Mixed thoughts and feelings
May 4th 2009, 6:18 pm
#46
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Joined: Jan 2009
Location: South Auckland
Posts: 2,228
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Hi dannigirl! Like you I came over for OE and am still here 23 years later!!!!!
I can't really advise on where to live. Having kids makes a big difference of course. I live on the outskirts of London in an area with good schools and low crime, however house prices are high. I start a new job tomorrow 2 miles away from where I live which of course is less stressful than commuting. I agree with the idea of getting out of London, since you don't seem to be enjoying what it has to offer.
Just wanted to introduce myself.
I can't really advise on where to live. Having kids makes a big difference of course. I live on the outskirts of London in an area with good schools and low crime, however house prices are high. I start a new job tomorrow 2 miles away from where I live which of course is less stressful than commuting. I agree with the idea of getting out of London, since you don't seem to be enjoying what it has to offer. Just wanted to introduce myself.
May 4th 2009, 8:10 pm
#47
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 696
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Hope this multi quoting works, not too computer savvy...ha ha only got the leccy on in Dunedin in 2000.
We own our two bedroom flat, we should have equity as we got the flat for a really good price but then the housing market is pretty dire here (as you may know) so who knows. That is what is making the decisions harder. I am willing to stay here if it enables us to move with some security behind us. We live right on the High Road (but set back off it), so it is really busy!! It is not ideal for young children, great for a young professional couple which we were last year! Not sure I have the energy to move somewhere else in London or indeed UK and then to NZ. We both have secure jobs (for now) and may look to have another baby in a year or two....so it may be worth sacrificing things in the short term to benefit us in the long term.
Hi JMH. I work with a lady like you, she has now officially spent more time in the UK than in NZ. I totally agree with you, it can make a big difference where in London you live. I wish we had the £s to move to a nicer area, but actually, if I'm honest with myself it is not really the housing or the area that maketh the city for me. I have loved my time in London 
I explain to people that if I was a huge culture buff or similar I may not be able to leave London, but I like quite a simple life and that is totally not possible in London IMO. It's just what you are used to, I didn't grow up with millions of people around me, monster traffic, fast way of life, fear of/experience of crime (I know it is mostly media hype but it can happen!) Just feeling that pull home.
I know what you mean about bugaboos! All of my mummy friends have them, I had to rebel and didn't get a bugaboo because it was a bit too Balham/Clapham/Kings Road yummy mummy cliche....kind of wish I did now because they are quite a nippy pushchair to have in London 
Great to hear that about your son, I guess that is what we all want, the best possible life we can provide for our children!
Oh I wish I was on holiday, it is a Public Holiday i.e Monday off work Not that I am work as I am on maternity leave, but was nice to have hubby home to help me with the cleaning!! ha ha 
I totally know what you mean about 'getting it' - it's my big white elephant (is that the saying). I have to say I totally admire people who move to another country with their partner or whatever and neither of them are from that country. It can be very hard to culturally fit in. My latest 'ishoos' are in relation to parenting, it just seems very different here to me.....not huge things but I guess the lifestyle impacts a lot on how you parent.
I love what your little girl said!! V funny, when I told my husband you should've seen the look on his face. The reality though I guess that anywhere we live they will miss part of their cultural identity. It's a shame but also a positive as I guess it is something they can always explore more fully when they are older.
Interesting about your thoughts on indigenous people in Canada. I have quite a few Candadian friends who are educated I guess in their views (or should be as they are social workers)...I can imagine what some local yocal's views are. I always tease my Canadian friends about huntin and a fishin, but seriously it sounds like you have everything in Canada (except driving on the other bloody side of the road). Big cities, countryside, near but far from the US/South America/Mexico!, sports, relaxed way of life, beautiful landscape. I definitely know I could NOT put up with the cold, -30 no way!! Does it get really cold in Vancouver?
Definitely adding the NZ education point to my 'pros' column....which is pretty huge now and slowly outweighing the 'cons' column.
I like how NZ education focuses on the 'whole' child. No system is perfect anywhere. Certainly not the private school down the road that charges £4,000 a term - they are primary school children!! Yikes!
Just need to take the plunge now...shame I don't have £100k in my bank account...tried to win £89 million in the Euro Lottery on Friday but no luck!!
Its us again ... do you rent or own your own home?. If we go, we'd be hoping to gain with the equity in our home, and would be hoping to have around £100-150 after we sell our house. We hope to have savings as well, but its so hard to save. Thanks for the PM by the way ...
Hi dannigirl! Like you I came over for OE and am still here 23 years later!!!!! I can't really advise on where to live. Having kids makes a big difference of course. I live on the outskirts of London in an area with good schools and low crime, however house prices are high. I start a new job tomorrow 2 miles away from where I live which of course is less stressful than commuting. I agree with the idea of getting out of London, since you don't seem to be enjoying what it has to offer.
Just wanted to introduce myself.
I can't really advise on where to live. Having kids makes a big difference of course. I live on the outskirts of London in an area with good schools and low crime, however house prices are high. I start a new job tomorrow 2 miles away from where I live which of course is less stressful than commuting. I agree with the idea of getting out of London, since you don't seem to be enjoying what it has to offer. Just wanted to introduce myself.
I explain to people that if I was a huge culture buff or similar I may not be able to leave London, but I like quite a simple life and that is totally not possible in London IMO. It's just what you are used to, I didn't grow up with millions of people around me, monster traffic, fast way of life, fear of/experience of crime (I know it is mostly media hype but it can happen!) Just feeling that pull home.I was in a similar situation last year and came back to NZ last August (but ended up getting a job in Melbourne)
I have mixed feelings about the whole thing, my wife loves it, but the biggest thing is the difference and development in our 4 year old. He's just taken to the lifestyle like a duck to water.
We actually got out of London earlier on and lived in Hove and even then the lifestyle change was fantastic (but then East Sussex is by far one of the best places to live in the UK)
London is just a horrible place to bring up kids IMO. We lived in a very affuent area and once you got past the false mothers, the Bugaboos, the cafes etc there just isn't much substance there.
My opinion of Cardiff and the general area is that it's not a place I'd like to live after havingto spend some time down there in Bridgend and Newport.
I have mixed feelings about the whole thing, my wife loves it, but the biggest thing is the difference and development in our 4 year old. He's just taken to the lifestyle like a duck to water.
We actually got out of London earlier on and lived in Hove and even then the lifestyle change was fantastic (but then East Sussex is by far one of the best places to live in the UK)
London is just a horrible place to bring up kids IMO. We lived in a very affuent area and once you got past the false mothers, the Bugaboos, the cafes etc there just isn't much substance there.
My opinion of Cardiff and the general area is that it's not a place I'd like to live after havingto spend some time down there in Bridgend and Newport.
Great to hear that about your son, I guess that is what we all want, the best possible life we can provide for our children! Enjoy your holiday!
Van is a very cool city and I'm mostly happy with bringing my kid up here. I do love it here. The climate is quite similar to the lower North island where I'm from (Palmy North), maybe a little colder but without the wind so it's a wash. It's stunningly beautiful. The public school system is great too - BC is up there with NZ. I don't know if you know this, but NZ's public school system is envied by teachers in the US. I have a US-trained teacher friend who said NZ's system is very highly regarded there in terms of results. Maybe another thing to add to the plus column?
I've been here 7 years now so I'm finding it less hard, but it was a big culture shock in the beginning. North american culture is very different, but in many ways it's better, there's less of that parochial attitude. In other ways it's worse, i.e. treatment of the indigenous people, shallowness, etc. However, if you're in the arts, the opportunities are great here.
There are a few things I miss. I miss the laid back attitude to child rearing and I miss the kiwi sense of humour. I find Canadians take themselves quite seriously. I miss that feeling of just 'getting it' - I don't know if anyone else has felt that way, but sometimes I struggle to understand why things are the way they are or how to work the system. It's more materialistic here. I feel sad that my child is not growing up knowing a large part of her history, she thinks she's all Canadian, when I say no you're half kiwi, she says no I'm not! Ha. I hope that we'll get to spend a year or 6 months there one day soonish and she'll get to know more about it, see her where her ancestors came from. Like the Treaty, etc.
Indigenous people here just don't really count, it's very different. I loved what you said Dannigirl about how studying the Treaty made it easier for you to understand people's cultural differences.
Palmy is warmer than Dunedin but a paradise of the tropics it ain'. (I love Dunedin btw.). Where is? Maybe the BOP or Northland, but most people don't live there. I say Palmy is the real NZ, it's not beautiful and beachy and postcardish but it's where real industry etc. happens. It's more what people should expect from living there imo.
So yes, I'm a tiny bit homesick. Always will be I expect. It would be easier if we lived somewhere like London to just say "let's go" but realistically, the advantages of here outweigh the advantages of going home.
Van is a very cool city and I'm mostly happy with bringing my kid up here. I do love it here. The climate is quite similar to the lower North island where I'm from (Palmy North), maybe a little colder but without the wind so it's a wash. It's stunningly beautiful. The public school system is great too - BC is up there with NZ. I don't know if you know this, but NZ's public school system is envied by teachers in the US. I have a US-trained teacher friend who said NZ's system is very highly regarded there in terms of results. Maybe another thing to add to the plus column?
I've been here 7 years now so I'm finding it less hard, but it was a big culture shock in the beginning. North american culture is very different, but in many ways it's better, there's less of that parochial attitude. In other ways it's worse, i.e. treatment of the indigenous people, shallowness, etc. However, if you're in the arts, the opportunities are great here.
There are a few things I miss. I miss the laid back attitude to child rearing and I miss the kiwi sense of humour. I find Canadians take themselves quite seriously. I miss that feeling of just 'getting it' - I don't know if anyone else has felt that way, but sometimes I struggle to understand why things are the way they are or how to work the system. It's more materialistic here. I feel sad that my child is not growing up knowing a large part of her history, she thinks she's all Canadian, when I say no you're half kiwi, she says no I'm not! Ha. I hope that we'll get to spend a year or 6 months there one day soonish and she'll get to know more about it, see her where her ancestors came from. Like the Treaty, etc.
Indigenous people here just don't really count, it's very different. I loved what you said Dannigirl about how studying the Treaty made it easier for you to understand people's cultural differences.
Palmy is warmer than Dunedin but a paradise of the tropics it ain'. (I love Dunedin btw.). Where is? Maybe the BOP or Northland, but most people don't live there. I say Palmy is the real NZ, it's not beautiful and beachy and postcardish but it's where real industry etc. happens. It's more what people should expect from living there imo.
So yes, I'm a tiny bit homesick. Always will be I expect. It would be easier if we lived somewhere like London to just say "let's go" but realistically, the advantages of here outweigh the advantages of going home.
I totally know what you mean about 'getting it' - it's my big white elephant (is that the saying). I have to say I totally admire people who move to another country with their partner or whatever and neither of them are from that country. It can be very hard to culturally fit in. My latest 'ishoos' are in relation to parenting, it just seems very different here to me.....not huge things but I guess the lifestyle impacts a lot on how you parent.
I love what your little girl said!! V funny, when I told my husband you should've seen the look on his face. The reality though I guess that anywhere we live they will miss part of their cultural identity. It's a shame but also a positive as I guess it is something they can always explore more fully when they are older.
Interesting about your thoughts on indigenous people in Canada. I have quite a few Candadian friends who are educated I guess in their views (or should be as they are social workers)...I can imagine what some local yocal's views are. I always tease my Canadian friends about huntin and a fishin, but seriously it sounds like you have everything in Canada (except driving on the other bloody side of the road). Big cities, countryside, near but far from the US/South America/Mexico!, sports, relaxed way of life, beautiful landscape. I definitely know I could NOT put up with the cold, -30 no way!! Does it get really cold in Vancouver?
Definitely adding the NZ education point to my 'pros' column....which is pretty huge now and slowly outweighing the 'cons' column.
I like how NZ education focuses on the 'whole' child. No system is perfect anywhere. Certainly not the private school down the road that charges £4,000 a term - they are primary school children!! Yikes!
Just need to take the plunge now...shame I don't have £100k in my bank account...tried to win £89 million in the Euro Lottery on Friday but no luck!!
May 4th 2009, 8:13 pm
#48
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 305
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Dani no one can tell you what to do or how to do it. The best way is to just go for it but leave the back door open, so if you don't like it you can return. You don't want to sit their thinking what if or I wish I did that. Just do what YOU want to do and go for it.
Rent your home and move, see what happens if you don't like it move back. At least you have a home to go back to. A better option is to just go for a holiday, a long one and get a feel for a place, check out the markets, see whats happening.
Rent your home and move, see what happens if you don't like it move back. At least you have a home to go back to. A better option is to just go for a holiday, a long one and get a feel for a place, check out the markets, see whats happening.
May 4th 2009, 8:53 pm
#49
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Hi there
Have been lurking on this site for some time, but this is my first ever thread. Had to join in as my dilemma is identical to dannigirls. I too am a NZer, living in south east london, been here 10 years April just gone. I came over for OE, ended up marrying an Englishman four years ago. We now have have two young daughters (3 years and 9 months old). I really want to return to NZ for all the reasons you have mentioned throughout the thread. However, we also wonder if it is too big a risk to take. We have tentatively set a date to move to NZ in November this year (keen to make the break now before 3 year old needs to start school when 4 - so early here) and have been trying to find out about work for my husband (want to move to Wellington, where I lived before coming over here - was born and grew up in Invercargill though). Due to the type of work he does, which is quite specialised, we've had quite lukewarm responses to checking out the NZ job market - but perhaps that is just the way it is when you are half a world away from possible employers? We just don't know if it is a gamble that we can take that we will be able to get good jobs and have a decent life in NZ, although I really want to make it happen. I work in publishing here in London, but my job would not be transferable to NZ either. I just look at my children and really want the lifestyle for them that I enjoyed myself (rose tinted glasses perhaps?). Things are not so easy for us now the recession has hit the UK either, as hubby usually gets good salary, but no bonus this year means v average salary. My work has pay freeze currently. Hubby is not overly keen on NZ, has visited with me three times, but I think prefers his own comfort zone here in England. He is prepared to give it a go for mine and the children's sakes though. Anyway, just wanted to say - you are not alone, I have the same dilemma and know just how you feel. It really is hard.
Have been lurking on this site for some time, but this is my first ever thread. Had to join in as my dilemma is identical to dannigirls. I too am a NZer, living in south east london, been here 10 years April just gone. I came over for OE, ended up marrying an Englishman four years ago. We now have have two young daughters (3 years and 9 months old). I really want to return to NZ for all the reasons you have mentioned throughout the thread. However, we also wonder if it is too big a risk to take. We have tentatively set a date to move to NZ in November this year (keen to make the break now before 3 year old needs to start school when 4 - so early here) and have been trying to find out about work for my husband (want to move to Wellington, where I lived before coming over here - was born and grew up in Invercargill though). Due to the type of work he does, which is quite specialised, we've had quite lukewarm responses to checking out the NZ job market - but perhaps that is just the way it is when you are half a world away from possible employers? We just don't know if it is a gamble that we can take that we will be able to get good jobs and have a decent life in NZ, although I really want to make it happen. I work in publishing here in London, but my job would not be transferable to NZ either. I just look at my children and really want the lifestyle for them that I enjoyed myself (rose tinted glasses perhaps?). Things are not so easy for us now the recession has hit the UK either, as hubby usually gets good salary, but no bonus this year means v average salary. My work has pay freeze currently. Hubby is not overly keen on NZ, has visited with me three times, but I think prefers his own comfort zone here in England. He is prepared to give it a go for mine and the children's sakes though. Anyway, just wanted to say - you are not alone, I have the same dilemma and know just how you feel. It really is hard.
