Hi All!

Just wanted share with you some thoughts about our first year in Oz.

A bit of background - Paul had been to Oz before (just for a couple of weeks or so, but not to Adelaide) and I had never been to Oz at all. So, really, when I look back, to sell up and come here having never seen the place was a HUGE thing to do. Are we glad we did it.....? YES!!!

We spent our first 6 months in a rental in Happy Valley which was clean and new (but v cold!!!) I remember first finding Adelaide very bright (I remember writing this when I did a we've just arrived post). Seriously need sunnies when you're here.
The place itself
One of the things that shocked me about Adelaide (and this is gonna sound very obvious and a tad stupid) is that it is a city :doh: . For some reason, reading all the posts I had before coming, I had got the impression of it being a a city with a 'small town' feel and quite rural. Actually the 'small town' bit is only to do with the mentality of the place - ie everyone seems to know everyone else (or at least know someone who knows that somebody else). In that sense it feels smaller than even Peterborough (small city in UK we came from). Physically though, its a big busy place - and actually busier than I expected so this was a bit of a shock to me. However, it is amazing how quickly it becomes quiet once you get off the beaten track. There are some gorgeous areas of Adelaide, with beautiful beaches and fabulous countryside all within easy reach. I personally think its a wonderful place if you like the (relatively) quiet life.

The people
We have found Adelaide people to be very friendly and helpful. We have taken the attitude that they all have friends and therefore it is us who needs to make the effort and get out there and introduce ourselves and meet new people. In general this has worked and a year on we have a good social life and are beginning to build a network of friends. Still got a long way to go (friendships aren't built overnight) but we do feel we've done the necessary groundwork. There are lots of clubs and societies of every variety in Adelaide and I would advice anyone coming here who wants to get to know people to join one or two. I have joined an Aussie Masters Swimming Club, Paul has joined a Jeep club and we both go to a local Church. These things are very very helpful in getting to know people.

One word of (semi) warning. Although Adelaide people are very friendly, we have found that it is quite difficult to get beyond a relatively superficial level. I am sure that it is is because (as mentioned earlier) they all have their friends that they have grown up with and therefore don't actually need our friendship. That said, its worth persevering as they are lovely people and we are beginning to get proper Aussie friends now who we socialise with on a regular basis.

Finding Work
Another word of warning. Adelaide works largely on reputation (ie word-of-mouth). I have heard of plenty of people who have got jobs without having to be interviewed because they have a fabulous reputation in their area of work) or have been interviewed and have got the job because they knew the boss etc etc. This is great! However, when you have just come from England and you have no reputation, it is difficult to get your foot in the door. Don't let this put you off, just be aware that it may not happen as quickly as you expect and you may have to take something lower than you want at first, just to get yourself a reputation.

The other issue is that you are expected to have experience. Ie, at one point after I had been applying for secretarial/financial services with no luck I thought I would try my hand at anything. What I found frustrating was that with jobs like working in a cafe etc I was expected to provide a CV detailing my experience. I have no experience of this kind (bar making coffee/sandwiches at home :D ) so I couldn't get a look in. V hard. As it happened, I went to an employment agency and did find a Financial Services job (in fact my ideal job). V surprised I must say, but it turns out that Financial Services is a huge growth market here - so even with my exams not being recognised here, someone was willing to give me a go. So, it has ended well.

We have both managed to get jobs but it has been quite hard (especially for Paul who got a job quite quickly but not the 'right' job. He has stuck with it because financially we obviously needed him to, but it has taken him a good year to get the sort of job he wanted. He is very happy in his work now though.

Accommodation
After six months of being here we bought a lovely house in a very pretty area of Adelaide. We have downsized in some ways from the UK (ie we only have 1 bathroom, a carport but no garage) - but what we have gained is immense in terms of quality of life. We live on a 1400sqm block. We get kooalas and kookaburras and all sorts of wildlife and we can sit on our verandah in the evening and drink beer. Great stuff!! We are a 10 minutes drive from the beach, and only a couple of minutes walk from great countryside.

General observations
One of the biggest things for me has been noticing the attitude of the kids/young people here. I'm sure there are exceptions, but in general they are friendly, sociable and polite. I have yet to come across a youngster who is agressive. That is great. There also doesn't seem to be any pressure for them to grow up quickly which is also great. I'm afraid I can't comment on schools yet as Thomas isn't of age, but from what I gather the schooling is of good quality.

