Hi Emma,
I'm not a teacher
I moved over to Oz with my husband (Irish) from the UK in July 2007. We did not have any friends in the area and our family are in the UK and Ireland.
Before we left I made sure that my Mum could use my 'old' PC and we set her up with a web cam. We have weekly video calls through Skype (which is free).
Friends won't instantly appear - you have to go and find them. I'm a member of Toastmasters, Rotary and the local skilled migrant group. Our neighbours are great too. You have to make an effort.
I don't regret moving. I'm an only child and close to my family but I fell in love with Australia the first time I came here. I would have regretted not moving more than moving. My parents were out here for a month last year (November), and will out here again in March. They didn't like going back to the UK winter after the fantastic weather out here.
You have to do what you feel is right for you. We only have one life (as fas as we know
) so we have to make the most of it.
Regards,
Karen