[BoroCraig]

......that when reading the various New Zealand forums(this one being by far the best of course) over the last few months whilst sorting out medicals etc, I think it is very noticeable that there are many more negative posts about NZ than there are positive ones from those actually already in New Zealand - people commenting on racism, gangs, cost of living, cost of housing, lack of heating in homes, speeding youths in cars, sand flies etc. I know it is important that everyone wishing to emigrate should know that it's not all 'Fantasy Island' but I wonder why some people are still in NZ based on their views and opinions - am I the only one looking to emigrate who reads the forums looking for inspiration and good feelings yet find the opposite on many occasions?

[dusk]

not sure I entirely agree :)

I've found there's a fair balance of positive comments and negative...

of course people are always going to have a bit of a vent about the weather, their jobs, the housing market etc etc, that's what people do. But I have seen a decent smattering of people's positive comments about where they live, their local hospitals, holidays, neighbours and colleagues. perhaps I'm just focussing on the sunny side of the street ;)

[ourquest]

Perhaps this is just a statistical reminder that there are more negative thinkers than positive ones. And for these people life is defined by the absence (or minimal influence) of negative factors rather than the presence of positive ones.

[Will_2007]

I think it's the same with other things too - ask about experiences with removals companies and you would think from the responses that every moving company actively tries to break/lose your stuff. In reality I'd be willing to bet that only a small percentage of moves have any problems, but when it happens most people are quite willing to jump on here and tell people about it... (not a necessarily a bad thing!!). Not many post to say how good their move was.

If you drive the same road every day and there are no potholes, how many letters do you think the council get to thank them? I'll bet not many, but when the road is full of potholes people soon complain.

People just don't generally write about the good things, when life is good they like to sit back and enjoy it (take it for granted?). When things go wrong, people like to vent a little frustration, and these days net forums are a popular way of doing that. At least when people do post negative things, it might open your (and my) eyes to some aspects of NZ life that we maybe hadn't thought about.

Also, people who are in the process of moving, or have just moved, are maybe starting new jobs, finding their feet etc. are quite likely to be a bit stressed too! Could have something to do with it...

[5kings]

Hi

I have to say I really appreciate hearing both good and bad things, I feel it gives a more rounded picture. I also agree that people generally will talk more about things going wrong, rather than what is probably the rest of the time things going smoothly! I know I don't tend to tell people when I've had a good normal day, more likely to say if something has gone wrong!

I think most people accept there are good and bad things about everywhere, you just have to think about where is best for YOU, and no-one else can decide that for you, but I found reading lots of opinions really helpful in deciding NZ is the place for us.

I think this forum is great for info, the only down side is I spend too long on here, when I should be studying!

Helen

[LesleyS]

......that when reading the various New Zealand forums(this one being by far the best of course) over the last few months whilst sorting out medicals etc, I think it is very noticeable that there are many more negative posts about NZ than there are positive ones from those actually already in New Zealand -

Fair comment....but then this is 'A FORUM', and as such is a place where people come to exchange views.
Sure, people often post their immediate frustrations on here when things go wrong, and a lot of people may think that's negative. Equally, I think there are a great many positive posts on this forum, and lot's of support from people in the same or similar situation.

Either way - information is key, and a lot of both positive and negative information posted on here goes a long way to helping people make informed choices based on their own judgement of the facts presented.

Just my humble opinion.

[James 1077]

I used to work at Sea World in Australia back when I was 18 and, on my induction, they told me something that I've lived by ever since; which is that if someone has a bad time they will, on average, tell 45 people about it but if they have a good time then they'll only tell an average of 5.

The numbers may have changed somewhat in the internet age but I imagine that the ratio will have stayed around the same!

[benandclare]

......that when reading the various New Zealand forums(this one being by far the best of course) over the last few months whilst sorting out medicals etc, I think it is very noticeable that there are many more negative posts about NZ than there are positive ones from those actually already in New Zealand - people commenting on racism, gangs, cost of living, cost of housing, lack of heating in homes, speeding youths in cars, sand flies etc. I know it is important that everyone wishing to emigrate should know that it's not all 'Fantasy Island' but I wonder why some people are still in NZ based on their views and opinions - am I the only one looking to emigrate who reads the forums looking for inspiration and good feelings yet find the opposite on many occasions?

