Girlno9
5th September 2007, 01:12 AM
Just wondering if you had to give three reasons why you left your home country....what would they be???
And.....three reasons why you picked New Zealand?
And.....three reasons why you picked New Zealand?
Silverwing86
5th September 2007, 03:25 AM
Hi Girlno9,
Three (of many) reasons for leaving The Netherlands:
Crowded !
Never felt at home there after having spent most of my childhood in Asia.
People's attitudes (a generalisation of course). ie; "me, me, me, not interested in you", "who are you and what do you want from me ?".I guess the opposites of these would form three reasons for choosing New Zealand, it "ticked all the boxes" for us, so to speak:
Beautiful country with an enormous amount of space (a country 8 times as large as The Netherlands, but only a quarter of the amount of people).
Feeling right at home from the very first moment I set foot in this country during our recce trip in 2005. More so than I have ever felt in the country I was born in (from the moment of our arrival we never spoke of "back home", rather "back there" or "in Holland").
People's attitudes (again a generalisation); generally laid back, contented, interested in others, less defensive and more accepting (it's not all about how you look, the clothes you wear, the car you drive etc.).Needless to say, we are very happy here and don't miss anything from "back there" other than perhaps some family and friends.
Hope this is of some help to you (if that is indeed what you were looking for with your question).
I see from your previous posts that you have been here often, know the country fairly well and are contemplating spending some months every year in NZ (did I get that right ?). Without meaning to be too nosy ;), would you not consider coming here permanently or is such a choice not an option in your situation ?
Silver
Three (of many) reasons for leaving The Netherlands:
Crowded !
Never felt at home there after having spent most of my childhood in Asia.
People's attitudes (a generalisation of course). ie; "me, me, me, not interested in you", "who are you and what do you want from me ?".I guess the opposites of these would form three reasons for choosing New Zealand, it "ticked all the boxes" for us, so to speak:
Beautiful country with an enormous amount of space (a country 8 times as large as The Netherlands, but only a quarter of the amount of people).
Feeling right at home from the very first moment I set foot in this country during our recce trip in 2005. More so than I have ever felt in the country I was born in (from the moment of our arrival we never spoke of "back home", rather "back there" or "in Holland").
People's attitudes (again a generalisation); generally laid back, contented, interested in others, less defensive and more accepting (it's not all about how you look, the clothes you wear, the car you drive etc.).Needless to say, we are very happy here and don't miss anything from "back there" other than perhaps some family and friends.
Hope this is of some help to you (if that is indeed what you were looking for with your question).
I see from your previous posts that you have been here often, know the country fairly well and are contemplating spending some months every year in NZ (did I get that right ?). Without meaning to be too nosy ;), would you not consider coming here permanently or is such a choice not an option in your situation ?
Silver
Mickstim
5th September 2007, 05:58 AM
Hi Girln09
1) spent most of my life in SA so not really at home in UK, although I don't hate it
2) overcrowding
3) weather
Reasons for NZ!
1) Love the quiet and peaceful lifestyle, weather, scenery, people
2) Have sons and a grandson in NZ (therefore can get in and also be with people we love. Big bonus!)
3) Can buy a home for a great deal less than in UK - therefore get more and better for our money.
Actually there are a hundred reasons for choosing NZ. We have looked at Europe but like the idea of living in an English speaking country too. We have found the people in NZ to be friendly (except the drivers), welcoming, less materialistic. In fact I think the list could go on endlessly!
1) spent most of my life in SA so not really at home in UK, although I don't hate it
2) overcrowding
3) weather
Reasons for NZ!
1) Love the quiet and peaceful lifestyle, weather, scenery, people
2) Have sons and a grandson in NZ (therefore can get in and also be with people we love. Big bonus!)
3) Can buy a home for a great deal less than in UK - therefore get more and better for our money.
Actually there are a hundred reasons for choosing NZ. We have looked at Europe but like the idea of living in an English speaking country too. We have found the people in NZ to be friendly (except the drivers), welcoming, less materialistic. In fact I think the list could go on endlessly!
Familyofmonkeys
5th September 2007, 11:00 AM
Reasons for leaving UK (and we have many):
1. Sick UK politics/government/tax 'Middle England' etc...didn't like way country was going.
2. Overcrowding and consumeristic culture. Sick of seeing people 'dressing up' to go shopping!
3. Work opportunities. IT market saturated, career pogression difficult....OH found most well paid work opportunities in London, and he didn't want to back to being 'Weekend Dad'. Despite having well paid career job myself it was unfeasable for me to work when we had children, due to way UK tax and pay tax credits.
Reasons for going to NZ:
1. Better work/family balance than other countries we looked emmigrating to, in terms of holiday, work hours, sick pay entitlement etc (e.g OH can take time off on sick pay if I am ill, so I don't have to struggle on with kids while ill or him use up his holiday).
