Why did you leave NZ?
#106
Account Closed
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 269
![billingham is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Billingham, you are in NT is that right? What is it like up there just out of curiosity?
Early last year I was offered a role in Darwin and we did really want to go, thought it woudl be our type of place, but they didn't offer me enough money so I turned it down (ever greedy me). Now we are off to Brisbane from Sydney, but I am still really curious about NT....
Early last year I was offered a role in Darwin and we did really want to go, thought it woudl be our type of place, but they didn't offer me enough money so I turned it down (ever greedy me). Now we are off to Brisbane from Sydney, but I am still really curious about NT....
The weather is sublime. 4 months in, 1 day of drizzle, the rest clear blue. Temperatures are in the high 20's at the moment, which rises to high 30's in the summer - but, and here is the saving grace, no humidity. Very dusty though.
I would not advise anyone to come to Alice Springs - it is just too remote - 1500km to the nearest city, in any direction. If that does not bother you, or the snakes, or the heat, or the indigenous problems - you may love it - we do.
Last edited by billingham; Aug 3rd 2011 at 12:26 am.
![billingham is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#107
Account Closed
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 269
![billingham is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Taking my 2 jack russels out bush walking, saying good morning to a couple of roo's, being followed for 2km by a Dingo, turning round and just watching each other, each with an air of wtf.
I don't know, everywhere else just seems so mainstream now.
I don't know, everywhere else just seems so mainstream now.
Last edited by billingham; Aug 3rd 2011 at 12:50 am.
![billingham is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#108
Just Joined
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 24
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My brother was amazed that they thought 2030 was very late for a dinner reservation in the city when he visited.
Because there are 5 of us we have only managed to visit once as it so expensive.
For myself I think that one of the biggest things is that when you move, once you are more settled and working, you just end up with a lot of the same concerns and complaints that you had before you moved. It seems a very long way from friends and family to be in that position. I have to save lots of annual leave and money to visit the UK. Whereas my family seem to have 3-4 holidays a year. As my children have got older, I have realised more and more how much they are missing out on extended family and the main reason I came here was for them.
On the other hand my husband does not agree with most of my concerns, he thinks we have a great house in a great area, good schools, great weather, good beaches nearby and I am a big whinging pom.
If I really want to go back however he would do, but then I will always have the guilt of dragging him back when he doesn't want to.
![MDD is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#109
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Wanganui, New Zealand
Posts: 240
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I also want to move back to the UK and my husband doesn't. I have been here for 8 years and initially thought it was amazing and really enjoyed it, however I have been really unsettled for the past couple of years and the thought of staying here permanently makes me feels terrible. NZ is a beautiful, but quite expensive country. The job opportunities are quite limited, my experience has also been that they can lag behind a little in the way they run things. I feel at times like I committed career suicide coming here, my previous colleagues have had some amazing opportunities and although I told myself that it didn't matter when I came, I spend a minimum of 40 hours and often much more at work, despite the so called laid back lifestyle. I also don't get a pension, much less holidays, and 10 days paid sick leave a year. As I said I thought those things didn't matter, but as time has progressed and I have met many more people working in their 70's and 80's, it makes me worried.
My brother was amazed that they thought 2030 was very late for a dinner reservation in the city when he visited.
Because there are 5 of us we have only managed to visit once as it so expensive.
For myself I think that one of the biggest things is that when you move, once you are more settled and working, you just end up with a lot of the same concerns and complaints that you had before you moved. It seems a very long way from friends and family to be in that position. I have to save lots of annual leave and money to visit the UK. Whereas my family seem to have 3-4 holidays a year. As my children have got older, I have realised more and more how much they are missing out on extended family and the main reason I came here was for them.
On the other hand my husband does not agree with most of my concerns, he thinks we have a great house in a great area, good schools, great weather, good beaches nearby and I am a big whinging pom.
If I really want to go back however he would do, but then I will always have the guilt of dragging him back when he doesn't want to.
My brother was amazed that they thought 2030 was very late for a dinner reservation in the city when he visited.
Because there are 5 of us we have only managed to visit once as it so expensive.
For myself I think that one of the biggest things is that when you move, once you are more settled and working, you just end up with a lot of the same concerns and complaints that you had before you moved. It seems a very long way from friends and family to be in that position. I have to save lots of annual leave and money to visit the UK. Whereas my family seem to have 3-4 holidays a year. As my children have got older, I have realised more and more how much they are missing out on extended family and the main reason I came here was for them.
On the other hand my husband does not agree with most of my concerns, he thinks we have a great house in a great area, good schools, great weather, good beaches nearby and I am a big whinging pom.
If I really want to go back however he would do, but then I will always have the guilt of dragging him back when he doesn't want to.
![Debbie2NZ is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#110
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,787
![love30stm is an unknown quantity at this point](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_balance.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sorry but its much easier for you to move back with no children and cheaper and no responsibintys don't you think? I'm sure I wouldn't have even emigrated if i didn't have children well not to New Zealand anyway ![LOL](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/lol.gif)
And turns out it was not the best move for them anyway! But might come down to living in dead end Wanganui though
![LOL](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/lol.gif)
And turns out it was not the best move for them anyway! But might come down to living in dead end Wanganui though
![love30stm is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#111
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Wanganui, New Zealand
Posts: 240
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Debbie2NZ has much to be proud of](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
We went unconditional on our house purchase today ! Do you prefer red or white wine Bev ?
![Debbie2NZ is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#113
Just Joined
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 24
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![MDD has a brilliant future](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sorry but its much easier for you to move back with no children and cheaper and no responsibintys don't you think? I'm sure I wouldn't have even emigrated if i didn't have children well not to New Zealand anyway ![LOL](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/lol.gif)
And turns out it was not the best move for them anyway! But might come down to living in dead end Wanganui though
![LOL](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/lol.gif)
And turns out it was not the best move for them anyway! But might come down to living in dead end Wanganui though
However in terms of where is the best country to bring up children, although most people seem to say here, in comparing the two, they can have problems wherever they are. My son who is now 9, is in a decile 10 school, which are often considered to be the best when it is only a reflection of the affluence of the area the school is in, has been getting badly bullied. Thankfully now they are aware of it the school have dealt with it really well, but it has been awful, pushing him over all the time, so he has had cut knees, calling him names, punching him, emptying his bag out, chasing him into the bathroom and pulling his pants down. He didn't tell us initially because he knew that we would go in and he would have to confront it and he thought it might get worse. Instead we have had him telling us he was sick, wetting his pj's with water to try to prove it, waking in the early hours of the morning, having nightmares and just refusing to go. This has had no reflection on whether I want to stay or not (I have been unsettled for some time), but also made me realise that they can have problems anywhere.
However if were going to move back, I think it would be easier to do it in the next few years, as its much harder when they are older.
Congratulations Debbie on your new house, enjoy the wine.
![MDD is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)