Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

So we've been here 6 months and we've made the decision it's not for us we are off to oz in feb Gold Coast for a week then home yes it's been a experience and yes I went through a lot to get here but it's just not working out .my job it's what it was back home and I am bored so are the boys are not happy so back we go x can't wait 😊

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Each to their own of course, but you've only been here for a winter, why don't you wait to see what summer's like?

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

a friend of mine initially moved to Nelson and hated it, think it was 18months they moved back to UK and after the initial, yea glad that is over, got the feeling of what the hell had they done. Came back over, think it took them a while, but to the North Island are now loving it, has immersed herself into the community and have not looked back.

Not saying this will happen to you, but 6months is a very short time, your visa application probably took longer than that.
Have you thought of trying somewhere else, maybe, as my friend did, the North Island?

Anyway keep us updated on your journey and I personally would love to know how things goes.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Not good that you will have 3 winters in a row and no summer.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

The Nelson area is quite out on a limb and it can feel very isolating. I do understand the boredom thing. It's not the type of boredom from not knowing what to do with oneself . It's more that it can be samey in a way.

Having written that I do feel that 6 months is still a settling in period and that giving it a year or a bit more ensures it's not a knee jerk.

The winter in Nelson this year has been long and a bit rubbish IMO . The start to Spring hasn't been all that either. Summer in Nelson will bring it more to life.

Anyway. All the best.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Been there, done that, got the t shirt. Six months is too short, too short by at least six months and probably more like 18. But I also know that once one has decided it won't work, it won't work. I genuinely hope you are one of the families who go back and are content. All the best :)

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Sorry that you are returning to Britain in such a relatively short space of time. Especially, as you say, the effort you put into getting things arranged to come here.

I understand, 'give it time' but also, you know when.

We return to Britain on Saturday 5th November after arriving in NZ February 2011.

Here's to the future.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

I think you arrived before Feb 2016. :sneaky:

If you are leaving soon for a permanent UK return, then congrats from me Snapshot. Yours has been a long hard journey.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Thanks. Two one way tickets from Auckland to London Heathrow Airport via Los Angeles booked for Saturday 5 November. We arrive at 10.40am on Sunday 6th November. We're not having a holiday on the way back. Crown International Movers coming 2nd & 3rd November. House is sold, we settle on 4th November. My husband resigns from his job tomorrow. Cat to be rehomed. Endless to do list. Can't shake the feeling of, 'what have we forgotten, what have we missed ?' Anyway, that's what the endless to do list is for !

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, so, :focus:

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Nutha question: what prompted you to leave Britain and move to the farthest side of the world? :confused: ..... You realise, whatever "it" was, it probably hasn't changed/improved, and indeed when you get back you may well find that what "it" was is actually worse! :unsure:

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

6months?

Geez thats is not enough time. at 6 months i was very much thinking i made a mistake coming to NZ. but realised i haven't actually gave it a chance.
2 years on iv settled in alot more,i love it here and look back at what i thought of doing 6 months after i arrived i actually cringe.

Cant you give it some more time? if youve made your mind up not to like NZ you definitely wont.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

I would but my job isn't what it should be I loved my job in the uk and feel a bit cheated that 14 years of experience 2 years training have me sitting on my bum I love nz don't get me wrong I've spent a lot coming here but the boys are unhappy and I am too it's been discussed and the family voted home I don't have the prospects here either which people kept telling me there was but hay ho it's part of life's journey never say never 😊

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Really pleased for you Snap Shot, and wish you all the best :)

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Thanks yes it was a struggle to get here but as you say you know if it's right you spend a lot of time at work and it's not what I expected or was really told honestly it would be but life's a journey and it's been a great adventure 😊 Hope your turns out ok I know it's the right thing to do 😊

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Just a change that's all no running away from old Blighty just a change 😊 Life's for living and to sit and say I tried is better than what if 😊





QUOTE=Pulaski;12072404]Nutha question: what prompted you to leave Britain and move to the farthest side of the world? :confused: ..... You realise, whatever "it" was, it probably hasn't changed/improved, and indeed when you get back you may well find that what "it" was is actually worse! :unsure:[/QUOTE]

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Also it will be 9 months ish when we go back sometimes things are right and it takes moving re-evaluateing to make you realise that life is what you make it where ever you are 😊

