!8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Ive already done an intro on the barbie one as absolutely no idea where i should post!!

Im jude & live in Strathpine near brisbane. i emigrated here 18 mths ago from Gloucester ( im actally welsh though!) with my hubs simon, duagher megy 2 & Stepson Karl 11

Im still struggling to settle as i miss my friends & family very badly & find people her are a bit odd about friendships

m looking to meet new friends & start having some fun!!:D

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

By time you have reached 24-36 months you will feel much better, trust me.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

what do you mean they are a little bit odd about friendships???

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

I understand megansmummy !!! you do met many people but not everyone is your cup of tea !! if you know what i mean.... i met some strange people when i first emigrated but if you hang in their you will meet girls who are your sort. :thumbsup:

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

As LOL said they are a little strange. Cant explain it but they dont really want to be bothered as much as us brits. I dont think they are as loyal & cos they are so laid back its hard to plan things too!!

Im just speaking from experience though, you may have more luck!

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

will be more aware though now though, so thank you. x

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

We've been here only a few months, have joined the Brisbane British Club (BBC), fairly new group, have been to one of the meet ups last month which was a bit of a laugh and have made some friends through there. Theres a meet up this sunday at the Pig & Whistle at around 12 if you fancy coming along. http://brit.meetup.com/246/

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

we are heading to the mooloolaba area, we arrived in perth and i had been here 8 wks hubby had started work and kids had gone to school, i was so lonely and bored and was really missing my friend. There was a british expats ladies coffee met and i decided to go.. now its not something i would of done in the uk but i had no need to. it was the best thing i did i found a bunch of girls and we have been friends ever since and my time in perth got better them them on. Does anyone know if there is a ladies met for megansmummy ?? please pm and let her know.:thumbsup:

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Is there a ladies coffee meet in your area ?? if not you should start on up ?? would anyone be interested ??

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

lol - we will be in the area at the end of june and I would be interested in a coffee morning. A bit of a way off yet, but just to put my hand up this really.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

So do you find them shallow ?

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Yes, everyone in Australia is shallow.....:blink:

What do people mean when they say "them"? Do you mean the whole of Australia? Or just the few people you have met.

It's easy to blame a country or the people that live in that country when things don't go the way you've planned. But ask yourself the question if the same thing happened in the UK - would you say, "oh, it's because they're British". Personality overrules nationality if you ask me. I can't see how you can lump in 20 million people together.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Hi Megansmummy. We have been in Brisbane about 20 months (Antney, Lisa and daughter Phoebe). Lisa has made many friends since arriving here and a large number have come from playgroups and activities that Phoebe attends. Her circle of friends is a good mix of Aussies, Brits & Kiwi's and they are always meeting up for coffee & shopping.

Send her a PM if you be interested in coming along to one of these meet ups.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Keep trying Megans mummy, I'm sure you'll click with some people eventually. I've been very lucky in that I've fallen in with a bunch of mum's at my girls school at they are just on my wavelength. I had 7 of them round at my new house this morning and they bought champagne to celebrate the fact that we've bought our first aussie home. They are mainly aussies, a south African and a brit. Anyone moving to the Adelaide hills is welcome to come along to our coffee mornings on a Friday.....

Lou
xx

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Hi Megansmummy,
Where about are you from in Wales (as you said that you are Welsh) I'm from Wales also.
We have been out here 3years now, all i can say that it will get easier for you to meet people & what with the Welsh being chatter boxes they will warm to you, I have found that they can be quite curious and are not afraid to ask straight out your bussniess.
If you want keep intouch with a fellow Welsh person feel free, i will be happy to converse:)
All the best Welshlass. ps. i'm normarly on the Britvic site.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

A few of us meet up in the mooloolaba/maroochydore/coolum areas - vary the location each time. Anyone is welcome to join us with ot without kids- pm me.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Thanks antney. I will PM you later about this & thanks everyone else for advice

As in answer to the shallow bit, yes so far the people ive met are shallow & not loyal. Im not banding everyone the same & can only go on my experiences unfortunately

Of course ive had bad luck with friend choices in the Uk but its ok there as your surrounded bt family etc. I dont have that option here so it makes me all the more wary about future friendships. I do have one couple who we are friendly with & they are great but they are very different to me socially so its not easy getting together with them as id like

Im happy to have found this site as i never realised just how many people there were from the UK in my area & also how many felt similar to me.

As ive said though, i wont stop trying yet. Im a fighter & dont give in at the first hurdle!!:D

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Oooh thanks for that lisa.i love the pig & whistle. I will se what my hubs says as we are short on cash till 2 weeks time

Is it for familes or just couples???

Judex

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

'

Your right the welsh are chatterboxes. i know i am:D!! Im a very sociable gal which is prob why i found all thsi hard so far!

Im from abergavenny in gwent. Where are you from??

Where are you in Oz???

