My husband - a Kiwi and I - a British Citizen - moved from UK to NZ and lived in NZ for a few years. I had a very difficult time there, experienced being forced out of jobs ('f off pom' ' we dont want f'ing foreigners taking our jobs' etc ' We dont want foreigners buying our properties or marrying our men' etc) ostracised by the small town community, who constantly asked when I was leaving. Anyway being back in UK is much better and less racist, people are friendly and easy to talk to, more cultural, cheap flights to Europe, but starting from scratch is hard. There are heaps of foreigners here who get well treated. Job market is better, cost of living seems cheaper (food etc) but rent and properties are more expensive.

Haven't heard that about New Zealand. Anyhoo...enjoy England.

Same thing in Canada, except they tend not to verbalise it ....

Interesting how different people's experiences can be of other countries.

Sometimes though I think it isn't the country it's the place, or particular individuals you meet. I had some "f*** off back home"-type moments in the US, but the people who said stupid stuff like that were just ignorant rednecks and you find ignorant rednecks everywhere, not just the US.

OP, I can relate to both sides, just as a Brit in the UK on home turf may say something similar to an outsider.

My first 2 years in Canada - strange place, what an adjustment, took a while to get used to the diverse immigrant culture, always looking for & at the smallest things that would get too me. After that it was a'get on with it & ignore everything' move on & move forward.

Today I wear the shoe on the other foot - you may hear me grunting at or saying (quietly or out loud) along the lines of 'would you stop whinging' or 'If you don't like it here, then go back to where you came from' -to the- 'why do they let these people in'

A chuckle as I walk away ....

That's not been my experience, even on my worst days in New Zealand which are born out of frustration and boredom rather than any sort of incident.

If what you've written is true, then I'm embarrassed on behalf of the people who said it.

Hi and welcome to BE,

What brings you to the forum, are you thinking of moving abroad again, or have you recently moved back and want to share tips with those yet to make the move back?

Welcome back. Were you stuck in a small town out there? Why anyone would exile themselves to NZ in the first place is beyond me. Too far, too small.