One year on in Newcastle, NSW
Jul 8th 2014, 11:34 am
#1
Happy migrant
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
One year on in Newcastle, NSW
Hi all
We have been here a year now, so thought an update would be in order.
My last one was done 3 weeks after arriving, see here http://britishexpats.com/forum/updat...ks-nsw-804781/
Well, a year in and I'm pretty settled. I love Newcastle! I'm close to the Hunter valley vineyards and go there regularly
I'm close to Port Stephens for whale and dolphin watching, and close to Sydney for the Sydney experience without the cost of living.
What a roller coaster of a year though!
My initial views are still valid for the most part.
The good
My favourite things about Australia are the sky, the bush and the weather.
The sky:
Blue during the day, filled with amazing stars at night. I have seen shooting stars and the Milky Way. Amazing cloud formations - I never get tired of the Aussie sky!
The bush: I love the Australian bush; I think it is beautiful. I love the way the sunlight falls on gum trees, casting a golden glow. I love the lush greenery 12 months per year.
I know it may be different in other states, but NSW is green!
The weather: I've never seen so much sun. When it rains here, it absolutely hammers down. It will hammer down for 2-3 days, making everything green and lush and then the sun comes out for weeks on end.
The people: mostly have been great. I work with people who have a great sense of humour and there are plenty of laughs and giggles. I'm so pleased about this as I was led to believe Aussies didn't have a sense of humour!
Both OH and I have settled in work and are happy. The kids have also settled at school, although this did take a few months.
The bad
I had to return to the UK in a hurry in March. My mum had a heart attack and I returned for 3 weeks.
After the first week, when I realised my mum was going to be ok, I relaxed and enjoyed being back.
I didn't like the weather, even though it was reasonably good for the time of year. I just didn't like the grey skies. However; it all felt very familiar and it was great to see family and friends.
I enjoyed being back but I didn't yearn to move back and was happy to return to Aus to be with my OH and kids. I felt slightly unsettled when I returned but it was more that the excitement had worn off, rather than feeling that I wanted to move back to the UK.
The ugly
The graffiti doesn't bother me much now - I hardly see it. There's still a lot more than the UK though. I don't know why? Is it easier to buy spray as a teenager / kid?
Overweight people - huge obesity problem here in the Hunter region.
Overall
I think I'm lucky!
We have settled well but still love our home country. We miss people but don't get excessively homesick, although of course we have our moments.
I've met other expats who are either so homesick they can't enjoy life here, or who slag off the UK.
I feel blessed to love both countries and to be able to see good and bad in both.
For now, Australia suits me and my family
We have been here a year now, so thought an update would be in order.
My last one was done 3 weeks after arriving, see here http://britishexpats.com/forum/updat...ks-nsw-804781/
Well, a year in and I'm pretty settled. I love Newcastle! I'm close to the Hunter valley vineyards and go there regularly
I'm close to Port Stephens for whale and dolphin watching, and close to Sydney for the Sydney experience without the cost of living.
What a roller coaster of a year though!
My initial views are still valid for the most part.
The good
My favourite things about Australia are the sky, the bush and the weather.
The sky:
Blue during the day, filled with amazing stars at night. I have seen shooting stars and the Milky Way. Amazing cloud formations - I never get tired of the Aussie sky!
The bush: I love the Australian bush; I think it is beautiful. I love the way the sunlight falls on gum trees, casting a golden glow. I love the lush greenery 12 months per year.
I know it may be different in other states, but NSW is green!
The weather: I've never seen so much sun. When it rains here, it absolutely hammers down. It will hammer down for 2-3 days, making everything green and lush and then the sun comes out for weeks on end.
The people: mostly have been great. I work with people who have a great sense of humour and there are plenty of laughs and giggles. I'm so pleased about this as I was led to believe Aussies didn't have a sense of humour!
Both OH and I have settled in work and are happy. The kids have also settled at school, although this did take a few months.
The bad
I had to return to the UK in a hurry in March. My mum had a heart attack and I returned for 3 weeks.
After the first week, when I realised my mum was going to be ok, I relaxed and enjoyed being back.
