British Expats - Thank you!

Hi guys,

This is my first post and have only been a member for a few days as only discovered the site recently...but I have to say a big Thank You to all the posters as over the past couple of days I've pretty much read every post on the first few pages and it has really helped me with my decisions. It's good to see so many people in similar situations - certainly reasures me that I am not alone.

My brief tale:
I've been living in Queenstown, NZ for 7 years but for the past 2 years have been having thoughts and desires to return to the UK to be closer to family.
I recently went home for a 5 week visit and that served to show I am missing nephew/nieces growing up...parents getting older....old friends...the football. It's not all doom and gloom...its Great Britain! Alot of people there I think take things for granted but when you've lived abroad for an amount of time I believe this makes you appreciate the home comforts...and other things such as having Europe on your doorstep with so much culture and history!

In July of this year I will have served the 2 year period required to convert my residency in to permanent status. I have been building up to that for a long while and I remember 2 years ago I wanted to return but my brother convinced me to stay and get residency as a safety option for future.

That is now only 5 months away and then I am in a position to follow this plan through and move home....hopefully starting with a bit of summer too :)

Anyway - before I ramble on too much, I just wanted to Thank everyone again who posts on here. It's a great site and I'm really glad I have found it. I also passed the site on to another friend who left NZ after 6 years to be closer to home so hopefully she posts on here with what it has been like for her.

Thanks again - and here's to a great next 5 months of fun on the boat happy in the knowledge that the year will just get better and better :)

PS - apologies for rambling but I thought if I got it all out on this it would clear the head a wee bit!

Matt

In July of this year I will have served the minimum 2 years required so I can apply for permanent residency.