We have our little whinges about all of the above but they are a small part of our lives here, the positives outweigh the negatives 10 fold

For us it's the scenery and weather, yesterday at work I stopped the truck and marvelled at the Alps in the distance with the clouds clearing leaving a sky the like of which can not be seen anywhere else in the world.

Only last weekend we travelled 150km to be in the most glorious back country with hardley a car on the road and then when we walked into it apart from some hardy mountain bikers in the first couple of km we didnt see a soul for another 16 hours, heaven .

Pace of life and quality of life for us here is milkes better than back in UK and for al the folks posting negative feedback can say I've noticed many of them heading for the airports .

Ben

[marshanite]

And it lifted my spirits in the midst of packing & general hysteria!

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15358


Enjoy, Fi.

[JandM]

Having had a good look round last year, we'll be coming, and we're going to love it. Wherever any of us lives, there are going to be 'things' to deal with - that's part of existence.

Apart from what the others have said, I think you tend to find negative situations on here because people post saying, 'X is going wrong for me - what can I do?' If something is going well, they're probably too busy doing it to write much about it. That said, my first impressions of the forum have been of people rallying round to share information and help, and that's a big positive.

[kanatakiwi]

......that when reading the various New Zealand forums(this one being by far the best of course) over the last few months whilst sorting out medicals etc, I think it is very noticeable that there are many more negative posts about NZ than there are positive ones from those actually already in New Zealand - people commenting on racism, gangs, cost of living, cost of housing, lack of heating in homes, speeding youths in cars, sand flies etc. I know it is important that everyone wishing to emigrate should know that it's not all 'Fantasy Island' but I wonder why some people are still in NZ based on their views and opinions - am I the only one looking to emigrate who reads the forums looking for inspiration and good feelings yet find the opposite on many occasions?

One of the great things about this forum is that it gives people a very realistic view of life in NZ, so potential immigrants have a better idea exactly what they will be facing in NZ. I do find (and I include myself here) that initial ideas about immigrating, often paint NZ a very rosy picture about the clean green idyllic lifestyle etc etc and it is important that everyone know its not exactly true, especially when some people are immigrating here without having visited the country beforehand.

That said its still a great place, but its not the place where you can get away from everything you don't like about the place you live right now.

Its a forum where people can talk about what they find difficult about adapting to life here, and what they love and don't like about their new life here. Its been very helpful to me and many others.

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi,
This poll result gives you an idea of how most people feel about New Zealand here

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12574

We love New Zealand and will live the rest of our lives here without a doubt. There are pros and cons but there are anywhere ,nowhere is problem free but we find it a far better life here than we ever did in the UK. This forum gives both sides which is good whereas other forums tend to be either too anti NZ or too pro NZ. Hopefully all the info you need to find is here and I wish you all the success in the future.

Dave and Caroline

[zardell]

Only last weekend we travelled 150km to be in the most glorious back country with hardley a car on the road and then when we walked into it apart from some hardy mountain bikers in the first couple of km we didnt see a soul for another 16 hours, heaven .
Ben




Noooooooooo - I'm sorry Ben and Clare, but that is my personal idea of absolute Hell ...:D Camping in the middle of nowhere would be pure purgatory for me.

So you see BoroCraig, what may be a positive to some is an absolute negative to others.

No-one will ever be in a position to tell you what to do with your choices because that is exactly what they are - your choices. All any one can do is tell it like it is from their perspective (which may not be yours) and that's what this forum is all about.

I'm sorry if you have been finding what you consider to be negative posts, but purely because people have taken the trouble to post them proves that these things are happening in their lives and therefor these issues are important issues to them. Moorf for example, is one of the most positive posters on this forum, but don't get her started on hoons!!! The truth is, hoons are a fact of her life. I consider that it would be wrong to ignore the negatives and only post the positives.

I believe that our forum members have always been very honest and open about their feelings (good or bad) on this whole immigration roller coaster ride and its subsequent issues on actually 'living the dream'. So OK, the dream may have turned into a nightmare for a few, but does that mean that we should ignore their pain and just celebrate the good times? I think that we would be doing an injustice if we did.

And no, I don't live in NZ at the moment, but that was through circumstances and not personal choice. NZ was always our first choice, but at this point in our lives we are in Oz and will be for a while.

