been here a year, still feels new

Greetings!!!

I am an expat from the US living in the Northeast.  I moved here with my spouse/family a year ago, but it still feels like yesterday!! I finally got my driver's license (YAY!), and know my way around a bit. 

  I work a lot and am studying for my MBA so any free time is spent exploring.  We still can't get used to the narrow roads.  But we've been to the nearby cities; York, Newcastle, Durham.  We loved the Lake district and the Dales.  Over the summer we took the train to the Scottish Highlands. That was beautiful!
So we are really enjoying this beautiful country, however, the only thing we have not been able to do is make friends.    , I know we are not as outgoing as we could be and it takes an effort to meet people and make connections.  So that is basically what I am looking for, friends.  Any suggestion on how to meet people, and make friends.  I don't know if it's just me, but it does seem hard to establish those relationships around here. 

So just a little more about us;  I am from the California bay area, went to school in Texas and my husband is from Mexico.  We both speak fluent Spanish and love cooking Mexican food!  We have one son.  Our son was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2.  that was almost 8 years ago and he is doing really well adapting to his new surroundings and school. 
I guess that's enough for now.... Cheers!

Hiya!  I'm moving over to Durham in October -- awaiting my visa really -- and this forum seems to be good for reaching out.
I was born in the SF Bay Area and lived in So CA for many years and LOVE Mexican food!  If you find any good stuff in the NE let me know.
Welcome to the forum!


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I'm in Manchester and from San Diego! (Although I went to school at UC Berkeley!). If you do find some sort of secret amazing Mexican supplier/restaurant, do let everyone know.
That said, have you ever gone on any group tours or hikes or joined a walking group? That might be an excellent way to make friends and explore! I've made most of my friends through my hobby (I horseback ride), a few on here, and a few at work.
Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback!  We haven't found any specific Mexican place for ingredients, we usually bring back the 'necessities' when we go on our annual trip to the US; Mazeca, Chile seco, Knorr tomate..... the rest we can find  here at our Sainsbury's or Tesco.  The only thing we cannot find yet is fresh long green chiles; we would call them anaheim peppers or chile california back home.  They have the big red ones, but they are not the same for making chiles rellenos....Anyway, enough about food.

I was just looking the other day at a local walking group that meet almost every weekend for different planned walks.  That is something we will definitely try!  If I recall correctly this particular group was not promoted for families (i.e. no kids).  So that leads me to my next big question-  Any suggestions on finding a babysitter that comes to our home?  We have looked online, but there is not much selection in Darlington (where we live).
Anyone out there have a good recommendation ?

Thanks again

South Devon Chilli Farm has Anaheims, but they're not all that cheap once you add in shipping. If you ordered a lot of stuff from them, it might be more cost-effective. Still, if you're really missing them it might be worth it!

http://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/shop/fresh-anaheim-new-mexico.html

Hello Acenat,
Sorry to hear about your lack of friends.
I'm a brit and I live in Edinburgh. You are welcome to come and visit and I can show you around Edinburgh & East Lothian ~ Tantallon Castle, Dirlton Castle, Roslynn Chapel one weekend, if you want.

Here are some handy B&B's to stay in Edinburgh Corstorphine area, comes with car parking.
~ http://thistledhu.co.uk/
~ http://www.dovecothouse.co.uk/
Cheers.