this, currently on the way home after 18 months in Perth and I absolutely loved it and will miss it so so so much but there is honestly no place like home in my personal opinion! Settling in Australia is not for everyone,' a third agreed.
'Can relate to this so much! Since I've come home from Australia, I feel like I've a similar life at home to being there, because I've taken the fitness side, love of the outdoors etc with me,' one viewer chimed in.
'So refreshing to hear this! It's definitely been glamorised on social media to move here but it's not that easy. You gave it such a good try, and how amazing is that!' someone added.
However, others said they couldn't imagine moving anywhere else after settling in Australia.
'Just so hard to live back at home... the rent, cost of living. Don't think I would have much to go back to,' one expat wrote.
'I think I knew I loved it the first time I came. I didn't want to go home and then I spent seven years wanting to back. It's interesting hearing other people's perspectives,' another commented.
'I have definitely learned to appreciate England more when I go home now. I miss the cute countryside and pub culture, the proximity to other countries. Some things I don't miss so much.'
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