May 4th 2009, 9:04 pm
#50
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 696
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Dani no one can tell you what to do or how to do it. The best way is to just go for it but leave the back door open, so if you don't like it you can return. You don't want to sit their thinking what if or I wish I did that. Just do what YOU want to do and go for it.
Rent your home and move, see what happens if you don't like it move back. At least you have a home to go back to. A better option is to just go for a holiday, a long one and get a feel for a place, check out the markets, see whats happening.
Rent your home and move, see what happens if you don't like it move back. At least you have a home to go back to. A better option is to just go for a holiday, a long one and get a feel for a place, check out the markets, see whats happening.
May 4th 2009, 9:22 pm
#51
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 696
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Hi there
Have been lurking on this site for some time, but this is my first ever thread. Had to join in as my dilemma is identical to dannigirls. I too am a NZer, living in south east london, been here 10 years April just gone. I came over for OE, ended up marrying an Englishman four years ago. We now have have two young daughters (3 years and 9 months old). I really want to return to NZ for all the reasons you have mentioned throughout the thread. However, we also wonder if it is too big a risk to take. We have tentatively set a date to move to NZ in November this year (keen to make the break now before 3 year old needs to start school when 4 - so early here) and have been trying to find out about work for my husband (want to move to Wellington, where I lived before coming over here - was born and grew up in Invercargill though). Due to the type of work he does, which is quite specialised, we've had quite lukewarm responses to checking out the NZ job market - but perhaps that is just the way it is when you are half a world away from possible employers? We just don't know if it is a gamble that we can take that we will be able to get good jobs and have a decent life in NZ, although I really want to make it happen. I work in publishing here in London, but my job would not be transferable to NZ either. I just look at my children and really want the lifestyle for them that I enjoyed myself (rose tinted glasses perhaps?). Things are not so easy for us now the recession has hit the UK either, as hubby usually gets good salary, but no bonus this year means v average salary. My work has pay freeze currently. Hubby is not overly keen on NZ, has visited with me three times, but I think prefers his own comfort zone here in England. He is prepared to give it a go for mine and the children's sakes though. Anyway, just wanted to say - you are not alone, I have the same dilemma and know just how you feel. It really is hard.
Have been lurking on this site for some time, but this is my first ever thread. Had to join in as my dilemma is identical to dannigirls. I too am a NZer, living in south east london, been here 10 years April just gone. I came over for OE, ended up marrying an Englishman four years ago. We now have have two young daughters (3 years and 9 months old). I really want to return to NZ for all the reasons you have mentioned throughout the thread. However, we also wonder if it is too big a risk to take. We have tentatively set a date to move to NZ in November this year (keen to make the break now before 3 year old needs to start school when 4 - so early here) and have been trying to find out about work for my husband (want to move to Wellington, where I lived before coming over here - was born and grew up in Invercargill though). Due to the type of work he does, which is quite specialised, we've had quite lukewarm responses to checking out the NZ job market - but perhaps that is just the way it is when you are half a world away from possible employers? We just don't know if it is a gamble that we can take that we will be able to get good jobs and have a decent life in NZ, although I really want to make it happen. I work in publishing here in London, but my job would not be transferable to NZ either. I just look at my children and really want the lifestyle for them that I enjoyed myself (rose tinted glasses perhaps?). Things are not so easy for us now the recession has hit the UK either, as hubby usually gets good salary, but no bonus this year means v average salary. My work has pay freeze currently. Hubby is not overly keen on NZ, has visited with me three times, but I think prefers his own comfort zone here in England. He is prepared to give it a go for mine and the children's sakes though. Anyway, just wanted to say - you are not alone, I have the same dilemma and know just how you feel. It really is hard.
Whereabouts do you live in SE London, I used to live in Lee. I really miss being a shortish drive from Bluewater!
At least your hubby is willing to give it a try. I do agree that it might be the distance which is prompting the lukewarm response on the job front, hard to know though. It feels like a big leap doesn't it? Can't believe you're not going back to Invercargill, surely that is tempting to your hubby
I can say that my family lived in Bluff for four years!!The way this thread is going we'll need to get BE to set us up our own page!! ha ha
May 4th 2009, 10:17 pm
#52
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Rozelle, Sydney
Posts: 136
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
It appears there are a lot of us in the very same boat. Perhaps we should organise a get together one night - "south of the water", and thrash it out between us all! 
