Moving from the Country to the City

14/06/2004 by Sue Ellson

Originally from Adelaide and with family on Kangaroo Island, Sue has enjoyed the ups and downs of both town and country life. This is her story…

I recently met a woman whose husband died two years ago. Three months before that, with a sore back, her husband found out he had pancreatic cancer. It was a painful illness and it left this woman in her early 60’s alone and in absolute despair.

Welcoming Change

One day, in a messy home that she had not left for many days, it came to her. It was time to tidy up, get on with things and enjoy life once again. She found the support of other widows – ready to ‘be there’ whenever she wanted, her source of strength. A few months ago, one of her children moved back home and the house ended up messy again, but she told me ‘that is the way things are now…’

Her story inspired me to write this article. I regularly provide practical tips and ideas for people who have moved, but this story reminded me that we do not always have time to really prepare for our future.

And what can we do when the change has already taken place? Have you moved to ‘town’ in the last three years? Do you know in your heart that you have moved for the ‘right’ reason, but somehow you feel all ‘wrong?’

Networking in a New Community

Perhaps you have asked yourself ‘Why did I move here? I should have just stayed where I was…..’ That would seem like the simple answer. I would like to think these tips might help….

Start something new. There are many courses, activities and community events that you can attend. Sure, you won’t know anyone when you arrive, but ask around.

Let the organiser know that you are ‘new in town’ and they may be able to match you up with someone else who has moved in to the area within the last three years. You will have a lot to talk about.

Spend some time sorting out your stuff. Years of accumulated gifts, purchases and ‘might need it one day’ items can trap you. I know from personal experience that it is easier to just store it than decide whether or not to keep it! If you can sort out your favourite items and keep ‘like with like’ in new places in your new home, you will soon start remembering where to find things.

Don’t wait until people ask you out – ask them out! You don’t even have to do the dishes if you meet at a coffee shop. But if you want to, you can invite them to your house. Then you will have an excuse to spend all day baking and doing housework before they arrive!

Participate in active pursuits. A regular walk is a great way to introduce yourself to other locals, especially if you have a dog – you will probably learn all the local dogs’ names before their owners’ names – this is a rather bizarre concept if you have moved from a farm!

I sincerely hope this article assures you that any feelings you have around moving are not imaginary and despite all of the advantages, it can seem that there are many disadvantages when you move. Your new lifestyle will never be the same as the old lifestyle. But there is room for new opportunities, new friends and good times.

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