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

I'm a kiwi and still expect the first year or so back in NZ after 14 yrs in the UK to be bloody hard... we fly out in a few weeks and I've been a mess this week... hard knowing the next year or two will be more of the same... it was when we came over here all those years ago, but it gets better and easier and then you really make a proper life rather than always looking backwards, but in saying that it would have been emotionally easier if we had stayed 3/5yrs had a great time and came back home before getting married / having kids / really becoming part of the community, now the children are 5 and 8yrs they miss their grandparents so much we are giving up a great life here for hopefully a great life there but thankfully we can come back here if we need to.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Depending where you are in the UK it's hardly ever winter if we're honest and by February it's nearly spring again for the OP. It's more like constant spring and autumn. I'm sure it will all be grand for the OP and good luck.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Yeah, cos up in Scotland it was hardly ever summer, we could get snow in Sept and right through to May. Mind you, I just saw a FB post from a friend in Cambridge - they had just had their first snow of the year and it's not even winter!! Constant spring and autumn - LOL!

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Are you serious? We are in Reading so pretty south of the country all in all and Nov thru past March are varying degrees of miserable, Feb the worst month of all because you just want the cold and grey to END, don't get me wrong I'm fully aware NZ has its miserable months as well but you cannot seriously believe the UK winter is milder / shorter / more pleasant than the NZ winter???

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

... and then she remembers the glory that is central heating and takes some of that rant back :rofl:

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

There is no single "NZ winter" as there is no single UK winter. Both countries span similar latitude change North-to-South with a consequent variation of temps and weather...

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

I completely agree New Zealand is quite boring and I have been here a number of years, New Zealand is nice enough if your into the outdoor stuff and your not bothered much about choice. We found it pretty good for the first few years until we found there isn't that much to do compared to the UK, plus to top it off the cost of living here is crazy now. We can't wait to get back to the UK were people are more friendly and not superficial as we have found kiwis are socialable on a superficial level however it is difficult to get more than a superficial friendship with a lot of kiwis, we are under no illusions that the UK has issues however New Zealand has a lot of issues but the difference is its so boring and expensive with just better weather. I wish you the best of luck and yes giving it 6 months is a short time but tbh if your finding it like that now its not gonna get much better really.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

The UK is about to get a whole lot more expensive. You can't devalue your currency by 20-25% and not expect the cost of living not to go up substantially.
Housing in the South of England and nice bits of the North is still very expensive. The quality of housing is much better though in the UK.
Undecided on the boring thing. I didn't much enjoy the "exciting" culture of the UK, it's gotten quite fake, celebrity obsessed and simply too much information/overstimulation. Sometimes boring is good, the simple life. Fishing, reading, cycling, talking. Cleaner air, less people more pragmatism. Everyone's got an opinion I guess.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

well my family are happy about going back and we are under no illusion that the uk has problems but doesnt every where ? and it will be 9 months when we go home .we know its not right for us for others it is maybe ill be back who knows everyone is entitled to an opinion. and the uks money matters will get better . its been an awfully big adventure enjoyed by all an experience most dont have

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

:lol:Didn't mean the UK winter is shorter than NZ. Just saying that many parts of the UK don't really get proper winters at all if you compare to rest of Northern Europe (similar latitude). December is actually worse than February regarding grey to END, even in Reading:-)

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

We've been back less than a fortnight now and the weather's been pretty good! 23C in Welly last week, not bad I thought for a Spring day.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

NC "doesn't get proper winters", because there are days, even in January and February, when I can go outside in shorts and a T-shirt. The UK might not get 3ft of snow, nor freezing temperatures sufficient to put 6" of ice on a lake so you can skate on it, but I don't think it is correct to say that the UK "doesn't get proper winters", because between October and March it is too cold, at least cold enough to need a jacket or heavy sweater, and/or windy and/or raining pretty much every day.

I lived in Gloucester for more than a decade, which is one of the mildest parts of the UK, I don't feel the cold, and rarely wear a coat, but I certainly would not agree that the UK doesn't get proper winters.

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

You can also wear t-shirts and shorts in the UK all year if you are tough enough and people actually swim all year round too:lol:. Let's say for a Northern European it's not a proper winter and even Charlotte gets lower temps than many parts of Britain in winter;).

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

I know, I did myself until I was nine years old because that was what small boys did back then. I lived in Sheffield until I was eight years old, and trust me, whether or not I was wearing long pants had no bearing on whether Britain had "proper winters". :lol:

Re: Not turned out as expected back home we go
 

Just catching up a bit and I'm so glad to read your news SnapShot, you've waited such a long time to be able to come back. :thumbsup: