Doesn't mean your offspring won't be a social butterfly - I swear my eldest knows and is known by EVERYONE. The number of people who say hello to her when we're out is phenomenal. She's quirky so she stands out a bit.

Us on the other hand ... we've been here over a year now and we haven't got beyond 'aquaintance' with anyone from kindergym or playgroup, but we do make reasonably involved idle chitchat when we bump into people. But the others clearly know each other better than we do.

We're in a small town though, so you're not local unless your grandparents are born here. But the town is very rapidly expanding so we are meeting lots of other people who haven't been here long either, which is good. Can't see us throwing any dinner parties for new close friends anytime soon though.