Woodlea

But I had a quick glance through the threads and it seems to be the same old story - money...

New Zealand - to me - is the absolute best place in the world.

The kid's school has a play area that would be banned in the UK (they might hurt themselves) - there is even competitive sport !!

The weather is amazing - even though they think it's the worse summer ever its the best I ever had (plus 30 degrees often enough). I was in shorts and T shirt today, but it is cold at night. But I did live in Scotland for 14 years.

I don't even bother to buy a newspaper now - who cares about the rest of the World's problems you're well out of it here. Forget the UK and our (their) bloody hospitality to all the Worlds poor. Kiwi's look after themselves first as you should do in Britain.

The people are so freindly and have time for their fellow man. There's none of the dog eat dog - keep up with the Jones's mentality.

BUT - big BUT - it does help if you come over with plenty of pounds. If you've got a few quid and a good job lined up then it's heaven, but I do appreciate it is a struggle in paradise for your average Kiwi. So come prepared.

dreamfish

can i be cheeky - whats a good amount of GBP money to bring?

Woodlea

Well we brought £200K that's enough to set you up for life here, its so cheap if you're not on the property ladder

Mandie

is that £200K in total...did you have to buy a house with that then live on the rest
you say it's so cheap if you're not on the property ladder!!! do you mean if you've not got a mortgage

thanks

ezzkazz

yes I think thats what woodlea meant. Bought a house outright with no mortgage.

Apple Tree

Thats a very nice amount, its 5 times what we brought but we are coping ok, yeah some weeks there is not enough for beer, but we have a nice house with a bit of land and are all happy as

karonious

Beats Turrif any day eh? Sounds like youy have settled well (as we have), long may it continue
Karen B

Beachcombers

We came here with $500 to our name, seem to be doing ok so far. Even managed to buy a house.

Woodlea

Bloody right Karen beats Turra and Rothes, what a day today, 19 ° from the norwester, its heaven. Glad you've settled well too.

Woodlea

Well, I've got a mortgage now, cos I want to do other things with the cash. There's no capital gains tax, so if you build a house and sell it, the profit is all yours, no greedy Gordon Brown wanting to get his fat hands on a slice, no inheritance tax either. But things are cheap, 2 adults, 2 kids to watch the Crusaders - $50, watch Arsenal £120 (if you can get tickets!)

No Mandie, I haven't retired - I don't think you could buy a house and live on the rest off £200k, not in NZ.

danny.f

Agree-not sure I've even made £200,000 yet,but we brought £30,000 and it was enough for us!

Woodlea

Hey Danny, me and my lad were cheering on the Scousers last week despite being Arsenal, I hope they don't make hard work of it on May 23 like two years ago!

Avid

spoken like a true Kiwi!!

Woodlea

I feel happier and more at home here than I have done in the UK for years

cherry

DITTO and I am in full agreement,even my blood pressure has dropped.I like the bit about the hospitality of Britain (towards the unwanted asylum bogus seekers as they are coming through all those other countries first to get to Britain) I back the KIWI way of life anyday,I have far more here than I had in the UK and am far more chilled out.
Avid get a job here and see the real difference in work between the 2 countries its not just the wages that make it different its the whole way of life and the attitude.I take it you have a work permit?.