We realize that as our jobs aren't transferrable either, the only option we have is to run our own business - the salaries are just too low in NZ anyway we figure for our line of work, should we get it, but we wouldn't (if that makes sense).
We don't have any children at the moment, but we are planning to start a family very soon. My husband was brought up in London and refuses point blank to have our children educated anywhere within the M25. He loves the idea of a fantastic education, outdoorsy lifestyle, low crime rates and everything that is good about NZ for our children irrelevant of what it costs us. We dont feel we need to live in castles to be happy. We say that, but at the same time, its important that we have a business so that we are financially secure. My husband has been self employed for the majority of his working life, and would not adapt well to working for somebody again at this point in his life.
One things for sure, we are both really really glad that we're not alone in this awful situation.
We realize that as our jobs aren't transferrable either, the only option we have is to run our own business - the salaries are just too low in NZ anyway we figure for our line of work, should we get it, but we wouldn't (if that makes sense).
We don't have any children at the moment, but we are planning to start a family very soon. My husband was brought up in London and refuses point blank to have our children educated anywhere within the M25. He loves the idea of a fantastic education, outdoorsy lifestyle, low crime rates and everything that is good about NZ for our children irrelevant of what it costs us. We dont feel we need to live in castles to be happy. We say that, but at the same time, its important that we have a business so that we are financially secure. My husband has been self employed for the majority of his working life, and would not adapt well to working for somebody again at this point in his life.One things for sure, we are both really really glad that we're not alone in this awful situation.
May 4th 2009, 10:19 pm
#53
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Rozelle, Sydney
Posts: 136
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Hey, and welcome 1kiwibird
May 4th 2009, 10:30 pm
#54
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Rozelle, Sydney
Posts: 136
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Also, just to add ... my sister and brother in law stayed with us for the best part of three years here in London. They both worked and saved hard, and when they returned to Chch, put a deposit down on some land, in preparation to build a house. As things turned out they both ended up working in Auckland, as they could earn more there. When they decided to come back down to Chch it was apparent that the earning potential and job opportunities were simply not available, so instead they sold their plot of land and bought a small business as an ongoing concern, and was producing a very reasonable income. They are currently renting and are planning to buy in 18 months time or whenever practical. The point being the house can wait.
This has eliminated the job seeking, high salary paying problem that they, like ourselves, would have faced. We too are considering foregoing a house to buy an ongoing concern business which will yield significant income (more than jobs) and we are thinking about running with this idea for the first 2/3 years and then buying our property thereafter, as we can buy a house anytime really, as much as its a necessity it kindof isn't as well. This may well be worth considering for you guys. There are lots of businesses for sale on Trademe.
This has eliminated the job seeking, high salary paying problem that they, like ourselves, would have faced. We too are considering foregoing a house to buy an ongoing concern business which will yield significant income (more than jobs) and we are thinking about running with this idea for the first 2/3 years and then buying our property thereafter, as we can buy a house anytime really, as much as its a necessity it kindof isn't as well. This may well be worth considering for you guys. There are lots of businesses for sale on Trademe.
May 5th 2009, 12:18 am
#55
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
I love what your little girl said!! V funny, when I told my husband you should've seen the look on his face. The reality though I guess that anywhere we live they will miss part of their cultural identity. It's a shame but also a positive as I guess it is something they can always explore more fully when they are older.
Interesting about your thoughts on indigenous people in Canada. I have quite a few Candadian friends who are educated I guess in their views (or should be as they are social workers)...I can imagine what some local yocal's views are. I always tease my Canadian friends about huntin and a fishin, but seriously it sounds like you have everything in Canada (except driving on the other bloody side of the road). Big cities, countryside, near but far from the US/South America/Mexico!, sports, relaxed way of life, beautiful landscape. I definitely know I could NOT put up with the cold, -30 no way!! Does it get really cold in Vancouver?
