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Re: Should we move to NZ?
Originally Posted by carcajou
(Post 12671141)
Excellent response from Moses2013.
The "comfort blanket" thing worries me a lot. Moving country is one of the most challenging and difficult things a person will ever do in their lives. New Zealand is not a tropical South Seas England. It is its own country with its own culture, traditions, and way of doing things. Brits do not just slot right in, and the migration failure rate is relatively high compared to other countries (for a combination of reasons). You may find that for your "comfort blanket," you throw hundreds of thousands of Pounds down the sinkhole and end up isolated and cut-off from your family and friends in your golden years, without much recourse except to throw a whole lot more money at trying to move back. By no means a remote or uncommon scenario. NZ is not the low-risk option in the scenario you outlined. Porto or South Spain should be the "comfort blanket," for the reasons mentioned by Moses2013. That's without even getting into the cost-of-living, or what happens when you get bored with Nelson. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are 11 hours away. Melbourne is four hours away from Auckland - also not right around the corner. NZ suits specific personality types and not others, and the financial aspect needs to be planned especially carefully. If you don't go in with your eyes wide open it can end up disastrous for you. We always spend our holidays in the USA, Florida in particular is our ' go to' every January where we hire a villa, car and explore, we are not resort kind of people to be honest. It's also interesting to know what type of personality types it takes to make the move? Grateful for your feedback. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Note:
I have merged the two threads so that Rainbow74 discussion on assorted NZ areas are all in the one place. So a bit like Location, Locatin, Location style and to recap. Emigration is not imminent although they are in their mid 40's. Rainbow74 can correct on that one. Her husband is a waste water electrical engineer who can deal with high voltage. Her occupation is with the civil service She does not want hot weather in summer - 30c. Fishing is a hobby. They want a slower pace of life. Better or a change in the weather from where they are now . Less rain I think. North Island may not now be the ticket nor Nelson/Tasman due to summer heat. |
Re: Should we move to NZ?
Originally Posted by Rainbow74
(Post 12671272)
Thanks for your feeback, the comfort blanket is merely a phrase of knowing we have a home in the UK should we decide to return. Not huge fans of European countries so would never invest there.
We always spend our holidays in the USA, Florida in particular is our ' go to' every January where we hire a villa, car and explore, we are not resort kind of people to be honest. It's also interesting to know what type of personality types it takes to make the move? Grateful for your feedback. New Zealand is a small, isolated, and remote country a long way from anywhere, including Australia. It has relatively low wages and a relatively high cost-of-living. All of which are routinely and frequently dismissed by intending migrants as obstacles easily navigable around, if they just "have the right attitude" - until they actually arrive in-country. To do all the outdoorsy things you want to do, you will need buckets of cash, which the majority of the locals don't have and you won't necessarily earn at local income levels. If you are socially self-reliant, don't need your cafe culture or occasional top restaurant, and are quite happy to go fishing for 8 hours on your long weekend - and have a reliable high income flow - it can work. I felt Wellington offered a high quality of life - if you had money - and I was on an American income at the time. So that worked, though I still felt claustrophobic and like I was at the end of the Earth . . . in ways I never do in the Australian bush, which is where I live now. Going back is not an option, even if we wanted to, because the Australia-NZ financial disparity is enormous and if we went back we would be on a local NZ income now and I know what that would mean for us. It is a complex move and you may find you are better off just adding NZ to your regular holiday circuit rather than migrating. This isn't to be a "downer," but you do need to come with your eyes wide open, put down the tourist literature and make good use of your calculator to see what works and doesn't. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
This will be of interested to Mr Rainbow74 :)
It is good fishing on the South Island. Fish and Game licenses |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
I emigrated to NZ last year Auckland.
Iv travelled round most of the North Island so far. Enjoyed it past year and NZ has been good to me and my wife. We both have good jobs and everything sort of fell into place for us out ere. Can't see me and my wife going back to the UK. Everyone is defo different thou and I can see why so many people go home. It's completely different from the UK in every aspect. It depends what sort of person you are or what will make you happy for areas to live. Me and my.wife went where the work was and its worked out good. You have to understand when places in NZ are called cites you automatically think big and busy like back home. These places are really small places and you can't just nip into Cardiff to go shopping or coffee or out for dinner on evening. I'm not moaning as I like small towns and enjoy quiet places. I'm just trying to make you aware these places like New Plymouth, Nelson Blenheim and places like that are really small towns and very isolated. would be like 3 hour drive to nearest city. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by jarv5116
(Post 12671518)
I emigrated to NZ last year Auckland.
Iv travelled round most of the North Island so far. Enjoyed it past year and NZ has been good to me and my wife. We both have good jobs and everything sort of fell into place for us out ere. Can't see me and my wife going back to the UK. Everyone is defo different thou and I can see why so many people go home. It's completely different from the UK in every aspect. It depends what sort of person you are or what will make you happy for areas to live. Me and my.wife went where the work was and its worked out good. You have to understand when places in NZ are called cites you automatically think big and busy like back home. These places are really small places and you can't just nip into Cardiff to go shopping or coffee or out for dinner on evening. I'm not moaning as I like small towns and enjoy quiet places. I'm just trying to make you aware these places like New Plymouth, Nelson Blenheim and places like that are really small towns and very isolated. would be like 3 hour drive to nearest city. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by BEVS
(Post 12671508)
This will be of interested to Mr Rainbow74 :)
It is good fishing on the South Island. Fish and Game licenses |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by jarv5116
(Post 12671518)
I emigrated to NZ last year Auckland.
Iv travelled round most of the North Island so far. Enjoyed it past year and NZ has been good to me and my wife. We both have good jobs and everything sort of fell into place for us out ere. Can't see me and my wife going back to the UK. Everyone is defo different thou and I can see why so many people go home. It's completely different from the UK in every aspect. It depends what sort of person you are or what will make you happy for areas to live. Me and my.wife went where the work was and its worked out good. You have to understand when places in NZ are called cites you automatically think big and busy like back home. These places are really small places and you can't just nip into Cardiff to go shopping or coffee or out for dinner on evening. I'm not moaning as I like small towns and enjoy quiet places. I'm just trying to make you aware these places like New Plymouth, Nelson Blenheim and places like that are really small towns and very isolated. would be like 3 hour drive to nearest city. We are quite remote people I guess, for example, I prefer to dine out on say a Monday when it's quieter and not crowded. I think for us, a small village / town that provides an option to eat out or grab a cake and coffee is suffice. When I'm in Florida (Sarasota, Venice, Naples etc) , I avoid the busy beaches such as Siesta Key and find a quiet spot on Venice beach where it's quiet and peaceful. So I guess I am a person who likes her own company and whilst I haven't experienced NZ yet, I don't think the remotness is a huge concern for me (I know this can change when I visit). My ideal is somewhere quiet and peaceful with no close neighbours if I'm being brutally honest. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by Rainbow74
(Post 12671719)
Funnily enough, Cardiff for me is only 20 minutes away or one stop on the train, but I can't think of anything worse than spending my time there shopping etc. The only time I visit the capital is when I have meetings there.
We are quite remote people I guess, for example, I prefer to dine out on say a Monday when it's quieter and not crowded. I think for us, a small village / town that provides an option to eat out or grab a cake and coffee is suffice. When I'm in Florida (Sarasota, Venice, Naples etc) , I avoid the busy beaches such as Siesta Key and find a quiet spot on Venice beach where it's quiet and peaceful. So I guess I am a person who likes her own company and whilst I haven't experienced NZ yet, I don't think the remotness is a huge concern for me (I know this can change when I visit). My ideal is somewhere quiet and peaceful with no close neighbours if I'm being brutally honest. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by Rainbow74
(Post 12671719)
I prefer to dine out on say a Monday when it's quieter and not crowded.I think for us, a small village / town that provides an option to eat out or grab a cake and coffee is suffice.
My ideal is somewhere quiet and peaceful with no close neighbours if I'm being brutally honest. Wakefield in the Nelson/Tasman area is a lively enough village. It would have that which you have described although I am not sure its eatery is open on a Monday or if it even opens of an evening. Businesses like this tend to open when they know there will be customers. Not on an off chance. Taverns for instance will be open all day and ready for the 6 o'clock Friday throng but be closed or finished by 9pm or earlier any other time. It is the usual old thing. Supply and demand. Mapua also sounds like the type of place you envisage from what you write. However , like many places now it is turning from a small village into a small township. It has good weather and an enviable location. That means busy in summer - by NZ standards - but quieter during other seasons. Because of the people interest , cafes and eateries do tend to be open most of the week and of an evening. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Rainbow74 - as a former Ponty resident myself (I went to uni there) I can understand why weather is a consideration in your decision (hehe) Hubby is from Aberdare so know the area reasonably well - we were there over New Years (followed by a couple of weeks in Scotland) when we got back to NZ the kids claimed they couldn't remember what that bright thing in the sky was haha. I guess no one goes to Wales or Scotland in January for the weather (although secretly I quite liked it).
