phyns

Hi all.

Thought I'd introduce myself after reading some interesting threads. I'm originally from NZ (Taihape) but moved to the UK in 1996.

Now that we have have a young family (12 week old and a 2 year old) we figure the time is now to leave the UK. Unfortunately the UK has really gone down hill in the last 5-10 years and I want my children to experience growing up in NZ for the space, clean air and life style.

Looking forward to moving 1 of my 2 business back to NZ so it'll be interesting to see how that pans out and how it compares to the UK.

I know NZ has faults as does any country. I've enjoyed living in the UK. It has given me a lot and although I've been cheering for GB in the olympics, NZ is home.

Cheers

love30stm

Hi, Ive lived in Wanganui fo 5 years and winge about it and NZ alot of the time, but im in the uk at the moment as my mum is very ill been here 1 week another 4 to go and i can say I DONT want to live back in the uk i just feel like i dont belong here anymore everwhere looks grubby and teenagers hanging around parks doing nothing and i just dont like anything of it anymore, and now appreciate New Zealand and cant wait to get home even though im spending precious moments with my mother and trying to have fun while im here too.

Love the Shopping though lol

snaps

Can anywhere really be home abroad, perhaps not. Good luck with the return.

sparkie down under

Ha welly wanger (Gumboot throwing)

Catchafire

My wife, who lived in Sweden, was the same. It was hard for her to adjust to life here, English is her third language and the Kiwi accent was incomprehensible to her in the beginning. Also we struggled a bit at the bottom of the ladder when we first arrived, but she struggled through.

There was the inevitable comparisons with life back home, especially when the going got tough.

Then we took a trip back to Europe and the Sweden she was missing only really existed in her head and she had a stark reminders of why she wanted to leave in the first place.

Since we have had our kids, she appreciates our life even more here in NZ.

But she does miss the shopping in Sweden very much.

jmh

Just wanted to say hi. I'm a kiwi too, moved to the UK in 1986 and back to NZ April 2011. Feel free to ask questions. I think both countries are fab, and I could easily live in either. The UK has gone downhill IMO but NZ has suffered too.