what a strange feeling

[Guest draclee]

Hi all, we are in the process of upping and going to adelaide, we think its going to take around a year, lots to think of and organise etc, no doubt the year will soon go. we have 4 dogs and it has been very hard to decide what to do with the poor buggers. i think in the end we will take 2 of them and make sure that the other 2 have very good homes to go to:sad: its a bummer but at the end of the day we have a 5 month old son and we want a better life for him ( and for us ) as we have never done anything like this before it is a very strange feeling a mixture of go for it, you only live once etc. cant wait to start a new life over there.. be happy people

cheers

chris & nic:o:D

[Guest Messua]

It is a strange feeling and I remember it like it was yesterday! Your baby son will have a better life here, just as I'm sure my three sons have, but a word of advice: take care of yourselves!

 

Eleven years ago we arrived with three little boys (aged 3,5+6). We had no support network to speak of and we had a very difficult few months. We met a few people when the children started school, but it takes years to form real friendships and we missed the support we had in the UK. The boys have asked us about life back in the UK and one in particular, seems destined to return. We've only had 2 visits from family and none from friends in the last 11 years, despite all the promises, mainly because it's so very expensive to travel.

 

This site didn't exist 11-12 years ago, if it had, our life would have been much easier. Use the resources available and come with a completely open mind.

[ian mc]

Totally agree with above post wish there had been a site like this when we arrived.

[Guest guest3462]

Hi, glad you decided to take the plunge!! There is much to do in the next year and time will fly by. You'll be here in no time!! Anyway as others have said, this forum is a gold mine of information and a great starting place to make firm friends before you even arrive.

Wishing you all the best of luck with your plans

JC

[Guest nicandchris]

Hi thanks Julia for your support, you are right there is a lot to do and at the moment i am trying to sort out a removal company that will take the job on of shipping everything over there. we have decided to take 2 dogs at first ( sally and Lacey), and poppy will stay with friends untill we are more settled over there. ideally we would like to live on the outskirts of Adelaide, somewhere where we still have the country feeling without feeling penned in.

I see from your profile that you are a nurse/health visitor, Nicola is a nurse also (RMN) specialising in eating disorders and she has secured a job with the health trust there. Hope to hear from you soon.

cheers

Chris & Nic

[Guest kangomik]

I think a good point was made about support network. Have a good think about this with the little one. You have a few months to get this sorted in your mind, and the effort required.

 

Do you need to bring the dogs? have you looked at the cost and the travel involved?

 

OK the negatives done with, i think the little one will have a much better life, i know mine have a better life here already.

If you want to live in the hills take a look from hewett up north, follow down through one tree hills, and kersbrook, on to Gumeracha and birdswood, Cudlee creek, Lobethal, Stirling, Aldgate, Nairne , Mt barker, Macclesfield, Blackwood, Mclaren flats, Strathablbyn (real country feel) and down onto victor harbour.

 

All not to far in the sticks, but give that real open aussie vastness feeling.

 

The year will fly by, have fun prepare well and good luck with the journey.

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

Hi all, we are in the process of upping and going to adelaide, we think its going to take around a year, lots to think of and organise etc, no doubt the year will soon go. we have 4 dogs and it has been very hard to decide what to do with the poor buggers. i think in the end we will take 2 of them and make sure that the other 2 have very good homes to go to its a bummer but at the end of the day we have a 5 month old son and we want a better life for him ( and for us ) as we have never done anything like this before it is a very strange feeling a mixture of go for it, you only live once etc. cant wait to start a new life over there.. be happy people

cheers

chris & nic

 

hi there...its possibly one of the scariest things we have ever done....but also been one of the best experiences...it really makes you look deep inside yoursleves and tests you out....it tests the family bond.....your relationships etc etc....

Its very dautning thinking crikey were moving to the other side of the world and we wnt know anyone ( that in itself is pretty mad )....but you start by making friends on here building the foundations then meet the guys face face.....they are not a bad bunch tbh...

 

All i can say is when you get here get out and about and meet lots of people make friends....we have some of the best friends in the world over here whom we feel like we have known for years yet it has only been around 2........every one here has been in a similar situation to soemone else on the forum so there is always soemone willing to chat or meet up for coffees or even a few glasses of wine over a bbq....

 

As for the dogs thats your choice....it does cost quite a bit to ship dogs over we have a friend who shipped her dog over....

 

We are all here for you guys as we are for everyone as we dnt want anyone to think that they are on their own...when they are taken out of their comfort zone by 10,000 miles or so....

 

Enjoy your last few months back there....cherish the time woth the onles you love and care about....

 

Hope this helps.....

 

HG

[Guest stufi1997]

Hi Chris and Nic,

 

Make the most of the time you have at home and visit all the tourist places in your doorstep before you get here.... None of us can say if your life or your sons out here will be better, it depends on you, what your expectations are and how adaptable you are, i reckon

 

I miss my family badly sometimes and the familiarity of the place I used to stay but in the grand scheme of things I love living in Australia, I came out here with the mind set that we'd give it at least 2 years and I'm glad we did, we've both had many wobbles in the last 2 years but in the main we are very happy here, like someone else said make the most of spending time with your family I know I got very caught up in the getting there visa rigmarole in the year before, try not to focus too much on the big move til it's here!

 

haha I've just re-read my post...what a drama queen

 

Hope you have a good move, All the best, Fiona

[Guest Sachertorte]

The support family can give you is something to think about- if you are used to relying on it it will be a lot harder (and might make you feel unsettled and homesick) but if you survived without, it will be easier.

The upside is the amazing opportunities for physical and social development here for your son

[Guest nicandchris]

Whilst i am close to my family now ive lived in many countries so they are used to me heading off, however of course now we have a little one i feel sorry that hes not going to live close by to them. They will hopefully visit often and use skype. Chris sees his family only about twice a year so he may see more of them living down under! We are pretty self contained now so should be ok.

[Guest Guest75]

You'll be fine,plenty of nice folk to meet up with.

You will soon make a good circle of friends if you are the least outgoing:cute: