A Sense of Belonging

I was an immigrant but I was 7 yrs old when we came to live in Queensland. Even though I was young I didn't accept Brisbane as my home for many years. I used to wake up from dreams of being back in England. I realised as I got older that I had fallen in love with where I am and would never go back to the UK to live. I belong here, this is my home, I will be buried here when the time comes.

Boy do I feel as if I've seen you somewhere! WARM GREETINGS from Singapore Leigh!

I have been living in Colorado for 11 years and still have a sweet spot in my heart for California, having lived there most my life. I do love Colorado and have adapted well here. There are places and people I miss from California.

Another great blog, and as usual, a lot of interesting comments!

I'm pretty boring - haven't left my home town and don't have any reason to.

Emily, it's true - even the rubbish bins here are clean. I took it for granted until I had to pass a rubbish bin at the Brisbane airport. Singapore really is pristine.

Seriously, Leigh, are the rubbish bins in Singapore really clean?

Tara, that sounds spot on. Cults seem to prey on people who are looking for a place to belong. I guess it just goes to prove that there are a lot of people out there living somewhere, and a life, that is not right for them.

Peter and Giles, thanks for your contribution to the solution for urbanization! I'm sure governments everywhere would love to hear from you.

Peter, this is an interesting point - I've always wondered why governments don't try to move people out of the big cities that are struggling with infrastructure into regional areas that are otherwise struggling. Sydney at the moment has a huge shortage of houses which is driving up prices - I could be enticed to move elsewhere ... for a sum :) Consider money my mind control!

Now there's a great idea for governments wanting to disperse residents from big cities to smaller towns - just make people believe they belong somewhere else!

This is a little left-field, but I was watching a documentary the other night about cults and mind control, and it was interesting that the cult members basically said they didn't want to leave because they felt they belonged there. Although this may well have been part of the mind control!

Actually Louise, I thought the same thing about that addage! Thanks for the clarification.

This blog just prompted me to look up the old addage, "Home is where you lay your hat (or heart)" and it apparently doesn't mean what I thought. It means exactly what this blog is about - home is wherever you are comfortable and at ease with yourself, regardless of where you were born or brought up. I thought it meant 'home' is where you are at any given moment.

All this conversation has made me very reflective about not giving our move a better go of it. People are so much more adventurous these days about moving away from what is 'home', whatever that means these days.

We know a lot of expats here in Singapore who don't want to leave. Some people find the weather debilitating, the locals mostly, but the rest of us love the outdoor life that this provides. If you're planning to visit, let me know - I'd love to show you around!

Just started following you on Twitter! Great topic for a blog - got me to thinking ... I don't think I've found the place yet that makes me feel like I never want to leave, or maybe that's just my restless spirit.

I find it so interesting to note the places people feel a sense of belonging. Thank goodness it is different for all of us!

We lived in Melbourne for 5 years after leaving our hometown. I instantly felt I belonged, for much the same reasons I feel I belong in Singapore - it was/is beautiful, green and happening. I also loved the feel and the smell of the place.

I've lived in a few places, and have to say, I've felt pretty good and comfortable everywhere, except one place that shall remain nameless. It was very cliquey which was odd for a fairly large city, and not at all inviting (less surprising). I only lasted 18 months and was glad to move on.

I've read your blogs and tweets and Singapore sounds like a great place to live and visit. I'm on my way!

I'm originally from Newcastle but have moved around quite a bit. I've been in Sydney for past few years and think this might be where I'll stay ... for now. I did a lot of travel/work overseas after uni.

I had to move away for my career. It's not where I want to be. I'd like to move back home but that's not going to be possible. It's as you say, Leigh - feeling a sense of belonging and it's a different story for everyone.

Born and bred New Yorker. I love this city - have no plans to leave. Parents have moved away though, to Florida. I like to visit but like it more when I get back to my tiny apartment in Manhattan with my bike practically dangling over my head on the sofa.

I moved to London for big-city life when I was just out of university and early 20s. I loved it. Returning home for Christmas is 'going back' in every respect. I don't belong there. Funny that they don't understand what's so great about living in London.

My husband was offered a job in another state so we upped our young family and moved away. I lasted a year and had to go home. I missed my family so much and could not get settled in our new town. Husband stayed on by himself for 3 years of his contract. He has never really forgiven me - said I didn't give it a chance. He's probably right.

Singapore sounds fantastic. We're definitely going to get there soon!