[Sam'n'Kelv]

We're scheduled to move to NZ in six months time. Here, are just a few of things that worry us in our darkest moments:

1. Living in a freezing cold house and being unable to get warm for four months of the year.
2. Our children suffering racist abuse in school because they are poms.
3. Never being able to get 10MB broadband ever again.
4. Sheep! (You’ll have to ask our 8 year old about this one.)
5. Elderly parents becoming ill when we are away.
6. Getting knocked down by a 15 year old car driver.
7. Dying in an earthquake.
8. Not being able to find a rental property that will accept pets.
9. Selling up, moving out, hating it and not being able to afford to return to the UK.
10. Forgetting what Marmite or Walkers crisps taste like.

[zardell]

Is that all ?? !!...........:laugh

Seriously though,1,2,3 & 8 you can do something about.

Unfortunately, you haven't got a lot of control over 4,5,6,7,9 & 10, but you do have choices.

We are struggling with #5 at the moment and the stance that we are taking is do whatever we can live with after the event.

What else can anyone do ?

Just thought you may get some comfort from knowing you are not alone.........

Julie

xx

[JCM]

From my perspective (western Christchurch):

1. Living in a freezing cold house - it happens but it's not complusory. If it's your number one fear you'll reject a lot of houses. We wanted a warm house, so we bought one. Underfloor heating, double glazing and decent insulation. It is possible.

2. Our children suffering racist abuse in school because they are poms. Never known it either for our kids or other parents kids I know.

3. Never being able to get 10MB broadband ever again. I don't need it but I've been more than happy with ADSL. Sounds like you need to move to somewhere with Cable. (Not many options.)

4. Sheep! (You’ll have to ask our 8 year old about this one.) Don't see many in Christchurch. ;)

5. Elderly parents becoming ill when we are away. Yes, this is a problem. :(

6. Getting knocked down by a 15 year old car driver. I'd raise the driving age in NZ and UK to 21. :uhoh

7. Dying in an earthquake. Move to Dunedin or Northland.

8. Not being able to find a rental property that will accept pets. Not a problem I faced.

9. Selling up, moving out, hating it and not being able to afford to return to the UK. Don't sell up. Rent your house out.

10. Forgetting what Marmite or Walkers crisps taste like. Discover the wonderful flavours of Maggi Noodles instead. :laugh

[britchik]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I personally think it's more than four months a year that the houses are blimming freezing !(maybe that's just me :uhoh )
Good news on the Marmite and Walkers front though ! Most of the supermarkets sell English Marmite, and I think New World sell Walkers crisps :)

So, every cloud ........ !


(I detested NZ Marmite when I first came over, but stuck with it as could not get the English one at the time, but I now actually prefer NZ Marmite and can't stand the other ! Does anyone like NZ Marmite or is it just me ?!?)

[barryp]

Er, how exactly is tweaking a Pom a form of racism?

Don't worry about the 15 year old car drivers - they are few and in any event bad driving is equal opportunity. Fear everyone equally and you'll be okay.

Seriously, we could have posted a very similar list. Depending on where you settle, you might be able to get fast broadband (not CHEAP and fast), and you can always pick up things you miss from back there (again not cheaply). The rental-with-pets issue is potentially a real problem, and aging parents halfway round the world - well, that's the elephant in the living room for many of us here.

[Milliemoo]

We're scheduled to move to NZ in six months time. Here, are just a few of things that worry us in our darkest moments:

1. Living in a freezing cold house and being unable to get warm for four months of the year.
2. Our children suffering racist abuse in school because they are poms.
3. Never being able to get 10MB broadband ever again.
4. Sheep! (You’ll have to ask our 8 year old about this one.)
5. Elderly parents becoming ill when we are away.
6. Getting knocked down by a 15 year old car driver.
7. Dying in an earthquake.
8. Not being able to find a rental property that will accept pets.
9. Selling up, moving out, hating it and not being able to afford to return to the UK.
10. Forgetting what Marmite or Walkers crisps taste like.

Hi,

Taking a poitive slant on this, at least you've thought things through and identiified what your main concerns are, so you can do something about them.

1) If the likely hood is that your going to be buying and old house rather than a trendy new pad in the city, then keep some of your budget for insulation and heating. You know it can be an issue, so keep about $5-10k aside so that you can put it right if need be.
2) Kids will get bullied no matter where they are. Other kids will always look for something 'different' to pick on.
3) I guess it depends on where your planning on moving to, but we're in Auckland and use Inspire and it's great. No probs what so ever. we download what we like, movies, TV, music and don't give it a second thought. Just stay clear of Telecom and you'll be right :nice1
4) Sheep :exit
5) My FIL has just had another stroke last week, and it's horrible not being there to be with him. He's OK and back to 'normal' now, but you can't get away from the fact that your 12,000 miles away. If you've made the decision to leave the UK, then it's something you just have to deal with.
6) You could get knocked down by a 17 year old in the UK...is it really that different? Personally, I don't think anyone should drive until they're 21, but that's a debate for another thread ;)
7) Earthquakes happen, but I haven't experienced one yet. It's the volcanoes you should be worried about LOL
8) Good rentals are hard enough to find at the best of times, so just make sure your prepared to stay in temp accommodation until something comes along. This could take days or it could take weeks. A lot of it comes down to being at the right place at the right time.
9) Your worried about not being able to go back to the UK if you don't like it, so put some money into savings so you know you can go back if you want to. You'd have to get back onto the proprty ladder of course, but if you keep some money aside, at least you know you can get back home.
10) Fill your container full of treats :p

Milliemoo

[Milliemoo]

6. Getting knocked down by a 15 year old car driver. I'd raise the driving age in NZ and UK to 21. :uhoh



Spooky.... great minds think alike :nice1

*see my post above*

Milliemoo

[Rizak]

My biggest worry is hordes of Orcs roaming the countryside.

[gil]

1. Living in a freezing cold house and being unable to get warm for four months of the year.
As others have said, just make sure you don't!!
2. Our children suffering racist abuse in school because they are poms.
Not happened to ours or anyone we know either. From what I have seen, our particular schools a) don't tolerate bullying in any shape or form and b) clamp down and deal with it as soon as they are aware of it
3. Never being able to get 10MB broadband ever again.
Sounding really pathetic, I have no idea what we have :o, but it works well!
4. Sheep! (You’ll have to ask our 8 year old about this one.)
We came from Wales and notice no difference here :laugh
5. Elderly parents becoming ill when we are away.
Agree with what Milliemoo said
6. Getting knocked down by a 15 year old car driver.
Keep it in perspective, getting knocked down by a driver of any age would be a worry (and a greater chance of it actually happening)
7. Dying in an earthquake.
Just to be reassuring, I think the chance of dying on the flight over is greater!! :laugh
8. Not being able to find a rental property that will accept pets.
We are renting a property that said No Pets and we asked the landlord and we now have our dog here
9. Selling up, moving out, hating it and not being able to afford to return to the UK.
Nothing ventured....and if you really can't cope with the worst case scenario, maybe it's not for you after all?
10. Forgetting what Marmite or Walkers crisps taste like.
I have said this before, but if someone asked you what the 10 most important things in your life are, would Walkers Crsips and Marmite REALLY be on the list?

There are some real delights here in NZ and I hope you come over in 6 months and really enjoy them,
All the best,

gil

[westies]

On a lighter side, there are plenty of english shops over here, and should you become really desperate, you can easily come across walkers and marmite!!:raebanana :raebanana

[sarahw]

A friend of mine's little girl moved over & she became the most popular girl in the class - everyone loved her accent & kept asking her to say things - she got lots of friends very quickly - we've never experienced anything but a good fun jest about where we come from - you'll find that most Kiwi's have rellies in the UK anyway - one of our friends that takes the mickey has British parents - we gently remind him of this whenever he makes a comment & he soon shuts up!! ;)

You can buy Walker's crisps if you want to pay a fortune but I've now got used to Bluebird chips & don't miss Walker's one bit (that goes for most foods that we can't get here as cheaply as we did in the UK - amazing how we can adapt to do without - plus NZ has some yummy foods that you can't get in UK easily so the stuff you miss is balanced by finding new stuff that you love!).

You'll be fine - everyone has worries before they come - some of them you will laugh at when you get here & get settled since they are irrational, but others will be things that will forearm you to make the right choices - i.e. the heating in the house - you can have 'central' heating if you really want it when you buy a house but you need to make that happen & not expect to move into somewhere that will be fully heated - or make it a spec for your estate agent if you're renting - we had central heating (ducted air) at the first property we lived at and boy were we toasty for our first winter!

[victoria]

With regards to racism.When I first started school in south london I was called a wog simply because I was a foreigner to them. I grew up in Canada (a wonderfully tolerant country) & did one of two things. When there was more than one, I kept my mouth shut but if only one, the tomboy in me came out & a serious beating normally sufficed. Fear of the unknown is weaker than embracing the great adventure & all the friends waiting for you. Take it as it comes ... you'll be surprised. Good Luck Vicky

[Diny]

We're scheduled to move to NZ in six months time. Here, are just a few of things that worry us in our darkest moments:

1. Living in a freezing cold house and being unable to get warm for four months of the year.
2. Our children suffering racist abuse in school because they are poms.
3. Never being able to get 10MB broadband ever again.
4. Sheep! (You’ll have to ask our 8 year old about this one.)
5. Elderly parents becoming ill when we are away.
6. Getting knocked down by a 15 year old car driver.
7. Dying in an earthquake.
8. Not being able to find a rental property that will accept pets.
9. Selling up, moving out, hating it and not being able to afford to return to the UK.
10. Forgetting what Marmite or Walkers crisps taste like.

very real worries - and not silly ones at all.

No1. NZ houses are (generally) alot colder and damper than UK ones - and )IMHO) nowhere near as comfortable. However, find a place with plenty of insulation - this is THE most important factor.

No2. Although there are a very few Kiwis out there who genuinely dislike the Poms (or anybody not from NZ to come to think of it - my father in law included), the vast majority will always engage in abit of 'friendly Pom bashing' - a huge amount of them are only 1st or 2nd generation NZers anyway, point this out and they soon shut up and behave.

No3. I'm no pc geek, we have bb and the speed is OK - no probs at all.

No4. Plenty of sheep - I too hate them with a passion, I take my twisted revenge on them by eating lots of roat lamb.

No5. BIG one !!!! This is my greatest fear hence we have an emergency fund so should I be called back to the UK I can go at the drop of a hat.

No6. A possibility but not a probability.

No7. as above.

No8. Although you will be reducing your options there are properties out there where pets are allowed. We have a house which we rent out, we allow cats but not dogs.

No9. Is there a chance that you could rent your house in the UK, come out, give it a go, if all is well instruct solicitors at home to sell up, if everything turns to custard you have your old house/life to go back to.

No10. You can get both here. Walkers are expensive and there are crisps out there than make a pretty convincing substitute - but let's face it - NOTHING is as good as Walkers.

Diny

[Ana&Steve]

4. Sheep! (You’ll have to ask our 8 year old about this one.)
Don't let your 8 year old see the new NZ movie "Black Sheep"!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sMp8mSRiHow
Ana

[Cardiff Irons]

When I told family and friends in East London/Essex that we were moving to NZ, some were surpised and cautioned that in NZ "it's always raining, there's loads of sheep and the people talk in funny accents".

I had to remind them that I'd moved to Cardiff some years earlier, so was unlikely to notice the difference! :D

[sarahw]

When I told family and friends in East London/Essex that we were moving to NZ, some were surpised and cautioned that in NZ "it's always raining, there's loads of sheep and the people talk in funny accents".

I had to remind them that I'd moved to Cardiff some years earlier, so was unlikely to notice the difference! :D

:) :) Ha!!

