Sure, but there are organizations that try to rate quality of life objectively based on very technical criteria, and they always put Oz ahead of the UK, usually way ahead.
However they don't rate things like how boring the place is or dullness or the flies etc. That all comes down to taste.

We used an emmigration expert from one of the shows in York, who totally gave us wrong information, that we didn't know until we arrived in New Zealand but by then with hubby, 4 kids, 2 dogs and a cat in toe it was too late! Counting down the 8 weeks until i get on that longed for flight back to the uk. It has cost us our life savings to make this trip, we will go back to Uk broke, but happy!!

I never applied for citizenship as I didnt want to live my life in uk making decisions on the 'just in case syndrome' i am living my life here in full, tho my eldest son is applying for his citizenship as he stayed in perth. he works at the domestic terminal of the airport but is getting the feeling he has seen the best of what Perth can offer and is getting bored. he is 21 in june so he may move around oz, personally i wouldnt care if i ever went back but may have to visit my son

I got my citizenship for the 'choice'. Agood thing in ways but in others, not as its always there.

I'm still considering moving home.

I think Oz does have alot to offer - space, climate, 'lifestyle' wise it depends what you think of a a good lifestyle.
Yes, its easy here on the whole, pretty hassle free by and large but I feel there are limited options of things to do nearby, especially once away frm the cities. Fine for a while but within a year or so i think its not unfair to say you can have been there, seen that etc and crave more diversity.
I do

Am driving round seeing how lovely it is here, just been to farmers market, beauty plants, semi tropical lushness but I still miss the UKs variety - warts and all.

I live in the SW, and at first I thought the countryside was lovely. Having been here for 16 months the countryside soon becomes monotonous as everything else, it looks the same all year round.

I read that as South West UK at first and thought, ahhh, then I read on. What a shame - I'd heard it was more like UK in places south with green fields, woods etc - couldnt equaate that with the desert thing though.

The countryside where I am is actually lovely, we have jacrandas in Sept which are beautiful (my equivalent to a blossom), lovely palms etc just not much else after a few towns and I cant walk through fields and woods........

U staying?

No we are not staying, we are hoping to be gone June sometime, just trying to sort a few things out at the moment.

Where do you live?

Are you going back anytime soon?

Ahh good for you

I'm up near Byron Bay. Inland a few km in a nice spot.
Been in this area 18 months and lovely as it is I cant imagine staying here.

Am hoping to back for a holiday later in year to see how I feel as have already ping ponged once so want to be really really sure beofre moving back

Have a lovely time being home

It is terrible isn't it. I too am a primary school teacher and despite being registered with the Education Department and the government supply agency TRACER since January I have not recieved even one day of work!! I have contacted schools etc etc but no luck. I am now starting as a volunteer at a local school as I can't stand sitting at home any longer and we will just have to see what happens.
Now that we are pregnant with our first child the plan is for me not to work for a couple of years but as soon as I need to work again we will have to move back to the UK as there is no work for teachers here on the coast unless you have 4 years of country service behind you. To be honest I would love to pack up and leave tomorrow but husband says he is not prepared to give up this soon. He likes it here, is doing well at work and wants to at least get citizenship. I cry myself to sleep some nights thinking of home and the mistake I made convincing my husband to come here. It has all gone wrong and now I have to be somewhere that I don't wont to be. It sucks!! I am sooo over the sunshine and beach!!

You poor thing.
I really feel for you. What a disaster with work. Hopefully the volunteering will lead to paid work, you never know.
Keep your chin up and sending you hugs
x

i wanted to stay here more than my wife even i couldn,t find work which drove us mad, the boredom and the frustration we suffered here everyone kept telling us to do anything why the hell should we.We never came all this way to do anything,we could do anything in uk if that was the case.i really wish the job situation was better cos we love it here , i will go back to uk buy a house and come back (wiser) and with more money and to set up my own business

ah yes, the "do anything" brigade. hah, would they? I did all that in my early 20's in the UK and was not prepared to regress 15 odd years in Oz. My husband was relieved to get back and get work. It helped him to regain his identity and status to some degree. We have a better standard here in the Uk than Oz, I don't mean materially really but certainly career wise, more variety of surroundings and places to visit, prospects for us all, better education and still live in a small village! Most of all we simply belong. Good luck with the escape plan...will it be soon?

Exactly! I did all that in my twenties in London as well. To come back here and see 18 year olds with no experience get better jobs than me because daddy is in the organisation mortifies me. Especially when I am told I don't have enough experience and I need to start from the bottom again.

I was interested in your post as you too have 4 children. Where about in NZ do you stay? I am still researching the possibilities before we make any major decisions. Ideally we would try to rent out our house here (our oldest may not come with us). We are quite interested in the Coromondel area, but are unsure of the work demand for a tutor in motorcycle mechanics/youth work.
Would like to hear how long you have been there, pros & cons of your lifestyle etc. The more info I have before we decide the better !

Excellent post! karma on its way big boy