- I spent a fortune raising my daughter in LA but still worried constantly about her safety.
- We moved to Sydney in 2020, where she walks to school and takes public transportation alone.
- I miss family in the US, but I love the independence and peace of mind we’ve gained in Australia.
It was a lovely center with actual grass. I felt like I’d won the parenting lottery, even if it cost more than a university education. As she grew up, and unable to afford private school, we moved to a nice neighborhood. Turns out the local public school didn’t have enough space for all the students in the catchment area, so I found myself waking up at 4 a.m. to try to get a spot.
The author found a great day care for her child.Courtesy of the authorBusiness Insider USA
Even the local commute was fraught. Parents drove their kids to school, just two blocks away. In a wealthy neighborhood, it wasn’t considered safe for a child to be outside alone. There’s an annual “walk to school day,” I suppose just to show that it’s possible.
In 2020, we moved across to Australia. The shift in our daily rhythm was instant. My mental shift took a bit longer.
Every day was “walk to school day” in Sydney. By 3rd grade, my daughter walked to the local school by herself albeit in a sea of her uniformed, neighborhood buddies. By 5th grade, she was taking the train to middle school herself. Public transport to and from school is completely free.
The author’s child walked to school in SydneyCourtesy of the authorBusiness Insider USA
As a single, full-time working mom, I found that the community and infrastructure lifted me up. Every school offers before- and after-school care, with government wage-based subsidies. On top of that, my job gives me four weeks of annual leave, plus dedicated sick and parental leave.
Community abounds. Kids and adults alike regularly participate in sports and clubs. We made friends easily and got to know our neighbors.
Even admin is a breeze. When we became citizens, my daughter and I were issued new passports within two days. Being used to a four- to six-week wait in the US, I was blown away.
I hadn’t realized how deeply I held healthcare anxiety from life in the US. After returning from vacation, my daughter developed an ear infection that didn’t clear up with standard antibiotics. At the local pharmacy, my heart pounded.
The pharmacist looked at me with sympathetic eyes and said, “I’m so sorry, but this treatment isn’t covered by the government benefit. You’ll have to pay out of pocket, and it’s really expensive.”
I give a tight smile and say, “It’s OK, it’s my daughter. I’ll pay whatever it takes.” Being American, my mind is flashing to $600 EpiPens and $1000 prescriptions. I start brainstorming what we’ll cut from the budget that month.
“Again, I’m really sorry.” I’m barely holding it together when he finishes, “It’ll be $26.”
The cost of a casual lunch. That’s what Australians think is expensive medication. I was so relieved, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
In 2023, we returned to LA for a visit. After a grueling 14-hour flight, we arrived at our hotel, only to find our assigned room hadn’t been cleaned since the last guest. Exhausted, I stood in line at the front desk to request a new key.
I told my wilting 8-year-old to go sit on a sofa in the lobby, just feet away and in my line of sight. Moments later, an older woman sat next to her like a sentry. I was confused, but I didn’t dare budge from my spot in line.
When I’d finally secured a new room key, I headed over. The woman said to me, “I didn’t think your girl would be safe alone. So I sat next to her.”
I’m bowled over by the thoughtfulness and kindness of the gesture. But I’m struck by the contrast. At home in Sydney, no one would sit next to my daughter to protect her. No one would feel the need to. They’d simply assume that she was safe.
Making the move wasn’t easy, but I don’t regret it for a moment.
It’s not all sunshine. I miss my family and friends. I wish my daughter had grandparents to come over for dinner or watch her soccer games on weekends. Sydney’s cost of living borders on terrifying, and housing is notoriously steep. But without the constant, unpredictable incidental costs of from unexpected medical bills to school “contributions” my budget is predictable.
The author doesn’t regret moving to Australia.Courtesy of the authorBusiness Insider USA
The move has changed the trajectory of my daughter’s life. She’ll have things I only dreamed of, like affordable higher education and maternity leave.
Best of all, she takes her safety and freedom for granted. And as her mother, that’s the greatest gift I could give her.
