scrubbedexpat094

Frankly I don't get the problem with hamsters. Unlike rats & mice, Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures, so don't breed at the same rate as the former rodents do. If one escaped I can't see it getting very far in a country full of cats, dogs, possums, & some of the bird life etc.

Overkill in my view.

ellenarosemary

http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/200...n-new-zealand/

Thought this might be useful, not tried it myself - but will once we get ourselves sorted out - love clotted cream.

This is also another link to supposedly buy it in New Zealand if you cant be bothered or dont have the time yourself.

http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/201...n-new-zealand/

Let me know how you all get on

sirplug

I've not been on for a while and have just sat and read the whole thread. There's a lot of what TLuck has said that makes sense but a few bits that don't. A couple of examples;

Research - I had the same thought process and attitude to moving...research, research, research. However, sat in the UK with no idea what was the norm in NZ, research can only get you so far. Yes, you get an idea of what costs and what doesn't but that's only part of the whole living process, the research you do, tends to be forum related and most of the info that you get given is either totally negative or over the top positive. The regular everyday info is often missing, as the people that 'get on with it' don't use or have time for forums.

One thing I don't agree with is the slating of the 'moaners'. We all seem to forget, these 'moaners' did one thing 95% of people don't or didn't do, they got off their arse and moved halfway round the world to a new life and gave it a go. They tried it and it didn't work out for them and what they sought. Well done and I hope you find what you want, wherever that may be.

Oh and I, for one am happy here, although there's a lot I don't like about the place but then there was a lot I didn't like about the UK. I'm happier here than the UK

mikesurf

I was in NZ for 6 years and saw prices in all departments rise to ridiculous levels, so much so we had to leave as our living conditions became far worse than what we left behind in Europe. This happened overtime whilst we were there, so any amount of research could not prepare us for that.

bourbon-biscuit

I must admit, I'm never quite comfy with the idea lots of people have that we're somehow special because we did something 95% or whatever of people never do. I think we're pretty lucky, yes. Possibly a bit brave but if you look at people's motivations for doing it it's often a huge dollop of wanderlust and wanting something different, which isn't really bravery. Brave is working for an aid agency in a dangerous country or climbing Everest or speaking up for the disadvantaged when it costs you to do so, not, imo, moving to one of the most peaceful and Western and English speaking countries on earth. The first wave of immigrants were defo brave though but us lot, nah I don't think so.

Costs have risen, true, but not massively I don't think but perhaps I'm wrong? Were you living off a UK income because that would have been very hard.

love30stm

Funny that I've been here 5 years and I think things are getting a bit cheaper

Assanah

I know. But it seem to me that OP didn't figure that in his findings.

simonsi

This /\

TommyLuck

I fully accept that all the research on the world won't 'fully' prepare anyone for anything ... But it helps ...


Glad to hear you're happy. That feeling is not abundant on here. Need to see the rough with the smooth a bit more.

Not just the rough.

simonsi

Just to summarise from my perspective:

Do lots of research
Plan to be flexible in all aspects of you approach
Bring a big bag of perseverance

Remember the military maxim that "no plan survives engagement" and you'll be well prepared, some aspects of your research and planning will work out fine, others partially so, others will be obviously fatally flawed as soon as you land at AKL....accept that that is part of the rollercoaster and you will be as prepared as you can be.

If however you are super-precious about your favourite brand of XYZ and expect to see it available in all stores in UK quantities and prices...then think again.

Sherlock Holmes

Just so you all know that you aren't alone

You can't have a hamster in Australia.

Double cream doesn't exist here either.

Thickened cream is also pants here.

I looked at the Tesco grocery website the other day. Prices in last year have gone through the roof. Now on a par with Oz.

None of my research told me about hamsters and cream. Hamsters and cream....hmmm, nope strawberries and cream sounds better.

I have no family back in blighty so no homesickness to speak of. Those with family have NO idea how they will feel before they make the move.

MrsFychan

to be honest from my perspective on day to day living same shit different town

Snap Shot

Yup, 100% agree with that. Some of the shit isn't quite so stinky but it's still shit !

We're just about approaching equilibrium in our lives in NZ i.e. it's nearing being as 'good' as it was in Britain which really all I want. I singularly fail to understand what the big deal about New Zealand is and still do. Living here makes no odds to me either.

bourbon-biscuit

Here's all the advice you need, I think, TommyLuck- none of it is negative, just realistic. It's too easy to read "negative" or sobering posts and think "oh yes, but that won't be my experience cos I'll rent a north-facing home/ only buy in season/ use skype to keep in with family/ enjoy a more frugal lifestyle, etc, etc", but actually you can stung by the same shite as easily as anyone else. In general I think I've been lucky and NZ has treated me well but if I had $100 for every expat tale of woe I've heard in my 7 years of emigrating (including the year prior to the move here as a period of being intensely preoccupied with the move, and so part of the experience) I'd be onto a tidy earner.

Forget all the well laid plans, the best thing you can pack is a willingness to be flexible and an optimistic outlook; those two alone will ensure you make the most of your emigrating experience regardless of where you actually end up in a couple of decades. Enjoy the ride, innit

BEVS

Tiz yis to the last few posts - innit.

TL wants to go his own way & feels he knows the answers .

Hey. Who are any of us to try and tell him differently.

He will be
1 - OK
2 - Not OK
3 - Somewhere in-between.

C'est la vie.