stay or go

[suziewozie]

Heaps good

I spent 4 days last week away with work @ Paskeville on the Yorks

 

My hubby was up there too for 4 days and my daughter and I drove up there for the day on Tuesday. A long way but a beautiful place (305 km in one day!) . Its a small world really.

[Guest guest3462]

We have 2 little girls 3 and 2 and we have a wonderful babysitter who our girls love dearly. He is great with them and we trust him totally. We have never had a better social life since we have been here in Adelaide. Our friends are now our family and we have many fantastic nights out (or in) as a family with friends but we also get out on our own quite a bit too. I totally understand your issues with trust, but when you are here, you will understand that the friendship bonds that you make here are far stronger than friendships ever were in the Uk (they are for us anyway!) and that everyone is in a similar boat with regards to family babysitters. I have to agree with Heaps that there is always someone there for you if you need them, though the only aussies I know are my (real) family in Perth!!

Keep smiling and remember that this life is here for the taking........you just have to step up and grab it!

JCxxxxx

[Angela]

Its an emotional roller coaster, migrating.

There are good & bad opinions for staying/leaving & you will always experience highs & lows, that's a fact. Remember why you & your family left the UK & try to embrace what is available around you locally & further afield.

Personally its been harder at times than I ever imagined, building a life, friends, work, financially etc.

We did recently return to the UK for a holiday recently & I loved it, 30+years is a long time to live anywhere BUT I was most certainly glad to come back.

I've never had any doubts about Adelaide SA but I returned happy & definitely appreciated more what was available to us as a family & a lot of it is free, beaches, walks, parks, bbqs.

I wish you well in whatever you decide to do that is best for you & your family - good luck x

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

Heaps good

I spent 4 days last week away with work @ Paskeville on the Yorks

 

My hubby was up there too for 4 days and my daughter and I drove up there for the day on Tuesday. A long way but a beautiful place (305 km in one day!) . Its a small world really.

 

We may have been at the same field day.....

 

HG

[Guest The Pickles]

We've been here 3 months now and I spent most of the first few weeks with tears rolling down my face, sobbing and wondering what the hell we'd done. 3 months on and I've been temping (the elusive permanent job is out there somewhere) and OH is still looking... On a good day, when the sun is shining and our rental property hasn't got something wrong with it (grrrr) we remain positive and I almost love it. When the water is leaking from the shower and into the hallway, when it's pouring with rain and it's cold and we get another job rejection letter, I wonder again why we spent all our savings, left our family and friends and left the UK. Because we're determined to have the life that we've always wanted here and I had fallen out of love with London... I want to spend more time with my little boy and husband, make new friends and to be able to take a wander down to the beach just because we feel like it.

I have to agree with an earlier post that if you're feeling homesick, the last thing that will make you feel better is spending time moaning with fellow Brits... it just brings you down. If I was still unhappy after 3 years, I very much doubt I'd still be here.

I'm not sure if we'll be here in Adelaide or Australia for the rest of our lives but we're going to give it the best damn try to make it work!

I wish you luck.

[Guest smit]

We've been here 3 months now and I spent most of the first few weeks with tears rolling down my face, sobbing and wondering what the hell we'd done. 3 months on and I've been temping (the elusive permanent job is out there somewhere) and OH is still looking... On a good day, when the sun is shining and our rental property hasn't got something wrong with it (grrrr) we remain positive and I almost love it. When the water is leaking from the shower and into the hallway, when it's pouring with rain and it's cold and we get another job rejection letter, I wonder again why we spent all our savings, left our family and friends and left the UK. Because we're determined to have the life that we've always wanted here and I had fallen out of love with London... I want to spend more time with my little boy and husband, make new friends and to be able to take a wander down to the beach just because we feel like it.

 

I have to agree with an earlier post that if you're feeling homesick, the last thing that will make you feel better is spending time moaning with fellow Brits... it just brings you down. If I was still unhappy after 3 years, I very much doubt I'd still be here.

 

I'm not sure if we'll be here in Adelaide or Australia for the rest of our lives but we're going to give it the best damn try to make it work!

 

I wish you luck.

If youve only been here 3 months you obviusly havent seen summer. Adelaide is a different place in summer............................as is anywhere in thw world............enjoy

[Guest smit]

To a lot of those people that whinge about having no life............hey thats what happens when you have kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........things become more difficult....they are your responsibility after all. You will find though, that in oz lots of socializing is done at home...so you can take your kids ............albeit you cant let them run riot and still have to look out for them.......but this means you will still have a life!

[Guest skoobzz]

I chose to stay in Adelaide because it had the least amount of Poms in at at the time. I figured, why come all the way to Australia and surround myself with Brits? That would have defeated the object of coming here! I think that is probably why I found it much easier to settle. My first couple of years were the best years of my entire life. From the moment I got here, I absolutely loved it and within weeks, I felt like I knew half of Adelaide, lol!

