livewire

I'd agree with you on that one NZ Climber.

I've found materialism to be alive and very well here in NZ, you only have to drive around the North Shore and down into the CBD to see that.

Sega Mad

Materialism is a universal culture. It'd be alive and well even if we were running around in animal skins brandishing clubs saying "Ug"

BEVS

Just as it is for the average Kiwi. Kiwi levels of debt are frightening when you consider levels of pay for many, and still rising.

We've not found any comparable difference between Kiwi attitudes to material goods and that of Europeans.

If the myths about the above aspects of New Zealand life are dispelled , it will save many a would-be migrant from having crushed expectations.

mumomonty

[QUOTE=kaz Hen] Better weather??????? I think same covers it really. It's as fickle as the UK weatherwise.

babybella

I certainly experienced better weather in NZ than the UK, lovely clear blue sky's in winter, days in summer that stayed sunny all day.

I think your weather problem is to do with that big black cloud that sits permanently over your head!
KAZ

scottish

Jesus Kaz who stole your last sweetie as we say in Scotland. Think there are too many black clouds this now in Nottingham pet, your not in a good mood these days are you

mumomonty

Hey Kaz, some folk coming from the UK think it is permanently sunny down here. I tell it like it is and quite enjoy living here but I still see how folk i.e. those poor prison officers are thinking they'll have a better life down here and even if they're skint they'll haev better weather or a nice view. Doesn't work like that. because on that limited income you are more likely to only be able to afford a weatherboard house to rent/buy that has not been insulated at all and has an ancient woodburner and creaky, draughty windows and floors.
Ancient bathrooms, mildew kitchens and cupboards.
It's not what people expect when they come here. In the UK, the basic standard of living is very subsidised andwe also have the NHS. Hey I've had toothache for a week and I'm sitting here hoping it will go away. It's not because i'm frightened of dentists - it's because it costs you an awful lot to go, let alone have any work done.

I would not advise anyone come to NZ for a better life. Like I say, mine's okay but I've lived on the rough side before and I'm making do again but who wants to 'make do' if they can go to bed at night not worrying about bills?

I'm not talking about handbags, shoes, latest phones, DVDs etc. I'm talking about those folk eeking out food every week and HAVING to steal wood to keep warm. Sounds like fun .........not! But we all know expats who do it here if we're not diong it ourselves.

Aside from those problems, I've never met a more down to earth people and liek another post said most kiwi would have furniture our grannies would havebut that doesn't matter ( I also have that furniture anyway).

Oh and about the cloud mate, yesterday - nearly summer HA HA - I fired up the woodburner again and you could see your breath outside. If that isn't cold, what is?

So dont' tell me what I know my reality is. I'm just posting my experience and I hope it will make people think twice about getting out of the UK thinking it's so bad there (and I know it is sick in a lot of respects) because NZ is not a cure all.

livewire

Yes, I've got my eye on a particularly sexy little sabre tooth tiger outfit. The neighbour's just bought one, do I bash her with the club or use the credit card? Hard choice.

livewire

Flippin heck - it was like autumn here yesterday. Look, I've bought a 6 burner BBQ and I'm not afraid to use it. When summer starts let me know.

NZ Climber

If that's the mark of summer, it started for us on saturday First use of the BBQ. Used it on sunday too.

silvermuse

it was 38 degrees in rangiora last thursday!! seems like summer is here to me!!

sky

Not last night it wasn't, I very nearly froze to me mattress agin :scared:

livewire

Well it was a lovely calm evening so we used that BBQ, wah-hey!!. Not quite warm enough to eat outdoors comfortably after the sun went down, but very enjoyable nevertheless.

I can also tell it's summer from the increasing numbers of cicadas. Last year on a hot day, they were so loud in some places you had to shout to make yourself heard.

Pompey_Paul

More of a NO CLOTHES PERSON eh?

bookemjano

Only when everyone needs a good laugh! That reminds me, we must resurrect that NZ diet thread.