As a former local government employee (both UK and both Council's in the Nelson / Tasman area) and a resident of Wakefield - listed in BEVS post above, I'd be happy to provide comment if you want to PM me. Apologies if my previous post was a bit gloomy - I'm in a slightly gloomy state of mind at present. NZ is a lovely place in many ways and regardless of anyone elses opinion / experience you wont know whether it's for you until you actually live here and experience it all yourself. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by BEVS
(Post 12671978)
Okays. What is your definition of a small town or village. Also of eating out.
That sounds rural which will mean you drive everywhere. Do you mean space between houses though? Wakefield in the Nelson/Tasman area is a lively enough village. It would have that which you have described although I am not sure its eatery is open on a Monday or if it even opens of an evening. Businesses like this tend to open when they know there will be customers. Not on an off chance. Taverns for instance will be open all day and ready for the 6 o'clock Friday throng but be closed or finished by 9pm or earlier any other time. It is the usual old thing. Supply and demand. Mapua also sounds like the type of place you envisage from what you write. However , like many places now it is turning from a small village into a small township. It has good weather and an enviable location. That means busy in summer - by NZ standards - but quieter during other seasons. Because of the people interest , cafes and eateries do tend to be open most of the week and of an evening. With regards to houses, yes, just some space between us. We have a very private garden where we live with trees dividing us from a large farm house. I don't want to be so close you can hear what the others are talking about it that makes sense. I know I set Monday as my example but we do tend to prefer a weeknight rather than of a weekend. I'm probably sounding like a right freak with my wishlist! |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Sounds just like my little town in Otago
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...fab101097d.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...520ed8dcc2.jpg |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Lovely 😁
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
That's beautiful Justcol!
The only thing I add to this thread for the original posters is as an Aussie living in Christchurch for the second time, I burn very fast and quick in Nz. I am dark haired and fair skinned and have always had to be careful, but it can scorch here! I moved from the Gold coast earlier this year and it was hotter on chch than the goldie! I'm usee to heat but the sun I really have to watch. Michelle ) |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
PLEASE don't miss South island out. As for temperature my mate in Owaka (look it up - Further south than Invercargill :blink:) saw 30 degrees this summer!
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Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by Holwell
(Post 12676126)
PLEASE don't miss South island out. As for temperature my mate in Owaka (look it up - Further south than Invercargill :blink:) saw 30 degrees this summer!
Being on the east coast Owaka will get different weather from Invercargil. Most of our south Island weather comes in from the west and fiordland and the southern alps play a huge part in what we get. Take Alexandra for example, its the hottest and driest town in the country and only 2 hours north of invercargil. I'm an hour out of Alex and my weather is nothing like either Invers, Owaka or Alex. Its even massively different from Milton which is only 30km away. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by Justcol
(Post 12676386)
Its a close call to say Owaka is further south than Invers
Being on the east coast Owaka will get different weather from Invercargil. Most of our south Island weather comes in from the west and fiordland and the southern alps play a huge part in what we get. Take Alexandra for example, its the hottest and driest town in the country and only 2 hours north of invercargil. I'm an hour out of Alex and my weather is nothing like either Invers, Owaka or Alex. Its even massively different from Milton which is only 30km away. Agreed on all points but most Brits won't have realised just how different the topography, climate and vegetation can be over short distances in South Island. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by Holwell
(Post 12676403)
Agreed on all points but most Brits won't have realised just how different the topography, climate and vegetation can be over short distances in South Island. Will you be farming in this area ?? |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by Justcol
(Post 12676678)
Thats what makes it so special down here.
Will you be farming in this area ?? We'll be grazing livestock of some sort (we are beef breeders here) but we're also interested in Manuka honey and have a mad idea of trying to grow coffee beans as well. It's the better lifestyle we are really after. I'll also look to convert my uk PPL (H) to a NZ one and fly. |
Re: North and South islands - Climate Advice & wher to live for lifestyle
Originally Posted by Holwell
(Post 12676126)
PLEASE don't miss South island out. As for temperature my mate in Owaka (look it up - Further south than Invercargill :blink:) saw 30 degrees this summer!
If you look in Rainbow74. These temps are not year round. At the moment we are mid autumn which I happen to think is the best season here. |
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