Australian couple spark uproar after revealing the five reasons they've decided to leave the country for good
Content creators Molly and Brent Orwell, along with their two kids, announced their move from Queensland to a secret overseas location to over 100,000 of their followers on Tuesday.
'We're leaving Australia for good. Not for a holiday. Not for a break. Not for a visa run. We're done,' they wrote.
'We've sat with this decision for years and we finally made the call.
'Australia will always be home but it's no longer where we're meant to grow or raise our kids.'
The couple and their two children will pack up in eight weeks and cited five main reasons they no longer want to live Down Under.
'We're done with sky-high taxes, insane cost of living, tall poppy syndrome, a system shaping our kids in ways we didn't choose and shrinking opportunity for entrepreneurs,' they said.
'You realise you can either stay silent and conform… or do what's best and make a move.'
The couple don't face the same obstacles many expats do when moving overseas as their business is online-based.
The Orwells sell online courses on 'high-ticket affiliate marketing, how to build a personal brand on social media and promote premium digital products'.
While they wouldn't share exactly where they were headed, the Queenslanders listed a series of perks they're expecting.
'Beachfront living, 350+ days of sunshine, global education, organic food year-round, more time with our kids, a wellness-based lifestyle and a community that actually gets it,' they said.
Many commenters believed the family would be heading to Bali, Thailand or another popular destination in Southeast Asia.
However, the couple ruled those areas out.
Others suspected the family's recent trip to Mexico and the US could have been a secret house-hunting tour.
'My guess is Cabo,' one wrote.
'I say Mexico or Portugal,' another said.
While the couple's videos typically focus on their family life, they shared several posts related to their tour of North America in June.
In particular, they highlighted their 'love' for Cabo San Lucas, on Mexico's west coast.
The announcement left the couple's large following divided, with many refuting the couple's critiques of Australia while others applauded their decision.
Many pointed out Australia's safety, healthcare and education systems were second to none.
'Cost of living is not bad, tax rates are fine if you're smart enough. I have travelled all over and prefer a lot of places compared to Australia but when it comes to our health care, schooling, and overall safety not many compare to us,' one wrote.
'You pretty much just described Australia (in the list of perks of their new location),' another said.
'White privileged family moving to a poor, hence cheaper country… International school, maid, gated communities… what's wrong with their public schools! Do you speak the language or are planning to live with the Australian expat community!!' wrote another.
'Personally I think you'll find out pretty quickly that the issues you highlighted are largely global issues and comparatively we are a very, very lucky country and our citizens are pretty spoiled here. But hey, you don't realise how lucky you are til you don't have it,' one commented.
'They will be back,' said another bluntly.
Others commended the move.
'Will be watching to see where you land! My family is living the expat life and never looked back from leaving Australia,' one said.
'Don't blame you. Australia isn't the country I grew up in. The violence and crime in Melbourne is insane,' another chimed in.
'Can you take me with you I hate this place too,' another comment read.
The Orwells said their kids had a spot at an international school already, and the family would be selling their house and all their belongings.
'We're not chasing normal,' the couple said.
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