2. Less crowded, beautiful country. Less consumerism and more laid back (who needs all the choice you find in most UK cities anyway....you don't buy things in most of the shops anyway). Plenty you can do for free here....means more money for the important things like a house.
3. Better work opportunities for OH as he works in skill shortage area. OK, I'm still not working due to lots of kids, but when we buy house, we will get much more for our money than in UK with one salary, which means kids have way more freedom to run around open space....better family life and childhood for them!
1. Sick UK politics/government/tax 'Middle England' etc...didn't like way country was going.
2. Overcrowding and consumeristic culture. Sick of seeing people 'dressing up' to go shopping!
3. Work opportunities. IT market saturated, career pogression difficult....OH found most well paid work opportunities in London, and he didn't want to back to being 'Weekend Dad'. Despite having well paid career job myself it was unfeasable for me to work when we had children, due to way UK tax and pay tax credits.
Reasons for going to NZ:
1. Better work/family balance than other countries we looked emmigrating to, in terms of holiday, work hours, sick pay entitlement etc (e.g OH can take time off on sick pay if I am ill, so I don't have to struggle on with kids while ill or him use up his holiday).
2. Less crowded, beautiful country. Less consumerism and more laid back (who needs all the choice you find in most UK cities anyway....you don't buy things in most of the shops anyway). Plenty you can do for free here....means more money for the important things like a house.
3. Better work opportunities for OH as he works in skill shortage area. OK, I'm still not working due to lots of kids, but when we buy house, we will get much more for our money than in UK with one salary, which means kids have way more freedom to run around open space....better family life and childhood for them!
Joanne100
5th September 2007, 11:24 AM
Reasons for leaving UK
1. OH always at work to pay the bills, 3 hour travel a day to get into work & back
2. Government constantly trying to find more ways to take money off us (own company)
3. Violence, overcrowing, peoples attitude of trying to" keep up with the Jones's"
Reasons for going to and staying in NZ
1. Better/ safer place to bring up kids, much less pressure in the schools
2. Outdoor family lifestyle, not too far from anywhere
3. Friendly people, nothing is too much trouble for anyone
Loads of other reasons too, way too many to list
1. OH always at work to pay the bills, 3 hour travel a day to get into work & back
2. Government constantly trying to find more ways to take money off us (own company)
3. Violence, overcrowing, peoples attitude of trying to" keep up with the Jones's"
Reasons for going to and staying in NZ
1. Better/ safer place to bring up kids, much less pressure in the schools
2. Outdoor family lifestyle, not too far from anywhere
3. Friendly people, nothing is too much trouble for anyone
Loads of other reasons too, way too many to list
marcia
5th September 2007, 12:53 PM
Firstly - i have to put a huge amount of 'blame' for us being where we are on Billy Connolly's world tour of NZ. It was after watching it that Kev my Oh started on the 'why don't we live somewhere as lovely as that remarks.'
After doing research into NZ and finding this fantastic forum, we began the long, stressful, but definately worthwhile journey of emigration.
So 3 reasons for leaving the UK
1. - Overcrowding, too much traffic, too many immigrants :uhoh (I know this will cause a ruckus, but it is one of our reasons, if the immigrants were going to the Uk and giving something to the country, as i feel we are here, fine, but MANY of them are only going for the high wages, living 20 to a house, sending all their money back home then returning themselves as 'millionaires' in their own counties. They work for minimum wages, which is pushing skilled people out of the market, because which employer wouldn't pay their employees less if they had chance?! Brits can't afford to work for the low wages becasue of the house prices.
2. - Lifestyle - This has been covered on other threads, but basically so the kids have chance to be kids for longer, not pushed at school, and get to spend a lot more quality time with dad who isn't working every hour god sends.
3. New opportunities/challenges/grabbing life with both hands and going for it! Life is too short to sit and wonder, you need to get out there and live, and if a chance presents itself go for it!
3 reasons why NZ
1. - Lack of population/traffic - ok there are plenty of immigrants we are ourselves now. But so far I haven't come across half as many 'spongers' as there were in the uk, maybe I just haven't come across them yet i don't know, maybe in a few years I'll moan about them like we did in the uk, but I can only say what I see now! I actually enjoy driving here, don't mind going into the town centre becasue i know I'll be able to park my car ok.
2. - More relaxed lifestyle - nobody trying to keep up with the Jones, doesn't matter if you walk around in your scruffs to the supermarket (not that i do , too ingrained to look at least decent) people much more laid back and easy going.
3. Not too hot, or too cold, speak the same language and drive on the same side of the roads to Uk.
After doing research into NZ and finding this fantastic forum, we began the long, stressful, but definately worthwhile journey of emigration.
