[Glenda]

[quote:35f53f2783="Coxy"]Sorry,
I suppose I should have put my reasons on here first.

Reasons for wanting to leave:
1. Weather
2. Traffic
3. Class system
4. The fact that at the weekend people here go shopping instead of doing something more fulfilling/interesting
5. Pace of life
6. UK obsession with status symbols (I know you get this in NZ too, but not to the same degree)
7. Lack of strong family ties (I suppose this isn't really a reason to leave, more that there is no string pull to stay for).


Why NZ?
1. Lived there for a year before and loved it (why did we ever come back????)
2. Weather
3. Being able to walk in the supermarket/town without any shoes on and not getting funny looks (try it in the UK!)
4. Outdoor lifestyle
5. More positive/progressive outlook of most Kiwis
6. Landscape[/quote:35f53f2783]

Hi Coxy,

Similar to you really. ::):

Weather - yes, fed up with long cold grey winters in which my kids spend six months on the playstation. Traffic - yes, this really goes hand in hand with the over-population of the UK. Class - well, would not say class as in 'upper class', more like class as in chavs and those who like to decorate this country with rubbish, burnt cars and graffiti. Shopping - well, I guess that is a habit many can't break and there seems to be little more in life here than spend money. Pace of life - yes, definitely. UK obsession with status symbols - yes, because I don't want them but the kids are of an age that they are beginning to. Lack of strong family ties - yes, again, in fact it would be a relief to get away from some of our family members.

To this I would add

1. Increasing red tape ... it is becoming very difficult to run a business here any more.
2. Spiralling costs - NI, council tax, other taxes, petrol, etc.
3. Growing disregard for human life - there are so many of us that IMO we are becoming more expendable.

And why NZ?

The same as you really. I've lived there before, hubby has visited three times. Would add that in comparison with Australia and Canada, the weather in NZ has less extremes in temperature and does not have the dangerous wildlife. Would also add that we know NZ is great for kids. OK, NZ does have its problems ... e.g. giving driving licences to 15 year olds, cannabis and 'P', extremist Maoris, earthquakes and volcanoes ... but we can live with the novelty for a while. :icon_wink:

Threads like this sure makes one more determined to make the move. :icon_biggrin: