mikesurf

Hi all, my wife and I just moved back to France after a very difficult and frustrating 6 years trying to make a life in New Zealand. Unfortunately we just found it too expensive for the amount of earnings we were making. House prices are through the roof and the crime rate is pretty terrible, ourelves being the victim of a house burglary and having 2 cars stolen.

We found it to be a very lonely place and found it very difficult to make any solid friendships apart from a few other expats. Kiwis are quite a tough nut to crack. Funny thing is the kiwis that I met while travelling were all really nice and cool but when you are living their there seems to be a feeling of suspicion from them. I think New Zealand just turned out to be too far away and we ended up feeling that we were really so far from everything.

I think I would suggest Australia if you want a more modern place to live with better weather and higher wages.

theghostofdustybin

must have been hard for your elves....

TommyLuck

*chortle*

mikesurf

yes it was hard on our elves but I promised I would not make a hobbit of it...

TommyLuck

I just laughed and snorted coffee out through my nose!!!

That sense of humour wasted in NZ was it?

Seriously though, can't say you didn't give it a good go - 6 years. Good on you for trying and for saying enough is enough when there was a decision to make.

mikesurf

yes never mind life goes on, next adventure awaits.
Good luck to all yet to venture to the long white cloud

Assanah

We will follow you soon. Back to Europe.... I can relate to the things you said, even to the elves. Haha, think of us when you are in lovely France sipping good inexpensive wine, living in decent housing, eating good fresh food and enjoying a lively social and cultural live.

TommyLuck

Unbelievable.

WE GET THE POINT.

Relentless.

Assanah

It has been said many times, my dear. There is an ignore button. Please use it so you won't need to read my post. Many thanks.

For good byes extra for you a special edition: I won't miss the uninspiring Auckland cultural and social live, I won't miss the weird working culture, I won't miss the shitty housing, I won't miss being isolated from the world (might regret this one later, who knows what will happen to the Euro and the Middle East), I won't miss the exorbitant prices, I won't miss the radiation sun, the constant rain, the driving, the extreme social problems, the high suicide rates, the inequality and the Kiwis that just give a f***...eeeerrr, are to relaxed to care. And yes, I am looking forward to Europe, to have more time off and not work so long hours, more focus on family and friends, to affordable housing and great cultural options, to more than beaches and fishing, to travel, to have long interesting discussions about everything and anything, better job opportunities and real city life.

TommyLuck

I would rather tell someone they sound like a broken record rather than ignore them.

Treat people how you would like to be treated and all that

That, and sometimes you do come out with some nuggets of information, which I have taken on board and have put in to my plan. So I will take this opportunity to publicly thank you for that.

kooga61

Good luck Micksurf, I must admit there are times...

As a mater of interest where were you living at the time of the burglaries?

cappuccino

Don't feed the troll!

TommyLuck

Is that for me?

If so, noted.

waikatoguy

Oh well ... despite the supposed shitty housing, the extreme social problems, the radiation from the sun, the constant rain, the bad driving, the suicide rate, the inequality and kiwis not giving a f***, and everything else, the average person (at birth) living in NZ lives longer than the average person living in Germany. Could it be, perhaps, that it is not as bad as you are painting ... otherwise we'd be lucky to be hitting 50 before we carked it.

barnsleymat

I completely see why you've moved back, even after being here for over a year and half the price of stuff just shocks me. They seem to enjoy being ripped off cos if you ever mention how the rest of the world isn't paying these ridiculous prices you're branded a 'whinging pom'. there's a reason tens of thousands of Kiwi's head to Aussie for a better life. It's something I'd seriously consider when we've done 5 years here, I'll definetly have the opportunity as our company is expanding into Aus in a couple of years.

We're finding it tough to just keep our heads above water, it's probably the poorest I've ever been. No nights out, no shopping sprees, no trips anywhere, bargain basement food and we've just got the one car.