So 3 reasons for leaving the UK
1. - Overcrowding, too much traffic, too many immigrants :uhoh (I know this will cause a ruckus, but it is one of our reasons, if the immigrants were going to the Uk and giving something to the country, as i feel we are here, fine, but MANY of them are only going for the high wages, living 20 to a house, sending all their money back home then returning themselves as 'millionaires' in their own counties. They work for minimum wages, which is pushing skilled people out of the market, because which employer wouldn't pay their employees less if they had chance?! Brits can't afford to work for the low wages becasue of the house prices.
2. - Lifestyle - This has been covered on other threads, but basically so the kids have chance to be kids for longer, not pushed at school, and get to spend a lot more quality time with dad who isn't working every hour god sends.
3. New opportunities/challenges/grabbing life with both hands and going for it! Life is too short to sit and wonder, you need to get out there and live, and if a chance presents itself go for it!
3 reasons why NZ
1. - Lack of population/traffic - ok there are plenty of immigrants we are ourselves now. But so far I haven't come across half as many 'spongers' as there were in the uk, maybe I just haven't come across them yet i don't know, maybe in a few years I'll moan about them like we did in the uk, but I can only say what I see now! I actually enjoy driving here, don't mind going into the town centre becasue i know I'll be able to park my car ok.
2. - More relaxed lifestyle - nobody trying to keep up with the Jones, doesn't matter if you walk around in your scruffs to the supermarket (not that i do , too ingrained to look at least decent) people much more laid back and easy going.
3. Not too hot, or too cold, speak the same language and drive on the same side of the roads to Uk.
jackie m
5th September 2007, 02:26 PM
Firstly - i have to put a huge amount of 'blame' for us being where we are on Billy Connolly's world tour of NZ. It was after watching it that Kev my Oh started on the 'why don't we live somewhere as lovely as that remarks.'
After doing research into NZ and finding this fantastic forum, we began the long, stressful, but definately worthwhile journey of emigration.
So 3 reasons for leaving the UK
1. - Overcrowding, too much traffic, too many immigrants :uhoh (I know this will cause a ruckus, but it is one of our reasons, if the immigrants were going to the Uk and giving something to the country, as i feel we are here, fine, but MANY of them are only going for the high wages, living 20 to a house, sending all their money back home then returning themselves as 'millionaires' in their own counties. They work for minimum wages, which is pushing skilled people out of the market, because which employer wouldn't pay their employees less if they had chance?! Brits can't afford to work for the low wages becasue of the house prices.
2. - Lifestyle - This has been covered on other threads, but basically so the kids have chance to be kids for longer, not pushed at school, and get to spend a lot more quality time with dad who isn't working every hour god sends.
3. New opportunities/challenges/grabbing life with both hands and going for it! Life is too short to sit and wonder, you need to get out there and live, and if a chance presents itself go for it!
3 reasons why NZ
1. - Lack of population/traffic - ok there are plenty of immigrants we are ourselves now. But so far I haven't come across half as many 'spongers' as there were in the uk, maybe I just haven't come across them yet i don't know, maybe in a few years I'll moan about them like we did in the uk, but I can only say what I see now! I actually enjoy driving here, don't mind going into the town centre because i know I'll be able to park my car ok.
2. - More relaxed lifestyle - nobody trying to keep up with the Jones, doesn't matter if you walk around in your scruffs to the supermarket (not that i do , too ingrained to look at least decent) people much more laid back and easy going.
3. Not too hot, or too cold, speak the same language and drive on the same side of the roads to Uk.
Marcia you answered for me :) couldn't have said it any different so thought I would save my fingers & use your post (sorry hope you don't mind:roll )
Jackie
After doing research into NZ and finding this fantastic forum, we began the long, stressful, but definately worthwhile journey of emigration.
So 3 reasons for leaving the UK
1. - Overcrowding, too much traffic, too many immigrants :uhoh (I know this will cause a ruckus, but it is one of our reasons, if the immigrants were going to the Uk and giving something to the country, as i feel we are here, fine, but MANY of them are only going for the high wages, living 20 to a house, sending all their money back home then returning themselves as 'millionaires' in their own counties. They work for minimum wages, which is pushing skilled people out of the market, because which employer wouldn't pay their employees less if they had chance?! Brits can't afford to work for the low wages becasue of the house prices.
2. - Lifestyle - This has been covered on other threads, but basically so the kids have chance to be kids for longer, not pushed at school, and get to spend a lot more quality time with dad who isn't working every hour god sends.
3. New opportunities/challenges/grabbing life with both hands and going for it! Life is too short to sit and wonder, you need to get out there and live, and if a chance presents itself go for it!
3 reasons why NZ
1. - Lack of population/traffic - ok there are plenty of immigrants we are ourselves now. But so far I haven't come across half as many 'spongers' as there were in the uk, maybe I just haven't come across them yet i don't know, maybe in a few years I'll moan about them like we did in the uk, but I can only say what I see now! I actually enjoy driving here, don't mind going into the town centre because i know I'll be able to park my car ok.
2. - More relaxed lifestyle - nobody trying to keep up with the Jones, doesn't matter if you walk around in your scruffs to the supermarket (not that i do , too ingrained to look at least decent) people much more laid back and easy going.
3. Not too hot, or too cold, speak the same language and drive on the same side of the roads to Uk.
Marcia you answered for me :) couldn't have said it any different so thought I would save my fingers & use your post (sorry hope you don't mind:roll )
Jackie
Sam B
5th September 2007, 03:45 PM
Reasons to leave:
- Threat of redundancy (worked for NHS)
- Overcrowded, too much traffic, pollution and litter
- War in Iraq, threat of terrorism
Reasons for NZ
- Loads of jobs for speech and language therapists
- Lots of space and beautiful countryside
- Beaches and ski-ing
- Threat of redundancy (worked for NHS)
- Overcrowded, too much traffic, pollution and litter
- War in Iraq, threat of terrorism
Reasons for NZ
- Loads of jobs for speech and language therapists
- Lots of space and beautiful countryside
- Beaches and ski-ing
Girlno9
5th September 2007, 10:41 PM
:mad: :mad: :mad: just spent the last 20 mins offloading on this topic, to discover that I had been logged out, and subsequently lost my entire message:mad:
Silverwing86
6th September 2007, 12:57 AM
Sorry to hear that, can be a real bother (not wanting to swear here :D), I know ! That's why I've made a habit of always copying my text before previewing or submitting.
Wasn't there an option somewhere to keep you logged in permanently or do you share the computers with others where you would not like to make use of this option ?
Also, did you try the 'back' button of your browser ? Sometimes (if you're lucky) it'll take you back to the Reply to Thread screen with your text still intact.
Silver
Wasn't there an option somewhere to keep you logged in permanently or do you share the computers with others where you would not like to make use of this option ?
Also, did you try the 'back' button of your browser ? Sometimes (if you're lucky) it'll take you back to the Reply to Thread screen with your text still intact.
Silver
Girlno9
6th September 2007, 03:46 AM
Being permanently logged in is not really an option for me.....shared computer etc Believe me i hit that back browser button numerous times ( hit being the operative word....oops!!!:exit
Very frustrating as I was nodding furiously in agreement with soooo many of the replies & commenting on my current dissillusionment with Ireland. If I can summon the energy to offload such negatives again....i'll try but for now too wiped....But thanks to everyone for the observations:)
Very frustrating as I was nodding furiously in agreement with soooo many of the replies & commenting on my current dissillusionment with Ireland. If I can summon the energy to offload such negatives again....i'll try but for now too wiped....But thanks to everyone for the observations:)
Caroline and Dave
6th September 2007, 07:05 AM
Hi Girlno9.
I would love to hear your reasons for leaving Ireland as going by my Regions Poll not many people are leaving Ireland.
Dave and Caroline
I would love to hear your reasons for leaving Ireland as going by my Regions Poll not many people are leaving Ireland.
Dave and Caroline
BkyMonster
6th September 2007, 08:53 AM
For leaving...
Don't like the direction the US is heading. At all.
Not interested in the American lifestyle of having tons of debt and silly status symbols.
Want a place where I don't worry so much about starting a family.
Reasons for NZ...
Seems to fit how we already live. We would likely fit in better in NZ than we do in America.
I'm pleased with how the country has stood up for itself in the past. The politics are agreeable to me.
The country and lifestyles of the people (from what I have seen and read--I could be SO wrong :laugh ) appear sustainable.
Don't like the direction the US is heading. At all.
Not interested in the American lifestyle of having tons of debt and silly status symbols.
Want a place where I don't worry so much about starting a family.
Reasons for NZ...
Seems to fit how we already live. We would likely fit in better in NZ than we do in America.
I'm pleased with how the country has stood up for itself in the past. The politics are agreeable to me.
The country and lifestyles of the people (from what I have seen and read--I could be SO wrong :laugh ) appear sustainable.
Jeni Elise
6th September 2007, 09:03 AM
Reasons to leave:
- Threat of redundancy (worked for NHS)
- Overcrowded, too much traffic, pollution and litter
- War in Iraq, threat of terrorism
Reasons for NZ
- Loads of jobs for speech and language therapists
- Lots of space and beautiful countryside
- Beaches and ski-ing
What country did you leave?
- Threat of redundancy (worked for NHS)
- Overcrowded, too much traffic, pollution and litter
- War in Iraq, threat of terrorism
Reasons for NZ
- Loads of jobs for speech and language therapists
- Lots of space and beautiful countryside
- Beaches and ski-ing
What country did you leave?
