New to Birmingham...

maritimer
New Member



Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Posts: 3

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:18 am

 

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Hi there,

My name is Michelle. I just moved to Birmingham...about a month ago from Nova Scotia (Halifax), but I'm from New Brunswick.

Yeah, so this Maritimer is a little lost in 'Brum'! It's a little overwhelming - new country, new job, new everything! Everyone is a little 'reserved' at my new work (which I've been told is just a Brit thing), so it's been a bit lonely...sniff...sniff!!!

Just wondering if there are any other Canadians around the area...

Feel free to contact me by e-mail - it would be great to hear from you!

Hope that you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving.

All the best,
-Michelle

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Michelle
Senior Member



Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Posts: 97
Location: Scotland

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:02 am

 

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HI Michelle,
I'm not in your area, I'm up in Scotland, but I just wanted to say welcome! It is hard at first especially when everything is so brand new.
What made you move over here? Are you here on your own?
Don't worry, it does get easier and we're always here as well!
Michelle (also)

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themeone
Senior Member



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 84
Location: London UK

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:19 am

 

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You've moved to Birmingham at just the right time, as the city's going through something of a renaissance. The area doesn't have a good reputation in the UK generally, and you may get pitying looks from many people when you say where you're living. Ignore them - it's a great city, and I hope you enjoy living there!

Haven't any of your colleagues made a comment about the weather to you? It's English code for "I'd like to talk to you ..."!

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maritimer
New Member



Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Posts: 3

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:22 am

 

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hi guys,

thanks so much for the encouragement! yeah, i'm sure that things will get better. i had to admit though - it is tough right now.

i did come here on my own - which is probably why it seems quite hard. friends who have done the same thing tell me that it takes some time to settle in, but these are all people who are married - so they at least have that one person that they can depend on.

i came here to work - it seemed like a good career move...and a good opportunity to travel, etc...

i'm enjoying the city, so that is a good thing! i'll have to join a class or something - to meet some people outside of work - the people in my department are a bit tough to crack! oh well..!!

i haven't been to the maple leaf pub, but i'll have to make a trip there sometime - at least for canada day!

thanks again for the advice!

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themeone
Senior Member



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 84
Location: London UK

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 11:25 am

 

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I think it's always tough to go abroad on your own to work, so full marks for giving it a go, Michelle.

And sorry to hear about your colleagues. All I can say is, in general, people in Birmingham are probably not used to Canadians, so it may take them a while to get used to you. I don't know what kind of work you're doing, but office culture in the UK usually involves a lot of moaning - about the boss, the work, the weather, the fact it's only Tuesday, the fact it's only 3pm, the copier's on the blink *again*, and on and on. None of it means anything - it's a sort of good natured "group therapy" for most!

Many issues are made a joke of too, although the humour is usually very understated, and nobody actually laughs, so you might not realise it was meant to be funny ....

Of course it could just be your luck to get in with a lot of miserable bastards! Do they ever have lunchtime or after-work drinks?

Classes might be good. Birmingham was the cradle of the industrial revolution so local history might be a good one if you're that way inclined.

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Burnaby
New Member



Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 4
Location: London England

Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:21 pm

 

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Hi
Ive been told that Birmingham is a concrete jungle and not to go there.
I have been considering going to Leicester Derby or Nottingham, has anyone been to any of them, if so whats it like there.
Im desperate to get out of London -high cost.

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themeone
Senior Member



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 84
Location: London UK

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:32 am

 

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Hi Burnaby

Most British people who don't live in Birmingham will tell you it's horrible. It's just one of those places everyone loves to hate. Pay the place a visit and form your own opinion though - plenty who do live there think it's great.

Nottingham, Derby and Leicester are all smaller cities and will certainly be cheaper than London, but so is Birmingham.

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republican
Super Member



Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 193
Location: England

Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:35 pm

 

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Hi! I live near Leicester so not too far from Birmingham. I must admit that although Brum is a place I never really go to, the last time I went I found the locals to be quite nice. England is a strange place with even stranger people in my opinion-some people get used to it others don't.I for want can't so I am leaving soon for France and then by August I'll repatriate myself back to Canada. But don't let me put you off- I wish you the best!
Ben

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