Just referring back to your 'Are We Daft?' thread. If I was in your position, I too would want to make the move to NZ for the sake of my family and better prospects on the horizon. Everyone has the right to try to better their lives in any way they can.

I wish you good health, good jobs, prosperity, a better lifestyle and all the things that your heart desires, because if you want it enough you can make it happen.

Just because you may not be doing it the way I would do it doesn't make either of us wrong - just different.

:cheers

Julie

xx

[CJ22]

We're not going for months and I'm already planning which of the remote walking routes I'm going to do, and just how far away from it all I can get :)

[Tia Maria]

zardell wrote:

Moorf for example, is one of the most positive posters on this forum, but don't get her started on hoons!!! The truth is, hoons are a fact of her life. I consider that it would be wrong to ignore the negatives and only post the positives.

Great point! you may find that if you concentrate more on the area you want to live in then a lot of negatives disappear, after all you are reading the negatives for a whole range of people in a whole country.

Where I live I don't suffer from hoons like Moorf or hardly any crime, but do suffer from cold houses and the higher cost of living that comes with living so close to the CBD.

So probably the area you want to live in will only have a couple of the negatives you mentioned and because of people's posts you'll be prepared for that. Or maybe if 'hoons' for instance, are a real issue for you, you will then be able to find out where its not a problem and live elsewhere.

Whenever I write about Devonport, I will always go on about the beaches, great school, lovely village feel etc etc, but I would feel like I would be misleading people if I didn't mention that the one road in and out can be a nightmare and that sections are small for the price you'd pay. Someone could make Devonport number one on their list if they only heard about the good stuff but then waste a lot of time and money when they realise they can't cope with the prices or the traffic. Time and money they could have spent exploring somewhere more suitable.

I think zardell's point about negatives/positives being different for everyone is also true. I personally miss the busy London vibe but I would have thought only a small handfull of people on this forum would agree! :D But I can miss this and hate villas but still love my friends here and love my son's school.

Maybe only read about the negatives with a glass of wine in hand and then go and have a quick look at Leccy Lees photo thread and all will be OK with the world again. :D

Cheers

Tia

[Nick88]

I am probably the biggest grumpy old man on this site, I admit it. I have probably posted more negative or be-very-careful posts than most. I don't think I would be doing anyone any favours if I didn't occasionally remove some people's rose tinted glasses. I am a very cautious person and hate to see people possibly heading for a fall, so if I can give them a reality check before that happens I consider myself to have done them a good turn.

I don't have a problem with hoons or have a cold house, but I run a business and have to put up with govt regulation, IRD rule changes, etc. Things have changed alot since Labour won the election in 99, and for the economy it has not been good. Economics are a bit of a hobby for me as well as being important factors in the business environment here, so I have learnt alot about macro and microeconomics, and I am really disappointed at what has happened in the last 9 years. Things had been going so well before then.

[mish&al]

I think this forum is great for info, the only down side is I spend too long on here, when I should be studying

Sounds just like myself..:laugh

[jubjub]

A line from Johnny and the Sprites "Git along with the sprites" sums it up perfectly...

"We're all used to different things, so no-one's really wrong"

Here endeth my bit of pre-schooler philosophy for the day!

[Sam B]

On the whole, I think there is more positive than negative on this forum, but I do remember those panic-striken days before we moved, when I seemed to be drawn to every negative post. When you're worried about something, it's easier to notice the negative things than the positive.

We are very happy here, and very glad we made the move, but I can't keep starting new threads every week just to say that, it would get rather tedious for all. So I sometimes tend to start a thread when something is worrying me and I want advice. This doesn't mean I'm unhappy in general. I'm also more drawn to posting on more negative or controversial threads, because they're just more interesting really.

[Tia Maria]

A line from Johnny and the Sprites "Git along with the sprites" sums it up perfectly...

"We're all used to different things, so no-one's really wrong"

Here endeth my bit of pre-schooler philosophy for the day!

Pre-schooler philosophy eh? Sounds like a thread starter to me!

I was also thinking when you are new to place the negatives are more obvious. I use to hate looking at rusty tin roofs all the time, now I just don't notice them, as I've got use to the place.

