Budawang

I've been reading this forum for some time and have come to the conclusion that most Brits who move to NZ are financially worse off, but my impression is that many of you are fundamentally happier living there. Migration from the UK to NZ is one of the few instances where large numbers of people are moving from a wealthier country to a less wealthy country. What is NZs secret? Do they put something in the water that makes everyone happy? Are Brits who move there less materialistic than most and searching for something different? I'm guessing the "New Zealand Dream" is different to the "American Dream" or even the "Australian Dream".

On a personal note, I recently spent 2 weeks in the South Island and really liked it. Apart from the nice scenery, I found the people to be courteous and genuinely friendly and open. I'm really tempted to move there, despite realising that my income would be drastically cut if I did so. I don't like the direction Australia is headed - the place is increasingly over-governed and every day there seems to be a new law preventing you from doing something. Everyone is fighting not to be left behind in the "boom economy" where wealth accumulation is paramount. It's a pity because, in many ways, its a wonderful country.

Genesis

Well we are a family of rare ones as we are way better off in NZ inspite of having lost a huge amount of money thanks to a badly managed business. Part of being better off is because being 45 when I emigrated I had 20 yrs of equity behind me. That really helped and I do admit on a salary of around 80k ish we would struggle with our lives as they are financially if we had a mortgage.

Now about NZ's secret. Well if you chose to live outta one of the 3-4 main populated areas life here is very laid back and easy to deal with, apparently NZ is also the world's 10th happiest place to live. That helps and while I do admit kiwis (well the ones in my life) are very hard to break into friend wise..it seems to be a bit of a closed shop!! And I am not a whinging pom..in the main I always wax lyrical about life here..apart from the driving and the service!!!! NZ also seems to be way less commercialised than the UK. More seems to be free and I feel that money does go further here.

Beaches round here are always empty. Traffic jams are a thing of the past and crime DOES not happen in my neighbourhood....virtually ever, that's a big thing for me as i came from a crime ravaged part of Northants.

NZ is just sooo different from life in main stream UK..and for that reason I love it. And for that reason many hate it. I wanted a new life and got one with bells on.

I am very content in NZ.

Madmaxdeux

Whats special about New Zealand

Two small islands with the land mass area of the UK and just under 5 million people compared to 60 million + of the UK.

Unique plant and wildlife, volcanic activity, mountain ranges easy access to beaches and winter sports, mountain climbing and even tramping (hiking) in a wilderness enviroment. Plenty of open countryside and clean air.

Its Clean and Green even though 5 million people are still trying to trash it and make the same mistakes they did in the rest of the world ruining the uniqueness of this country.

Theres the main thing New Zealand is unique just some to blind to see it beyond the dollar signs of modern life.

luvwelly

I think this is likely to be true. It attracts the less materialistic. Even I do not class myself as materialistic, hate the obsession with fashion and appearance in UK/USA but do like to not have to worry about money/paying the bills,so would not personally advocate coming here to scrimp and scrape.
Before deciding to accept a posting here (on good package) without visiting first, we asked friends for their experiences. We were assured by them it would be fine for x years and we'd like it probably as we enjoy the outdoors and appreciate great scenery.
I am enjoying it here but the isolation is unique and since I find even Wellington remote after 2 years, I don't think I could stay here forever (quite apart from missing friends and family too much). A plus is that international terrorism seems unlikely but instead you have earthquakes to worry about instead.
Since you are already in Oz, maybe the remoteness thing wouldn't bother you so much. I think though when posters are saying they can't afford the petrol to go and look at other parts of NZ (as Colandros did maybe semi-jokingly), something is maybe not as it should be.
You have to decide whether it is likely to be worth it and better for you. Also as others have said it doesn't have to be forever anyway.

Budawang

You've given some great reasons why you like NZ. Living in Australia the attractions of NZ are probably a bit different for me. Driving and service are probably quite similar over here, but I do find it a bit more commercialised - there are certainly more fast food chain restaurants etc. Crime isn't a huge problem here in Canberra so probably no difference there.

As an aussie, the appeal of NZ for me is the combination of mountains and sea (I love them both), the people I met were easy going and friendly and houses are cheaper. The biggie for me is the people - it's hard to put my finger on it but in the space of two weeks we met so many wonderful people. I think of the artist we met by chance in Christchurch who invited us to have dinner with her and meet her friends; the kind motel owners who waited up late to welcome us and the couple I met on a chairlift and spent the rest of the day showing me around their local ski resort.

Budawang

I found it had a strange feeling of being familiar, yet different. Something like being in a parallel universe perhaps? I agree there's much more to life than money. Australia's economic good fortune seems to have made people greedier in recent years.

Kiwiprincess

I suspect you aren't the only one with that thought....

Good to read you enjoyed your holiday though.

Budawang

With the world becoming more and more connected I think the remoteness thing is less of an issue. My OH is Canadian and she seems to know a lot more about what's going on with her various relatives than do her brothers and sisters who live there. NZ is even more isolated than Australia, but I see this as becoming more of an advantage in the future. NZ doesn't have to worry about boat loads of asylum seekers arriving on its shores and can even get away with a token armed forces.

Charismatic

Nice white wine (bottled bliss) and pies galore (happiness wrapped in pastry)!

Hokey-pokey

We are lucky enough to have visited Oz a fair number of times, and thats how we always feel about you guys !. I adore the Sunshine coast. Now if you could just move Melbourne a bit nearer to Noosa...

Justcol

there is nothing special about nz.
but its not the uk and we havent got all the crappy problems
most of us down here wanted to leave behind when we left.
Its just a nice uncomplicated place to live.
other places in the world are prettier, more dynamic, more cultured,
pay better, dont have as many social problems but each to their own.

Robbo25

Strewth you've hit the nail firmly on the bonce!

Budawang

Well, I live in Canberra so it's probably not representative of the rest of Oz. Maybe we were really lucky when we visited NZ but we just "clicked" with many of the people we met. 20 years ago Aussies had a real chip on their shoulders, a real inferiority complex. These days they're all convinced its the best place on God's earth. I found the Kiwi humility rather touching.

Justcol

I would call it an inferiority complex rather than humility.
Kiwis need to believe in their abilities more, they are great people
and through their inginuity they have a lot to offer, they dont boast
loud enough or hard enough about the good things they do.
if they shouted louder the world might listen and stop seeing NZ
as nothing more than a film set.
Think of the film "Horton hears a whoo" as a good analagy for NZ

Tomsk

I was struggling for an intelligent reply to this one, trying to work out what is so special about NZ for me, and you know, it's not one thing, indeed there's plenty wrong in NZ. But for me, what's special is that it's become home. I'm happy here, I feel like I fit, I feel welcomed by the many friends that I've made since I've been here, and it's just a place which suits me. That's not the answer for everyone quite clearly, but for me, that's it.....NZ is special for me because it's where I truly feel like I belong