mygirlies

Hervey Bay has the highest rate of unemployment, it doesn't have the funds behind it also, so facilities are lacking. Its a sleepy town. Although beautiful, there isn't much to do. No real opportunities or prospects. No jobs available here. The house prices are cheap and for that reason you get 'certain types' moving there. Limited choices for all amenities including schools, shops, activities, even doctors etc. There isn't much to do, especially in the winter. The positives are no traffic, friendly town, lovely beaches (but Townsville would have better)... and whale watching. But you can fond all those things in other towns. Its an unemployed fishing community. Also a retirement hub. Some love it, but I think after a while you would be twiddling your thumbs.

I can relate... Since moving to Aus I have really struggled to make friends. I had no problems at all back in the UK. And friends felt like your community. But here its been the opposite. I thought I had made a couple of good friends along the way. And I didn't t seem to have a problem making them. But each one stabbed me in the back one way or another. Not only that but I have been horrendously bullied here. I 'know' people...now. But like yourself. Only acquaintances. And this is partly my doing now as I am on fear of trying to make friends as I don't feel people are really genuine here. Its lonely, thats for sure! I find myself feeling isolated due to this...which brings on other issues of 'wanting to feel at home'... which has resulted in me moving 6 times in 3 years, different states too. Trying to find my place here. I am moving one last time later in the year. I have found a place where I think I will fit in. My beliefs, my values and my lifestyle. So I am hoping I will be able to connect with these people. That said, I have decided this is my last move. If I still don't 'feel it'. I will make plans to return home. The weather sucks! I live quite a fair bit north from you in Northern Queensland and the humidity here is ridiculous. I am over it! But as mentioned above I am moving to a more cope-able place... I truly miss the fresh mornings, the snow, the dew on the grass and the cozy evenings with a blanket. I believe that the UK for us, whether we find ourselves bored at times (it happens wherever you are), cold, less off etc... We have a sense of contentment there. It wouldn't matter if you spend a sunday indoors on a rainy day, with a cuppa and a girly friends.. we feel we belong. This is so important. We feel at ease. Here I don't get that connection with this place. No matter what I do. Time will only tell I suppose, for all of us

Yes me.... I emigrated to Australia with not even a holiday before hand...

Thanks Fizzybangs, its surprising just how many have experienced the same and whom are not blinded by the pretence. I know I will make it home. If not soon, but one day. My daughters nan (whom we do not have contact with) was like yourself. Lived here for 15 years. Never made friends, ended up hating it and went back. I see the same predicament for me. I too fear it is only going to get worse. Its a real slap in the face. And also a difficult situation because many do not believe me when I convey my issues. But thus this is Australia and I have learnt so much about myself because of this journey. So I guess at least something has come out of it....

Oh yay!! I am insanely jealous as I sit here in my own pool of sweat yearning for the beautiful English countryside ;p

Thank you for your windge! I am constantly cursing under my breath! This stupid sodding heat... I don't no where you live but Im close to North Queensland and its disgusting! As I sit here I am dripping with sweet, hard to breath. I long for crisp fresh air! UK autumn air! I am sick of the sunshine. I need seasons. Real seasons. Not hot, humid a wet season. It sucks!! I even miss the snow. I am done with this evil summer. I hate it! Flies.... oh those nasty vile vermin! I have a lizard, so I can no longer use those sprays. Yep I have to swat them with an electric tennis racket looking thing. I am sick to death of spending half my life trying to kill these stupid bastard flies. I can't even open my patio doors to go outside (not that I want to go out in the stinking heat) without 20-30 blasting their way through my house. They literally hover by the door. They get in your face, food.... they have all the outdoor space they could want but they insist on invading my personal bubble. I HATE HATE HATE them!!!! Mozzies for me is seriously getting me down. My daughter does horse riding, and even with all the insect replant in the world does not stop them, when we are at the stables in particular. They are also massive here in Northern Queensland. I am sick of mozzies biting me, itching, looks like the elephant man. Bugs, all kinds of bugs!! It makes me miss the UK even more. Seasons with far less bugs sound like my idea of paradise. Ok my rants over lol

Melbpom, I have seen that down under programme. I truly think that moving to 'tropical paradise' as some people see it is a fantasy. And fantasies are not forever. I know for me... it sounded like luxury and a happily ever after dream. But within months I new it was anything but that! I agree with some of those who say maybe we did not appreciate what we had in the UK. I love the 'escape to the country' programme. The beautiful hills, the beautiful properties. The culture, heritage, the scenery, the mooring dew on the grass, the seasons, the birds... even the snow. I miss it so much! I find it all so pretentious here. And nothing of really value (that isn't materialistic). I have such different values to typical aussies and we just dont get along. Not that I haven't tried. The man reason people move (according to statistics) is the sunshine. I am over this sunshine, well and truly. I need 'fresh' air. Crisp clean air. Not stuffy hard to breath humidity with artificial cold air from the aircon. I am so over it! I just seem to detest more and more and even though I am usually a positive person I am finding myself bitter to this country.

