New Zealand - UK ex-pats!!?

Question

Anybody moved from the UK to New Zealand???

Did it / does it live up to expectation???

Would you come back to the UK to live???

Whats the best thing about the move???

Any answers would be greatly appreciated!!!

Cheers

John

Answer 1

Yes, I've moved to New Zealand from Cheshire a few years ago.

I'd say it was largely the way I expected it to be, with a few exceptions. For one, it's not as warm as you might think - I live in Otago, and find the weather and climate downright identical to that of Cheshire throughout the year. The much lauded "easy pace of living" in New Zealand is no easier than in the UK, with the one exception that you don't get the traffic jams outside the big cities here - but then, neither would you in the UK. It's a funny thing, New Zealand. Even though it would be perfectly possible to live a lifestyle reminsicent of latin laissez-faire, I find the people here high strung, stressed, depressed, and aggressive and pushy in traffic - even though I live in a sleepy corner of the South Island. That was a disappointment for me, but maybe only because I expected New Zealand to have the slowness and grace of Canada, mixed with a bit of a Southsea Mellowness. Well, it's a busy little place, full of busy little people instead.

Would I come back to the UK to live? Yes, but only if my salary was significantly higher than it was when I left. I would need to earn about GBP 140.000 per annum in the UK to live the way I do now here in NZ on not even GBP 20.000, because the kind of house in the kind of setting pretty much everybody here can have on that kind of salary would be a GBP 600.000 detached farm house somewhere in Cornwall or Devon, with the nearest neighbour about as far away as they'd need to wedge another 12 houses into in the UK.

The best thing about the move for me was that the crime is so much less than in the UK, and the appeal of exploring an entirely new country.

I may stay here forever, but there are days when I think longingly of other countries I have lived in. I often think it would have been just as well to move to somewhere in the Peak District, West Yorkshire, to Formby, or to Southport, or somewhere in North Wales, and it would have been exactly the same as NZ, but with a few things UK-style that I'd rather have UK-style, to be honest.

On the whole, New Zealand is a really good place, especially when you're looking at facts - you get all those natural attractions at a density you wouldn't find anywhere else in the world, low population density, low crime in most places, yadda yadda.

Yet, somehow... where's the love, you know.

Answer 2

I came to NZ many years ago from UK, and it didn't live up to my expectations in a number of areas, mainly as a result of the misinformation dealt out by NZ House in London at that time.

Everyone's experiences and circumstances after emigrating to another country differ. Some will really 'make it' and think it's the best move they've ever made, while others will be less fortunate and may return to their native land. I put myself somewhere in between those extremes, but if I were in a good financial position at this time in my life, then I'd opt to return to UK. Unfortunately I'm not in that position.

The best thing about the move is that I met my present wife here. She's a gem, and a European New Zealander.

If you have a good job here, then you can have a pretty pleasant life in this country, if you don't mind the geographical isolation. Each unto their own I guess, and you'll never find out until you give it a go.

Answer 3

Have not done this myself but its been a dream if mine and I beleive its a little like the UK with some bad weather etc,

I think for everyone things are different so what someone else thinks of NZ may not be what you feel.  I think if its something you want to do and you have the chance go for it.  We only live once and I think we should pack as much in as we can..

Hope that helps

Answer 4

They are tough questions!

I moved with my family from the UK to Auckland almost a year ago, and despite our best efforts to prepare ourselves, it's not been easy adjusting to our new circumstances, I can tell you! The sense of isolation is probably the hardest thing to get over, and there are cultural differences which can't be ignored. However, it's a stunningly beautiful country {Auckland is, in many ways like any big city; lots to do and see, but not without it's problems; but, drive for twenty minutes or so and you are in paradise!}; the people are incredibly accepting and friendly on the whole, and overall the quality of life is much better. Oh! and despite the wet winter, the weather is generally much better too!

If you're overly attached to friends and family in the UK, then it's not for you. Otherwise, give it a go! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as 'they' say.