Jeni Elise
6th September 2007, 09:19 AM
Leaving the United States because:
1. Desire to experience the world and meet its people
2. Escape capitalism, as well as corporate and media monopolies
3. Government instability and corruption
Chose New Zealand because:
1. Intruiging environment, smaller community, outdoor adventures
2. More promising government system
3. English speaking :p
1. Desire to experience the world and meet its people
2. Escape capitalism, as well as corporate and media monopolies
3. Government instability and corruption
Chose New Zealand because:
1. Intruiging environment, smaller community, outdoor adventures
2. More promising government system
3. English speaking :p
Sam B
6th September 2007, 08:05 PM
There's only one NHS (National Health Service)! - I left the UK
kellyfamily
6th September 2007, 08:31 PM
We felt the need to leave uk for
1 The kids are our main drive , being able to do sports etc in school
2 Bad weather seems to restrict so much activity
3 again as previously posted too many spongers now in uk and after running a business for 8 years time with family is a masssive issue
New Zealand because...
1 Weather even the bad days seem better
2 The people here know how how to relax and enjoy the simple things
3 Dont like australia;)
The thing i most enjoy though is ive been here 3 months and havent stepped in any dog pooh yet:raebanana
1 The kids are our main drive , being able to do sports etc in school
2 Bad weather seems to restrict so much activity
3 again as previously posted too many spongers now in uk and after running a business for 8 years time with family is a masssive issue
New Zealand because...
1 Weather even the bad days seem better
2 The people here know how how to relax and enjoy the simple things
3 Dont like australia;)
The thing i most enjoy though is ive been here 3 months and havent stepped in any dog pooh yet:raebanana
Familyofmonkeys
6th September 2007, 09:03 PM
The thing i most enjoy though is ive been here 3 months and havent stepped in any dog pooh yet:raebanana
I noticed that the other day too....couldn't let the kids run around our local park in UK, despite it having poop bins, as it was covered:roll
I noticed that the other day too....couldn't let the kids run around our local park in UK, despite it having poop bins, as it was covered:roll
Girlno9
7th September 2007, 10:39 PM
Really intertesting reading all the posts, and lots of similar reasons or variations for leaving. I am Irish through and through, while hubby is from UK. We are not planning on leaving Ireland entirely (at the moment) but rather spend part of the year here and part in NZ. Mainly don’t want to leave for family reasons. We have no kids to consider and are in a position where, with careful financial planning we can afford to do this.
Am totally disillusioned with Ireland at the moment and everything the so called ‘Celtic Tiger’ has created. Yes, granted it has improved people standards of living and presented marvelous opportunities which is fantastic, but it appears to have resulted in a society completely obsessed with consumerism, lack of family values where people are defined by what they drive, how big their house is etc. The gulf between the very rich and the very poor is growing all the time. People are in debt up to their eyes as the need to keep up with the Jones eats away at them.
It has become so expensive to live here for the day to day things, and you now nearly need a mortgage to eat out for a meal with ......and that’s just for an average meal.
Everyone is so busy now, working so much to feed their expensive habits…resulting in less time spent with the family, kids growing up with no discipline and their every want indulged, to alleviate any guilt about lack of time actually spent with the children. People are so self obsessed now, it’s scary. Knowing your neighbour has, for a large part, become a thing of the past.
The Government in power have become so complacent as there is no real opposition worth talking about, and are in bed with the construction industry and the big developers. The very rich (and believe me, some people have made A LOT of money over the lst decade) are rewarded by never ending tax breaks, while the rest of us make up the deficit! Corrupt planning has resulted in no thought been given to the impact of urban sprawl. Satellite towns have sprung up with vast housing estates, but no services in place to deal with growing numbers. Many schools in these towns have stopped admitting students as they cannot cope, yet permission is still being granted for development.
Infrastructure outside of the capital is absolutely disgraceful, with national pot holed routes resembling tracks from the last century.
The country is becoming so regulated, it is tying itself in knots every time a decision needs to be made.
There is a palpable sense of anger among people, resulting in almost daily random attacks and murders and to make it worse, it no longer shocks.
The Health care system is in meltdown, with inadequacies in every area.
The weather seems to have blurred into one long grey and wet winter. I now find it difficult to distinguish between the seasons.
Am totally disillusioned with Ireland at the moment and everything the so called ‘Celtic Tiger’ has created. Yes, granted it has improved people standards of living and presented marvelous opportunities which is fantastic, but it appears to have resulted in a society completely obsessed with consumerism, lack of family values where people are defined by what they drive, how big their house is etc. The gulf between the very rich and the very poor is growing all the time. People are in debt up to their eyes as the need to keep up with the Jones eats away at them.
It has become so expensive to live here for the day to day things, and you now nearly need a mortgage to eat out for a meal with ......and that’s just for an average meal.
Everyone is so busy now, working so much to feed their expensive habits…resulting in less time spent with the family, kids growing up with no discipline and their every want indulged, to alleviate any guilt about lack of time actually spent with the children. People are so self obsessed now, it’s scary. Knowing your neighbour has, for a large part, become a thing of the past.
