Curious: peoples' reasons for leaving/picking NZ?

[Coxy]

Yeah, I guess it's a case of "the grass is always greener". I know some Kiwis who've come over here, and basically they've come for the jobs, the money and the cities.
I can see that when you've grown up there you might take the lifestyle for granted (probably in the same way that we do over here. I bet there are people who would think we were mad wanting to leave here), and in the end it comes down to your personal taste.
I hate cities and loads of people, and am not really into a consumerist culture. I'd much rather be taking it easy, tramping, skiing, surfing etc and getting paid less, than working my ass off just to have a 4x4 and the latest gadgets to keep up with the neighbours.

So, if there are any Kiwis who would like to do a swap...........

[siggy]

Hi All

just to throw in my 2 cents worth / reasons for thinking of moving:

Better weather, less people, outdoor lifestyle, sailing, space to breath and, most important of all, for the sheer adventure of it.

I had thought of Oz, but I don't like it tooooo hot.
I don't think you can beat a good UK summers day, it's just that we don't get enough of them!

The more I read & discover about NZ the more it seems to be the best of all worlds to me. But the proof will be in the eating,if I do get to taste that is :o)

Siggy

[SteveyC]

Why are we comparing NZ to OZ it's obvious that NZ is better. NO SNAKES or (many) SPIDERS that KILL you.
Isn;t there a stat somewhere that says, 80% of all poisonous creatures are in Australia and 80% of those can kill you.
For me and more particularly my children who just might crawl in a bush somewhere whilst in the garden, it's a no brainer.
Also I don't know about you but, when I go on holiday and come back to UK I love flying in and seeing the lovely diverse landscape. NZ has this too, so does Australia but you have to drive miles to see a change of scenery, England is the green and pleasant land but NZ is just green and pleasanter. :icon_biggrin:

[nattydread]

I can only echo ths same reasons as everyone else..

weather, traffic, outdoors, i want to take up sailing and in nz i'll be able to sail all year round without the need for space age clothing capable of withstanding sub zero temperatures..

Also, i like the sound of the Kiwi attitude to life in genera..

The postings we've read about the car dealers letting people borrow cars and take cars prior to payment, and of the road side sellers that leave boxes on their stalls for people to leave their money in... it all gives me a lovely warm fuzzy feeling inside.. it just all seems to be too good to be true to be honest..

[Coxy]

Siggy,
I like the "just for the adventure of it" reason. I hadn't thought of that one, and you're so right. It is a big part of wanting to go. If you don't try new things you'll never know if there's anything better out there (Of course having been, I already know it's better!).
Coxy

P.S. To follow on from SteveyC, an interesting aside might be: why not Oz?

[Nonie]

I'm going because my Kiwi who left 12 years ago is my husband and we are fed up living like hamsters on a ferris wheel.

I used to think he was just being lazy when he didn't bother to lock the car - it was only when I started reading up on NZ that I realised he just didn't understand the concept of people stealing from him. I used to think he was mad going out in sandals in the wintertime but then found out it was part of his culture. It might look as if we don't communicate :icon_lol: but I just put it down to eccentricity and never questioned him about it and he never felt the need to explain.

His mum spent 7 years in Holland after having spent the previous 38 in NZ and then went back 2 years ago; she said it took her a good six months to stop clutching her handbag close to her when she was out. She didn't need to anymore. No matter what downsides there are, it is a different way of life and one I'm looking forward to getting used to.

[siggy]

Why not OZ?

Too hot
Too many things that want to eat me

Siggy

[SteveyC]

hehe 'word!!'

Just thought of another reason for leaving.

The litter and rubbish all over the place here, and the culture of just tossing it out of your car etc. The hedges, ditches and roadsides are covered in the stuff.

Plus all the people who moan about recycling:
"My bin's not big enough" (Don't but so much crap then dummy!)
"It smells" (IT'S A BIN!)
"It's SO much effort to sort everything out" (Lazy ****ers!)

Get a GRIP!

They should see the size of bins you get here.... Oh yeah, you DONT!

You have to rent one of those wheeled bins if you want one, other than that its black bags at the curbside! In some places you have to pay for your rubbish to be collected, such as in Tauranga. 5 'pre-paid' rubbish bags would set you back $7.25. We dont have to pay here in Hamilton, but they will only take a maximum of 2 black bags.

Refuse stations also charge, unless its recycleable waste (Tauranga was minimum $4 and Hamilton is minimum $8, going up depending on weight)

Just a little more info, as you mentioned bins :icon_biggrin: