Ian & Sharon

Big time

Ian & Sharon

Why thanks can I just add the word USE

Which is like casual sex without the panting

Which was funny, a cunning plan well exicuted

Baby75

Thanks Ian very nice of you we will do be nice to talk to some one who has done a move while pregnant Im 18 weeks now and you can guess what the family are like because they wont see the grandchild straight away my mam ain't happy but my in laws are very supportive

Ian & Sharon

I'll get you singing down the toilet like Paula

Its ok being pregnant when moving, its just the hormones after giving birth that cock you up! Sharon found the home sickness and hormone mix to be too much at times. When you get here try and get yourself some support as soon as possible even if its someone on the other end of the phone and remember the time difference.
If you need any questions answered just ask!

Tan0410

I was wondering....

We have our flights booked and I'm currently terrified...plus all the unease between some of the people on this forum is not helping my nerves!

I personally am a fan of personal opinion, and being allowed to express it diplomatically/sensitively. However, instead of getting a picture of people's experiences of NZ I find myself focusing on the personalities of the people who post on this forum rather than their experiences and opinions of their new environement and the people they meet...this I think is what is contributing to my cold feet....

...it's not the fear of realising I've made a mistake if NZ doesn't work out for us..it's the fear that when we get to NZ I won't know who I can share my opinions with, and turn to for support, without causing offence. This is pretty much the way this forum currently makes me feel and could make for a very lonely existence...

Not sure exactly what kind of answers I'm looking for here so will shut up....the main point of this post was to ask you Ian whether you could sum up in a paragraph (if at all possible) how you feel about your NZ experience overall. I really don't mind if you'd prefer to PM as I wouldn't want to ruin the story...only I'm afraid we'll be gone before you finish your story and I'm hoping it may just help calm my nerves or at least put all of this back into perspective for me.

p.s. I understand that I may not get the reassurance I'm looking for, especially since you've moved to Oz, but the way you have posted to date means that I believe in the value of your overall opinion and would like to have it to ponder on.

Tan

Yotty

Tan please just get your "derriere" over there and do it! I don't expect you'll regret it!

pascalr

Some people love it, some hate it. The only way YOU will know is to see for yourself.

Maybe prudent to have a plan B though....

Steve and Julie

Hi Tan

My Husband, daughter and I moved to NZ 8 months ago from the UK. It is the best thing we ever did. Life here is so much more relaxed. We never imagined two lives could be so different.
In the UK, I spent my life shopping, I was so materialistic but moving here, I have changed. I love going to the beach on our Jet ski. I go body boarding, I would never have imagined doing that. We go on wonderful walks, again I never did that in the UK. Weather here is amazing in the summer, it lasts alot longer. I wont lie Winters are cold as, the heating in the houses are not as good as UK but it passes quickly.
The last week before leaving the UK, I could have changed my mind but thank god I was so busy with the container packing I didnt have time to think about it. It would have been the biggest mistake not coming here. Saying your goodbyes to all your family and close friends is the hardest thing Ive ever had to do. I shed many tears but if they are true friends you will keep incontact with them. (Skype internet phones brought over from the UK) I talk to my family and close friends weekly.
Making a new start is hard but, what have you got to lose. If it doesnt work out, your a flight away from home. You will be on a roller coaster of emotions when you get here one minute you love it the next, you want to go home but, life is for living and there isnt a day I would return back to the UK now. I love it here.

Good Luck

Julie

luvwelly

It is much less materialistic in fact there is envy/disapproval of people able to waste money on 'fripperies' but you need to bear in mind the recent long spell of excellent weather has been unprecedented for NZ and that the summer's can in fact be quite shortlived and nowhere near so settled. You shouldn't really move to NZ for better weather although it probably will be milder on North Island than most of UK most of the time.
Good weather certainly helps the mood and I can guarantee if you were to analyse posts on this website, the doom and gloom ones will have fallen off as the good weather has continued.

I would say if you can be confident you can manage financially here then there will undoubtedly be aspects of the lifestyle which will compensate for the distance. Despite being so far away it probably is the closest you can get to the UK culturally in an overseas destination - and I'm not just referring to the common language.

Tracy24

What an honest account so far. I've really enjoyed reading every minute of this story so far and looking forward to more... come on spill the rest. I should be writing an assignment for college at the moment (mature student here), instead I've spent last night and today reading this fantastic story.

It's been lovely to read something so honest about a move to NZ - something my OH and I are seriously considering and have been for the past few years as he is due to retire from the RN in a few years and I will have finished my nursing training. We have already lived abroad for a couple of years in Europe so a move to another country won't be such a culture shock as it can be for others and we know that life is never greener on the other side - it's what you make it.

Reading this account has been a complete breath of fresh air as I had read other accounts of peoples lives on this forum where they had dissed NZ and made it sound completley awful. It's always good to get an honest view of the pros and cons of anywhere, but in reality life is only as good as you make it and moving to another country will have it's pros and cons and no matter where you live you will find good and bad.

Look forward to reading whether you decided to go back or not and the rest of your wonderful story.

Tracy

bourbon-biscuit

Although the weather is much, much better in Hawkes Bay

Baby75

well how are things nearly ready for another up date I think

IngStina

Wow been a while, has this moved somewhere else or did Ian get tired of telling the tale?

BEVS

Dunno.

Thread calling Ian. Your readers await you.

silverwing86

Here too, waiting (im-)patiently for the next installment ! Would hate not being able to read the rest. Please, please, please continue your magnificent tale Ian !!

Cheers,
Silver