Turkish Men Settling In The UK

I just wonder how your Turkish men adapted to settling in the UK? I think I must have been very lucky with Ertie (going by other stories) as he felt at home straight away - from day one! Shocked I suppose it helped tremendously that we lived together in Turkey for two years, so we were the same close couple when we came back to England - just in a different place.

We never had an any problems at all with him settling in, and I think one of the reasons Ertie felt so 'at home' and comfortable (besides us having a lovely home) was the fact we were so used to each other, and it didn't really matter where we were. Plus, of course, the fact we knew each other inside out living together in Turkey. I remember a friend asking me how Ertie felt when he first came to live with me in London, and asking if he felt homesick - but it's something that never occured to either of us. He felt at home straight away - but that probably was down to the fact we are (and were) so close. He also felt comfortable and at home when we went out to visit friends and family, and went around Central London - but that could have been partly down to the fact I'm a Londoner and so familiar with the place - maybe that gave him a feeling of being part of it too?

I realise how lucky I am that Ertie adapted so well and felt at home so quickly - and that he adored London and everything it has to offer. It really is a beautiful city, and only last week we were up in Central London and he remarked how lovely and exciting it feels to be part of it - it's so vibrant. When he said that I looked around me and thought to myself 'Yes, he's right. It is lovely and grand, spectacular and beautiful' and I kind of saw it through new eyes (we do take things for granted sometimes don't we? Neutral )

I know we're lucky having the best of both worlds: just 10 miles from Central London and on top of the greenbelt of Surrey - so the environment must help for a foreigner settling in...but I think we would have happily settled anywhere at all....simply because we we were already so close when he first came over with me to live here.

Is my situation unusual - or have other couples experienced similar?

Strawbs

Oh Strawbs you and Ertie are so very lucky to live in such close proximity to London. I have seen the photographs of your lovely home and your beautiful gardens and to be so very close to all the wonderful shops in the City. You really have the very best of both worlds by living in a greenbelt area yet only 10 miles from the capital.

I particularly enjoy shopping in Bond Street and Sloane Street. I enjoy the shows in the West End, been to see Phantom of the Opera at least 50 times, as you can imagine it is my favourite show, but then you cannot go wrong with any Andrew Lloyd Webber production. I love browsing around Harrod's, especially the Food Hall at Christmas time. Trafalgar Square at New Year. Oh how I would love to live near to London.

Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Catherdral, Big Ben, a cruise down the Thames enjoying champers and dinner on a summer evening.

Anyone who does not love London must be dead .


Ruby

Hi Ruby,

Oh thank you for the compliment. Yes, Samuel Johnson said: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of Life; for there is in London all that Life can afford" and he was right. That's why we get millions of tourists come over every year...

I agree with you about all those places you mentioned - they're gorgeous. My favourite bridge for viewing London is Waterloo (at night particularly) but you can also get great views from other places too - the Hilton in Park Lane has fab views (and you can sip champagne while watching the sunset ) Of course, theatre-land is brilliant, and Covent Garden itself is so vibrant and exciting - it's fabulous. I remember the first time I took Ertie to see Soho and China Town - he balked at all the ducks hanging up in the windows lol - but the Chinese food down there is second to none - and you can find a restaurant open down there at 4 in the morning - handy if you've had a late night!

Oh, there's hundreds of beautiful places in London, and what makes it so much nicer is all the greenery and parks - something lacking in other cities and towns I find....and the houses of course are to die for where you like to shop! lol I was at Harrods last week (outside actually, sipping wine and having a small lunch of avocado, mozzarella and toms...mmmmm) and chatting on the phone to someone!

Back to the original point.....how did your SIL settle in to the UK?

Strawbs

I know exactly what you mean - we were Londoners (well until 7 years ago:) My husband fitted in immediately; still works in London although we live in the sticks...

I can settle anywhere with beautiful lady...........

Kisses

My husband settled in pretty easily too but again I think that is because we had been living together for 3 years in Turkey before he moved over and also he got a job pretty much straight away. I don't think he particuarly likes London that much but he isn't really a city person. He has got used to it though over the last 5 years.

I think a lot of problems people have is because they haven't actually spent much time together beforehand. It must be hard moving to a strange country with someone you have only ever spent holiday time with.

I was lucky my hubby settled well and quickly.he too found a job very quickly and i do think that is the main thing that worries them.he of course misses home and is looking forward to visiting,especially as he lived in the country and misses certain smells but he doesnt get home sick.we didnt live together in turkey and we were lucky that we managed from the beginning here,but it wasnt without some hiccups.i encourage him to do things for himself rather than for him so that helps too.

Hi Hayley,

What sort of smells does your husband miss? Yoy obviously don't wear Chanel No: Poo

Strawbs

PMSL!!!!!!!!! number pooh!

Maria

Hi strawbs,hubby misses the mountains and the smell of the huge garden they have packed with satsumas and pomegranates trees.he misses the smell of the herbs there and although you can sniff them in a glass jar here its not the same as being in the open thick of it all.its the really simple things that we would take for granted.his family always went to pick thyme and olives etc,made a day of it with a picnic and yeah might seem silly to some but its what takes your fancy :/ i however do not miss the smell of donkey shit as i always managed to find it but i must say it was lovely when i stayed there just wandering out and picking a fresh satsuma off the tree after dinner and having a wander through the place.i suppose every country has certain smells ( good and bad ) that you miss.i missed gravy so much when i was there that sadly i took a bisto gravy granules with me :/ just cant do a roast without them... must say i used to favour chanel n0 5 though xx