So this time, 5 years ago we were desperately trying to stay awake to adjust to the huge jet lag that followed the 30hr journey and that 30hr journey was only the start of what has been a huge life journey for us.

Now, as I sit and reflect on the past 5 years I find it hard to know where to start, what to mention and what to forget.

Given that we are in Christchurch, our biggest NZ experience to date has been the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit us just over a month ago - it was easily the scariest thing I have ever been through - much scarier than selling our home, leaving all our friends and family and shifting 12000 miles across the globe

I have to say, that compared to some, we have had an easy ride - we both found jobs that we love and that have paid us enough to be able to maintain a reasonable lifestyle; we have met some wonderful people and made some great friends - kiwis and expats; our children have thoroughly embraced the kiwi way and we have no regrets. We returned to the UK last year for 3 weeks and whilst it was great seeing friends and family, we couldn't wait to get back home.

We have taken on things here that we hadn't and wouldn't have done in the UK - nothing major, but certainly things that have changed our ways of doing things - we have not had annual overseas holidays like we would've in the UK - but we regularly camp our way through summer and love it. We grow our own veges on a very small scale, we bake on a regular basis and cook meals from scratch rather than take the easy route with heavily processed food from the freezer - again nothing that we couldn't have done in the UK, but I know we wouldn't have done.

It is hard to describe the NZ effect, when it works, it works really well and I guess the recent quake really brought it home to us - we had no local family to call on but within minutes of the quake we had numerous texts from friends checking we were OK. We rallied, along with the neighbours, to ensure that we all had what we needed to get through, the city rallied to ensure that people could cope, and that services were restored as soon as possible. random acts and thoughts of kindness were all over the place - from letters to my children from local school children because their school was severely hit, to free tickets to the rugby for all.

I am in no doubt that NZ has it's faults - but it has suited us well for the last 5 years and we are in no hurry to depart it's fair shores.

Thank you for your great update, happy to see you and yours doing well and that you continue to do so.




Kristina

a lovely update, and heres hoping that we still feel the same way 5 years down the line. heres to the next 5 years for you
M&J

Hi Joshlin,

That was a fab update, although where has the last 5 years gone. I remember our posts before either of us moved, we never thought we'd get through that immigration process.... it was all a dream. I am so pleased life is good for you, we also love life in NZ & I'll be posting my 5 year update next year.

Happy Birthday to your 5 years here.

Thank you for sharing your experience it has help us to see we just need to hang in there and look to the long term and wait through the short term we have been here 8 weeks so the 5 year goal is what we need to keep us going at the moment.

what a great update. So glad you have embraced the lifestyle and enoyed living the dream. long may it continue for you all Bevissa

Yes. Thank you for taking the time to update Joshlin. It'll be a real boost to those waiting to come or those struggling.