An Essex lad has ditched the UK for a land of sunshine, higher salaries and cheaper properties. While the UK may currently be enjoying a spot of good weather, salaries remain stagnant and house prices are as unreachable for many as ever – and Ben, 30, from Epping, has explained why he’s set off to the other side of the world.

Ben is one of the roughly 35,000 Brits who make the day-long plane journey to Australia every year to start a new life.

In fact, with inflation soaring across the UK and many Brits having to opt for beach staycations this year, that number is now even higher. The government of Western Australia announced it was expecting 50,0000 Brits to make the move this year.

Ben first travelled Down Under to play cricket in 2015. After falling in love with both the lifestyle and a woman he met in Victoria, he ended up making the move permanent.

He now says the “cheaper” property is a huge bonus of living on the other side of the world, at a time when many Brits of the same age are completely priced out of the housing market.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Ben explained: “I first came to Australia in October 2015 to play cricket for Maffra for six months. I decided to stay as I met my now wife and loved the lifestyle Australia could offer.

“It was so relaxed and friendly and I loved the people I met in Country Victoria. Everyone I have come across have been extremely friendly and welcoming.

“Apart from being called Pom every now and then and poking fun at my accent, everyone was lovely! The property market is a lot cheaper in Australia.”

While many Brits who are Ben’s age are forking out thousands a month for rent while only dreaming of being able to afford the tiniest home, the globe-trotting Brit hasn’t just got his own place – he built it himself.

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He said: “Comparing where I live now to what I could get where I was from in the UK is miles apart. We actually built our house which tells you how much space there is in Australia, especially in Country Victoria where we currently live.”

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing – while he’s not missing the British economy, he is missing some of the culture.

Ben said: “One of the biggest culture shocks was the amount of people walking around with no shoes on! Another was how cold everyone likes their beers, there wasn’t a pint of Bitter in sight anywhere.

“Also, having warm weather on Christmas Day is something I still can’t get used to but would take it over snow any day!”

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He added: “There is nothing I really dislike about the lifestyle there are some aspects of UK culture that I do miss. A traditional English pub is something I often crave and a real Sunday Roast dinner too!”

The Brit said that while his family were “very shocked at first”, they now “completely understand”, adding that he has found “the work-life balance to be much better in Australia.”

While Ben earns a good fifth more working in Australia other roles can pay as much as double for the same work. The average weekly earnings in Australia is $1,807 AUD, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics – that’s £956 a week or £3,824 a month.

In the UK, the average weekly earnings are estimated at £638 according to the Office for National Statistics. So, in Australia the average worker is making an extra £1,272 a month.

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