Just wanted to clarify on my last post just re-read & it could be taken the wrong way - I'm not saying your worries are irrational, just that we found that some worries we had were irrational & we had a good laugh about them when we got here - such as living in wooden houses with tin rooves (or large garden sheds as my hubby said at the time) - certainly wouldn't want to be in a brick house in an earthquake & our first earthquake certainly put a stop to my love of brick housing!! :)

[Sam B]

Hardly any sheep in the Waikato, loads of cows and horses though. And the place is swimming in marmite - we can't tell any difference in taste. There are loads of English kids in my kid's school, they have not been teased at all and have made friends easily.

I worried about all these things. Now I'm here, they are all ok, but I do feel a long way from home at times - lots of little differences and also not knowing anyone. I know from moving to Cornwall that it takes time to settle in a new place.

[willowshouse]

Ok .. I know they're not sheep ..... but you have to see these goats! Maybe the laughter might lift the fear ;)

Dawn


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we9_CdNPuJg

[Ana&Steve]

Ok .. I know they're not sheep ..... but you have to see these goats! Maybe the laughter might lift the fear ;)

Dawn


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we9_CdNPuJg

:laugh Cute clip! My friend has 2 fainting goats, they both fall over every time she makes a pass with the lawnmower:D
Ana

[Sam'n'Kelv]

Many thanks for all your great responses. Obviously, some of the concerns were more serious than others, but we're now feeling much more reassured. :) I don't think any of these worries would ever be enough to prevent us coming, but I thought it would be interesting to see if anyone shared them.

The children suffering pom abuse in school was a real worry and came about following a friend's real experience in Australia. It seems as if there is a real anti-pom feeling in Aus that sometimes turns nasty. The same sentiments don't seem to exist in NZ at all. Thankfully.

It would of course be crazy to assume that we could come to NZ and not face an adjustment in our lifestyle (hey, that's what we're coming for) - but that doesn't stop you worrying about things. Thanks again for all your helpful answers. :nice1

[willsken]

That was so funny! :laugh :laugh

[Trigirl]

you can't worry about the sheep here - they are so very friendly!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/352544326_f6d4f5d6f0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandysimpson/352544326/)

[Sam'n'Kelv]

Don't be fooled. This sheep may look friendly, but he's actually thinking about charging straight at you and head-butting you in the groin.

Plus, there are another six just like him (with horns) waiting in the bushes... :wah

[leachio]

:laugh :laugh the mere thought of a groin butting sheep, thats brightened up mt day :laugh :laugh

[Lisa&Andy]

We're scheduled to move to NZ in six months time. Here, are just a few of things that worry us in our darkest moments:

1. Living in a freezing cold house and being unable to get warm for four months of the year.
2. Our children suffering racist abuse in school because they are poms.
3. Never being able to get 10MB broadband ever again.
4. Sheep! (You’ll have to ask our 8 year old about this one.)
5. Elderly parents becoming ill when we are away.
6. Getting knocked down by a 15 year old car driver.
7. Dying in an earthquake.
8. Not being able to find a rental property that will accept pets.
9. Selling up, moving out, hating it and not being able to afford to return to the UK.
10. Forgetting what Marmite or Walkers crisps taste like.


Hi
I was just reading this post and was thinking that I could easily have written it myself, leaving out walkers crisps and marmite :yes . I think that it is so normal to have fears and worries and good on you for writing them down.
I was talking to my mum about similar things the other day and we came to the conlcusion that we could worry so much in life that we would never do anything (and believe me I am a worrier :wah ). I think what you have posted is all part of the process and a normal and healthy reaction to a life changing decision. Just remember nothing has to be forever and everywhere has a departure lounge. At the very most I think all we will really loose (if it doesn't work out the way we plan) is some ££$$$$'s. Think of the courage it takes for such a big move and expeirience you will gain, even if only for a year or so.

Hope it all works out for you guys


Lisa x

[Jezza]

Only thing I'd add is that I currently live in a freezing house in England with no central heating, so NZ will be a breeze.

[StevieD]

I thought it was the sheep that were worried??? :laugh