I think canadians are pretty good about the indigenous people, it's just they aren't a presence or political force at all in society the way the Maori are...the immigrant groups have more clout. I do think they get ripped off more because of that. Kiwis seem to settle well here, I guess it's the similarities? One of my acquaintances works for a uni here and she said they find kiwis the easiest employees to hire because they like it and stay! ha.
Anyway, lurking and enjoying the posts.
May 5th 2009, 8:58 am
#56
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Hi Kiwi Irish - we have thought about the starting a business option, but to be honest we feel that with two little children we aren't really up to the kind of commitment of time and energy that starting and running a business would require right now. We want to enjoy living in NZ with our children without having to be running a business 24/7.
dannigirl - we actually live in Hither Green, right next to Lee. Such a small world isn't it? I used to drive to Bluewater more than I do now, the traffic really gets me down and I rant so much about it, it is one of the reasons I want to leave London!
Can't say that I would ever consider moving back to Invers - even though Mum and Dad are still there. Way too quiet and parochial for me after London. When we were last over there we drove down to Bluff to the Lookout and my husband joked that we could buy the whole of Bluff for the prices we saw the houses being advertised for!
Wellington seems the perfect mix of cosmopolitan city, not too large or spread out and still has a centre to it, along with not to far in any direction to beautiful countryside and beaches.
dannigirl - we actually live in Hither Green, right next to Lee. Such a small world isn't it? I used to drive to Bluewater more than I do now, the traffic really gets me down and I rant so much about it, it is one of the reasons I want to leave London!
Can't say that I would ever consider moving back to Invers - even though Mum and Dad are still there. Way too quiet and parochial for me after London. When we were last over there we drove down to Bluff to the Lookout and my husband joked that we could buy the whole of Bluff for the prices we saw the houses being advertised for!
Wellington seems the perfect mix of cosmopolitan city, not too large or spread out and still has a centre to it, along with not to far in any direction to beautiful countryside and beaches.
May 5th 2009, 12:27 pm
#57
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Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Hi Kiwi Irish - we have thought about the starting a business option, but to be honest we feel that with two little children we aren't really up to the kind of commitment of time and energy that starting and running a business would require right now. We want to enjoy living in NZ with our children without having to be running a business 24/7.
dannigirl - we actually live in Hither Green, right next to Lee. Such a small world isn't it? I used to drive to Bluewater more than I do now, the traffic really gets me down and I rant so much about it, it is one of the reasons I want to leave London!
Can't say that I would ever consider moving back to Invers - even though Mum and Dad are still there. Way too quiet and parochial for me after London. When we were last over there we drove down to Bluff to the Lookout and my husband joked that we could buy the whole of Bluff for the prices we saw the houses being advertised for!
Wellington seems the perfect mix of cosmopolitan city, not too large or spread out and still has a centre to it, along with not to far in any direction to beautiful countryside and beaches.
dannigirl - we actually live in Hither Green, right next to Lee. Such a small world isn't it? I used to drive to Bluewater more than I do now, the traffic really gets me down and I rant so much about it, it is one of the reasons I want to leave London!
Can't say that I would ever consider moving back to Invers - even though Mum and Dad are still there. Way too quiet and parochial for me after London. When we were last over there we drove down to Bluff to the Lookout and my husband joked that we could buy the whole of Bluff for the prices we saw the houses being advertised for!
Wellington seems the perfect mix of cosmopolitan city, not too large or spread out and still has a centre to it, along with not to far in any direction to beautiful countryside and beaches.
Yep the world is very small
I keep telling myself that when I think of the horrendous flight home. I agree Wellington seems to have pretty much everything (apart from glorious sunshine 6 months a year!!!!) I have been a few times but not in recent years, so we plan to go and have a good look around the next time we are in NZ.
Is your husband originally from London? Where did you live whilst in Wellington, any ideas about where you will live if you go back. I have been doing quite a lot of research about the different the areas but it is so hard without visiting. We will probaby rent for 6 months or so to get a feel.
