Moving to Adelaide soon.

[Takashi]

Hi Fellow forumers,

I have been browsing around this forum and decide to register, this seems to be a good place to share thoughts and exchange ideas. I believe that for those who have 'rough it out' it the starting phase, have many valuable experiences. And I believe, in the process of preparation, going thru and reflecting on the journey, I might be able to contribute to this community and sharing my experience to those who need it.

Me and my wife are going to move to Adelaide in a few months time, with the aim of starting a totally new life. We have been travelling to quite a few places and been exposed to different culture somehow. We are prepared to adopt an open-minded approach and never expect life to be a 'bed-of-roses' .

However,mental preparation is only a small portion of the whole process.

Would like to find out from you all, the following:-

1) How to get settled down in the fastest way?( eg. building friends networks, getting used to the place/ culture etc)

2) Coming from a tropical region, would it be tough to get used to the weather?

3) What are the challenges ? or any pitfalls to avoid?

Hope you hear from you!

[Busyte]

Hi,

We are in the same process. So I can't be of much help.

Hubby is now in Oz visiting Melbourne and Brisbane for us to decide on a final destination.

We didn't consider Adelaide because of the lack of water, although Mount Gambier does not have this problem.

I was just wondering why did you decide in SA, why not Queensland (warmer) or Victoria?

Cheers,
Busyte

[anj1976]

Hi Takashi

Welcome to the forum. I have been here since about 2 years now, or i think more, and i have met a lot of people, some of them are very good friends now. One of them happens to be from Singapore, few of them already in australia, so on and forth.
as far as meeting people, settling down is concerned, dont go with your hopes very high, I am yet to go but I have been preparing myself and OH since a while now. Join forums like these, there are lot of communities you can join. You got to figure out what your interests are, like for my husband it is music and guitar, so you join guitar classes, meet people there and that partially how you start a social circle. If you have kids, you can meet parents at the park etc.

I dont weather should be much of an issue, for us Asians it isnt very difficult to adjust at a place like australia. I am form India, live in Delhi and the summers here are as bad as those in Australia and the winters are again more or less the same.

challenges are relatives, family, friends, convincing them that you are happy, convincing yourself that you indeed are happy, trying not to miss family too much and starting your life afresh. while you are in your home country, you are in a comfort zone, you know where are the good shops, where to buy, where to sell, etc etc but the moment you change countries, your life changes, its like starting all over again. and ofcourse the challenge of finding a suitable job.

I cant think of much difference otehr thn the initial teething problems, adjusting to the culture, the people, the place.

Wish you luck with things

Cheers
anj
PS. I have not moved yet, still waiting for the visa but I have been reading about australia since 3-4 yrs now and i still feel there is a lot to learn.

[kaz101]

Hi Takashi,

Welcome to the forum.

I am in South Australia but I'm in the South East of the on the Limestone Coast.

To build networks you can get out and meet people - join clubs etc. I has already worked out what clubs I wanted to join before I'd even moved here. You can find out clubs in South Australia (as well as other services at) Infosearch: SA.

Adelaide is very dry with water restrictions so I think that will be different for you.
You can check out weather info at Adelaide weather forecast, Bureau of Meteorology Warnings & rainfall

You've already said that you're coming with an open mind and that's the best approach to take

Good luck with your move and let us know how you get on,
Karen

[Takashi]

Originally Posted by Busyte

Hi,

We are in the same process. So I can't be of much help.

Hubby is now in Oz visiting Melbourne and Brisbane for us to decide on a final destination.

We didn't consider Adelaide because of the lack of water, although Mount Gambier does not have this problem.

I was just wondering why did you decide in SA, why not Queensland (warmer) or Victoria?

Cheers,
Busyte

Thanks for the reply!

My siblings friends are over there, that's why for the the consideration. I wasn't aware of the issue with water shortage, but I do find the tap water very unplesant in taste, and l've prepared lots of filters to bring over.

Queensland, out of the question, because of the level racism and anti-foreigner sentiments , and vic is getting more chaotic. Moreover, I cannot stand hot climate.

Cheers,
Takashi

[Busyte]

Hi,

I wasn't aware on any racism in Queensland.
Thanks for pointing that out.
I'll ask hubby to investigate.

Cheers,
Busyte

[Halo]

Originally Posted by Busyte

Hi,

I wasn't aware on any racism in Queensland.
Thanks for pointing that out.
I'll ask hubby to investigate.

Cheers,
Busyte

Are you kidding...... Australia tops the racism charts.

[Busyte]

Hi,

I did know of their history with the [moderator removed term - Aborigine is the official term and anything else can be seen as derogatory!] but was always told that was long gone and it is a multicultural inclusive society.

That is bad news.

Cheers,
Busyte

[Halo]

Originally Posted by Busyte

Hi,

I did know of their history with the Aborigines. but was always told that was long gone and it is a multicultural inclusive society.

That is bad news.

Cheers,
Busyte

Its Aboriginal good sir... and its not so much to do with them but with immigrants from xxxxx.
Multicultural = Misnomer

[Takashi]

Originally Posted by anj1976

Hi Takashi

Welcome to the forum. I have been here since about 2 years now, or i think more, and i have met a lot of people, some of them are very good friends now. One of them happens to be from Singapore, few of them already in australia, so on and forth.
as far as meeting people, settling down is concerned, dont go with your hopes very high, I am yet to go but I have been preparing myself and OH since a while now. Join forums like these, there are lot of communities you can join. You got to figure out what your interests are, like for my husband it is music and guitar, so you join guitar classes, meet people there and that partially how you start a social circle. If you have kids, you can meet parents at the park etc.

I dont weather should be much of an issue, for us Asians it isnt very difficult to adjust at a place like australia. I am form India, live in Delhi and the summers here are as bad as those in Australia and the winters are again more or less the same.

challenges are relatives, family, friends, convincing them that you are happy, convincing yourself that you indeed are happy, trying not to miss family too much and starting your life afresh. while you are in your home country, you are in a comfort zone, you know where are the good shops, where to buy, where to sell, etc etc but the moment you change countries, your life changes, its like starting all over again. and ofcourse the challenge of finding a suitable job.

I cant think of much difference otehr thn the initial teething problems, adjusting to the culture, the people, the place.

Wish you luck with things

Cheers
anj
PS. I have not moved yet, still waiting for the visa but I have been reading about australia since 3-4 yrs now and i still feel there is a lot to learn.

Hi Anj,
Thanks for the kind advice!

There are bound to be teething problems/ or rather, challenging issues to be faced and resolved alone, or with minimium resources.

Comfort zone is not necessarily a good thing. There are limited rooms to grow in,it makes one complacent, lazy and taking things for granted.Life has been always been going uphill for me, perhaps it makes stronger and more ready for the next wave.

Where exactly do you intend to settle down in? I mean which state?

cheers,
takashi