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There’s so much to say about Adelaide…….so, I thought I’d share my story and not to go down the comparison route of the price of petrol, food, surviving without Coronation Street etc. So why Adelaide?
In 2000, Ian and I back-packed around the world. It took us 6 months to take in the countries and sights we wanted to see and we enjoyed every bit of it but there was one place that stuck in our mind and that was Adelaide.
We stayed in Happy Valley for 2 weeks and enjoyed a slower pace of life. Our friends’ house had 5 bedrooms and a pool, we loved the location and the family-feel of the place. Ian and I said there and then, if we ever had kids, this would be where we would like to raise them.
We loved the relaxed feel of Adelaide. No one seemed to be in a rush. Roads were and are still are slower than the U.K. People seem to be in 5th gear and just cruising along. The roads, suburbs, beaches are clean. People say hello to you whilst walking on the beach or walking tracks. We are surrounded by wineries, vine yards and olive trees and the most impressive beaches in South Australia. Culture and entertainment is on our doorsteps. You can do as much or as little as you want. If you are into Sports, then the Aussies take it very seriously and you can join pretty much any kind of club you want to.
In 2003 we applied for our visa. By then we had had Thomas. My parents gave me so much grief over “taking their only grand child away” it was very difficult to remain strong and continue with the visa process.
In 2005 we were granted our visa and Ian secured a job with Electra Net before coming out here. He moved over and started work and Thomas and I followed later.
Unfortunately, we’ve never sold our house in the U.K because of the falling market. We dropped the price by 20,000 but still it remains unsold. I have tenants in right now, and have accepted the fact that our house will probably remain tenanted for a while to come. It’s frustrating, as I know in my heart my home is here and selling our U.K house would be the closure I need but as yet it’s not to be.
Arriving in Adelaide, I guess I had it pretty cushy. Ian had already bought our house, so all I had to do was unpack and start making the place into our home. But even with this good start, I was confused on what I needed to do next. Questions such as; What’s Medicare, What’s a TFN, do I need one? What’s Centre Link? Where’s a good Kindy for Thomas? How do I transfer my money over? How do I change my license?
With Ian being at work full time, I was pretty much left to my own devices. But eventually I got to grips with it all. The first few weeks were lonely. I had one friend here but she worked full time too. I started Thomas at the local Kindy and the teacher there introduced me to some other U.K mums and I started having coffee with them.
I guess I’m quite resourceful when I put my mind to it. I asked questions, bought a UBD road map and would go for rides in the car with Thomas and started exploring Adelaide on my own.
I then discovered an Expat forum and to be honest it has been my lifesaver. I know that sounds dramatic but believe me, the friends I have made because of that site was fantastic. I now have a lovely group of friends and a couple of special ones (you know who you are) and I’m always meeting new people every week.
Within 2 months of me settling here, my husband and I came up with the idea of RooRentals. My parents were coming over to stay (as had finally accepted our emigration) and I needed a place for them to stay, as our house was still too disorganised to house them. They didn’t want to stay in a hotel as they were staying for 8 weeks. Then someone the ExPat forum put me in touch with KP Rentals in Woodcroft.
I figured, if I had had so much trouble finding accommodation in Adelaide for my family and I live here, then how do other people emigrating over survive?
With this in mind I formulated a package of accommodation, help and advice for new comers. Purely because I knew how much confusion I had, I wanted to make people’s transition a little easier and not as stressful as it could be.
We’ve all had different experiences with emigrating. I’ve been lucky but I know for some, finding work and putting down roots can be very tiring, frustrating and financially draining but once achieved, I believe, that quality of life increases ten fold.
So, I guess a year on I’m a little more wiser and more well informed than the early days. Adelaide has always felt like home but I think that has something to do with joining my husband again.
But you do feel the distance from the U.K when it comes to missing family. Fortunately my parents will be moving out here in September, so I’m very lucky to fill that void.
I’m lucky too, to have found a good support network of friends. But then I do believe it's what you put into it as well. I’ve not sat back but actually gone out there seeking my happiness, whether it be friends, work, hobbies and interests, as the old saying goes…… Happiness is a journey not a destination.
Adelaide is now my home and even with all its charm, you have to put into it to get what you want out of it.
Would I go back to the U.K? No.
Do I wish I’d emigrated sooner? Yes
Has my life been enriched by living here?
Most definitely - Yes
Judi, Adelaide
Roo Rentals
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