[eccles]

Hi All,

I've been reading the forum for months and thought it really was time to say hello and ask my

*** BIG QUESTION ***.

My hubby and I can make it into NZ under the points system - we're both getting on a bit though and we're desperate to do something a bit different before we're issued with zimmer frames. What we're wondering is, all things considered, whether it's better to grow old in NZ or the UK. We have no children and no relatives we feel close to here but we find it quite easy to make friends and we like meeting new people.

Any thoughts?

p.s. Thanks to everyone who writes on this forum. It's been a fantastic, friendly source of info.

[hball]

My vote is definately for NZ! In your situation, with no children and no ties to the UK I think you could have a wonderful life here. The travel opportunities alone on this side on the planet are wonderful, and if you are into food and wine you certainly will love it here!!

And, provided you pick the right region, it's a lot warmer than the UK too!!

[veronica]

we are in the older brigade too and its a good place to live if you are coming over with UK pounds.might be as well to do the private medical insurance though.

[liamnrach]

Hi All,

I've been reading the forum for months and thought it really was time to say hello and ask my

*** BIG QUESTION ***.

My hubby and I can make it into NZ under the points system - we're both getting on a bit though and we're desperate to do something a bit different before we're issued with zimmer frames. What we're wondering is, all things considered, whether it's better to grow old in NZ or the UK. We have no children and no relatives we feel close to here but we find it quite easy to make friends and we like meeting new people.

Any thoughts?

p.s. Thanks to everyone who writes on this forum. It's been a fantastic, friendly source of info.

We certainly hope its better to grow old in NZ as we fully intend to!! We are thinking of NZ in order to give our (future!) children a better chance in life.... We dont want to live like kings or own lots of nice things, we are just looking for a more relaxed and better way of life. Good luck with whatever you decide:nice1

Liam n Rach

[migratory birds]

What about social services available to elders? And, in general, respect and care provided for elders in the communities across NZ?

Here, in the US, so many elders, if they're no longer able to live independently in their own homes or afford lovely care facilities, they are sent off to sub-standard facilities to share a room with another elder, eat fare that can nourish no one let alone an ailing body (forget the good wine! you may get a glass of milk with dinner!), and wile the hours away sitting in a large room looking at each other.

Not sure if your question was whether the UK or NZ provides a richer, more satisfying life for those of us past 50 looking forward to a few more decades? Or if you were wondering, when things really slow down in the last few years of life and our bodies/minds can no longer do the things for us they once did, which country provides better services for elders once they're back to needing the care and assistance of others?

The latter is the one I wonder about...

[lockstock]

Go for it eccles. We intend to grow old very disgracefully in NZ. We've done our bit for the kids - had numerous mid-life crises and now want a quiet life with the odd bottle of wine thrown in (or should that be down?) We won't be grabbing any zimmer frames for quite a while hopefully.