The Government in power have become so complacent as there is no real opposition worth talking about, and are in bed with the construction industry and the big developers. The very rich (and believe me, some people have made A LOT of money over the lst decade) are rewarded by never ending tax breaks, while the rest of us make up the deficit! Corrupt planning has resulted in no thought been given to the impact of urban sprawl. Satellite towns have sprung up with vast housing estates, but no services in place to deal with growing numbers. Many schools in these towns have stopped admitting students as they cannot cope, yet permission is still being granted for development.
Infrastructure outside of the capital is absolutely disgraceful, with national pot holed routes resembling tracks from the last century.
The country is becoming so regulated, it is tying itself in knots every time a decision needs to be made.
There is a palpable sense of anger among people, resulting in almost daily random attacks and murders and to make it worse, it no longer shocks.
The Health care system is in meltdown, with inadequacies in every area.
The weather seems to have blurred into one long grey and wet winter. I now find it difficult to distinguish between the seasons.
kellyfamily
7th September 2007, 10:56 PM
Anyone in any country (including peeps from nz) have the same dissalusionment. No goverment is doing enough for the people that vote them in , kids misbehaving , tv no good, weather bad, car insurance to high and my wife doesnt understand me :) I believe ( a totally personal point of view but...) do what is right for you and your family . A perfect world does not exist but i believe i came to nz to eek a lifestyle that will suit us as a family.I can earn more in uk but will i be happy?
We have decided sun,beaches, (my wife says me in the pub less) and a happy enviroment . Dont want perfection just want to feel relaxed.
We have decided sun,beaches, (my wife says me in the pub less) and a happy enviroment . Dont want perfection just want to feel relaxed.
Girlno9
7th September 2007, 11:33 PM
Thanks Kelly family.....was actually responding to a question posed as to why i want to leave ireland..... just expressing my observations on the changes I have seen and experienced here over the last decade.....perfection is way overrated....not interested in that :)
Familyofmonkeys
7th September 2007, 11:34 PM
Dont want perfection just want to feel relaxed.
Exactly !!
Exactly !!
Gerardv
8th September 2007, 01:40 AM
Girlno9, I share most of your sentiments.
3 reasons for leaving Dublin:
- simply looking forward for a new adventure
- climate - last "summer" was simply horrible. I have lived in Ireland since 1991 and we only had one really nice summer (1995 I remember it fondly. People could be heard complaining on the radio that "they had had enough of the heat :)). In my (imperfect) memories summer in New Zealand was *much* nicer.
- house prices. I know that house affordability in NZ is bad as well if you take average salaries and interest rates into account but with some equity you are still much better off in NZ than in Dublin.
3 random reasons for NZ:
- space
- being able to drive to a ski area
- want a more outdoor life style
Will still miss Ireland & Holland though. It will be hard to not be able to jump in a plane for a quick flight to see my family in Holland. Long live the internet :)
Ger
3 reasons for leaving Dublin:
- simply looking forward for a new adventure
- climate - last "summer" was simply horrible. I have lived in Ireland since 1991 and we only had one really nice summer (1995 I remember it fondly. People could be heard complaining on the radio that "they had had enough of the heat :)). In my (imperfect) memories summer in New Zealand was *much* nicer.
- house prices. I know that house affordability in NZ is bad as well if you take average salaries and interest rates into account but with some equity you are still much better off in NZ than in Dublin.
3 random reasons for NZ:
- space
- being able to drive to a ski area
- want a more outdoor life style
Will still miss Ireland & Holland though. It will be hard to not be able to jump in a plane for a quick flight to see my family in Holland. Long live the internet :)
Ger
John Z
16th September 2007, 10:09 AM
Really intertesting reading all the posts, and lots of similar reasons or variations for leaving. I am Irish through and through, while hubby is from UK. We are not planning on leaving Ireland entirely (at the moment) but rather spend part of the year here and part in NZ. Mainly don’t want to leave for family reasons. We have no kids to consider and are in a position where, with careful financial planning we can afford to do this.
Am totally disillusioned with Ireland at the moment and everything the so called ‘Celtic Tiger’ has created. Yes, granted it has improved people standards of living and presented marvelous opportunities which is fantastic, but it appears to have resulted in a society completely obsessed with consumerism, lack of family values where people are defined by what they drive, how big their house is etc. The gulf between the very rich and the very poor is growing all the time. People are in debt up to their eyes as the need to keep up with the Jones eats away at them.
It has become so expensive to live here for the day to day things, and you now nearly need a mortgage to eat out for a meal with ......and that’s just for an average meal.
Everyone is so busy now, working so much to feed their expensive habits…resulting in less time spent with the family, kids growing up with no discipline and their every want indulged, to alleviate any guilt about lack of time actually spent with the children. People are so self obsessed now, it’s scary. Knowing your neighbour has, for a large part, become a thing of the past.
