I moved to Melbourne in 1998 with my husband.

He had a phone interview after applying for a job here & seven weeks later we arrived with 2 suitcases. We had been married less than a year and arrived in April to some beautiful sunshine, without coats – all I knew about Melbourne I had learned from watching Neighbours and they never wore coats! The weather soon turned and we got coats! I found it hard being here at first as my husband was out at work all day and I didn’t know anyone here. It took me a while to get work – but once I was out working and meeting people we both loved being here. There were a few interesting language differences – such as reading signs outside pubs that said “ No thongs” how did they know? Also pants being used instead of trousers, took a bit of getting used to.

We originally intended to stay for a year and then return to the UK – but are still here 15 years later!

My husband now has Australian citizenship (I already had NZ as well as UK) and we have our very own little “Aussie” seven year old daughter! I have trained her to like Marmite as well as Vegemite. Melbourne is a truly great city to live in, easy access to all kinds of wonderful activities, places to discover, festivals, music and the best food in the world. Oh and not forgetting the Queen Victoria Market, which is my favourite place to shop.