I'm writing to ask if some of you would please share your experiences of SA living.
We are hoping to move over next June and originally our plans were to go to Victoria on a family visa as I have an aunt there.
With some more research, we are leaning more towards SA which we could get into on the basis I am learning disability nurse which is a skill in demand in this state.
Our quandry is we would not know anybody and that scares me as we have 3 children.
Have any of you emigrated without knowing anyone? Did you have children?
We are planning to visit in February to checkschools etc. Where are the best suburbs to live and why?
Lots of questions, I know but we really need to hear from people who have done it. Books and the net are great, but it would be invaluable to have some first hand guidance.
Our quandry is we would not know anybody and that scares me as we have 3 children.
Have any of you emigrated without knowing anyone? Did you have children?
Steph
Steph,
This is my first post to forum, so Hi, and Hi to the regulars.
I really wouldnt worry about not knowing anyone as I am sure as soon as your kids start school you will get to know other parents from the friends your children make and through any school activities :D
My girlfriend and I are the very start of the application progress. Well we have decided we want to and where we want to go. I just need to update some qualifications before I start the process. We decided that when we get out there we would take some evening courses in really stupid things to make friends and meet people maybe this is something you could think about too :)
Anyway probably not much help but just my thoughts on your situation :)
Wow, There seems to be a few heading to SA today, we've never been before. So interested to know about schools and areas etc. Hopefully we will be out there July/aug nx yr after boys have finished school year.
We know no-one and have never been before but can't wait.
Leanne
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I wanna get outta this place, if its the last thing i ever do!!
well we arrive late august and other than my daughter remaining in contact with a 12 year old girl she met last summer on our recce i have one or two contacts from the world of kitesurfing and probably one or two id like to meet on arrival from one or two forums i read a bit about adelaide
we have two kids and no jobs on arrival - renting for 6 months by which time we decide our futures based on opportunities to find employment kids having settled in and if the sharks aint nibbled me up.....
you are more than welcome to give us a call if you come over on a recce before hand - we had a great family meet us on our first recce who gave us an honest and frank review of their first three years down under - unfortunately they returned to the uk but had no regrets from a fantastic 5 year experience but it wasnt a life changing experience for them...
regarding knowing no one - be honest and ask are you of the persoanlity who makes friends / networks easily - hence my first points of contact will be with the local crew of surfers and no doubt teachers and gym clubs - replicating our lives we have in uk - we expect to go out and meet the local crew and unless there are many local poms surfing in the gym or at a school who cares - im happy to meet any good honest person - especially wealthy old ladies
Sa is not a bad choice.
Slower than Vic and I feel more family orientated.
We've been here 7 years now and feel very comfortable.The slower pace can be frustrating at certain times.
SA is more affordable than the other states as well.
Most people moving over have no friends here at first.
They come through work and schools.You must actively seek friends though, they won't come flocking to you!!
Regarding suburbs................ .that is really up to you and what work you will be doing.
The south seems to be having a lot of UK settlers at the moment.
Popular areas are.......... . Hallett Cove,Woodcroft,Seaford,Moana,Aldinga,Blackwood,Hap py Valley
__________________ Quality furnished rental accommodation in Adelaide.
I think everyone who is emigrating has the same fears as you do, so don't worry, you are not alone.
I've been here only 8 weeks now. My husband came over before me as he needed to start his job and we hadn't even sold the house back home.
I have a 4 year old boy and the best thing I did was to start him at the local kindy. There I've met a lovely group of mums and now every week we go round for coffee at each others houses.
Because we are all in the same boat, we all have that in common and now we are like a support network to each other.
From my experience, making friends here will not be a problem. Adelaide is full of expats, you bump into them everywhere, you strike up a conversation and before you know it mobile numbers are being swopped and you start to keep in touch.
A young mum posted a plea for friends on another forum like this a few weeks ago. I got in touch with her and now she is comes along for coffee with us but not only that she was inudated with offers and now has a better social life than she did back home!! lol
So Steph, please don't worry. I know its a big daunting thought "emigrating" but the reality is it can be quite painless.
If you want to stay in touch PM me and I'll be happy to answer any other questions you have.....(like i said, not long here myself, but I'll try my best)
i im happy to meet any good honest person - especially old ladies
Ooh! Young man!! That'll be me then...no money; wealth of experience....
Anyway, Steph....I think you'll be one of the majority then! Most of the poms we know have come over without knowing anyone here already. As Muppet says (unusually coherently too!) we just met people through clubs/ school etc. Although we have Australian friends, it does seem easier at first to meet other poms, which is not necessarily a bad thing as they can directly relate to what you might be going through.
It sems to me that having children - specially if they are kindy/ primary school ages - makes it easier. Children don't tend to do anything without checking with parents / parents usually accompany their child on first playdates etc...I certainly wouldn't worry.
I hate giving advice about suburbs etc as it's so personal, so I won't! But as everyone has said, if we can be of any help...just ask! We've been here since Oct.'05 and have never regretted it.
As for the slower pace..suits me down to the ground. I'm so laidback now (was before too tho') I can barely bother to breathe.
We've been here since Oct.'05 and have never regretted it.
As for the slower pace..suits me down to the ground. I'm so laidback now (was before too tho') I can barely bother to breathe.
LC
gosh them poor australians have had to put up with you for that long
as lc says about sa being slower & laid back( i am, husband needs to be), thats one of the big factors for us choosing sa, we were originally going to victoria as we have friends there, but with research have decided to go to sa we think it will suit us better, it may have been easier to go to vic knowing people, having never been, but this is going to be our adventure and even if friends recommend somewhere it may not be for you , you got to go with what you feel!
donna
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arrived in adelaide 14th may 08
It's scary at first not knowing anyone, but now 19 months after arrival I can go shopping and actually bang into someone I know, which is amazing. I used to go shopping in crowded places and feel very alone, if that makes sense. We too have met lots of English people and they do help as they know what you are going through. We really enjoy living in Adelaide things are slower here but it's in a good way. There are lots of good areas to live over here far more so than not so good. You could always do a web-search for property prices etc and then ask what people think of the suburb. Just watch out for the cow-woman she has a a bad habit of bringing her milk shakes out all over the place.
gosh them poor australians have had to put up with you for that long
LC