 

Of course, normal life stresses always kick in at some point and it has been a roller coaster since then. However, the crappy stuff would have happened in whatever country I was in. I find it really weird that so many Poms make such a huge move to the other side of the world but don't seem to make the effort to get to know the 'locals' once they are here. It's no wonder some of you feel like you are struggling!

 

So, to those of you that don't feel at home here, I really recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting new people. Don't just socialise with other Poms, get out there and integrate! And no excuses.... for every reason you can think of not to do it, I guarantee I can think of 10 reasons why you can and another 10, for how you can!! )

 

And if anyone out there wants to meet another Pom living in the North East, please do give me a holler. I may have an English passport, but I have an Aussie one too and I'm as much an Aussie as I am a Pom (so almost a local)!

 

PS - To The Pickles..... I'm a Womble too....good on ya for making the move out here, Summer is on it's way and I'm sure that perfect job is just around the corner!!! )

[Guest jorose]

I think it is easy for someone to say don't mix with other Poms but not everyone is in a situation to mix with Aussie's. I go to an International college and mix with Asian students of whom I am old enough to be their mother. Additionally I do not speak Cantonese and probably 90% of the English is not good enough to converse with. So for me I don't give a hoot that the only few friends I have are poms. It takes away at least some of the terrible loneliness that I have endured. I too came with the attitude to try and only mix with Aussie's so that the Aussie experience is more authentic. I soon realised that it just was not going to work that way for me and unless I found friends no matter what nationality my mental health would certainly suffer.

[Guest skoobzz]

....I said dont 'just' socialise with other Poms. I didn't say, 'don't' socialise with other Poms. There is a difference

 

I also started out in Adelaide as a mature student at an International college for a year and I was the ONLY person who wasn't Asian. However, I made some good friends (even though their English was pretty bad!) and 9 years later, I am still in touch with some of them.

 

We have all been through some very difficult times and wondered whether we could carry on. I am just suggesting that the wider your circle of friends, the more support you will have and the easier it will be. I really do hope things better for you

[Guest ninaperks]

I can understand both points of view...we have been here 7 months, and had our fair share of ups and downs and a few months ago I really wanted to go home, we had the worst possible start in Oz for us...with the loss of a baby. But...life goes on and we are actually loving it here now! It's starting to feel like home and already has memories, but if we could fly our family out to live here to, it would be even better! Looking forward to our first summer here too!

 

The cravings for Sainsbury's & M&S food and Next clothes subside...lol! You get used to what you have here. But at the end of the day, life is what you make it, and everyone is different...stay or go, just make the most of life.

 

Nina xx

[Guest Lisado]

To a lot of those people that whinge about having no life............hey thats what happens when you have kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........things become more difficult....they are your responsibility after all. You will find though, that in oz lots of socializing is done at home...so you can take your kids ............albeit you cant let them run riot and still have to look out for them.......but this means you will still have a life!

 

love that - kids mean no life - yeps in the UK. Here in Oz we having a ball with the kids - we all have a life now. Some people need to go back - dunno why but they need too. Each to their own

 

c'est la vie

[Guest The Pickles]

If youve only been here 3 months you obviusly havent seen summer. Adelaide is a different place in summer............................as is anywhere in thw world............enjoy

 

Fair enough and yes blue sky and sunshine does make you happier, but sunshine isn't going to pay our bills!

[ozzieclare2be]

I think if you adopt a positive attitude you can do really well here. I went through the homesickness thing and i have to say the first 12 months were terrible. I split with my husband and moved house changed car jobs etc. I even booked my flights back to the uk and handed my notice in at one point but you know what, i think how much of a better life it is here for my lil one and ive turned it all around. Its so bloody easy to be negative if your surrounded by it, youve got to pick yourself up and get on with it. Im now planning on going back to uni to study and im happier than i have been in a long time, its not easy but if i can do it alone with a 3yr old im sure others can

 

And as mylie cyrisy said lol, its the climb!!!

[Guest skoobzz]

I think if you adopt a positive attitude you can do really well here. I went through the homesickness thing and i have to say the first 12 months were terrible. I split with my husband and moved house changed car jobs etc. I even booked my flights back to the uk and handed my notice in at one point but you know what, i think how much of a better life it is here for my lil one and ive turned it all around. Its so bloody easy to be negative if your surrounded by it, youve got to pick yourself up and get on with it. Im now planning on going back to uni to study and im happier than i have been in a long time, its not easy but if i can do it alone with a 3yr old im sure others can

 

And as mylie cyrisy said lol, its the climb!!!

 

Good on you for turning things around!!!!!!!!!! It is most definitely all about attitude and it's awesome to hear that you're looking to the future and feeling good about it. I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope things get better and better for you.

