Justcol

The sunshine doesn't make life any easier down here

MrsFychan

And the weather isn't exactly better just more extreme with the added bonus of earthquakes, floods and tsunami depending on the area and to hot to go outside but I was told that was a freak summer

bourbon-biscuit

It does depend very much on whether you have the money to buy outright/ have a small mortgage. If you are just coming with funds to set up and perhaps a small deposit (for example, that leaves you still needs a $350k+ mortgage to live in cams) or renting than I concur with the $100-120 for a family with kids to live a decent enough life here but prolly no chance to holiday back in the UK. On that sort of income expect to live in a smaller shabbier property in town, to struggle a bit when it comes to Xmas and paying for school camps etc. expect to find clothing the kids a bit of a struggle unless you get canny and adjust to op shops.

Bo-Jangles

That seems an odd expectation and I don't think the two go hand in hand: I can see that more time and more money probably would make for more fun times in any country. e.g. Everyone goes on about the skiing for example well you need time and money to do that, not better weather.

Apart from that 'better weather' is pretty subjective and depends greatly on where you are coming from and where you intend to live here and unless you're retired or very wealthy then you still have to go to work come rain or shine. I still fail to see the weather as remarkably better or having much impact on our day to day life here apart from the utterly depressing winter months that fill me with dread.

We're still subject to the forces and timing of nature and it can be sunny and warm all the week and then the rain clouds appear at 5pm on Friday. This week has been lovely but as is sod's law would have it the weekend rain started to settle in yesterday and here we have it Saturday grey and drizzly - so there goes my plans for some time at the beach / in the garden or whatever other more fun things I could be doing.

MrsFychan

I 100% understand you there, I never knew I was phoebic to wind until I came here, gives me sick feeling in my stomach and scares the life out of me. never had so many sleepless nights due to the weather.

Sparkleydiva

Me too and i'm not even in Wellington. I now notice the calm days and they are few and far between. Even on warm days the wind with the cool edge is always present and we certainly dont get those warm summer evenings, as soon as the sun goes its cold again.

MrsFychan

I remember when Qssue came to visit us and we were sitting on the deck and she commented on how windy it was, had to say that in actual fact that is was not a windy day. She ended up not pursuing Wellington region.

Yep need to make sure you close the curtains up before the sun leaves the room

MrsFychan

I would also suggest that people coming over should read the news on line, something like Stuff

Hazelnut

I follow Stuff on Facebook and have the Herald app on my iPad, it's been interesting comparing them to the BBC and newspapers over here.

whitesand

Personally, I would say stay put. It's not worth the effort coming here. It's one of the most expensive places to live and the weather is not good. And it's not as if you can compensate for the above with great culture, shops and lots of interesting thlngs to do. It's boring in NZ - even in Auckland and it's hyped up well beyond the reality.

You'll hear all sots of things about here, like it's the best in the world for scenery, lifestyle, education, etc, etc. All over-blown hype I'm afraid.

Justcol

and you are here. . . . . why !!!

MrsFychan

probably the same reason anyone is, and possibly still here because of the same reasons others are still here.

BEVS

A lot of the Stuff stuff is from other sources like the BBC.

Hazelnut

It's interesting to read the comments on it from NZ though, opens a window on a Kiwi as opposed to a UK viewpoint.

BEVS

* Giggles *

Peering into readers comments on articles is a mind worm to madness no matter what and where. You get the same old same old mix .
Don't do it to yourself.