Another thing that struck me is the attitude of Government here. Without getting into political rangles (I'm not wanting to be contraversial of provocative at all) I have been pleasantly surprised at how much notice the Government appears to take of public opinion. Really took me aback when I heard that the Government had decided not to do something they were planning to do because public opinion was against it! Suddenly made me realise how we haven't been used to living in a democracy.

Anyway, I've spent far too long on this post and I hope I haven't bored you too much - but hopefully you will find some of it useful. If I can be helpful to anyone who needs any further info on any of the above - please do feel free to ask. Having been here only a year I'm definitely not qualified as an 'Aussie' but might have something useful to say, you never know :lol:

Mandy
xx

Good post Mandy. Not too long and not boring.
Don't have time to reply with any detail just now, but just wanted to acknowledge the post.
Cheers,
Jen

Congrats on your first year & what a fab post, I really enjoyed reading it. My hubby is like your hubby he's not found the 'right' job as yet & he has stuck with it because financially we needed him to, so there's hope for him !

Everything has fallen into place for you & You sound really happy with your new life & I wish you many more happy years, well done :D

An excellent post Mandy.
Well thought out and spot on with your observations.

I love the smaller town of Adelaide but it can be a little frustrating when you are doing business and sourcing stock.We often have to buy from Sydney or Melboure and I feel as if we are letting the state down :-(

You have a good slant on friendship - yep people here have their own friends.Perhaps that is why so many of us Poms stick with Poms - we are all in the same boat and looking for friends.We have no family here so friendship is doubly important.

Cheers

Great to read your post Mandy

Have got my little group of pommie friends which is great. We have managed to find a couple of Aussie friends (in the early stages of) they seem really nice and we plan to keep in touch. Being in Australia we do want to integrate but would never forget our immediate mates who have come over weeks either side, which was a great support on arrival and continues to be so.

I found work a lot quicker than I expected. Was really unsure whether I wanted to stay there in the first few weeks but now get on really well and feel like part of the team. Have been out with them aswell and had a few bevvies so think I have passed the initiation test. They did put me through another one when they made me make a phone call to some unreputable place (without my knowledge) making out they wanted to book a holiday - so I came off that call with a red face - but I guess that was there way of making me feel welcome!

The team are a real mixed bag of Aussie Greeks/Danish/Thai/Muslim - I think only one girl of 20 is true blue Aussie!

I have only been here just over 4 months but I think getting a job and having friends about obviously helps you to settle much quicker.

This was a short post reply - beware of a long one when I have been here a year!

:bouncy: Bev

:D
Lovely post, thank you. We have only been here a short time, but love it too.
We have made some Aussie friends already, I find they are great people.
Obviously, we are not as close as our pals at home, but feel sure in time, to have a good support network.

Thanks again...and we look forward to our 1st yr post (next July!!!!) :loopy:
:dancing dog:

Thanks for a great post. We are due in Addy in 6 weeks and feel like a sponge :blink: soaking up all possible info and opinion. Helps to keep it real!

fantastic post .
covered everything...........lets all keep living the dream................
we have been here 19 months from scotland and loving it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great post Mandy. :sign60: You certainly seem to be having a great time and settling in fine.

can't wait til its us next year :sign03:

Lea

Thank you Mandy for a wonderful and honest post, being still in england it's nice to read from other people's experiences.

Can I please ask where are you living now, and as my son is a competitive swimmer, what club are you in ???


Jim

Hi Mandy
Found your post very interesting. We live in Norwich at present. I liked the bit that children are not pushed to grow up too quickly. I think a lot is expected of my 6 year old over here. My 4 year old is not affected by it all yet. My niece and nephew in South Africa are definately kept younger. They are only children once......

Sue

Hi Mandy
Thanx for taking the time to write an excellent post, Made great reading for us.

:thumbs up: Keith Sharon & Jade :D :D

Fab post Mandy!

Congratulations for your first year - I bet it feels like you've been here forever (in a good way, of course!) we're only in our third month and that's how it feels to us :D .

See you soon

Sara

We live in Eden Hills, which is just outside of Blackwood.

There are loads of Swimming clubs in Adelaide. I belong to an adult competitive swimming club in Noarlunga. There are loads for kids too. Just do a google on swimming clubs sa and loads will come up. For adults check out www.aussimasters.com.au

Hope it helps
Mandy
xx