The Government in power have become so complacent as there is no real opposition worth talking about, and are in bed with the construction industry and the big developers. The very rich (and believe me, some people have made A LOT of money over the lst decade) are rewarded by never ending tax breaks, while the rest of us make up the deficit! Corrupt planning has resulted in no thought been given to the impact of urban sprawl. Satellite towns have sprung up with vast housing estates, but no services in place to deal with growing numbers. Many schools in these towns have stopped admitting students as they cannot cope, yet permission is still being granted for development.
Infrastructure outside of the capital is absolutely disgraceful, with national pot holed routes resembling tracks from the last century.
The country is becoming so regulated, it is tying itself in knots every time a decision needs to be made.
There is a palpable sense of anger among people, resulting in almost daily random attacks and murders and to make it worse, it no longer shocks.
The Health care system is in meltdown, with inadequacies in every area.
The weather seems to have blurred into one long grey and wet winter. I now find it difficult to distinguish between the seasons.
It's almost scary to read that most here related to Ireland is why we're leaving the Netherlands! As I've been trying to understand all of this I found that it's a "global" thing. When I lived in San Francisco ("the most european city in the states") in 1997/1998 I already lived the way our society is functioning now (relate to my thread on corruption). When we arrived back home I saw all the effects of fear and consumerism already sprouting in Dutch society. That really came as a shock. With all the silly TV shows (shows!) being taken for real it was to happen this way.
Even the Dutch lawyers have learned to use the system (corruptive procedures) for their own benefit, even if the dutch system is very different from the american system.
"Freedom" is so brutally abused that everyone seems to think they have the freedom to do anything regardless the consequences for "society".
"Democracy" today is only a system where the one with best media-controll can/will win.
It is encouraging though that many people on this forum, from all over the world, seem to choose NZ as a "haven" to live a "normal" life.
John Z :nice1
Am totally disillusioned with Ireland at the moment and everything the so called ‘Celtic Tiger’ has created. Yes, granted it has improved people standards of living and presented marvelous opportunities which is fantastic, but it appears to have resulted in a society completely obsessed with consumerism, lack of family values where people are defined by what they drive, how big their house is etc. The gulf between the very rich and the very poor is growing all the time. People are in debt up to their eyes as the need to keep up with the Jones eats away at them.
It has become so expensive to live here for the day to day things, and you now nearly need a mortgage to eat out for a meal with ......and that’s just for an average meal.
Everyone is so busy now, working so much to feed their expensive habits…resulting in less time spent with the family, kids growing up with no discipline and their every want indulged, to alleviate any guilt about lack of time actually spent with the children. People are so self obsessed now, it’s scary. Knowing your neighbour has, for a large part, become a thing of the past.
The Government in power have become so complacent as there is no real opposition worth talking about, and are in bed with the construction industry and the big developers. The very rich (and believe me, some people have made A LOT of money over the lst decade) are rewarded by never ending tax breaks, while the rest of us make up the deficit! Corrupt planning has resulted in no thought been given to the impact of urban sprawl. Satellite towns have sprung up with vast housing estates, but no services in place to deal with growing numbers. Many schools in these towns have stopped admitting students as they cannot cope, yet permission is still being granted for development.
Infrastructure outside of the capital is absolutely disgraceful, with national pot holed routes resembling tracks from the last century.
The country is becoming so regulated, it is tying itself in knots every time a decision needs to be made.
There is a palpable sense of anger among people, resulting in almost daily random attacks and murders and to make it worse, it no longer shocks.
The Health care system is in meltdown, with inadequacies in every area.
The weather seems to have blurred into one long grey and wet winter. I now find it difficult to distinguish between the seasons.
It's almost scary to read that most here related to Ireland is why we're leaving the Netherlands! As I've been trying to understand all of this I found that it's a "global" thing. When I lived in San Francisco ("the most european city in the states") in 1997/1998 I already lived the way our society is functioning now (relate to my thread on corruption). When we arrived back home I saw all the effects of fear and consumerism already sprouting in Dutch society. That really came as a shock. With all the silly TV shows (shows!) being taken for real it was to happen this way.
Even the Dutch lawyers have learned to use the system (corruptive procedures) for their own benefit, even if the dutch system is very different from the american system.
"Freedom" is so brutally abused that everyone seems to think they have the freedom to do anything regardless the consequences for "society".
"Democracy" today is only a system where the one with best media-controll can/will win.
It is encouraging though that many people on this forum, from all over the world, seem to choose NZ as a "haven" to live a "normal" life.
John Z :nice1
akp713
25th September 2007, 03:10 PM
The reasons I want to leave the US:
1. Cost of education, my undergrad degree cost US$45,000/year for 4 years, remember in the US that is standard for a BA, at George Washington U. To do a teaching degree would cost at least another $25,000 and I already have student loans to pay till I'm 40 at least.
2. Job avilability: There are very few teaching jobs available in states that I would like to teach in. Schools are chronically out of money and it just gets worse each year. The town I grew up in just eliminated sports, arts, and all busing even for kindy kids. They get PE once every two weeks for half an hour. Nobody my age has a real career job despite college degrees from good schools many people search till there near 30 for a real career job. I also dislike the whole US education system that is focused entirely on the standardized tests not the whole student.
