Australia 2025: A Quiet Test for Home

My wife and I travelled to Australia with a quiet question in our hearts: Could we live here someday?

We’ve journeyed across continents, always searching for a place that could feel like home. Somewhere we could put down roots, at least for a while.

On paper, Australia checked many of my must-haves: cooler weather, a high-trust society, easy access to both city and nature, English-speaking. But I didn’t expect how much this trip would reflect a transition happening inside me.

Work was winding down.

MidFunnel, a journey I had poured years into, was slowly and quietly coming to an end. While I was in Melbourne, we were working to close a bridge round for the company. It almost happened. But at the last moment, it didn’t. That unraveling hit deeper than I expected.

Still, there were anchors.

I finally met my friend Pete, someone I had only known online until now. It was one of those rare, grounding conversations that remind you who you’ve been across time. We talked about life, change, and what’s next. I’m grateful for that.

We also started cooking again. It was the first time in about four years. After living on the road and eating out nearly every day, it felt radical to chop garlic, fry eggs, and prepare simple meals at home. Australia’s produce made it easy to fall back in love with food. And after getting our blood work done, which was a bit alarming, this shift wasn’t just welcome. It was necessary.

We took short trips too. Mornington Peninsula had crisp air, and Torquay had that easy beach-town charm. We stayed at our friend Paz’s house, which had a view of the ocean from the balcony. She took us around and showed us what Australian beach life is really about. I’d highly recommend a visit.

Sydney was more of a blur. We stayed in Randwick, close to the beach, but the weather was unpredictable. Work consumed every bit of energy I had left. In the month and a half I spent there, I felt more like a ghost of myself. There was no space to just be.

That’s why I know I need to return. Not for work, but to actually feel the place. To settle into its rhythm and pace without the pressure of survival mode.

Even though I was exhausted, I could still sense it. Australia is somewhere I could live.

I also realized that if I had been anywhere else during this difficult time, I might not have had the calm or clarity to stay grounded.

But first, I’ve promised myself two months to focus inward.

Prioritize the gym, stick to my habits, read more. Get my nervous system regulated and ready for whatever comes next. Let life reorient itself without trying to force clarity.

Next stop: two weeks in Malaysia. Our familiar landing pad for re-entering Asia. Our digital nomad visa for Malaysia runs out at the end of May, so we decided to spend a little more time here before it does.

Looking forward to Nasi Lemak mornings, seeing old friends, and letting my nervous system settle.

More soon.