Buzzy--Bee

err is this girl/girl, boy/girl or does it include boy/boy :scared:

Looking forward to the first two!!!!

Cheers

Buzzy

MartinLuther

It's not France with sunshine you know

JaneandJim

I think the most important thing to realise is that if you're unhappy, you are the only person who can change that.

My parents visited just before Christmas and I was very very down when they went home. I applied for some voluntary work and advertised on here for some friends ! I now go to the RSPCA one day a week and am building up some new friendships.

Also, in this part of Brisbane, EVERYBODY disappears at Christmas. This can be very isolating, so last year we went away too and had a much better Christmas than the year before.

Unlike most of the others on this thread, we haven't had invitations thrown at us from all on sundry. Jim works from home which cuts down any opportunities for him to meet people (he doesn't care, our boy and me are his best friends ) . When you think back to all of your close friendships in the UK, they took years to build up and you have to accept that it will be the same here. I play social tennis and work at the school tuckshop so I have a lot of acquaintances, people I can chat to at the shops and so on, but it will take a long time for any of them to become real friends.

Your happiness is in your hands.

Jane

iPom

Isn't it? Damn!

movetoperth

We had our own little aussie a few months after we arrived here, that was a pretty sure fire way to help us settle

Lynn

iPom

Awwwww, how cute is that? Made my neck sore though.

thebears

The smile on my daughters face

moneypenny20

We are probably still on the honeymoon phase so might not count but we started living as normal as soon as possible instead of feeling as if we were on holiday. Bought the house, haven't had a real chance to explore because so much to do on the house and land but I think we are more settled because of that. Hubby got a job as soon as christmas and new year were out of the way, girls got into school and I spend my time trying to sort the house.

We are very chilled and very settled.

movetoperth

Sorry, i'm not much good at this pic lark, here he is the right way up, try a hot water bottle for your neck


Should have said too, we have always from day 1 classed Perth as "home", never compared it to the place we used to live and loved it for what it is. I can honestly say i have never once felt homesick... i am home.

Lynn

moneypenny20

I have tried to make a point of not thinking of the UK as home. Try to say UK. first born gets annoyed though - tough

worzel

Amen! I think people who come over here and compare it to the UK all the time are prone to failure. It isn't the UK (or France) with sun - it is different yet the same in minor / major ways. There are no rules of contrast that apply. Have an open mind and take it as you find it and you will do well. (and ditch your British football tops!)

Suni&Jay

Couldn't agree more.

Amazulu

Be yourself. Don't try & conform to a 'standard' that is expected of you by Aussies or wannabe Aussies. Live here on you own terms & conditions & you'll be fine. It's worked for me.
Getting a job within 3 days of arriving helped.
Buying our house, our own slice of Australia, within a few months of arriving helped.
Having a positive & optimistic attitude helps.
I love it here. I've fitted in here well & feel really at home & miss little of the UK.

It's all good.

Cheetah7

Alan, I know you are a secret party animal and look deceptively innocent.

(well party animal in my stories anyway )

Talking of drinks and beers, you keep some on ice for if ever we get to Oz.

Larissa

Not to have unrealistic expectations, rather take it as it comes.
Try and get out of holiday mode quickly and into daily routines, make yourself go out even if you don't feel like it especially if you feel you're getting self absorbed (happens with homesickness).
Be yourself as Amazulu said, people will accept you for who you are, if they don't they aren't worth the bother. Don't be a pretentious pom :scared:
Give it time, be patient.
Beware of friends won easily (me old dad told me this one), you might meet someone and think you're the bestest mates in the world and really click... but you have to give it time, don't expect too much from people or you'll set them up to let you down!
Stay close to old friends and family, distance is no excuse these days. You will never replace them, much better to add new friends.
Have a variety of friends, not just a Pommie click although it can be great to get together.
Don't compare jobs/houses/money etc. to other migrants.