mjkworldwide

Thanks for all the replies - wasn't expecting so many and I really appreciate the feedback. I know my original post focused on the negative aspects of the move - but this is only because they play on my mind more - I also have a decentish sized list of positives (with learning to sail right at the top!)

I think Slipshot and others hit it on the head saying, 'give it a go... but go with an open mind'. I think a positive attitude can really make the difference between success and failure when trying to settle into a new country. Comparing everything to home will only lead to misery - but it is easier said than done. Its important to hear the positive stories as well as the negative. There are no answers - each individual's experience and circumstances are unique - but I want to be prepared as I can be about the challenges I'll face.

Having grown up in Shropshire, I quite fancy a quieter country life one day - and would probably never want to permantely settle in London. I'm quite keen on Sydney at the moment and with OH family safely down in Tassie.. I think they'll be far enough away to not cause too much trouble!

Although not wanting to put a time limit on things.. I've subconsciously given myself 3 years to settle in. Have other sceptical poms been converted in this amount of time?

Matt

moneypenny20

I've found the same with Year 12/13 kids in the UK. The whole idea at 17/18 is to get away from the country you're in and travel. Sod all to do with your country of origin.

Anyway it's all irrelevant to the OP

Notts_bloke

[QUOTE=moneypen20;6894822]And this isn't?


QUOTE]

Probably, but I don't think calling somewhere boring is as bad somehow

Scubaemma

Not sure how much help I can be because I've only been here in Oz (Brisbane) for 6 weeks! But I'm the Pom half of a Pom/Aussie relationship.

We met in London several years ago and were living together, decided to be together forever etc. We firstly decided we wanted to leave London (we'd both been there 8 years and were a bit over it by the end, although loved our time there). We were thinking of moving to Devon or somewhere as we'd both grown up in the countryside.

But in the end we decided to give Oz a try, since we had the option. I guess my situation was a bit different to yours because my OH (now my hubbie) enjoyed living in England so would be quite happy to move back if it didn't work out in Oz. I think that takes some of the pressure off me to settle here.

Like I said, we've only been here 6 weeks but we're looking at it as a big adventure. Don't get me wrong, I'm taking it seriously, and I imagine we'll end up staying here, but it's early days yet. I just knew that since we had the opportunity to move here, I'd always regret it if I didn't give it a go.

Have you spent much time over here before? I'd spent 5 months here previously travelling around the country with OH and felt really comfortable here so that helped.

Oh, and yes I miss my family and friends and I'm sure I will do more when I've been here a bit longer, but for me having OH's family here does make a massive difference. I get on brilliantly with them and it is liking having 'real' family here. I think it helps heaps as it's more like real life. I imagine it's much harder for families who up and move here who are all Poms who don't know anyone here. I've certainly found it great that my OH knows how it all works here and his family have been here to help us out (they put us up when we arrived, we're borrowing their spare car until we buy one, we've had them over for BBQs and been on days out together etc). I think it's great having them around.

So for what it's worth, I'd say go for it. If she's the love of your life, it's surely worth a go I'm having a blast anyway

slipshot

Bit of a case of 'the length of a piece of string'

If you want to be happy, get up and go for it, and make new friends, and you'll be fine. I was settled within a few months and never felt alienated or anything else.

And don't be sceptical - and try not to fall into the same trap I (and no doubt many others did) by talking about 'how good things were back home' to Australians, who really are not that bothered about it. It's a hard lesson but I understand the situation. Better to embrace what is there and live with it. You'll hate the 47% tax, but like the 10% GST!

CaptainMerton

Why dont you go for a holiday, have you ever been?

talbot

I understand what you're going through - came here nearly 3 yrs ago, hubby is an Auzzie, I've had a hard time having to sit exams for accreditation, but hey I've passed and life's looking pretty good!
What also helps is I've made some amazing friends and guess what - they're all expats too. It's like back home but with the weather and space!

Also, if you miss Europe and culture, come to Melbourne.
Good luck!

Jokull

Hello, I'm new here, but I thought I'd chip into the "how long settle in?" question.

I'm newly arrived in Australia, and I've come here to live with my Aussie girlfriend. I've settled in pretty quickly - it helps that I was offered a job here straight away, and having someone on hand to answer "hox does x work in Australia?" helps a lot too. I think it helps too that my job is in Melbourne, whilst my girlfriend was living in Brisbane - I'm not just moving into her Australian life - we're setting up a new one together.

The main thing though is that I've had lots of practice in 'settling in' to new places - I've lived in South Africa for 3 years, and Canada for a year. It took a long time to settle into SA (I was used to it by my 3rd year!), whilst I settled into Canada pretty quickly, and felt at home more or less right away here. Settling in is all about going with the flow, and accepting that some things will be different - rarely any better or worse, just different. Getting familier routines going quickly helps as well - I always look to join a cycling club as quickly as possible - that way I keep up the sport I enjoy, get to meet some locals, and get to know my way around, all at the same time. Anyway, settling in is all about your mindset, and it can take a while to get it right, especially if its your first time. Three years should be enough though!

talbot

We're approaching 3 years in jan and it is a good time limit because I'm part of the community now and - dare I say it - even some TV presenters I used to hate with a passion are growing on me!!
You have the right attitude to settle in a new country. Live life as you think it.

stuckinblighty

What a twatish thing to say

Notts_bloke

I am even starting to like Mel and Kochie!

Mikeyc

lol, you should be shot!

Mikey

talbot

I don't LIKE any of them, am tolerating them a bit more, I may grow to like some of them in another 3 years but I can tell you who I'll never like - Rove and Bert Newton....esp Bert, he gives me the utter crrrreeeeerps!!!!!!!!

Mikeyc

Is that muppet still alive?

Mikey

sr71

I thought I was alone on that one, cannot stand Rove one bit and I do not understand for one minute why he is popular - just to look at him irritates me, he just isn't funny either.

Molly Meldrum is another one, but I'm not sure he's on that much now.