Originally from Dublin, Fiona Walsh moved to Sydney in November 2008, with her husband Keith and their two sons, six-year-old Lucas and Dylan who is almost 4.
What led to your move?
My husband is Irish but grew up in Australia; he moved back to Ireland to play professional rugby. When he retired we moved to Sydney so he could work in his family’s financial planning business.
Is your move permanent or temporary?
Permanent; although for the first two years I kept saying it was temporary and I was definitely moving back to Ireland.
What were your first impressions of your new country?
I hated it. I had only been to Sydney for a brief visit in 2004 when we were on holiday, but living there was totally different. I didn’t want to go; I didn’t like the area we originally moved to; and as the mother of a newborn ― we moved when our first child was ten weeks old ― I felt totally isolated. It was only when we bought our own house in a different suburb nearer the beaches that I started to settle properly.
What differences have you noticed?
For such a big city, I was really surprised how much like Ireland it is, in that everyone knows everyone, or at least everyone knows someone you know. I was really surprised about how young a lot of people tend to get married and/or have kids here. Once kids come into the equation, Australians tend to opt for social opportunities that include children – the BBQ is always popular.
How does the cost of living compare to Ireland?
The big issue is affordable housing. It is extremely difficult for first-time buyers to enter the Sydney market while house prices continue to rise. On a day-to-day basis, one of the things I really noticed right from the start was the crazy cost of clothing ― high street is very pricey here, so people buy a lot online from overseas retailers. On the plus side, coffee is cheap and dining out is pretty good value.
What’s the food like and how does it compare to home?
The food is great and hugely varied given that Sydney is such a multi-cultural society, although they are lacking in good Indian restaurants where we live. I did miss Tayto big time but now you can get them in the local supermarket. The Cadbury chocolate they sell here is horrible though.
How do you manage childcare and how does this differ to home?
I am studying at the moment and only work on a very ad hoc basis, so I am essentially a stay at home mum and have never had to deal with childcare issues. However, I do know from others that it is very hard to get your child into registered childcare ― you practically have to register them before they are born. The Government rebates for childcare are quite good here but pre-school is very expensive.
What’s the local attitude towards breastfeeding?
I didn’t breastfeed either of my kids but everyone else I know did. I would say that it is very much the norm here and there is rarely an issue around it.
What are your opinions of the local health system?
Overall, I would say the system is superior to the Irish one, though most people do still opt for private health insurance if they can afford it. I had Dylan via the private system and had no complaints. The follow up care and home visits were pretty much similar to the level of care I received with Lucas in Ireland. Mother’s groups, organised by the local health centres and nurses, are a big thing here. I found my mother’s group to be a huge support when I first moved here.
How does the education system compare?
Generally, kids start pre-school here when they are three and attend for two full days in the first year. The year before they attend school they go for three days. You have to pay for it ― there are no subsidies ― so many people can only afford to send their children for the year prior to school. Overall, once children are in the school system it is not unlike Ireland, and we are lucky that the standard of the schools and the range of choice is very good where we live.
What’s the best thing about living in your adopted city?
Clichéd I know but the weather is definitely the best thing about Sydney because it allows you to enjoy a much more outdoor-focused lifestyle and the beaches here are fantastic.
And the worst?
It is just so far away from Ireland. The travel is a nightmare. Also, it is seriously hot here in summer and there are some crazy deadly insects and animals to be aware of even in the city.
Does your new city offer an improved work/life balance?
Because of the weather and the fact that you can do so much more outdoors I would say yes. I don’t know one person here who doesn’t exercise in some form.
What’s your favourite thing to do at the weekends and how would this compare to what you would have done together in Ireland?
I love to go to the beach and I really enjoy brunch or lunch (with or without the kids) at a beachside restaurant. I obviously never went to the beach in Ireland, but I did enjoy a long lunch or two.