3. Living expense: Housing has become so pricey I could never afford a decent home on a teacher's salary in Boston or California or Washington DC, the places I have lived/would consider living in. The traffic in DC was also endless, 2nd worst after LA, same goes for the smog. As with jobs, affordable housing is available in the US, but I don't care to live in Florida or Texas or the upper mid-west, one oo hot, the other too cold, and the jobs are poorly paid. Also health insurance would cost me $450/month in the US, I am currently uninsured because my job is with a small company that doesn't have benefits. I also get no vacation days at all, and that's as an insurance auditor.
Why I want to live in NZ:
1. The climate, specifically on the North Island excluding Wellington and the central plateau, is my ideal. Few places in the world have the temperate marine climate that NZ has. I'll take an Auckland winter over a Boston spring or fall anyday.
2. The kiwi laid-back spirit. I love that people walk around in shorts and bare feet even in the winter! When I visited Hawaii as a kid I wanted to stay, I loved the hang loose mentality, and NZ is the only other place I've found that has the same spirit.
3. The lack of crowding. I love that there are always spots available at the carpark, that there are huge open beaches. When I go to the beach at Cape Cod I wait an hour in line to get a parking spot and then inch onto a beach so crowded I can barely see sand. In Auckland I went to Takapuna Beach on New Years and it wasn't half as packed as Cape Cod is in the buffer season. The traffic I hear some Aucklanders complain of is nothing next to the 2-3 hour each way commutes many of my coworkers in DC made. With apartment vacancy rates now at 8%, renting a flat is getting cheaper as well.
1. Cost of education, my undergrad degree cost US$45,000/year for 4 years, remember in the US that is standard for a BA, at George Washington U. To do a teaching degree would cost at least another $25,000 and I already have student loans to pay till I'm 40 at least.
2. Job avilability: There are very few teaching jobs available in states that I would like to teach in. Schools are chronically out of money and it just gets worse each year. The town I grew up in just eliminated sports, arts, and all busing even for kindy kids. They get PE once every two weeks for half an hour. Nobody my age has a real career job despite college degrees from good schools many people search till there near 30 for a real career job. I also dislike the whole US education system that is focused entirely on the standardized tests not the whole student.
3. Living expense: Housing has become so pricey I could never afford a decent home on a teacher's salary in Boston or California or Washington DC, the places I have lived/would consider living in. The traffic in DC was also endless, 2nd worst after LA, same goes for the smog. As with jobs, affordable housing is available in the US, but I don't care to live in Florida or Texas or the upper mid-west, one oo hot, the other too cold, and the jobs are poorly paid. Also health insurance would cost me $450/month in the US, I am currently uninsured because my job is with a small company that doesn't have benefits. I also get no vacation days at all, and that's as an insurance auditor.
Why I want to live in NZ:
1. The climate, specifically on the North Island excluding Wellington and the central plateau, is my ideal. Few places in the world have the temperate marine climate that NZ has. I'll take an Auckland winter over a Boston spring or fall anyday.
2. The kiwi laid-back spirit. I love that people walk around in shorts and bare feet even in the winter! When I visited Hawaii as a kid I wanted to stay, I loved the hang loose mentality, and NZ is the only other place I've found that has the same spirit.
3. The lack of crowding. I love that there are always spots available at the carpark, that there are huge open beaches. When I go to the beach at Cape Cod I wait an hour in line to get a parking spot and then inch onto a beach so crowded I can barely see sand. In Auckland I went to Takapuna Beach on New Years and it wasn't half as packed as Cape Cod is in the buffer season. The traffic I hear some Aucklanders complain of is nothing next to the 2-3 hour each way commutes many of my coworkers in DC made. With apartment vacancy rates now at 8%, renting a flat is getting cheaper as well.
sarahjones
25th September 2007, 04:21 PM
It is interesting to read that many consider that excessive consumerism in their previously country was a factor in their decision to move to NZ.
I have to agree wholeheartedly and the way that NZ'ers base their friendship with you on who you are, what you think, and your approach to life, not on the type of car you drive, is a real treat, long may it stay that way.
I have to agree wholeheartedly and the way that NZ'ers base their friendship with you on who you are, what you think, and your approach to life, not on the type of car you drive, is a real treat, long may it stay that way.
Chiba
25th September 2007, 04:58 PM
Why leave? Japan, in my case.
1) 339 people per square kilometer.
2) Concrete.
3) Accepting that integration is an impossibility.
Why NZ?
1) 15 people per square kilometer.
2) Nature.
3) My family and I being accepted into a society of equals.
1) 339 people per square kilometer.
2) Concrete.
3) Accepting that integration is an impossibility.
Why NZ?
1) 15 people per square kilometer.
2) Nature.
3) My family and I being accepted into a society of equals.
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