ONE of the main reasons we decided to make the move from Australia to London revolved around our social network, or increasingly lack of it. We found we were getting to that stage in our lives where our friends were getting married, moving away for careers or starting families of their own, and those that lived nearby were caught up in their own busy lifestyles. Yes, we too, were at that stage of our lives – good jobs, looking to buy our first home and planning a wedding, but we wanted more.
Welcome to London, where everything changed! We knew just two people when we arrived. One of them moved back to Australia a week later, but not before introducing us to her friends and adopted UK family. Just one meeting with her friends and we found ourselves sharing Christmas with them. The other friend introduced us to her Aussie housemates and their friends, and then the social network began to grow.
I thought making friends in London would be tough – that we had to make a real effort to get out there and meet people. But I couldn’t be more wrong. In Australia, it felt like we were always making the effort and it wasn’t necessarily reciprocated. Here, it works both ways and being in such a fabulous city with such amazing opportunities also helps.
We’ve also managed to re-kindle friendships with schoolmates, befriend housemates and re-connect with former work mates. Back home, when meeting someone for the first time, it’s hardly likely you’ll be sharing a beer with them the following week, catching up like old mates. But over here it is staple. This is one of the reasons I love London.
In the UK, people don’t need excuses to head out for a drink or coffee. They just do it. And it isn’t an effort to do so. Friends are like family here! Let’s hope our Aussie friends are just as welcoming when we eventually decide to head home.
Read about What I will miss most about Britain here
[ Source: Australian Times ]