I didn't like the weather, even though it was reasonably good for the time of year. I just didn't like the grey skies. However; it all felt very familiar and it was great to see family and friends.
I enjoyed being back but I didn't yearn to move back and was happy to return to Aus to be with my OH and kids. I felt slightly unsettled when I returned but it was more that the excitement had worn off, rather than feeling that I wanted to move back to the UK.
The ugly
The graffiti doesn't bother me much now - I hardly see it. There's still a lot more than the UK though. I don't know why? Is it easier to buy spray as a teenager / kid?
Overweight people - huge obesity problem here in the Hunter region.
Overall
I think I'm lucky!
We have settled well but still love our home country. We miss people but don't get excessively homesick, although of course we have our moments.
I've met other expats who are either so homesick they can't enjoy life here, or who slag off the UK.
I feel blessed to love both countries and to be able to see good and bad in both.
For now, Australia suits me and my family
Last edited by Kapri; Jul 8th 2014 at 11:51 am.
Jul 8th 2014, 11:40 am
#2
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: One year on in Newcastle, NSW
Really pleased that after all you've gone through to finally get here that you're settled and happy. Good luck for the next xx years.
Jul 8th 2014, 3:41 pm
#3
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,138
Re: One year on in Newcastle, NSW
Lovely update Kapri and I'm glad you're enjoying Oz.
I'd love to see the Hunter Valley, lived in Autralia all my life but haven't made it there yet. I know what you mean about the bush, I love it best on crisp winter days with a billy boiling over an open fire (fire regs permitting, of course).
You seem to have achieved such a good balance in how you feel about your 'old' and 'new homes. Wishing you continued happiness.
I'd love to see the Hunter Valley, lived in Autralia all my life but haven't made it there yet. I know what you mean about the bush, I love it best on crisp winter days with a billy boiling over an open fire (fire regs permitting, of course).
You seem to have achieved such a good balance in how you feel about your 'old' and 'new homes. Wishing you continued happiness.
Jul 10th 2014, 8:18 am
#4
Waiting to be a grown-up
Joined: May 2010
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 4,695
Re: One year on in Newcastle, NSW
Great update Kapri. Can't believe it's been a year already
Jul 10th 2014, 11:35 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,695
Re: One year on in Newcastle, NSW
Good honest update there Kapri.
Hope you all continue to be happy and settled.
Glad the kids settled into school eventually. I think to us mums that's one of our biggest fears of the move.
Hope you all continue to be happy and settled.
Glad the kids settled into school eventually. I think to us mums that's one of our biggest fears of the move.
Jul 13th 2014, 3:26 am
#6
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: One year on in Newcastle, NSW
That year went by phenomenally quickly! So glad to hear you are settled.
BB
BB
Sep 14th 2014, 2:53 pm
#7
Up Around the Bend
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Serenity
Posts: 5,292
Re: One year on in Newcastle, NSW
Hi all
We have been here a year now, so thought an update would be in order.
My last one was done 3 weeks after arriving, see here http://britishexpats.com/forum/updat...ks-nsw-804781/
Well, a year in and I'm pretty settled. I love Newcastle! I'm close to the Hunter valley vineyards and go there regularly
I'm close to Port Stephens for whale and dolphin watching, and close to Sydney for the Sydney experience without the cost of living.
What a roller coaster of a year though!
My initial views are still valid for the most part.
The good
My favourite things about Australia are the sky, the bush and the weather.
The sky:
Blue during the day, filled with amazing stars at night. I have seen shooting stars and the Milky Way. Amazing cloud formations - I never get tired of the Aussie sky!
The bush: I love the Australian bush; I think it is beautiful. I love the way the sunlight falls on gum trees, casting a golden glow. I love the lush greenery 12 months per year.
I know it may be different in other states, but NSW is green!
The weather: I've never seen so much sun. When it rains here, it absolutely hammers down. It will hammer down for 2-3 days, making everything green and lush and then the sun comes out for weeks on end.
The people: mostly have been great. I work with people who have a great sense of humour and there are plenty of laughs and giggles. I'm so pleased about this as I was led to believe Aussies didn't have a sense of humour!
