We all have our stories about moving to Australia, the events that led up to the move, the decision, the visa battles.

I think the most important step of any big change is to decide, before you even make the change, that you are going to enjoy it, and make the most of any opportunity that comes your way. I moved to Melbourne in 2008 with two sons of 8 and 13. On the plane I said that we had decided to make the move (only a few months earlier!) so we must also decide to love it. You can find good or bad in any place on earth, so why not decide to see the good, and be grateful for it.

And the three of us, each in our own way, has done exactly that.

We are grateful for the safe environment, for being able to walk at night without any fear at all, for having made absolutely wonderful friends so quickly and easily, for my eldest son’s amazing music education (which is why we came here), for job opportunities, for helpfulness, for all the lovely parks, for the beauty of Melbourne city, for Australians friendly and affable attitude, and finally – for such an easy transition to becoming Australian. We came determined to love this new city/country, and we have. My advise to anyone moving to Melbourne – be very grateful that you can now call this amazing city home.