Tomsk

A little over 3 years now for me, & I guess it's fair to say that I'm settled here. My life here isn't perfect, but for now at least, the positives outweigh the negatives. There are a couple of things that I need to change in order to make me happier with my life here, but I'm actively looking to make those changes. And, my life in the UK wasn't perfect either, I know that on cold, wet, windy days when things just aren't going my way I can be inclined to romanticize our life in the UK, but I had off days there as well . Not forgetting that time hasn't stood still over there in the time I've been away.
Life's good overall, and I feel pretty lucky that I can truly consider myself as having some brilliant family & friends on both sides of the world, along with the ability to live and work in either country. How cool is that

Charismatic

8 years.

As for a feeling of belonging, I belong no more of less here than I did in the UK, Ireland, U.S. etc. Thomas Paine put it nicely when he said "My country is the world, all men are my brethren and my religion is to do good."

BEVS

I like that .

Am Loolah

4 and a half years, been through some personal relationship strife, but it felt like home from the off. Been back to the UK once last year, for 3 days! Wasn't bothered about it, but my Dad wanted me to. Don't miss the UK, but that's just me.

I am very happy where I am, and have been since I got here, despite all the personal shite ...

Batty

Rotorua is where we want to move to - do you mind saying why it's been a mistake for you? You can PM me if you'd rather. Thanks

kaihoe

Been here in Hawkes Bay for 47 yrs,this is definitely home.

Hellie73

Thank you for the advice you are right "regret what you do and not what you dont do" I use to use those exact words but I think they just got lost somewhere along the way. As for bouncing straight back to the UK I think I would in a heart beat but I guess there is another saying that applies to me "act in haste repent at leisure" so I will try and turn my half empty glass of tui into a jolly full jug of the stuff never tried it but I think I should stop mooning over double deckers and yorkshire tea in the international aisle for a couple of weeks and try something local for a change. I am glad that some of you have found your home here and glad for the rest of you that you have/are living your dream.

Charismatic

Don't like newcomers round those parts .

Good area though, love the Hawkes Bay.

Luckybird

'love a great sense of humour' xxx

SparkyGaz

Why aint you settling......for me it's about gettin out and making new friends with whom you have something in common.....
The feeling of lonliness i can imagine would be massiv if you don't, so get out there and mingle !!!!

Hellie73

Trying to mingle and even have a lovely 1 year old to help me out so we go along to the library and play and dance at wriggle and rhyme, we go to a baby gym and local church music class. So far we have met some amazing ex pats through the website but no kiwi mums. I even walked from near Okahu bay to St Heliers and back 14km and said hello to the other stroller pushers how many said hello back - big fat zero. Its not for trying but I am getting the impression that the kiwi mums I have met are a bit rude and into their own stuff. I did meet a lovely chinese lady that was swimming at kohi beach. But I havent tried since as I am sick of the stoney faces. Maybe its the area.

SparkyGaz

Well we almost ended up in Whakatane, which I'm told is a very quiet town and quite hard to settle in an feel welcome, mainly because of a lack of like minded migrants. (Had to word that carefully).
Luckily we found work in Tauranga and everyone down the beach smiles and syas hi. (well almost everyone).
We walked the 3.4km base around mt maunganui on Sunday and had many a cheery hello.
I think you should consider moving areas, but research it well (frying pan / fire and all that).

If all else fails call us and we will chat to ya

love30stm

Husband had a interview for a job in Tauranga, fingers crossed

Bo-Jangles

But that's usually as far as it goes, those false plastic smiles at passing strangers on the beach walk.

SparkyGaz

We came here on hol 2 years ago, visited a lot of the north island and found Tauranga to be just right.
We get the best of the weather, not too busy, not too quiet (although we haven't seen a busy summer yet) and miles and miles of be-ay-yoo-tiful beaches.

My idea of heaven.
Love it love it love it.