Both OH and I have settled in work and are happy. The kids have also settled at school, although this did take a few months.
The bad
I had to return to the UK in a hurry in March. My mum had a heart attack and I returned for 3 weeks.
After the first week, when I realised my mum was going to be ok, I relaxed and enjoyed being back.
I didn't like the weather, even though it was reasonably good for the time of year. I just didn't like the grey skies. However; it all felt very familiar and it was great to see family and friends.
I enjoyed being back but I didn't yearn to move back and was happy to return to Aus to be with my OH and kids. I felt slightly unsettled when I returned but it was more that the excitement had worn off, rather than feeling that I wanted to move back to the UK.
The ugly
The graffiti doesn't bother me much now - I hardly see it. There's still a lot more than the UK though. I don't know why? Is it easier to buy spray as a teenager / kid?
Overweight people - huge obesity problem here in the Hunter region.
Overall
I think I'm lucky!
We have settled well but still love our home country. We miss people but don't get excessively homesick, although of course we have our moments.
I've met other expats who are either so homesick they can't enjoy life here, or who slag off the UK.
I feel blessed to love both countries and to be able to see good and bad in both.
For now, Australia suits me and my family
We have been here a year now, so thought an update would be in order.
My last one was done 3 weeks after arriving, see here http://britishexpats.com/forum/updat...ks-nsw-804781/
Well, a year in and I'm pretty settled. I love Newcastle! I'm close to the Hunter valley vineyards and go there regularly
I'm close to Port Stephens for whale and dolphin watching, and close to Sydney for the Sydney experience without the cost of living.
What a roller coaster of a year though!
My initial views are still valid for the most part.
The good
My favourite things about Australia are the sky, the bush and the weather.
The sky:
Blue during the day, filled with amazing stars at night. I have seen shooting stars and the Milky Way. Amazing cloud formations - I never get tired of the Aussie sky!
The bush: I love the Australian bush; I think it is beautiful. I love the way the sunlight falls on gum trees, casting a golden glow. I love the lush greenery 12 months per year.
I know it may be different in other states, but NSW is green!
The weather: I've never seen so much sun. When it rains here, it absolutely hammers down. It will hammer down for 2-3 days, making everything green and lush and then the sun comes out for weeks on end.
The people: mostly have been great. I work with people who have a great sense of humour and there are plenty of laughs and giggles. I'm so pleased about this as I was led to believe Aussies didn't have a sense of humour!
Both OH and I have settled in work and are happy. The kids have also settled at school, although this did take a few months.
The bad
I had to return to the UK in a hurry in March. My mum had a heart attack and I returned for 3 weeks.
After the first week, when I realised my mum was going to be ok, I relaxed and enjoyed being back.
I didn't like the weather, even though it was reasonably good for the time of year. I just didn't like the grey skies. However; it all felt very familiar and it was great to see family and friends.
I enjoyed being back but I didn't yearn to move back and was happy to return to Aus to be with my OH and kids. I felt slightly unsettled when I returned but it was more that the excitement had worn off, rather than feeling that I wanted to move back to the UK.
The ugly
The graffiti doesn't bother me much now - I hardly see it. There's still a lot more than the UK though. I don't know why? Is it easier to buy spray as a teenager / kid?
Overweight people - huge obesity problem here in the Hunter region.
Overall
I think I'm lucky!
We have settled well but still love our home country. We miss people but don't get excessively homesick, although of course we have our moments.
I've met other expats who are either so homesick they can't enjoy life here, or who slag off the UK.
I feel blessed to love both countries and to be able to see good and bad in both.
For now, Australia suits me and my family
Hey KP x
I pop back in to BE every now and again and it's great to see that you made it out in the end and have such a positive balanced update xxx
Sep 15th 2014, 8:18 am
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
Re: One year on in Newcastle, NSW
How on earth did I miss this post?? Happy belated Aussieversary- glad you are enjoying life here.
Sep 20th 2014, 12:45 am
#9
Happy migrant
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
Re: One year on in Newcastle, NSW
Thanks guys!
We are now permanent residents, which helps us to feel even more settled
We are now permanent residents, which helps us to feel even more settled
