Who moved to NZ and hated it?

[selchie]

Our own dilemma includes the fact that we aren't necessarily unhappy with where we are now. We have a nice home and good friends. The job situation is so-so. The biggest thing to drive us away is our scary national politics (we're in the US of God's-Own-A), though we're hoping that tide is turning.

I want to be sure that moving to NZ will be an improvement in our lives, or at least a roughly equal quality of life "exchange". I know that a lot of that depends on us and our approach. I keep dreaming of roaming the countryside creating art, but it's not as though I do that now. I'll probably keep noodling around in a garden and doing all the other little things I do now. Not that those things are bad; that's just my realistic side speaking up. I worry that Karin thinks she'll be more inspired by employment there, and thus have more energy for everything, but that would also be daydreaming. We'll see what happens.

MB, if it's sparring you want, I can help! ..."What a bunch of rot. You and yours are a bunch of eejits." Brings back memories, eh?

[MotherBear]

MB, if it's sparring you want, I can help! ..."What a bunch of rot. You and yours are a bunch of eejits." Brings back memories, eh? *

What utter bobbins! Not forgetting a few hehe's and, of course, lots of and a couple of

He did make me laugh (sometimes, anyway

[fisheress]

Well we've been here almost 11 months now...........and I still love it. There are things that frustrate me about 'systems' the kiwis have, especially at work, but once you leave work to get out and about to do what ever you want wherever you want you remember what's so good about living here.

The key is 'stay positive'. After a staff meeting where I can see solutions (often money saving) to problems straight away and they plan another meeting to deliberate it further, I grab my youngest, go down to the beach and and eat fish and chips!!

There is no doubt at all that we are not as well off (financially) as we were in the UK, but we knew that would be the case before we applied and had budgeted accordingly to ensure a similar lifestyle in NZ. Fortunately for us, we can afford to fly home next July for a month to see family if we choose to.

Even though food and clothes etc are expensive compared to wages, you've got to look at the bigger picture.................I used to have a huge mortgage that still had 23 years to go on a house just as nice as the one I own now............here, I have a ?30 000 mortgage for the next 18 months and then the house is really mine!!! How good is that???????????

On the down side, my hubby could have retired at 49 at home with a handsome pension...............here he will have to work 6 years longer and we need to look into buying a second property to fill in the pension gap. The up side for me is that I can retire at 55 instead of 65 and there's a possibility I can work 4 days a week in a couple of years!!!!

For those of you thinking about coming out, my advice would be to do your sums and homework carefully. We came out to visit, budgeted properly and knew before we left that this would be it for us. This was important because we knew that if we ever returned to the UK we would have to live in a house similar to our very first house............not the end of the world at all, but difficult when all your friends are at where you left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh........and we haven't actually had a real Kiwi family life yet.............hubby is still away until Xmas and starts work in January....................so if I've managed being on my own in a new country for 7 months this year, I thinK I'm here to stay! What do you all think?

Fisheress

[Glenda]

Oh........and we haven't actually had a real Kiwi family life yet.............hubby is still away until Xmas and starts work in January....................so if I've managed being on my own in a new country for 7 months this year, I think I'm here to stay! What do you all think?
Fisheress

Yep ... it looks as if NZ is stuck with you! * ;) ;) ;) *Stuck with me too * as I am happy here, and the children are happy here.

I agree that you have to be positive, also that one cannot expect it to be like the UK (or US) with the same standard of living but with less population. * A lot of people will earn less than they did in their home country but many will adjust, especially if they have brought enough capital over to assist and persevere with settling down. *Everyone will have a different story. *

Hey fisheress, Christmas is getting closer and you'll be a family again soon ... don't forget to spend Christmas Day on the beach!

[fisheress]

Good on ya Glenda!!!!

Xmas Day on the beach it is!!!!!! Mum and Dad will be here too!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep up the good work..............you've done brilliantly so far!!!

Fisheress

[MotherBear]

Silverbeet,, no idea waht to do with it.

A bit of info on silverbeet and what to do with it. Can't miss a chance to help you get even healthier, Natty. Eat up those greens and think of Popeye! It's a wonder you've got time to go to work with all that veg and fruit on the go and needing tending. Just make sure you get to it before the slugs do or sink a few empty yoghurt pots into the ground and pour some beer into them (if you can spare it, of course :D ), that'll keep the slugs happy while your garden thrives.

Fisheress, you're doing good, girl. Long may it last.

[selchie]

Good thoughts, Fisheress. Dang, I thought your husband had already joined you. Fortunately December isn't very far off now. We might have a similar separation if we get the green light, though I hope it won't be quite so long. I can't stand the idea of my OH having fun in NZ without me ;D

[fisheress]

Selchie

Hubby is now in NZ, but away doing his police training in Wellington til Xmas.......he is home this weekend as he's half way through......Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fisheress :D

[StaceyLMCR]

Hi! I haven't read all the posts but what I did read is understandable. All I'm looking for is a place where I can raise my children right. We have nothing to begin with so there's really not that much to lose. I would like to know about rent and food expense though and about cable, phone and heat and lights too actually. I just want us to live better than what we do here. My children are 7 and 8. Here in Canada we have medical. Is it the same for NZ? If not do you have to pay? Plus the plan is to get a job before I move so then I at least have that security.

[StaceyLMCR]

Sorry, also when I was working I was making 8.00 an hour looking after people. Since I'm taking Paralegal I hope to make more than that, is it a possibility there or a pipe dream? Any info would be much help. Thanks