A British sparkie moved to Sydney

When electrician Danny Finnerty went backpacking around Australia he decided it was a place he would love to settle. The weather, the lifestyle and the feel of the place kept on calling, and several years later he found himself on a plane with a visa and a plan to find a job. Now settled in Australia, he is pleased he made the move.

“I found the whole visa process really straightforward. I made an initial decision to go through a migration agency, and that made the whole thing simple. They told me what they needed, I gave it to them, and six months later I had a visa. Electricians were on the Occupations In Demand List, which made it a lot easier. I think using an agency reduced the stress considerably, and I would recommend using one to anyone.

“I got the visa, and then spent a good year saying goodbye to family and friends in the UK before coming out. I was very conscious that I was going to be on the opposite side of the world, so the last goodbyes were important to fit in.

“I was determined to end up in Sydney. It was the best match for this Londoner; anything else would have been too quiet. I wanted a place that never sleeps and has a good vibe. I know a lot of migrants want to go to Perth or Queensland for the beaches, but Sydney still has a great outdoor lifestyle, lovely beaches and a great alfresco life. It doesn't take long to get used to the coffee culture at all the cafes, sitting outside on a warm evening, enjoying time out with mates.

“I am now allowed to apply for Australian citizenship and am really looking forward to becoming a double passport holder. I’ve got a great Australian girlfriend and her family has very much become my family. To be honest, being a single migrant can be pretty tough. You have to rebuild all your support systems and you have no family around. But I do feel very settled now, and feel part of Australia.

“I have a good mix of Australian and British friends. I think you need to keep a mix, but the Australian ones are the ones that give you that settled feeling. The lifestyle is certainly a slower pace and far less stressful. I have to say, one of my favourite parts about living here is catching the ferry into the city. I can hop on, sit outside in the sun and be in the city in 15 minutes. What a way to travel.”