And will you make new friends when you get there?
I have spoken about this before on a few occasions and it is still one of the big worries for most people considering emigrating to Australia. Will I ever see my family and friends again? Will I make new friends when I get there? You can see how I answered these questions on previous post which you can access from here…..
Leaving All Your Friends Behind
The Rules of Making New Friends
I also did a post, which I’ll come to in a minute, which mentioned the four criteria which I felt were essential which could help you assess if somebody you know is likely to come out and visit you. In that post I published this picture taken from way back when of my family…..
My Family. Publishing this picture should get them out here - Just to punch my face in!
…. but I didn’t explain who everybody was or their likelihood of visiting.
It’s probably obvious to you all, but for those to whom it isn’t, I’m the little cute guy third from the left. The older couple to my left are my parents, and maybe they have already visited me here in Australia, but if they have it is only in spirit. God rest them.
In the centre, the “just married” couple are my sister Josette and her husband Terry. They haven’t visited me here yet, but I’m reasonably confident they will at some point. They meet with the four criteria mentioned shortly.
To the right of them, sporting a ridiculous goatee like beard is my brother-in-law Paul who is standing next to his wife and my sister (my God, what is she wearing?) Theresa. I am 100% certain they will come out here to visit me because they are here right now. That’s why I am away on holiday as this is published, remember Mondays post?
And finally, far right, is my brother Gary looking surprisingly like Noddy Holder of Slade. But then this photo was taken in 1972, that’s what people looked like back then. Will he come over to see me? He has threatened to, so I see no reason why not.
And then just last month you will remember that an old pal of mine who I used to play football with popped by for the Easter Weekend.
On top of that my son has been over twice, and on my wife’s side her parents have visited several times as has one of her cousins. She has also had her lifelong friend Lisa and her family over to visit twice as they themselves have been considering a permanent move to Australia.
And we’ve not been here three years yet.
But I have to say that all of our visitors have met with the four criteria I mentioned in my previous posts which were effectively:
- They need to have a history of travelling.
- They need to be able to financially afford it.
- They need to be able to find the time to come.
- They probably should have a strong desire to visit Australia.
You can read the full post about that by clicking this link…..
Moving to Australia: Missing Friends and Family
So, if you’re concerned about whether people will bother to come and see you, hopefully the information on this and the other posts will help put your mind at rest. If some your friends and family meet the above four criteria, you can rest assured that you will very likely be getting people visiting.
But if you’re moving to Australia to get away from them, just don’t leave a forwarding address.
Thanks Bob for replying to my email i will take all your advice onboard.We have Twins aged 26 years we are both in our 40’s maybe a little harder to make friends when your children are all grown up .We have made a couple of elderly friends they have been amasing help to us.
Happy new year to every one reading Bobs article
Shame, your kids are a bit old for Playgroup 🙂 So that discounts meeting other mums.
You can always use the “I recognise that accent” intro. Whenever you hear an English accent from someone about your age who, perhaps, could be a friend, just say those words. Follow up with “where are you from?”
You’d be surprised how often that can lead to a friendship.
Stay in touch and let me know how it goes.
Hi myself and family have been in Perth for 12 months now.
It has been the hardest year of our lives.We all have good jobs now but are finding it hard to find friends.
Yes we left Family and close friend behind and miss them all .
but realise it is time to stop missing them and move on.
Please advise where we can meet new friends myself and husband are in our 40’s kind regards Tracey
Hi Tracey
Yes, it’s essential that you make some friends, otherwise you will find it very difficult. I’ve written four or five posts about it, I hope you have read them all. Most are linked on this page, you will find others in the related posts section at the end of each of those pages.
They contain all my best suggestions, but really it’s all about getting involved. Joining communities, social clubs, groups, sports clubs, doing volunteer work, all these things can help you meet people and make new friends. Never say no to an invite, even if you don’t like the person who’s invited you. Other people might be at the same event who you will like.
You say yourself and your family have moved here, does that mean you have children? What ages are they? What activities do they take part in? Can you go with them and meet other parents?
Perth has a higher than average number of British expats living there, many of them are looking to make new friends, just like you. You need to find a way to tap into that.
For me and my family, the first four months were very hard. For you, so far, it’s been 12 months. Stick with it, this is a battle you must win. Maybe the fact that you are both working is limiting the opportunities you’re getting to make new friends. Find a way around that.
As soon as you’ve made just a few friends, you’ll notice how much better life becomes.
Good luck!
Bob