You could indeed buy the whole of Bluff....I loved growing up there for the four years we were there until we moved to the big smoke 'Dunedin'. My dad grew up in Invercargill and we still have family friends living in Bluff and Invercargill. I bet we probably know some of the same people!
Kiwi Irish - we have toyed with the idea of buying a business too, but I think if we were going to do that I would want to go back to Dunedin and do it. I think we could handle the pace down there if we had a business to keep us busy...decisions, decisions. Great idea to get together and have a few bevvies and solve all of our dilemmas!
My guilty pleasures at the moment are listening to ZB talkback radio on the internet...too funny. Have been listening to Kerre Woodham today! Love the accents, god us Kiwi's talk bloody slow! My other thing is I look at the supermarket websites to look at all the different foods and prices...how sad am I
It is good to come on here as I am sure my hubby is a bit fed up of me going on about NZ, NZ, NZ...esp as it could be a couple of years for us!! Anyways, hope your having a nice day in London...off to swimming this arvo
May 5th 2009, 12:45 pm
#58
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Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
dannigirl - just had to reply, as I have been listening to Kerre Woodham too whilst giving the girls their lunch. 
My internet radio is a godsend - I love listening to the kiwi stations!
Been doing an internet grocery shop too.... oh the lives of those on maternity leave!
My internet radio is a godsend - I love listening to the kiwi stations! Been doing an internet grocery shop too.... oh the lives of those on maternity leave!
May 5th 2009, 12:54 pm
#59
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
Forgot to answer your queries - No, my husband is not from London originally, he is from the countryside near Battle in East Sussex. I think his idea of moving away from London is to move to Sevenoaks... I just really want a complete move away from London and surrounding commuter belt. Sevenoaks isn't really my idea of a complete lifestyle overhaul which I think I need after 10 years in London.
I lived by the Botanical Gardens in Kelburn first and then moved to Karori. Both are very nice and central suburbs with good amenities (Karori better I think for families), good schools, swimming pool, parks etc. I quite like the look of Seatoun and Wadestown and Khandallah. Which suburbs have you been looking at to move to?
We are planning on renting for a while anyway, and renting our house out here to start with. Only thing that puts me off Wellington is the sometimes awful weather, especially the terrible wind!!
I lived by the Botanical Gardens in Kelburn first and then moved to Karori. Both are very nice and central suburbs with good amenities (Karori better I think for families), good schools, swimming pool, parks etc. I quite like the look of Seatoun and Wadestown and Khandallah. Which suburbs have you been looking at to move to?
We are planning on renting for a while anyway, and renting our house out here to start with. Only thing that puts me off Wellington is the sometimes awful weather, especially the terrible wind!!
May 5th 2009, 1:01 pm
#60
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 696
Re: Mixed thoughts and feelings
dannigirl - just had to reply, as I have been listening to Kerre Woodham too whilst giving the girls their lunch. My internet radio is a godsend - I love listening to the kiwi stations!
Been doing an internet grocery shop too.... oh the lives of those on maternity leave!
My internet radio is a godsend - I love listening to the kiwi stations! Been doing an internet grocery shop too.... oh the lives of those on maternity leave!
Do you think we are making ourselves more homesick doing this?
Funnily enough until about a month ago I probably would have not believed I would get this "obsessed" about moving home...could be new mum hormones so may have to see how I go!
Totally agree with you about the commuter belt thing! Quite hard though, I am a bit scared hubby will hate the "smallness" of NZ. He is not a big party goer or anything like that (in fact is quite aligned to laid back kiwi life) but it is different being in a country so far away with only four million people....scary thoughts.
I do like the sound of Karori!, also Whitby (I have a kiwi friend there), Brooklyn and Khandallah. Don't mind a bit of a drive but don't want a huge commute if we both end up working in CBD.
Don't say that about the weather, I can handle the crap weather (I am from Dunedin) but I am a bit worried about the wind...is it that bad??
God, must dash will be late for swimming...that is my latest bugbear....£14 for swimming lessons...hard to do it during the week here as the pools are sooooo cold!
Last edited by dannigirl; May 5th 2009 at 1:05 pm.