[Guest the4hopes]

Well done Clare you've been amazing!!!

[Guest smit]

Fair enough and yes blue sky and sunshine does make you happier, but sunshine isn't going to pay our bills!

No it isnt......but youre going through the initial satages of emigration......................no one said its easy. It will make things feel better.

If you OH wants a casual job, go to Coles or Woolies warehouses.............as a stock selector, its fairly physical but clean work ,but good money for a casual, loads of hours coming up to christmas. I know coles is always after people, not the best job , but its money. Its based up north, probably 35/40 minute drive at 5ish in the morning. They also strive to have more women in workforce if you have nothing at mo!.( but it is fairly physical as said)

[Guest mercury]

I am happy you are going back. I am leaving soon too. Came here from America. I have noticed major anti-American sentiment with my employers, fellow employees etc. Funny thing, so many Aussies doing well in the states and the Americans do not harass them at work. I think the UK and the US have much better EEO laws. Does this sentiment have something to do with Australia's isolation?

[Guest soggy]

I am happy you are going back. I am leaving soon too. Came here from America. I have noticed major anti-American sentiment with my employers, fellow employees etc. Funny thing, so many Aussies doing well in the states and the Americans do not harass them at work. I think the UK and the US have much better EEO laws. Does this sentiment have something to do with Australia's isolation?

 

Hi,

I don't think Australians have a problem with the Americans in in general.

 

Simon

[Guest mercury]

Well, some of them call Americans "bloody yanks" or "typical yank" at work (to their face). As you may know, name calling is disruptive to the work environment (especially when repeated every day). Now, don't get me wrong, I could call people names too, but I choose the high road. What do you guys think? Is this an overreaction on my part?

[Guest Django]

Well, some of them call Americans "bloody yanks" or "typical yank" at work (to their face). As you may know, name calling is disruptive to the work environment (especially when repeated every day). Now, don't get me wrong, I could call people names too, but I choose the high road. What do you guys think? Is this an overreaction on my part?

 

 

I get called 'bloody pom' all the time at work. You have to learn to give it back. After all you've had to prove your worth and jump through hoops to live here. They have only had to have been born here.

[Guest smit]

Well, some of them call Americans "bloody yanks" or "typical yank" at work (to their face). As you may know, name calling is disruptive to the work environment (especially when repeated every day). Now, don't get me wrong, I could call people names too, but I choose the high road. What do you guys think? Is this an overreaction on my part?

sounds quite normal...............as said above F**** pom, p**** off back you pom etc etc . Most is good natured , but you know some has underlying truths in it!. Learn to take it and give it back.....even if you feel you dont agree. They wont change.................in a hurry:)..................they do get a lot of stick back though from this Ozzie citizen come pom!!!

[Guest marty]

Hi Guys,

 

I am sorry if I am about to repeat anything as I have not read all of the thread, however, I think a hoilday may be in order, once you get back you will soon miss this place and be longing to come back like the poms in the 60's or "to and froms" as they became know, it might be the only way and cost a $ or 2 but it might just be worth it

[Guest ben&sharon]

I am happy you are going back. I am leaving soon too. Came here from America. I have noticed major anti-American sentiment with my employers, fellow employees etc. Funny thing, so many Aussies doing well in the states and the Americans do not harass them at work. I think the UK and the US have much better EEO laws. Does this sentiment have something to do with Australia's isolation?

 

Do you actually mean "in the UK and US no-one says anything to anyone for fear of being sued"?

[Guest ben&sharon]

Well, some of them call Americans "bloody yanks" or "typical yank" at work (to their face). As you may know, name calling is disruptive to the work environment (especially when repeated every day). Now, don't get me wrong, I could call people names too, but I choose the high road. What do you guys think? Is this an overreaction on my part?

 

Mercury, did you not research Australia at all? An open mind and a broad sense of humour is essential. If an Australian can be bothered to tack the piss out of you, take it as a compliment. If they don't like you, they'll just ignore you. The Australian way may not be to everybody's liking, but then neither is spending half the day whooping, high-fiving and shouting "go America!" You emigrated to another country yet you seem to expect it to be "just like back home".

 

Since being here I can't believe the number of locals who have gone out of their way to be helpful to my family and I. We both get called "bloody poms" on regular occasions, both at work and in social situations, but it is not racism. It is a way of showing that they're proud of their country and proud of the fact that people want to live here, while having a bit of a laugh at the same time. I usually find that calling them "criminals" and reminding them that they're **** at cricket moves the conversation on nicely!

 

My advice to you my friend is this: Put on some boardies and some thongs, go for a walk on the beach, sup down some cold ones with some mates at a barbie. If you really can't enjoy yourself here, then head home to "the glorious star spangled banner".

 

Ben