9 Inspiring Blogs of Aussies and Kiwis Living Abroad
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I discovered something rather unexpected when I was researching blogs to include in this list.
I was specifically looking for blogs of Aussie and Kiwi expats who were documenting their lives abroad — what they loved/didn’t love about their new home, the ups and downs, and some tips for others looking to do the same.
And while I found plenty, the vast majority of them hadn’t been updated in years. In fact, the last few posts were usually about how they had moved back to Australia, their expat journey having come to a natural end.
For most of us living abroad, there will inevitably be a time when the pull of going back home is, for whatever reason, simply too strong. (Maybe one day I’ll put together a list of the Aussies who have done just that 😉)
But today, I want to focus on the expats who are going through the same challenges we are, yet still see the positives of living a life abroad.
While some of the blogs are location-specific, all offer advice that will be useful to any Aussie expat — whether that’s how to navigate culture shock, how to retain your sense of identity, or the practicalities of settling into a new life in an unfamiliar place.
So if you want a close look into the lives of other Australians and Kiwis living abroad, let’s check them out.
Migrating Miss
“Whether you’re looking for inspiration to travel or move abroad, or are actually planning your trip, you’ll find something here for you.”
Sonja’s expat journey has taken her from her home in New Zealand to the USA, Canada, Australia, and finally Scotland, with plenty of adventures along the way. While her blog is packed with destination guides on the 40(!) or so countries she’s travelled to, there’s also a ton of advice relevant to anyone who’s made a longer-term move abroad.
These include tips for working as a digital nomad, how to manage money as an expat, and even how to plan a wedding while living abroad. You’ll also find interviews with expats all over the world, which make for a really interesting read, especially if you’d like insight into what it’s like living in specific cities.
Sonja’s blog is comprehensive and is full of useful tips, so I’d definitely recommend checking it out!
A Load off My Mind
“A few years ago I began writing about the difficulties of being an accidental or ‘unwilling expat’ in Sicily, but now my life is about accepting and embracing life in Italy.”
Rochelle Del Borrello is an Italo-Australian writer based in Sicily. Part-travel guide, part-diary, Rochelle’s blog is a deep-dive into the Sicilian way of life, taking us through local traditions, festivals, expressions, and more.
But she also shares her more personal experiences, such as the trials of raising a bilingual child in small-town Italy, how she has built her support network, and some of her inner-most thoughts and feelings. Some articles are based directly on questions she’s been asked by readers, so you’ll also get a lot of expat-specific advice here.
While many of her articles are free to read, you can also get a paid subscription to access all her articles in full. Her writing is honest and gives you an intimate snapshot into her life in Sicily, so I’d really encourage you to do this if you’re enjoying reading it.
Therapy in Barcelona
“I know what it feels like to adapt to a new city and country. I’ve experienced how being an expat makes life messier.“
While not strictly a personal blog, this Barcelona-based therapy practice is run by Aussie psychologist Leigh Matthews, and its blog includes plenty of useful articles to help readers cope with the struggles of expat life. She’s even contributed to a book on exactly that topic.
Leigh moved to Barcelona in 2011 with her Catalan partner (sounds familiar!), where she has spent the last few years establishing her practice and raising her young son.
The Therapy in Barcelona blog is a really insightful read, with articles that really hit the nail on the head when it comes to describing the challenges of expat life — romanticised expectations vs reality, for example, and dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty. It’s definitely one to bookmark and keep coming back to when you need a little guidance to navigate your emotions.
The Tokyo Chapter
“My blog is me sharing my tips, findings and mistakes along the way in order to hopefully help other parents and their kids adjust to life in Japan or just make the best of their Japan holidays.”
After spending an exchange year in Japan at just 16 years old, Melbourne-born Jo MacGregor was hooked. Her love for Japan led to multiple stints there — as she puts it: “My Japanese experience includes life as a poor language student, an executive assistant, a bit of a party girl, a professional interpreter and, now, a stay-at-home Mummy of two smiley little ones.”
Jo’s blog is an excellent resource for anyone looking to move to Tokyo, filled with practical tips that are especially useful for those with children - you’ll find guides on where to find food options for picky eaters, how to access emergency care, and even how she navigates restaurants and public transport with noisy kids (100% relatable 😅). She also talks about some common reservations expats might have about moving there, and how she’s managed to overcome them.
I personally find Jo’s story super inspiring, and it’s a great reminder that with enough perseverance, you can carve out a fulfilling life abroad in even the most unfamiliar of places.
America Josh
“I want to help make the transition from wherever you're from to the US just a little bit easier.”
If you’re an Aussie living in the U.S., you’ll probably already know about this one, but I’m adding it here just in case you don’t, because it’s an absolute must-follow!
The America Josh site is more than a blog. Instead, it’s a resource that includes everything you’ll need to know as an Australian expat in the U.S., including up-to-date visa guides, information on banking/insurance/healthcare, and even worldwide consulate reviews (for when you need to do those visa runs!).
Josh Pugh moved to New York from Adelaide in 2017, and found some pretty good reasons to stay after meeting his wife and having a son. It’s impressive to see the incredible community he’s brought together in that time, organising regular events and meetups to help Aussies all over the U.S. stay connected. He also includes a handy list of existing Aussie groups and communities, and keeps readers updated with all the latest news they need to know.
An Aussie in Austria
“I hope you enjoy my practical-minded tips and hints, tongue-in-cheek musings on the Austria way of life and tales of transition, tantrums and travel.”
If you’ve ever been to Vienna, you’ve probably seen those “No kangaroos in Austria” souvenirs everywhere. They obviously weren’t counting Deb Kaye, the blogger behind An Aussie in Austria (I’m so sorry for not coming up with a better segue than that — give me a few weeks and I’ll come back to this!).
Meeting the love of her life while travelling in Europe led her to make the big move from Melbourne to Austria. Her blog has been going since 2014, and she still posts on it regularly, sharing stories about her life in Austria and her experiences raising a toddler (whose German she sometimes struggles to understand!).
But she also recounts those all-familiar expat struggles, such as not having family around for big milestones, learning a difficult new language, making Aussie references that simply don’t land, and those “sneak attack” moments of homesickness (which she describes with an incredible amount of detail and accuracy).
Hayley on Holiday
“If I can travel the world solo and on a budget, I believe anyone can.”
Hayley Simpson is living the dream. As a travel writer, blogger, and digital nomad originally from Townsville, Hayley’s travels take her all over the world — and she shares her vast knowledge on destinations, entertainment, and tips for solo travel in her super detailed blog (which also features some stunning photography!).
But there are also some great reads here for Aussies making a more long-term move abroad, including Hayley’s experiences with homesickness, how she has made friends, and the benefits of working abroad.
The World on My Necklace
“Most of all I want to show you that it isn’t as hard as you think. You don’t need to be rich. You needn’t be afraid. There is a whole world of experiences out there waiting to be discovered.”
Originally from New Zealand, Katie Chavez’s expat journey has taken her to Sydney, London, Denver, and Vancouver — as well as 69 countries along the way! For the last six years, she’s been a digital nomad, and her site is packed with destination guides, musings, and even tales recounting some of her more epic “fails” (some of which are actually pretty scary!).
While most of her posts are based on her travels, a few cover more emotional topics, including the good, the bad, and the ugly of the nomad life. If you’re interested in seeing the world while working as a digital nomad, this blog is one to bookmark.
Travelling Lens
“The name TravellingLens.co reflects my eagerness to explore and capture life through my eyes, to connect with others and create beautiful images.”
Janice is a photographer and blogger from Perth who has spent the last year living in Texas. Her blog is full of incredible photography from her travels around the U.S., and the international destinations she’s visited over the last few years. She also includes travel guides, itineraries, reviews, and more.
She reflects on expat life in a series of posts, talking about her challenges with getting set up in the U.S., navigating the health system, and being away from her support network.
It’s a fantastic resource for anyone looking to move to the U.S. and use it as an opportunity to explore the country - check it out on the link below.
Final Thoughts
It’s truly inspiring to hear the stories of other Aussies who are living abroad, and reading through their blogs, I felt a huge sense of validation. It’s reassuring to know that so many of us feel the same feelings of homesickness, and go through the same struggles with adapting to their life abroad.
I hope you find these blogs helpful. If you have any others to recommend, please let me know in the comments below.