Thank you so much everyone! Sorry Ive not been on in a while. Thank you all for your encouraging words. I definitely need to change the way I deal with 'friends' and peoples attitudes. I am working on this. I am currently trying to decided where I shall go at the end of the year. I have no idea. I had one region in mind but I am struggling with this heat already :-/ I am becoming slightly obsessed with English moving to the country type programs. Oh how it looks like heaven!

I have no idea why but for the last few days all I can think about is possibly making the move home. Playing over and over in my head. Although I have always felt slightly 'off' here in Australia... Ive chugged along. Trying to find my place here. But I feel like the road here might be ending. I have been here 3 years, and in that time I just haven't been able to fit in. I don't feel like I belong here... Maybe because of my personal experience...or being that my values are completely different to those I have met, but to me Australia is simply pretentious. Its all about status, who can do what for whom, who has the better x and y... Their patriotism is embarrassing. Considering they have a National Sorry Day... which noone seems to know about. I havent meet people who want to learn about cultures, history... whether it be from beyond their country or even in it! I have endured bullying of magnitude, felt unwelcomed here. But more than anything there is no depth here. I don't feel it from people. Friends... Well, how can I describe such beings... So far I have been used, people palm their kids onto me, take my things, have little regard for me and my values. There take the piss sense of humour isn't admired by me. And they basically spit you out when they have what they needed from you. This I think is really getting me down...more than the stinking hot weather, or any other issues I may have here. I have moved 6 times in 3 years (different states too). And each time its the same thing. Over and over again. Completely taken for granted. I hate that I can not openly have a conversation about life in general, have discussions, debates, for the fear of people tearing me down. Everyone has an opinion! And everyone is extremely self justified and defensive! So.... going home.... I am going to try one last time. I will move to another region this year (I may as well stick it out to get my citizenship) and see if I can find some kind of belonging. But I have decided if that doesn't feel right I am just going to leave. Why waste any more time feeling the way I do. I have no idea where in the UK I would go, or even what it is like there at the moment. But one thing I do no is people have depth, the are very humbling, compassionate and well I would feel like I belong.

Not necessarily a typical ping ponger..... But I cant seem to settle either. After I was kicked out by my stepmother at 16 (14 years ago) Ive lived in over 20 different rentals. The longest Ive stayed in one place in that time is 2 years. I have moved all over UK... And now I am in Aus I seem to be doing the same here. Ive been here 3 years and already moved 6 times (different states too). I am going to be moving again at the end of the year....and I really hope it is somewhere I can settle. If not, I have decided I will be moving back to the UK. Everyones experience is different, but for me I think because I have never had a family unit/structure to go to (since being kicked out)... I tend to go searching for something that isn't there. I know this. I am looking for something that doesn't exist anymore. And because I don't have that secure place to always go back too... I am just continually try and settle. I don't move around to 'travel'. I am desperate to settle somewhere. Personal circumstances, being I am on my own (sole parent)... no family... no friends... means I always have things missing from my life. I also find If things get tough, I go into flight mode. I don't stick around to fight it. I must settle for my daughter. But I can't find the right place. We have to be happy and I am just trying to find the place I can be happy. Yes I know its about inner happiness. You can make any place a home etc... but I need to 'feel' at home. Feel welcomed. Feel like I belong.

What is your opinion on living in Cairns or Byron Bay? I am looking to move this year to a different part of Australia. And Ive narrowed it down to these two. I am looking for somewhere that is vegan friendly, has alternative free thinking people... Cairns looks beautiful but I am drawn towards Byron Bay for its 'hippie' type culture. What are your thoughts? Thank you

What is your opinion on living in both areas? I am looking to move this year to a different part of Australia. And Ive narrowed it down to these two. I am looking for somewhere that is vegan friendly, has alternative free thinking people... Cairns looks beautiful but I am drawn towards Byron Bay for its 'hippie' type culture. What are your thoughts? Thank you

Thanks everyone. I will look into those suggestions

Hi all, I am curious as to whether there are places in Australia that are eco friendly, vegan friendly, promote sustainable living... without the drugs/cannabis culture. Of course Nimbin in NSW comes to mind, but being heavily involved in 'substance'. So.... does anyone know of similar or like minded places in Australia. Thank you

Ive just (this evening) found a funnel web spider on my back door. I went overkill with the spray but it scurried off. Hopefully it has shrivelled up in a corner somewhere and is no longer alive!!