From Melbourne to Virginia: Li-Yuan’s Decade of Adventure & Finding Home Abroad
Melbourne girl Li-Yuan has spent the last decade living in some of the world’s most bustling cities. After a few years working in the fast-paced world of banking, she and her husband decided to switch gears and settle down in Virginia (having a baby and buying a house along the way!). She’s also been one of my best friends for nearly 30 years(!), which is why I’m super excited to feature her story as our very first Expat Story!
Here, she tells us a little about her experiences with living abroad, and how she’s dealt with the hurdles she’s comes up against.
How long have you been away from home, and where have you lived?
I moved from Melbourne almost 10 years ago. Since then, I’ve lived in Hong Kong, New York, and now Northern Virginia, just outside of D.C.
Can you tell us the story of how you ended up where you are?
The initial move from Melbourne was as smooth (and lucky) as an international relocation could be. My boyfriend (now husband) had a job transfer to Hong Kong, and since living overseas was always part of our plan, it was a no brainer!
We initially planned to stay for two years and then return home. However, a job opportunity came up in New York, and we couldn’t say no to New York.
Six years later, when COVID hit New York, we traded our tiny one-bedroom apartment for a 1.5-year road trip around the U.S., living a digital nomad life and visiting numerous national parks.
Eventually, we settled in Northern Virginia for new job opportunities.
What kind of support do you have? How did you go about finding it?
In addition to expat sites, I’ve explored various options in the U.S., all of which helped me meet new people and form new friendships — signing up for Meetup groups, attending Lean In networking events, joining or starting a book club, volunteering, and connecting with Australian university organizers who host alumni events. You can find them on LinkedIn or by emailing your university. For example, Monash and UQ both have alumni activities in New York, and they’re really good!
Connecting with people who share similar interests or are in the same life stage has been incredibly helpful. For example, I enjoy playing tennis, which is a very social sport, and I was surprised by how many people were keen to have a hit.
I also recently had a baby, and meeting women who are in the same stage of life has helped form new friendships.
What do you see as some advantages of living where you are (versus living in Australia)?
The main draw for me in moving overseas was the opportunities — not just career opportunities, but also the chance to experience diverse cultures, people and food! (Yes, food!) Also, living in the U.S. provides easier access to other travel destinations such as Europe and South America compared to Australia.
Do you still get homesick? How do you overcome it?
Definitely, especially whenever I visit Australia. It still feels like home because I have a great group of friends and family there. Every time I return to the U.S., I spend at least two weeks thinking about when and how I’ll move back to Australia. That said, I’m also very grateful for the opportunities and lifestyle I have in the States.
The property market in Australia is the number one deterrent! No surprises there.
What is your advice for Aussie women looking to do what you’ve done? Any tips to make it easier for them?
For any Aussie women considering living abroad, my advice is simple: just do it! There’s really nothing to lose. Even if you give it six months and decide it’s not for you, at least you’ll know.
I’m reminded of when people are asked on their deathbeds if they have any regrets - they often regret the things they didn’t do, not the things they did. I can say, along with many others, that moving abroad has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. If nothing else, it will broaden your view of the world.
If you're lucky, a job transfer is the best option because it means you’ll have a network through work, which is already a huge advantage compared to others.
If that’s not an option, make sure you save enough for six months. If New York has taught me anything, it's to hustle, hustle, hustle! You’ll never get what you want if you don’t ask for it and go after it.
Have any questions for Li-Yuan? Let us know in the comments below!
We’re always interested in hearing more stories about Aussie women living abroad. If you’d like to share your expat journey with us, get in touch.
