Well my husband and I have been here now 7 weeks and I am really homesick, missing my friends so much. I am finding it really hard to make new friends here a problem never really had...any advice?
Lyndsay
Hi Lyndsay,
7 weeks isn't really that long, and you are still new to the place (maybe not up to full confidance yet either?). I'm sure you will make friends just fine, given a bit more time.
3 years ago I met a woman at a mother and toddler group who moved into this area at the end of 1999. Due to working full time she hadn't really had chance to form any real friendships. We are now very good friends. She says she doesn't know what she'll do without me when I go (yes I feel guilty)! It took her about four years (and perhaps cutting her working hours to have the time to meet people), but now she has a cirlcle of friends here and is happy here.
Hopefully it won't take you quite so long to make friends, but I guess I just wanted to say "don't give up!" You'll probably have all the local PIOers arranging to visit you now as well! :)
Cara
__________________ Arrived in Australia in June 2008
You have managed to pull me out of semi-retirement, although my rusty botty needs a lot of lubrication these days (but that's a whole different story). Hi to Donna yes my curvy body does make a great barbie, at this point I would like to say that's because it is hot stuff but that is soooo not true, so I'll just have to say that I can get a lot of sausages on the rack! Mr nutty man I wish that I could polish my botty so that it would look fab on the beach but alas there ain't a cloth or tin of Brasso big enough that could meet that job. Dear Lazy moo-moo you know that I love you, you have been so sweet to me and it is because of people like Lazy that living in Adelaide is such a great place (now back to the post), we have made some great ozzie pals and even greater English pals. We have met some strange ozzie and English people but: that's life, that's what all the people say... (can't remember the other words). It is very hard to settle at first and we have been here for nearly 2 years now and we feel that we are just starting to settle in a great routine with a great set of friends but we have been lucky I guess. Although it does help being slightly loopy as I think people just humour me.
So that's it, my words of wisdom. Of course I cannot say goodbye without a final word to The One and Only Lazy Cow... cuckoo!
Hi Paul and Louise
I just found this site, registered then found your message.
I have been here now for 7 1/2 years and I have had the same problem. Yes, everyone is friendly but its so difficult as there is just no socializing as such. I have given it time and time and more time and still no joy. When I first arrived, I got talking to a few mums when taking my daughter to school which was great. People in work are great too but they have their own busy lives and their own friends.
Unfortunately I ended up being divorced a few years back and its been so difficult as apart from working, weekends are spent totally alone. Australians are real party people and I know there are groups that do regularly get together, everyone brings a dish etc. I have tried to arrange a getogether at my place, but would only receive a "sorry but cant make it" response,
My daughters has had invites to go along to these parties as her friends have been there but not once have I ever been invited despite them knowing that I dont have friends here. Maybe they feel uncomfortable at the fact I am on my own and I was really getting a complex but I am a very socialable person and so miss the laughter and fun that I used to have with my UK friends.
I just keep on telling myself "we can't have it all" I do love it here, it is a good life year, I have a good job, bought a house etc but the lack of friends is a pain I carry inside myself. Maybe I should move to Melbourne lol!
Hi Paul and Louise
I just found this site, registered then found your message.
I have been here now for 7 1/2 years and I have had the same problem. Yes, everyone is friendly but its so difficult as there is just no socializing as such. I have given it time and time and more time and still no joy. When I first arrived, I got talking to a few mums when taking my daughter to school which was great. People in work are great too but they have their own busy lives and their own friends.
Unfortunately I ended up being divorced a few years back and its been so difficult as apart from working, weekends are spent totally alone. Australians are real party people and I know there are groups that do regularly get together, everyone brings a dish etc. I have tried to arrange a getogether at my place, but would only receive a "sorry but cant make it" response,
My daughters has had invites to go along to these parties as her friends have been there but not once have I ever been invited despite them knowing that I dont have friends here. Maybe they feel uncomfortable at the fact I am on my own and I was really getting a complex but I am a very socialable person and so miss the laughter and fun that I used to have with my UK friends.
I just keep on telling myself "we can't have it all" I do love it here, it is a good life year, I have a good job, bought a house etc but the lack of friends is a pain I carry inside myself. Maybe I should move to Melbourne lol!
Oh Jan! What a sad first post. Welcome to Poms in Oz though and I hope you get lots of Poms local to you reading your post. Then I'm sure you will have plenty invites to the local get-togethers.
Cara
__________________ Arrived in Australia in June 2008
I've been here only 7 months now. To begin with I met a lovely group of women that I really thought would be life long friends here but it didn't turn out that way. Since them I have been like a social butterfly and have "done coffee" with quite a few people, some people I have clicked with others I haven't but I guess thats life.
I'm now happy to say I have 3 really close friends who I know I can depend on. We all live busy lives with kids, jobs etc. But I can pick up with them were I left off a week ago and there's no problem and I feel very fortunate to have them.
I think through life ( and work) you meet so many people, the odds are that eventually you are going to find that special friend (s) when you least expect it.
Location: Harold Hill Essex - Adelaide in December
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new friends?
AHA ! I found you all ! What is it about Adelaide that attracts all the loonies then? KP ! What a surprise !
Sticking my oar in for what it's worth (boom boom!) - l have always found joining a sports club is an excellent way to make new friends (obviously helps if you are a bit sporty anyway, but still, you don't have to be an olympic athlete or particularly young - l'm not either!)
I fully intend on infiltrating the adelaide rowing club scene when l arrive and know for a fact there is a club on the torrens river which welcomes veteran novices (anyone over 25 who has never picked up an oar before - not this type anyway!)
I have seen many people join my rowing club in putney and make deep friendships, some get far more than they bargained for, 2 weddings in the last year!
And yes it is true KP - gas all the way - probably can't even buy a charcoal barbie!!
watch out for the hairy biker types - one kissed me the other night and ive been severely ill for the past week and scrapped my lip skin off scouring them daily with bleach - so bring and wear a gas mask in case any hairy biker types are present at a bbq.....
some fella called tyke apparently has a fortnightly bbq attracting all these types around to his for a pool party - he is also a fan of michael barrymore.......so theres always a way to make "friends".......
i wish i had a friend - i spend too much time alone at sea looking for the next set to carve and replenish the soul and cleanse my spirit from the pollution of modern day living ......and muppet wept !
, you have been so sweet to me and it is because of people like Lazy that living in Adelaide is such a great place (now back to the post), we have made some great ozzie pals and even greater English pals. We have met some strange ozzie and English people but: that's life, that's what all the people say... (can't remember the other words). It is very hard to settle at first and we have been here for nearly 2 years now and we feel that we are just starting to settle in a great routine with a great set of friends but we have been lucky I guess. Although it does help being slightly loopy as I think people just humour me. 
No, can't write anything! Had a good evening and now must rush away to.....
(poor choice of green sickly smilie, but you get the idea?)
Welcome to Poms in Oz though and I hope you get lots of Poms local to you reading your post. Then I'm sure you will have plenty invites to the local get-togethers.
- i spend too much time alone at sea looking for the next set to carve and replenish the soul and cleanse my spirit from the pollution of modern day living ......and muppet wept !
