We recently spoke with a senior data professional with over 15 years of experience across banking, asset management, and trading. He agreed to talk candidly about his move from London to Sydney: what drove the decision, how he prepared, and what he only discovered once he arrived.
It wasn’t a small undertaking. He needed to account for a stretch on a single income and the task of finding somewhere to live in one of the world’s most competitive rental markets. Over the next few sections, he covers why Sydney felt right, what the interview process was like, the practical costs he had to get right, what surprised him after arriving, and the employer support that made it manageable. He’s honest about both the appeal and the cost.
Why Sydney felt right
Living in Australia had been a long-term goal for years. He first came across the trading firm through an earlier interview process in Europe. That role didn’t work out, but the company stayed in touch, and after more than a decade in the industry and four years in his last position, he felt ready for another international move.
“For me, it has always been a lifelong dream to live in Australia,” he said. “Having spoken to the company over a few months, I realised I was ready for a new challenge, both at work and through relocating to another country.” When the opportunity came back around, the decision was straightforward. “It all aligned really well for me. I got a really good feel from the company, and it was not a particularly difficult decision.”
The interview that worked both ways
Meeting the Sydney team in person confirmed an impression the wider process had already created. What he noticed most was that it didn’t feel one-sided. He was expected to demonstrate why he was right for the firm, but the firm was also making its own case to him.
“In other jobs, you have to convince them why they should hire you. Here, they were also convincing me why I should join them.”
The things you cannot get wrong
His main practical advice was to research what can’t be wrong before committing to the move. That meant understanding his likely take-home income, realistic housing costs, a period on a single income, visa arrangements, ongoing financial commitments in Europe, and the cost of shipping and relocating.
“Make sure you do all of your research as soon as you can about the things you cannot get wrong,” he said. “You need to figure out how much take-home pay you need to cover your personal and family expenses.” The overall cost caught him off guard. “The number might look big, but the costs involved with moving are massive.”
What was easier, and what was harder
Before moving, he tried to plan every detail. Once he arrived, he found that a lot of the everyday logistics could be handled fairly easily in Sydney, and that not everything needed solving in advance.
“I spent a lot of time before I moved trying to figure out every last detail. I realised that you can just figure some things out when you get here.” He put it simply: “You have to accept that everything is new. Every day is a new learning experience.”
The employer support that mattered
The support he found most useful was practical: calls before he joined, guidance on his visa, and access to a relocation agent. The agent helped him secure accommodation almost immediately, which removed a significant amount of stress given how competitive property viewings can be in Sydney.
“They were really helpful with the calls before I joined and with visa advice,” he said. “They set me up with a relocation agent who found me a home on day one.”
His advice to other candidates
His advice to anyone considering a similar move was to research the destination and household costs thoroughly, ask detailed questions, and establish exactly what the employer will and won’t cover before agreeing terms.
“Challenge your employer about everything before you agree terms,” he said. “You want to be sure that you know who is responsible for each part before you have committed.” His wider point was to look past the headline package and understand the real monthly and practical implications of the move.
Is it worth it?
For him, the move was worth it. But the decision wasn’t based on the salary or the location alone. It came down to confidence in the firm, clarity around the move, and knowing what he would be taking on before he said yes.
That last part matters. Relocation policies aren’t the same from one company to another. What one employer considers standard, another may not cover at all. So before accepting an international role, it is worth getting clear on the practical details: who is responsible for what, what the company will cover, and where there may be room to discuss the package.
This is also where having someone who understands the nuances of international moves can make a difference. At Sartre Group, cross-border moves are a significant part of what we do. We see firsthand that a successful relocation is about more than getting someone from one country to another. It is about making sure both sides understand what the move involves.
The offer is only one part of the decision. The move itself is another.
If you were making the same move tomorrow, what is the one thing you’d want complete clarity on before you said yes?
