Martijn & Sanne(38)

Sanne and I lived in Amsterdam-Oost with our two children. A 75-square-meter upper floor apartment, a tiny balcony and rent of EUR 2,200 per month. The kids had no garden, schools were overcrowded and every day was a logistical puzzle. When Martijn was offered a secondment in Melbourne through his employer, we didn't have to think long.

The visa was arranged by Martijn's employer — a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage), later converted to a 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) for permanent residency. The family came along on a secondary applicant visa. The costs were significant — around AUD 8,000 in visa fees alone — but the employer covered the bulk of it.

We deliberately chose a suburb: Glen Waverley, in Melbourne's southeast. A detached house with four bedrooms, a large garden and a trampoline. Rent is AUD 650 per week — more than we paid in Amsterdam, but we got three times the space in return.

The Australian school system was a revelation. The children attend a state school which is free for PR holders. Small classes, lots of attention to sports and creativity, and a relaxed atmosphere. Lotte, our eldest, joined the school cricket team within a month. In Amsterdam she barely had space to play outside.

What we underestimated: the distance to the Netherlands. A 22-hour flight is no joke when your parents get ill or you miss a wedding. We video call a lot and try to fly back once a year. The children miss grandma and grandpa, and that remains difficult — to be honest.

Still, we have no regrets. Melbourne is a fantastic city for families. The parks, the beaches, the multicultural cuisine — and above all the feeling that your children can safely play outside. We've now received our PR and are considering applying for Australian citizenship.