Judex

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

PS can i ask where people are viewing this post as i put it in the update one & its saying its moved so unless i specifically scroll down the page on the update onei cant tell wehn someone new has posted

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

You need to meet up with more Aussies, not more Poms. Go to some Pom meetings to have a whinge but what you need to do is get involved in your community.

Most 'new' adult friendships are formed through your kids. You'll probably never meet the parents of your 11 yr old's mates so concentrate on the little un. Most friendships are formed from playgroup/school and this goes for not just kids but the parents.

Get into a playgroup or something and then YOU organise playing in the park, afternoon tea at your house, trip to Southbank, BBQ at your place etc. Nothing that 'mums' like more in Oz than a chance for a glass of "champagne".

Then invite any other newbies into you ever growing circle. By time you are going to kindy/preschool/school you wil lbe known as the fun socially oriented interesting Welsh woman. Trust me.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

hang on in there!! we have been here over a year and yes i agree some people are strange, and some people we have met who we thought were friends are not and they are the english ones!!!
but relationships - whatever their shape or form, take time to blossom, all relationships have their ups and downs we cant expect to become best friends with someone after such a short time, enjoy australia its a wonderful country with lots of wonderful people, and believe me the friends will come along in good time!!
for the record i live near strathpine also so if you want to meet at the shopping centre for a coffee or something just post a thread and we will sort something out, theres nothing worse than feeling homesick and lonely when there is support out there
good luck
regards
vb2

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Hi

Its for both families and couples. There was a mixture of all age groups and some were couples with no kids and some people brought their kids along last time too. Might see you there!!

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Ive joined 2 playgroups already. The 1st one wasnt very good. The 2nd was ok & i made a couple of mates, in fact one bedcame a very good one till she formed an emotional attachment to my hubby. I tried numerous tmes to sort get togeethers but never had much interest back so in the end i gave up . I then left due to what happened with the other friend

I plan to find another playgroup again asap but im now weary as you can imagine after 2 failed attempts

Jude

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Thanks for that. Whats your right name & whereabouts are you??? Id love to meet up one day. Do you have children if what age are they??

I know friendships take time. Most of my best mates at home took a long time but due to the bad experiences so far im understandably weary of making friends. Ive lost a lot of trust which is sad as im a sociable person who is also a good friend to the ones i make. I will keep trying though as ive said b4:D


Judexx

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Hi lisa

Ive just chatted to hubs & unfortunately due to finances we cant make it which is a huge shame as would love to have come. Let me know when the next one is though please

Judex

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

hi again my name is nikki (i have been on the forum since i started the whole visa process back in 04!! so i am an oldie lol)!!!
just pm me, i am working part time at the moment but always enjoy the chance for coffee and a natter lol!!
i have a son aged 14 and a hubby!!
regards
vb2

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Gee Whizz VB!! Hows it goin???????????? thought you had dropped off the planet. haha

Alison - would love to come to one of your dooo's. cant wait to get over

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

hey guys all bloody good here !!!! love oz love life all great!!
hope all is well with you guys!!!
regards
vb2

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Hi Lisa and Lance,
Just wondering which Pig 'n' Whistle you are meeting at as I fancy coming along for a couple of scoops...;)

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

i think they mean the one on queen st mall but i could be wrong

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

thought there was one down on eagle street pier too

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Hi,

Sounds like it's the one by eagle street pier...

Cheers

Ginny

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

It's the one on Eagle Street, sorry for late response, only just seen your posts.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Don't want to advertise or anything but my wife has just started work at Capers in Buderim which is a great little coffee shop close to Mountain Creek, Mooloolaba Etc. Maybe the ladies could organize a monthly meet up for coffee and a chat? I'm sure the missus could get a small discount and she'd love to meet up with others as well

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

OOO even better for me to pop along too when we land, we are going to MC.

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Not long until you arrive now then? Plenty of rain here at the moment (over the weekend) but it looks nice and sunny today.

There seems to be a meetup every 2 months or so, the last one was at the Kawana Hotel in the evening time. Maybe for those with younger kids a daytime meet would be better?

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Whereabouts in buderim? I am sure can arrange something with the girls sometime

Re: !8 mths of being in Oz!!
 

Hi Jude

I am living in Cashmere - been in Brissie 7 years and was in Sydney 3 years before that. I met most of my friends in Sydney at school/playgroup. Found most Aussies very friendly and interested although I did find I had to go to EVERYTHING I was invited to to keep potential friendships going. (After a while your novelty factor runs out!) Made some really good Aussie, Irish, Austrian, Japanese and American friends. Moved up to Brissie, made most friends through building new house at same time as others. Most of friends here are in fact expats - missed pommy sense of humour and OH kept upsetting people with his dry wit, but still have some excellent Aussie friends and also some South African expats (always got something in common with expats).

I could have quite easily gone home any time during first 2 years, but promised myself I would give it a fair go. Now I couldn't contemplate going back even though I still love England.

Stay strong - you'll be pleased you did. If you want to meet up send me a PM.