sr71

NZ is not more backward than Australia, in fact the opposite is true. Apart from the social issues like same sex marriage, NZ is more advanced in most areas: Broadband, schooling, government efficiency (postal services, immigration, passports), ease of doing business (Aus is a nanny state), race relations, entrepreneurship etc.

Then there is the cultural side, NZ is more 'British', Australia is more American influenced and also has a large Catholic/conservative influence.

Other areas where NZ beats Australia are outdoor lifestyle, supermarket food, scenery, access to things to do, wildlife (forget about snakes and spiders - the flies are the worst thing about Australia)

Where Australia has the advantage is the larger population and the advantages that come with that. More job opportunities, better salaries, busier cities, cheap flights to Asia etc. Also a bit more European influenced too with some good markets and Italian/Greek food that doesn't really exist in NZ.

If you are young and into bars and clubs, then Australia is the better choice, otherwise I don't think it's a clear decision.

If you are young and ambitious then you really should be in Asia/USA/Europe

But let's be clear, both Australia and NZ are remote and largely uncultured, apart from a few central urban areas. Both are 24 hours back to the UK.

If you want remote and backwards try Perth.

Moses2013

I think the people moving to New Zealand won't see the larger population and busier cities in Australia as an advantage. More people and more jobs also often means more competition, so it's not always that easy. Better salaries for highly skilled people but most people end up paying more for housing too and I doubt the office admin person in Sydney can afford a house with garden. The shop assistant in Dunedin probably still can, so it really depends on the individual, the exact location and what they want in life.




Even in Europe it's not always for the young and ambitious. There are plenty of poor countries with high unemployment too and it can be very backwards, depending on the country and what you feel is backwards. But Europe of course has a lot to offer.

garethwm

Shard, I think its easy to get the impression that NZ is backward after reading this forum. Maybe you should come and check it out yourself or maybe also consider the Legatum prosperity index in your readings which currently ranks NZ at number 2 after Norway.

Shard

I saw a recent YouTube advertising for the NZ police (can't remember which city) but all the buildings and houses looked very dated to me.

Moses2013

NZ is certainly not backwards but what is this prosperity index? As far as I can see is that they are deciding what makes us happy and rich with a few pillars. For example Netherlands would be far too flat and overcrowded for me, so even the other pillars don't make up for that in my opinion.

Pom_Chch

So, "some dated houses" constitutes a whole country being backwards. Seems like a sound basis for your argument Shard

Shard

It's not the basis, just consistent with things I've read and many of the comments on here. Anyway, I have a European friend taking a 5 week visit there next month so will get a fuil report from her. She even liked Perth so NZ is likely to get a thumbs up too. I certainly like the scenery, very nice, almost as good as Scotland.

sr71

I don't think this site gives a good picture really, and neither does the police advert. The areas look a bit low-socioeconomic.

Houses in Australia and NZ are very similar, mostly wooden houses, both completely different from the UK. Have a look on Google Street view or some real estate sites to get a better idea

Woodlea

LOL - much nicer scenery in NZ than Scotland, you really need to visit

BEVS

Where's the advert. Lets have a look.

I'm not sure 'dated' is the right word for New Zealand. It's not Albania after all.
However yes, there is a certain way here that holds it back more than it should or is needed I feel.

bearskin

Probably about right.

A number of people posting on here who dream of "a better life", then found that NZ is just another place to live. A change to "a better life" doesn't usually come from your location, but from something inside.

And therefore NZ is not what they were looking for.

BEVS

It's an interesting one isn't it.

I suppose if one is looking to 'upgrade' in some way to a perceived 'better' life but without the wherewithal to do so, then immigration to <name the country> could well be a disappointment & also even a struggle. The same poop / different bucket thing.

Might have been possible a decade or more ago when NZ was a cheap place to live and the $ v GBP was favourable for those in the UK.

I cannot comment on the UK worst things as I haven't been back since 2009. It seemed very much the same place as 2003 when I left. There again we didn't leave because we were discontent with the country. We left because we could . The horizon beckoned.

Incidentally Gra popped up a week or so ago. He's fine and happy in his NZ life which is fab as he worked long and very hard to get here.

Shard

https://www.theguardian.com/world/vi...deo-goes-viral

BEVS

That's quite amusing . Made me smile.

Looks like a lot of townships & properties here. TBH I've never thought of them as 'dated' although against a slick highrise city it may seem that way. I see them as quite American small town style, although I have no experience of that.

For instance , the township nearest to me looks like this.
Attachment 129063

The advert doesn't show all the assorted types of housing stock but it does show a variety of old and new which is very much New Zealand. New sub-divisions of course have a more contemporary look.
Attachment 129064

Pom_Chch

It even has a puss cat on a leash