One Year in Brisbane
Oct 10th 2006, 5:08 am
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 975
One Year in Brisbane
Hi Everyone,
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Oct 10th 2006, 5:16 am
#2
Rocket Man
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 36
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Great upbeat post.
Oct 10th 2006, 5:36 am
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Thanks for sharing!
Oct 10th 2006, 5:45 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Woop Woop
Posts: 4,808
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Life sounds good - good for you.
Great post
Great post
Oct 10th 2006, 7:55 am
#5
sneaking a peek ...
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide, SA
Posts: 3,320
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Originally Posted by chattyshazza
Hi Everyone,
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
It is great to hear you are getting on so well - don't forget to pop back in now and then and give us further updates!!
Adele
Oct 10th 2006, 8:20 am
#6
Made the move -
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 2,910
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Great to hear things are working out for you..
Heres to the next year
Fee x
Heres to the next year
Fee x
Oct 10th 2006, 8:31 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 141
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Originally Posted by chattyshazza
Hi Everyone,
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Oct 10th 2006, 9:04 am
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Redland Bay
Posts: 2,493
Re: One Year in Brisbane
OMG is it 12 months :scared:
Great post!!
If anyone deserves a good life its you guys...glad to see things have worked out after all you went through
Heres to the next 12 months
Great post!!
If anyone deserves a good life its you guys...glad to see things have worked out after all you went through
Heres to the next 12 months
Oct 10th 2006, 9:10 am
#9
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,918
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Originally Posted by hilary6
OMG is it 12 months :scared:
Great post!!
If anyone deserves a good life its you guys...glad to see things have worked out after all you went through
Heres to the next 12 months
Great post!!
If anyone deserves a good life its you guys...glad to see things have worked out after all you went through
Heres to the next 12 months
Here's to more wonderful years
Oct 10th 2006, 9:12 am
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,635
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Originally Posted by chattyshazza
Hi Everyone,
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Oct 10th 2006, 10:48 am
#11
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,063
Re: One Year in Brisbane
good to hear from you Shazza what a great update, glad to hear things are working out well for you all
Oct 10th 2006, 11:06 am
#12
on the Goldie
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: 4226.au
Posts: 12,364
Re: One Year in Brisbane
sounds absolutely great!!!
so absolutely jealous
so absolutely jealous
Oct 10th 2006, 11:39 am
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 732
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Originally Posted by chattyshazza
Hi Everyone,
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Gosh, well where to start, I haven't been on this site for soooooo long now, I just dont seem to get time anymore, I did however pay my membership fee as a thank you to the owners for all the help I received in the stressful run up to Oz.
Just thought I would like to post an update now that we have been here for just over a year.
We moved here with 2 children, our daughter is 15 and son of 12.
The beginning was pretty stressful as I think it is for anyone, luckily my marriage is a very strong one but I can imagine one that is already a bit rocky suffering a bit in the beginning which has indeed happened to a few on this site.
Our daughter hated it, our son was indifferent and my husband struggled to find suitable work and I missed my family and friends. 12 months on and what a life! our children would not go back for anything and my husband is doing a job that he really enjoys and only has to work 4 days a week and I am also in a job that I enjoy working for a great company and have just cut my hours down to four days a week too, we both figured that we could survive ok only working 4 days each and we did come out here for a better life after all
We are living our dream and the kids are living theirs too, they have their own pool, trampoline, basketball net, dog, play room, rumpus....all the things that we bribed them with before we came
We are living in a lovely area surrounded by trees and amazing wildlife with great neighbours (had a BBQ for us the day we moved in) and fantastic friends.
It wasn't all plain sailing, our daughter was miserable for 2 months until we changed her school, she loves it here now and is a different girl, her confidence has grown so much. She has taken up dancing, loves school and has a great bunch of friends. Our son too has grown to love the Ozzie life style being the active boy that he is and it is music to my ears when both my children say that they wouldn't want to go back to England to live.
I did have miserable days for the first 4-6 months and missed my family and friends back in England terribly, I had met some people here but it just wasn't the same, they were people that I had absolutely nothing in common with other than coming from the UK. I felt that good friendships and all that goes with it was a thing of the past and that this was one sacrifice I was going to have to make but I am happy to say that we now have the most amazing set of friends both Poms and Ozzie's and rarely have a weekend without a barbie, laughter, wine and more laughter
There are very few things that we miss, one of them would have to be football and all that goes with it ie; 5 live, talk sport and MOD, we have Foxtel and still manage to keep up with the premiership but it just isn't the same with the lack of match build up and after match analysis. The other has to be people although I am surprised how easy this has become, saying that, we have been back once already and find that cheap phone cards and email makes it all the easier and the fact that I know the important people all have plans to visit at different times within the next 2 years helps too.
I love my life here, I still pinch myself sometimes when I am driving to work looking at the back drop of mountains, blue skies and parrots flying overhead and I think to myself how lucky we are to be living here.
My advice to anyone that has the opportunity to try it should give it a go, I can see from this site that it doesn't work for everyone but it has certainly worked out for my family, I would also say remember why you wanted to leave in the first place, we had very good reasons for wanting to leave and I have never let go of that which I am sure has made me appreciate every day that little bit more.
Oct 10th 2006, 12:49 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: derbyshire
Posts: 66
Re: One Year in Brisbane
Originally Posted by Louise M
What an inspiring post. I'm on my way to Bris on 25th October with my very unhappy daughter. Hopefully she will too change her mind one day.
Oct 10th 2006, 12:57 pm
#15
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: One Year in Brisbane
That is so good to hear! After the crappy year you had before getting here, it brilliant to know that you have all settled in as well as you have. And fitted in a visit back to the UK as well 