Juliek

Hi there,

My husband and I have just moved to Rangiora.

I emigrated from the UK in Feb 2009. My husband is a kiwi. I'm 38. He is 37. No kids at present! We initially lived in his home town of Christchurch and then moved to Rangiora at the begining of this month.

Since moving over to NZ, I've struggled to make new friends and found it difficult to break into the Christchurch social scene - which I believe I'm not alone in experiencing! Most of my friends are my husband's friends who he has had for many years.

I know there are lots of ex-pats living in Rangiora and would love to meet up with some of you.

Thanks

saoghalbeag

oh god don't tell me it's still hard after 2 years!!!! I've only been here a few months and I'm Aussie (so if I tighten up my vowels can pretend I'm a Cantabrian!) but have still found it a lot harder to even meet people, let alone force them to be our new BFFs!!! I've made friends with people at work and randomnly come across a chic from my hometown in Oz living just up the road BUT so far have not had any luck meeting people with other kids (not that it's a prerequisite but without any family around to babysit, socialising with non-kid families can be difficult).

I started playing netball but after 6 weeks most still have no clue I am even on their team! My daughter's preschool seemed great at first but is run more like a drop and run daycare - no community or opportunities for parents to mingle

My daughter starts school this term so hoping it will provide more opportunities for buddies as we're getting a bit bored of each other!! And a tad desperate lol which is probably scaring people away!!!

Juliek

Yes, it's strange isn't it! I had no problem making friends in the UK, (as I imagine you had no problem making friends in Australia!).

It's not for the want of trying - but I'm very conscious not to come across as desperate!

I've been doing a pilates class for 18 months now and don't know much more about the other people in my class from when I started! I've made friends with people at my work too, but only tend to do stuff after work with one of them.

I know exactly how you feel!

Good luck with your daughter starting school

alanmacc

Id say making friends in NZ is hard but you need to look at it from when you were in the UK most of your friends were built up over many many years, i dont think its the whole difficulty in making friends, I think its more trying to fit a social life in with your working life that makes it harder.

We have been here 3 years now and still dont consider ourselves to have a 'wide' friends base, but i od think a lot of it is down to the hours you work and trying to balance the whole thing, keep your chin up, look on the bright side you could be aussie ,..,,, hahaha (no offence intended to anybody)

Juliek

lol You are quite right re: building friends up over many many years in the UK. Thanks for your words of encouragement

Woodlea

Welcome to Goon (Rangoon....Rangiora....geddit?), great little place isn't it?? You missed quiz night in Montieths last night (Tuesday) full of pomms, but that will end soon as they don't run it in Summer. Wait and see perhaps TeamEmbo or HJMilligan will organise a bevvy in the Tui or the Brew House soon......

Juliek

Hello!

Yes I really like living in Rangiora. I was at Montieths on Monday night for the fund raiser pub quiz. Great Fun! Didn't make it last night though! Yes a bevvy in the Tui or Bew House sounds like a great idea!

shirl

Hi we are in Rangiora, not your age group (young 50 somethings!!) but you are welcome to come round for a chat or I can meet your for a coffee down at Coffee Culture anytime. I am home every day, still find it hard to make friends more acquaintances really. I go down to the pool about 4 times a week and do water jogging to get myself out there. My daughter lives in Kaiapoi and she is just 40 so could invite her round too! PM me if you want and I will let you have my address and phone number. OK.

Kiwikid

Hey peoples!
I have organised a Girls Night - drinks & movie
Sat Oct 30th
6pm meet at Hoyts Westfield to collect tickets then go to Fox n Ferret for a wine/beer/cuppa then go to the movies to see Julia Roberts new film Eat, Pray, Love
TIME TO BE CONFIRMED once Hoyts advises!
There will be kiwis and foreigners....hmmm mostly foreigners!

Hope to see some of you there, all ages welcome, as long as you are female! he he!!

Jan n Neil

i,m a bloke but very in touch with my feminine side can i come


we are down the road from Rangiora u are welcome any time

Neil