Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

come on everyone, need stimulation and info. BH sitting downstairs feeling that the world has come to an end, need yous lot to say that the best bits are on there way!

i'm trying constantly to say that all is well and not to worry! will bend over backwards to make BH smile! BH comes round for 10, then worries! is this normal?

P

Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

The wife here... :)

Just had to reply to this one. The process of immigration is one of the most stressful things you will ever do I think. For us there were as many up days as there were down days. All the thoughts of "are we doing the right thing?" cannot be answered until you actually do it.

Letting go of those family members and dear friends is incredibly hard but we do have phones out here in Oz and I give ours a damn good bashing!! :D

We have met some great people since being here, obviously you cannot re-create those close friendships from the UK overnight, it'll take time and hard work. As for the homesickness, I'm feeling it badly at the moment but I'm hoping that it will ease with time, if it doesn't and after a year or two it's still there, then perhaps we'll look into going back. But if we do go back then I don't think we will ever say we regretted trying this.

So, good luck with the whole thing and remember, just because you emigrated to Australia it doesn't mean you can never move back to the UK if you feel you need to.

Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

keep bashing that phone card, and thanks for the sound advice, pete x

Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

Most stressful thing? Saying goodbye at the airport.

Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

That was (still is) a big issue for us. You get those friendships built up usually over many years. People who may not always be close or you see regularly but still friends who know who you are, where you're at, etc.

We've found a few friends here in 6 months, and can already see the seeds of a few good relationships growing. It just takes a lot of effort on your part to get there. Don't expect people to come knocking at your door, they probably think you're busy / doing fine. Get out there and do stuff, meet people, socialise in whatever way you like to.

Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

Leaving friends is hard. Leaving family is harder.
This was especially so for Jules. In the run up to leaving, we spent so much time with her family. Although I knew it would make the final goodbyes worse, I wouldn't have changed it.
It doesn't get any easier this far in (6 months), especially with constant reminders of home.
For me it felt easier. Family not so close, but that not to say I wanted to move away from them. We lived the expat life for 10 years while I was growing up, and I guess I hardened to the fact that you will leave people behind that you love.
My folks have just emigrated to N Cyprus, and I kind of feel that I'm not going to see them at all any more. That's hard to take in.
Still, I've made my choice, and them theirs. Wouldn't expect any different.

Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

I agree the last bit is the hardest but the whole process as been highly stressful. Started all this 48 weeks ago but the real stress kicked in once meds were requested and everything seemed real :scared:

A little list of stressful things:

Selling the house
Doing the meds
Waiting for visas
Saying goodbyes
Leaving work
Children leaving school
Teenage anxiety
The list goes on

We're off in 16 days and have a big leaving doo booked, seemed like a good idea at the time but now really not looking forward to it. Mrs and I feel totally drained but I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run. Then the stress will all start again on the other side looking for work, jobs , schools etc etc.

Would I do it again? Bloody right!!

Walla

Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

There were two main stressful bits for me:
1) Selling the house, don't underestimate the hassle and heartache this can cause!
2) Saying goodbye.


I can't say I have made any close friends yet, but we have made friends with more couples here that we socialise with, than we had in the UK! People are friendly and if you make an effort hopefully good friends will be made.

Re: what has been the most stressful?
 

Same here. Had to say goodbye to the parents again a couple of weeks back.