Tom1983

Have you given your British passport back????

bourbon-biscuit

Why, do I need to?

http://www.theguardian.com/commentis...grants-indians

Snap Shot

Agree.

Also, if some one has better luck or different luck than me, well, that's the way it goes.

samboka1975

I wasn't going to reply to this tread as I did find it a little upsetting.
I just want to clarify a few things.
I did not base this decision on a holiday, I have been to NZ many times for long periods of time, it took a year of planning and financial modelling to ensure we could afford it. I am a mature professional so did not make this decision lightly.
I have done my research on the culture, COL ,Jobs,Money, Mortgages, economy, health care and many other things.
All I was trying to do was spread some positive vibes, lifes to short to wonder "what if"and like I said in my last post if you don't like it and its not for you then you can always go back.

sam

pippalonghorn

hi Sam. I don't think that anyone meant to upset you. I felt like that last week about a post I had replied to. For every positive there will be a negative, it's just like life in general. We all have different views and experiences and that's what makes this forum so diverse and interesting. We need to hear the positives as well as the negatives.

Bellasmum

Hi Sam - how about thinking about this as an adventure as opposed to a permanent move and seeing where it takes you. I am a Kiwi married to a Brit and we have lived overseas in a few countries living our dream. Life is an adventure and IMHO we limited ourselves when we focus on the negative of it. Just my opinion of course. Our family adventures have been so relevant to how much we have learnt, a good bit of it about ourselves. What I do know is we have given our children a wider world encompassing experience of life. Whatever you decide...enjoy it and make sure you make the best of everything that is put before you.

Ninja757

Good post Sam....Quite a few people on here should have done their research as well....then they wouldn`t be whinging all the time.

We did the same and researched EVERYTHING....so it was no surprise to us that most things were more expensive...so we also did some `financial remodelling` and saved!! saved!! saved!!....We`ve been here over two years now...and are very happy...and guess what?....we`ve also bought a house this week in Auckland which is entirely possible if you`ve planned properly...

You can be as positive as you like....nobody can stop you from doing that!

Catchafire

Hi Sam

Been here nearly ten years now. Love living here and our life. Its a life less ordinary.

Never let anyone tell you that you are "deluded" or are wearing "rose tinted" glasses. You will find its only because they are dealing with their own issues.

Good luck with your new life here and we look forward to hearing some more.

Stormer999

18 months in Chch....we have a house a cat and still smiling.....

bourbon-biscuit

Sam, I didn't suggest you hadn't researched before you came out. I don't doubt you researched coming here, and I don't doubt your enthusiasm for life here, and I'm especially glad you're enjoying yourself so far with a little one on the way. I always said I wished we'd brought our kids to NZ when they were even younger as Playcentre and Kindy here are tops However, NZ will not make you a nicer person, nor will it be worth it for everyone.

Lastly, I think your final comment is sadly quite untrue. After you've been living here a while you will almost certainly start to meet the many many immigrants who came here having done as much research as you did and with as much enthusiasm and determination but for a whole range of reasons found it wasn't going to work but years later are stuck here. This is especially true where kids and/or cross-cultural relationships are involved. Families split up, fortunes change, people fall in love, out of love- so much can happen to result in people finding that actually they can't leave. It's worth thinking about in advance.

Just to be clear- in case this was a pointed remark in my direction- I never said she was deluded or wearing rose tinted glasses. I just thought such biased enthusiasm for the OP to come on the basis of a holiday a bit irresponsible. And I stand by that, though I regret being mean about her motives and I've apologised for that (see #15).

Justcol

not read all the other answers but my opinion is is simple
If you are not 110% for NZ then stay at home, This place isnt for everyone and getting it wrong will only cost you big time £££££

Sue

It truly is a difficult decision, and of course we are all different and have different goals and dreams. However in my experience, if you are not 100% committed to the move you may find it difficult moving abroad if part of you still wants to stay in the UK.

My thoughts are along the lines of what BEVS suggested. If you are truly torn then perhaps go on a temp visa and thinking of it as a year long adventure and then see how you like it.

davros1984

congrats on the house purchase. hopefully you didnt pay a stupid price for it and wont face negative equity when the crash happens. house prices going up by 40% in 3 years is not something you can really prepare for, if house prices were at 2010 or 2011 levels we would be laughing.

pippalonghorn

you're spot on there.

Ninja757

We paid a fair and affordable price.....mainly because we kept away from the Real Estate agents and found a private seller, who wasn`t greedy!!!.....The secret is NEVER go anywhere near an auction....that`s when the prices go through the roof....the only people that walk away from an auction happy are the vendors.....agent and auctioneer!!!