HI Everyone
My friend has moved to Nova Scotia and she is having trouble making new friends... does anyone have any suggestions?? She is about to move again closer to Halifax to see if that makes a difference. She has a 13yr girl and a gorgeous 4 yr old boy, her husband works away and i am affraid if she doesnt find friends soon she is going to back her bags and head back to UK

I am moving to Canada.

Are you moving from UK Annie?? Where in Canada are you moving too??

Well she has to make an effort and take every opportunity and the internet is the best way to try. Join a Mum's group, if she has a four year old boy it is the perfect way to meet other Mum's in the area. Check out Meetup.com and see if there are any groups in her area, if not then start up her own it's easy. Even put a post on here and see if there are any likeminded people who want to meet for coffee. That's how I met someone recently on this very site!

We have a 13yr old daughter (& a 12yr old) & live just outside Halifax..
Post enough that you can PM me & I can at least give you our 'phone number if she'd like to call for a vent...

Not sure how long your friend has been here for, we have been here for 3 years, in Nova Scotia that is. Your friend is not alone in her plight, as we have not really made any friends either - tried lots of things, been to events we wouldnt dream of going to normally, make extra special effort where ever we go, with work colleagues etc - but there does become a time where the effort is just so demoralizing when nothing comes of it!

There are some expat groups etc which seem great - and there is an active group in Nova Scotia. Just depends on whether your friend had envisioned moving to Canada to be surrounded by English people - kind of defeated the object of moving to Canada for me! I used to knock those that moved to England from other countries and then clubbed together in their own little areas not mixing well with others - now I have a much greater understanding of why they do!!! I had always figured that it was to do with the language barrier in most instances but what I have learnt is just because people speak the same language does not mean you will get along swimmingly!

British people are a rule unto themselves when it comes to banter, sense of humour and general social skills! The culture here is very different which does make it hard to fit in (with locals I mean)- I hope it works out for your friend and by moving that things will get better for her - we are moving too, but back to the UK.!

But desperate moving back to the UK to make friends.
Where about in Halifax is your friend moving to. There are a lot of expats here and they are very useful for meeting new friends both Canadian and expats.
It does take time if you are not working with Canadians but they are not aliens and have a similar sense of humour and are very friendly.
Think how you met people in the UK and do the same in ns. Only true advice is to get involved or be lonely that's worked in all the countries I have lived. Good luck!

Nonsense.

Ever thought it might be your sense of homour! Don't have to change the banter at work for the lads to get the joke. Although they don't get Monty python but then neither did I at school!

I think it is different for everyone. I certainly dont think its 'desperate' for someone to move in order to be close to or to indeed, have friends.

The biggest shocker for me in realizing maybe the UK was the answer was when I was asked the usual question - "What would you do if you one the lottery?", the first thought in my mind was set up base camp in England, from there would travel etc, but it surprised me that I even thought that, of course I could stay over here, where its beautiful and I could have a fabulous farm and country house, swimming pool etc etc etc But whats it all about if you have noone to share it with????

Aahh... Monty Python, maybe that's it, the 40 years ago rule..

Perhaps my sense of humour is too current for the locals to relate to..

Coupled with the facts that Nova Scotians take themselves disproportionately seriously &, unfortunately, still carry the "have not" chip on their collective shoulders..

I've never been one to quote 40 year old television programmes in the hopes of a vicarious laugh, I can see where I've been falling down..

Anyone got any links to Love Thy Neighbour or Benny Hill.?..

Making proper friends with Canadians is like finding a proper pub there. It's not going to happen and you'll be happier and less frustrated if you stop trying to find any.

It is very sad and hard to accept but from my experiences I think you are right!

Awesome post

Your kids will make friends because they'll turn into Canadians but for the adults just be contented with the scenery and your big house, that's what you're here for anyway.