sibrit

I came to ChCh from Tokyo in September 2011 (moved there in April 1996), interviewed for 4 weeks, landed a job in October 2011, started said job in January 2012, OH came over in March 2012, and now I am wondering whether NZ is the place for us.

Pros:
Clean, beautiful, peaceful country.
Nice, honest, friendly folk.
Interesting job that pays above median for NZ.
English speaking and drive on the left.
Near perfect motorbike touring conditions.

Cons:
High cost of living.
Capped and slow Internet access.
Limited financial options for temporary work visa.
Very little chance of ever owning a place.
No career opportunities for my Japanese OH.
Poor earthquake resistance buildings.

This year I need to make the decision whether to stay and apply for PR or leave, and it's one I've been struggling with for many different but interrelated reasons.

Just wondering if any BE'ers had dealt with, or a dealing with, a similar situation.

cleverchap

Sibrit, I do believe I know how you feel.
I have put up wth a lot since arriving in NZ (http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=784110 ) and I now find myself in a very similar position.

I am considering leaving but as I have approx 16 months before I can apply for citizenship I find myself wondering if it is worthwhile staying so I can get my NZ citizenship (and ultimatley an NZ passport which will make life entering Australia a little more straight forward).

It is a tough decision......

GoingIn2011

It is a tricky one. I can't really add too much to your excellent lists.
By the way, I pay 99 bucks for non-capped Internet and Phone. Yes that is expensive but I find you can cut other things out to cover the cost. I don't have Sky TV anymore - which would I rather have: living in NZ and doing without sky to cover the high internet charges, or move back to blighty? as much as you can cut your cloth according to how much dosh you have and stay in the beaut of a country....

GoingIn2011

Stay, good lord stay. Get your citizenship.

I'm currently "serving" my 2 years before I can get the travel restrictions lifted off my PR!!! If I had the carrot of citizenship I would defo stay. You have come SO SO far!!!!

sibrit

I had considered that option since I am already in NZ and working, but the thought of becoming a NZ citizen just to make it easier to move to AU makes me feel uncomfortable. It's a bit underhanded.

On the otherhand, I've already paid a heap in immigration fees in NZ, got all the reports and medicals done, paid for an immigration advisor. Do I really want to do it all over again for AU?

Just one of the many things I'm balancing in my mind.

sibrit

I had Sky for a year. Dropped it cos it was naff and didn't want to pay through the nose for the HD content. I'll stick with FreeView thank you.

Granted, I was spoilt for Internet in Japan - 1Gb uncapped fiber optic with fixed IP for $45 a month - but I wasn't prepared for the difference between there and here. Got used to it, but would like it to be better.

Currently have Internet - capped at 120GB - house phone and 2 smart phones on Telecom. Pay around $220 a month.

GoingIn2011

Ah well, we make do without smartphones. There are savings to be made that make life over here affordable. Not preaching - just saying, like.

Nick Miller

You've listed most of the factors for and against. I would guess the most important things are job prospects for OH and prospects of having your own place. If these could be solved by leaving, it might be the right thing to do but only you (both) are in a position to make that call.

I'm here because NZ actually offers a career development opportunity and that combined with your positives lists outweighs other factors.

Good luck whatever you decide

sr71

What does your Japanese OH do for her career?

Synky

If OH desperately wants to work or you need the money then you might have to leave. If neither of these then perhaps volunteer work for OH would help? There are some positives to not owning a place too.

AndyEvs

Go, definitely go.
No, hang on, stay.
Damn, I can't decide myself what to do so I definitely can't help you.

barnsleymat

I'd be off like a shot. If you're never going to be able to put down roots by buying a house and the missus is struggling to get a decent job meaning less money in an expensive country I'd be packing the cases already.

No amount of lovely beaches and friendly locals can make up for bad stuff.

sibrit

The OH told me last night she hates NZ. Took me a while to find out why, as she's not much of a sharer, but the 2 main points were:

1) Her job. She works at a fast food counter in a mall for minimum wage even though her expertise is IT customer support, website maintenance and payroll application testing. She is currently not earning enough to make her debt payments back in Tokyo in full, and I can't help her at the moment as I have my own financial obligations from the move to NZ.

2) Friends. She has a few acquaintances she has made through her Hawaiian Hula class and the English classes at the local church, and some call her every-so-often, but nothing like the friends she has back home. Most likely because her English isn't fluent and she has a shy demeanour anyway.

I get the thing about friends and family, I've experienced that kind of homesickness before, but plop me in front of a computer or TV and the outside world disappears. Plus my parents came to visit for 5 weeks over the summer holiday, so I got my fix of family for a while. And I have lots of acquaintances through my local pub, motorbike riding and work. I just don't get text messages or calls from people to go out, not that I mind. If I want to be social, I know where to go.

It's such a shame that these 2 things are a black cloud over her experience of NZ, as this country has so much going for it.

simonsi

TBH she won't be able to leverage her skills in NZ unless the english issue is resolved (excepting a very niche position with a NZ-based Co supporting a user-base in Japan).

Synky

If your OH isn't happy you won't be, no matter where you are.