Big fears

[coleraine64]

Hi guys, my hubby and I are seriously thinking about moving to Tassie from Perth but worried about starting all over again. We moved from the Uk to Perth 5 years ago and have made some great friends but moving to Tassie means starting the friend hunt again. We are in our late 40s, early 50s, so where do we start. We both enjoy movies, theatre, ten pin bowling, scottish dancing and just socialising in general. Comments please, is it hard to set up a good social circle, what have your experience been. By the way my hubby is English and I am Irish but we both lived in Scotland for ages too. Thanks. Anne.

[violethaze]

I can relate as I'm in my 40s and came here alone. I think it is easier to make friends when a couple, but maybe I feel that way because I'm someone who takes awhile to get to know people. I've been here a month and a couple of people at work have been forthcoming with invitations to do things socially, so work is a good place to start, but perhaps you won't be working?

There are dancing classes here, but I haven't heard of Scottish dancing (yet, may well be available but I've only been here a month. I know someone from work doing line dancing and one about to start ballroom dancing lessons).

I have been told that there are groups that meet up socially but I haven't followed up on that yet. I guess it depends on what part of Tasmania you base yourselves. There are walking clubs.

 

It is harder to make friends of substance when older, but I personally think that it shouldn't be too difficult to make surface friendships to begin with and slowly one or two of those may become more substantial relationships.

 

Why are you thinking of uprooting again?

[Skani]

Hi Anne, I can't give you my personal experience as I moved here as a child but I am wondering which area you are planning on moving to?

 

There certainly was a Scottish Dancing Group (and Caledonian Society) in Hobart - and I think both still exist. (I knew of both many years ago because my father played in one of the local highland pipe bands). Burns Night is held each year on 25 January in Hobart and my local (South Hobart) primary school has Scottish dancing as an activity.

 

There are stacks of activities available in Tasmania - it's just a matter of knowing where you will be living and I will then be able to give more specific information.

 

Vivien

[coleraine64]

Hi there, thank you for your reply. The reason we want to move again is because the intense, constant heat has beaten us. Five years on we need some cooler weather again, and the thought of ragging up in front of an open fire is very appealing. I am a psychiatric nurse and I am hoping to keep working part time but our dream is to run a bed and breakfast. We visited Tassie in November and we looked at both outskirts of Hobart and Launceston and preferred Hobart. We have seen a lot of lovely areas and I am happy to travel up to 45 minutes each way to work if need be. We are looking forward to visiting again in July. We Re more than happy to try as many social groups but as you said work is always a good place to start. :-)

[coleraine64]

Hi Skani, I will probably work in Hobart but are there any specific areas you would recommend. We would like somewhere with a bit of land as we would like another dog, we already have one terrier. We are open to lots of suggestions, we liked Kettering and anywhere close to that. We did do a few house opens but we're disappointed, we are thinking about building too but not sure how risky that is!!! Any advice greatly appreciated. A :-)

[MARYROSE02]

Check out 'meetups' for whichever place you are living, or considering living. Check out the community colleges and TAFE for any classes that interest you.

 

I don't personally see why it is any more difficult to make friends as you get older. It has not been my experience (in my late 50's.) The reverse in fact.

[violethaze]

Hi Skani, I will probably work in Hobart but are there any specific areas you would recommend. We would like somewhere with a bit of land as we would like another dog, we already have one terrier. We are open to lots of suggestions, we liked Kettering and anywhere close to that. We did do a few house opens but we're disappointed, we are thinking about building too but not sure how risky that is!!! Any advice greatly appreciated. A :-)

I love the Margate/Snug/Kettering area. I am not in a position to buy so I just hope to one day be able to rent there.

I was at Wicked Cheese in Richmond in my lunch break today, and the woman there invited me to join them at the trivia night at a pub in town... people seem friendly, so if you take people up on their offers then I expect it is fairly easy to make acquaintances/friends.

 

I hope you get some helpful advice soon.

[Guest]

I can't give you any advice of Tasmania but I would love to know where you do Scottish dancing in Perth, my son is learning bagpipes with the Cockburn Pipe Band but I have never come across Scottish dancing here. I've not done it since I was a girl but would love to take it up again.

[NickyNook]

I did Scottish country dancing for years in Sydney - there are loads of groups here. As there are all over Australia. I loved it - it was very social and a great way to meet people. Went to some amazing balls with hundreds of people.

 

The official RSCDS site for WA is http://members.westnet.com.au/trevanne/rscdswa/

 

The link for the Tasmanian branch on the main Australian RSCDS site http://www.rscds.org.au/_mgxroot/page_10795.html appears to be broken but apparantly there are classes in West Moonah (03 6225 2289).

Edited March 6, 2013 by NickyNook

[Skani]

Hi Skani, I will probably work in Hobart but are there any specific areas you would recommend. We would like somewhere with a bit of land as we would like another dog, we already have one terrier. We are open to lots of suggestions, we liked Kettering and anywhere close to that. We did do a few house opens but we're disappointed, we are thinking about building too but not sure how risky that is!!! Any advice greatly appreciated. A :-)

 

If you are looking for a place with some land, within commuting distance of Hobart, and also the possibility of running a B & B in the future, Kettering and surrounding areas is an excellent choice. That would be my preferred option if I were in your situation - anywhere between Kingston and Woodbridge or from Kingston along the Huon Highway towards Huonville (depending on whether you want to be close to the coast or a little further up on the slopes of the mountain).

 

Most of that area is in the Kingborough Municipality and there is a list of Community Groups here:

http://www.kingborough.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Community%20Contacts%20-%20Website.pdf

 

I'm sure in that list you would find groups of people with common interests. You could start with the Kingborough Dog Walking Association! :biggrin: I don't think you would have trouble finding friends once you start making contact with a group or two. That area has always had a real sense of community and, although mainlanders think we're a bit slow down here, we do have more time to stop and talk! :wink:

 

Re Scottish dancing:

About two thirds down this webpage there are contact details for the TASCAL Scottish Country Dance Group in Hobart

http://folktas.org/dancing/dance-groups-and-regular-events/

 

and also some more information here:

http://www.infoline.tas.gov.au/content/Tascal_Scottish_Country_Dancers.GCC

 

I have assumed your interest is country dancing, but there is also a separate organisation for Highland Dance in Tasmania:

http://www.highlanddancetas.com.au/

[coleraine64]

Thank you for all your replies, Skani I am more excited about going to Tasmania now that I know there is so many clubs we could get involved in. Am really looking forward to our holiday in July for or second visit.the next thing after that will be to suss out where I can work. I know there a few psychiatric private units in Hobart somI will start there, and then look at agency work. Jules, we tend to do our Scottish dancing at home, we have managed to have a few ceilidhs. I know there is the Caledonian society in the city but living NOR we find it hard to get involved. Have a look at the link mentioned in one of the replies to me about Scottish dancing in WA. I may be Irish but my heart lives in Scotland too after spending o much time there. If there was Scottish dancing NOR I would definitely make an effort to go.

 

Violethaze I love Richmond and would definitely say yes to all invites for quiz nights etc, my hubby is a fountain of useless information. will keep popping on this website for lots of info. Anne

 

 

I love the Margate/Snug/Kettering area. I am not in a position to buy so I just hope to one day be able to rent there.

I was at Wicked Cheese in Richmond in my lunch break today, and the woman there invited me to join them at the trivia night at a pub in town... people seem friendly, so if you take people up on their offers then I expect it is fairly easy to make acquaintances/friends.

 

I hope you get some helpful advice soon.

[Skani]

I am more excited about going to Tasmania now that I know there is so many clubs we could get involved in.

 

And remember...that list was just for the Kingborough area: there would be a similar list for the Hobart area which you could access.

 

I love Richmond and would definitely say yes to all invites for quiz nights etc, my hubby is a fountain of useless information.

 

Quiz/trivia nights are very popular here - often as fund raisers for different organisations - so your husband could be in high demand! :biggrin:

The Irish Association of Tasmania has a "Table Quiz" on the first Monday of every month at the New Sydney Hotel in Bathurst Street in Hobart (also an Irish Music Session there every Saturday).

http://www.irishtas.org.au/

 

Also, Richmond is home to a Highland Gathering every February, organised by the local St. Andrew Society. It is held on the Village Green at Richmond. This it the Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/StAndrewSocietyHobartTasmaniaAustralia

 

You mentioned in your earlier post that you enjoy films. There is a wonderful, privately owned cinema in North Hobart, the State Cinema, with 5 small auditoria, a scrumptious eats cafe and a bar. I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

http://www.statecinema.com.au/Page/Tour

[coleraine64]

Definitely sounds just the place for us, roll on July when we can have a serious look at houses. Thank you Skani for all your advice, we owe you a drink :-)

 

And remember...that list was just for the Kingborough area: there would be a similar list for the Hobart area which you could access.

 

 

 

Quiz/trivia nights are very popular here - often as fund raisers for different organisations - so your husband could be in high demand! :biggrin:

The Irish Association of Tasmania has a "Table Quiz" on the first Monday of every month at the New Sydney Hotel in Bathurst Street in Hobart (also an Irish Music Session there every Saturday).

http://www.irishtas.org.au/

 

Also, Richmond is home to a Highland Gathering every February, organised by the local St. Andrew Society. It is held on the Village Green at Richmond. This it the Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/StAndrewSocietyHobartTasmaniaAustralia

 

You mentioned in your earlier post that you enjoy films. There is a wonderful, privately owned cinema in North Hobart, the State Cinema, with 5 small auditoria, a scrumptious eats cafe and a bar. I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

http://www.statecinema.com.au/Page/Tour