Making friends....

kaz101 · #1 (**permalink**) 29th November 2007, 10:41 PM

One of the hardest things for me was making new friends...

My husband got a job, and I have my online business, which means I work from home. Now don't get me wrong I love working from home but when you're in a new county where you don't know anyone locally it's important to get out and meet people.

Locally on the Limestone coast there is the Skilled Migrants group. I joined them about 6 weeks ago and it's great. We are all from different countries and the locals join us too and we have different events from coffee mornings, bowls, family events in the park etc. I felt strange going along at first since I thought it was more for people who didn't speak English or have a job etc, but I was wrong.

Also on the Limestone coast we have the Home Based Business group. Yes it's a group to help home based business owners to meet up and get together and even expand the business. It's great talking to similar minded people.

If you don't have any of that near you then volunteer at a local group, find someone that will introduce you to Rotary, go along to a Toastmasters group, or go to a group that does your favourite hobby.

From my experience the sooner you start making local friend the sooner you'll feel like you belong. I'm not saying that they will replace family and friends but it will certainly make it easier.

Regards,
Karen

Byo · #2 (**permalink**) 30th November 2007, 04:53 AM

Thanks for that Karen. Yes its really hard and sometimes finding people that are in the same boat as yourself really helps. Something I'm having problems with at the moment.

kaz101 · #3 (**permalink**) 30th November 2007, 05:15 AM

Hi Byo,

If you can't find any groups locally you can always start one up! I'm starting up a local Toastmasters group and people are being very helpful.

Hope you settle in soon!

Karen

Baby75 · #4 (**permalink**) 30th November 2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaz101

One of the hardest things for me was making new friends...

My husband got a job, and I have my online business, which means I work from home. Now don't get me wrong I love working from home but when you're in a new county where you don't know anyone locally it's important to get out and meet people.

Locally on the Limestone coast there is the Skilled Migrants group. I joined them about 6 weeks ago and it's great. We are all from different countries and the locals join us too and we have different events from coffee mornings, bowls, family events in the park etc. I felt strange going along at first since I thought it was more for people who didn't speak English or have a job etc, but I was wrong.

Also on the Limestone coast we have the Home Based Business group. Yes it's a group to help home based business owners to meet up and get together and even expand the business. It's great talking to similar minded people.

If you don't have any of that near you then volunteer at a local group, find someone that will introduce you to Rotary, go along to a Toastmasters group, or go to a group that does your favourite hobby.

From my experience the sooner you start making local friend the sooner you'll feel like you belong. I'm not saying that they will replace family and friends but it will certainly make it easier.

Regards,
Karen

Were about is the limestone coast and fairplay to you for getting out there

kaz101 · #5 (**permalink**) 30th November 2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby75

Were about is the limestone coast

Hi Baby75,

The Limestone coast is the south of South Australia (if you google it you'll get a website). The regional city is Mount Gambier, which has about 25,000 people and is half way between Melbourne in Victoria, and Adelaide in South Australia. Mount Gambier is the second largest city in South Australia.

I sound like a tourist advert

Regards,
Karen

scottishcelts · #6 (**permalink**) 30th November 2007, 09:31 PM

Yes, this is something i have spent a long time thinking about - meeting others but then i keep remembering the fact that everyone who emigrates is in the same boat and there are loads in Oz obviously, so it can't be that hard to muck in with your neighbours and get chatting.

Also there are loads of organisations/groups that can be joined, i.e. i am Scottish and i know there are loads of Scottish community groups out there screaming for people like me to join with all new Scottishness. My kids can get involved with these kind of things too.

Whatever your ancestry/interests are, there are plenty to join in Oz.

Byo · #7 (**permalink**) 30th November 2007, 10:08 PM

It depends what country you are from. I haven't found any fellow expats from my country in Sydney.

Baby75 · #8 (**permalink**) 30th November 2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byo

It depends what country you are from. I haven't found any fellow expats from my country in Sydney.

join our then youll slot right in as we all ahve something in common!

Byo · #9 (**permalink**) 30th November 2007, 10:17 PM

Where are you from baby75. Are you living in Sydney?

Baby75 · #10 (**permalink**) 1st December 2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byo

Where are you from baby75. Are you living in Sydney?

hello i wish i was

i am in Ireland at the moment hoping to be in moving with my lot in June.
how long have you been in Sydney, have you gone to any expact meet ups i think on another expact site they arrange loads ill send you the link you'll find people from every were go to them.