The Hodges
5th September 2007, 06:13 PM
Hi guys,
As we’ve been here for six months, we’d thought that we’d write down some of our thoughts and feelings. You may not agree, but hopefully you’ll understand where we’re coming from.
First of all we re-read our three month post (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11965) and it is good to review the things in the cold light of day.
KIWI LIFESTYLE
We moved out to NZ for many reasons, but one of which was a lifestyle choice. We’re trying to make the most of it and we try to things that we won’t ordinarily have done in the UK and we both love the Kiwi lifestyle now. We love the weekends and the time that we get off. We are out a lot more than we ever were, making the most of what NZ has to offer.
We did go back to the UK for ten days and it did make us realise what we took for granted. Our local park, the pub, shops, general choice etc., but would be trade it for NZ, probably not at the moment, but time, and priorities, change.
MEETING PEOPLE
We have met lots of wonderful people, many of those through this forum.
However, we are well aware of the fact that you get out of life what you put in to it and we have tried to meet as many people as we can, making use of any arbitrary lead. Tony has even joined a rugby club, making 15 friends instantly and we try to say yes to every opportunity. We’ve learnt that even if you think you’re going to dread it, go, as we’ve enjoyed 99% of the do’s that we’ve been too.
FAMILY & FRIENDS
We still miss our family and friends, although they don’t seem to email as often as we like. The more important ones seem to be staying in contact anyway. I sent out various emails when we arrived and I have set myself a rule to reply to any that I receive back. So far, this rule has worked, but often the lack of responses have disappointed us.
We do have family coming over though, and we’re really looking forward to sharing NZ with them.
COST OF LIVING
For those that are interested, for the two of us (we live in a three bedroomed duplex bungalow, run two cars and we don’t live extravagantly) it costs us $1,700-$1,800 a month (excluding rent).
FRUSTRATIONS
We have found that employers are more inclined to press their employees harder than we are used too. We have learnt to be more assertive (and dare I say it, less like Poms). We do not mean being bullied, but, for example, it is expected that we work longer hours than we did in the UK and out of hours without being compensated for it.
Also, it frustrates us that some colleagues, who may work longer hours, are not as productive as we are used to, and so we are firm believers of working smarter and not harder rule.
We have come in to contact with bureaucracy and we have found it very difficult, and impossible in many instances, for a different point of view to be accepted. Not because it’s wrong, just because it’s not what their used to. There is a bigger picture in many decisions, but it seems some people have difficultly seeing it.
SUMMARY
So have things changed since our three month post? Not really. We’re still in the same position. There are some things that infuriate us and other things that we love. Hopefully we’ll be able to accept the things that get under our skin, but we’re loving the experience overall.
Do we regret being here? Not a chance, but will we stay forever, we can’t tell. Nothing in life is permanent and we admire everyone on this forum for giving this a go.
Cheers. :cheers
As we’ve been here for six months, we’d thought that we’d write down some of our thoughts and feelings. You may not agree, but hopefully you’ll understand where we’re coming from.
First of all we re-read our three month post (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11965) and it is good to review the things in the cold light of day.
KIWI LIFESTYLE
We moved out to NZ for many reasons, but one of which was a lifestyle choice. We’re trying to make the most of it and we try to things that we won’t ordinarily have done in the UK and we both love the Kiwi lifestyle now. We love the weekends and the time that we get off. We are out a lot more than we ever were, making the most of what NZ has to offer.
We did go back to the UK for ten days and it did make us realise what we took for granted. Our local park, the pub, shops, general choice etc., but would be trade it for NZ, probably not at the moment, but time, and priorities, change.
MEETING PEOPLE
We have met lots of wonderful people, many of those through this forum.
However, we are well aware of the fact that you get out of life what you put in to it and we have tried to meet as many people as we can, making use of any arbitrary lead. Tony has even joined a rugby club, making 15 friends instantly and we try to say yes to every opportunity. We’ve learnt that even if you think you’re going to dread it, go, as we’ve enjoyed 99% of the do’s that we’ve been too.
FAMILY & FRIENDS
We still miss our family and friends, although they don’t seem to email as often as we like. The more important ones seem to be staying in contact anyway. I sent out various emails when we arrived and I have set myself a rule to reply to any that I receive back. So far, this rule has worked, but often the lack of responses have disappointed us.
We do have family coming over though, and we’re really looking forward to sharing NZ with them.
COST OF LIVING
For those that are interested, for the two of us (we live in a three bedroomed duplex bungalow, run two cars and we don’t live extravagantly) it costs us $1,700-$1,800 a month (excluding rent).
FRUSTRATIONS
We have found that employers are more inclined to press their employees harder than we are used too. We have learnt to be more assertive (and dare I say it, less like Poms). We do not mean being bullied, but, for example, it is expected that we work longer hours than we did in the UK and out of hours without being compensated for it.
Also, it frustrates us that some colleagues, who may work longer hours, are not as productive as we are used to, and so we are firm believers of working smarter and not harder rule.
We have come in to contact with bureaucracy and we have found it very difficult, and impossible in many instances, for a different point of view to be accepted. Not because it’s wrong, just because it’s not what their used to. There is a bigger picture in many decisions, but it seems some people have difficultly seeing it.
SUMMARY
So have things changed since our three month post? Not really. We’re still in the same position. There are some things that infuriate us and other things that we love. Hopefully we’ll be able to accept the things that get under our skin, but we’re loving the experience overall.
Do we regret being here? Not a chance, but will we stay forever, we can’t tell. Nothing in life is permanent and we admire everyone on this forum for giving this a go.
Cheers. :cheers