Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

Hi all,

I am just wondering, if life in NZ is really awesome as some people say.
I know NZ from friends and website. and somehow it looks great, excellent place to live, to build family, and to raise children.
NZ is ranked no.5 in Human Development Index 2011, i.e. the quality of life should be great.

On the other hand, recently I read some articles in NZ Herald saying that a lot of Kiwis are not satisfied with their life in NZ. So many Kiwis are moving to another countries especially to Australia hoping to get a better life.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...ectid=10805706
A lot of people from all over the world are trying hard to be Kiwis, meanwhile a lot of Kiwis are disappointed with their country and trying hard to move out.

Just would like to know from the senior expats who have successfully moved to NZ, stayed and lived there permanently, practically what are the good things and what are the bad things from NZ?
Do you think that your quality of life is increased by moving to NZ?

Thanks. :)

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

There's heaps of responses in heaps of other posts that give you the answer - and the truth is,


so some yes
and for others no

:p

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

If you like living in a large village with alot of dull people you will love it ;)

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

....coming from the Isle of Wight to here, that probably explains why we love it here.
You will find a few incessant moaners, (normally about take That not playing in their village hall,) but visit, try it, see if you could like it, then come with a bleak outlook and things can only get better.;)

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

I'm not an expat, but born and bred NZer. But giving my kiwi perspective on the migration to Aussie thing, most people leave (remembering that it was 50,000 last year out of a total population of 4.5 milllion, and once you factor in those who returned it was a net loss of about 30,000 I think) not because they hate NZ or are dissatisfied with it. The simple fact of the matter is that Australia can often offer better money on the job front. A person can be on $40,000 as a labourer here in NZ and go to Oz and instantly triple their income in the mines. And also because of Oz's much larger population, there are more opportunities in specialist areas of work.
From the year dot, New Zealanders have always moved to Oz. The only reason it seems higher now is that we have a bigger population. In percentage terms, I think I read somewhere that not as many are moving over now compared to say the 1970's. You watch, in 20 years time it will be reported 'why are kiwis moving to Australia?'.

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

I think it all depends where you come from and where you go to. What you want out of life, what you are willing to give up for what you will achieve here. At the end of the day your going to live in a place, go shopping, possibly work, do all the mundane things you would have to do where ever you live, have the same situations you have anywhere in the world.
When people have asked me since being here since January what's it like I say "my trip to the supermarket needs a car drive of 25mins, but its along a coastal road so the views are beautiful and make me smile".
Where we are staying is a small village and everybody knows your the new Brit and knows where you live and those that have spoken to us have been very helpful. Unlike where we were in the UK where we hardly even saw the neighbours. but have found most are expats anyway.
The scenery is beautiful and it is something we really appreciate as adults but for the kids once you've seen and walked one hill, shouted BBQ. mint sauce at some sheep the novelty seems to of worn off for them.
My husband is working longer hours on roughly the same wage as he was getting in the UK, but who's to say if he changed jobs in the UK and gone to a new start up company that he has here that he wouldn't being doing those hours there.
so basically for us same sh*t different back drop and thats all we were looking for.

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

Ask yourself first 'what is quality of life'.
If you want to be a centre of attraction in a vibrant crowd....NO
If you want to be in a peaceful environment and at peace with nature and open empty spaces....YES.

P.s....I hate crowds and congestion and the people types that go with it....:thumbdown:

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

:thumbsup:

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

Explains why I don't like it here then ;p

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

Sometimes I love it & sometimes I don't. Basically, it comes down to MY mood & what I'M experiencing at any given time. I'm currently in a "loving it" phase.

There are things that frustrate me about NZ but I felt the same when I lived in the UK. There are things I miss about the UK but if I moved back to live there, then I would miss things about here.

I believe it comes down to how you approach things. I think you have to keep a spirit of adventure about emigrating. I do feel lucky to live here most of the time, now & again I like to have a moan on here. Gets it out of my system & I can move on.

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

The grass isn't greener, it's just different grass.

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

It's ok you saying moaners you haven't been here that long and have teenagers who have never settled and are unhappy here and don't say go home it is not that easy! I get on with things most days and try to make the most of it but I have bad days and don't need you to say because it's not turned out as we have liked it to I'm classed as a MOANER!!!

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

:thumbsup: + 1

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

Exactly! I'm experiencing a down side at the moment probably cause it's winter and I need a visit back to the UK

Re: Is Life in NZ so Great?
 

It's Autumn ;) I'm not mentioning the W word for another 11 days;)