I use to hate all the bugs etc and wondered how everyone put up with them till a Kiwi friend told me, she just has the place sprayed every few months.

The first 2 years is the biggest adjustment period for most, and most of the people on this forum are living in that first 2 year phase.

An easy way to get a positive thread is to start one - just ask people what they love about NZ, or, what's the best day out in NZ, or what's their fave NZ food, or ask about NZ first - I'm reasonably sure you'll get some replies ;)

Cheers

Tia

[ellenmelon]

as others have said..the negative posts on here usually come from someone needing help. the happy ones are around too!

(and if you think this place is negative...well, yeah. some other similar forums out there give a new name to negative lol)

[shakyle2906]

Fair comment....but then this is 'A FORUM', and as such is a place where people come to exchange views.
Sure, people often post their immediate frustrations on here when things go wrong, and a lot of people may think that's negative. Equally, I think there are a great many positive posts on this forum, and lot's of support from people in the same or similar situation.

Either way - information is key, and a lot of both positive and negative information posted on here goes a long way to helping people make informed choices based on their own judgement of the facts presented.

Just my humble opinion.



Totally agree with you Lesley!

I think that information, either positive or negative is key, it helped us a lot when making the transition over here.

Sharon

[Moorf]

Once upon a time this site was seen to be too positive!! :roll

Nowadays, there's such a good mix of people in all stages of immigration on this forum that I personally feel it's got a great vibe - a mix of pre-move nerves, expectations and ultimately people's "realities".

I've learned sooo much from people on here - the reasons they come, the reasons they stay and the reasons they leave and the reasons some leave and come back! I hope you do, too borocraig. :yes

Moorf
Rosed-tinted specs surgically attached.....

[BoroCraig]

Well, I think I achieved lots of positivity there then!!!

[Tia Maria]

Well, I think I achieved lots of positivity there then!!!

Do you have that glass of wine in your hand? ;)

Cheers

Tia

[zardell]

Well, I think I achieved lots of positivity there then!!!




Hi BoroCraig.

This is what I really love about this forum - the positive support that it's members give to one another when times are bad.

Take a look...


http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16176


I think Holland is receiving lots of positivity too, don't you ?

Julie

xx

[holland]

Here Here....fab forum for support....and at times you need it during this process

[Carol]

I don't think its any secret that I have my struggles living here.....
And for too many reasons - I can't go "back". So I don't.


This morning - I walked my puppy along Oriental Parade in Wellington. It took me about an hour and a half.
By the time I got back - I was well and truly peed off by the lack of communication between people I passed and myself. No eye contact. No smiles or nods. Plenty of disapproving looks at my cute wee doggy.
So I got back in the car and headed up to Plimmerton....
And had another walk!
And the total opposite happened. Every single person I passed said "Good Morning" and passed the time of day.

My conclusion?

Nothing.
Humans live here. Some are warm and lovely and some are proverbial pains in the rear.


The most important thing is I managed to get in two walks today!
Something I would never EVER have done before I came here.
:nice1

Attitude is everything.
Especially your own.

[Alan]

And without wanting to turn the thread into tirade one way or the other but there are very few places in England you get any response and if you initiate conversation people think you are about to mug them or nick their wallet!

[Carol]

And without wanting to turn the thread into tirade one way or the other but there are very few places in England you get any response and if you initiate people think you are about to mug them or nick their wallet!


I know one!

But yes - that's way off topic.

[Smiler]

I don't think its any secret that I have my struggles living here.....
And for too many reasons - I can't go "back". So I don't.


This morning - I walked my puppy along Oriental Parade in Wellington. It took me about an hour and a half.
By the time I got back - I was well and truly peed off by the lack of communication between people I passed and myself. No eye contact. No smiles or nods. Plenty of disapproving looks at my cute wee doggy.
So I got back in the car and headed up to Plimmerton....
And had another walk!
And the total opposite happened. Every single person I passed said "Good Morning" and passed the time of day.

My conclusion?

Nothing.
Humans live here. Some are warm and lovely and some are proverbial pains in the rear.


The most important thing is I managed to get in two walks today!
Something I would never EVER have done before I came here.
:nice1

Attitude is everything.
Especially your own.

Two walks in a day!!!! You go girl!!!! :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana





P S I took my RTS's off to write that........

[ellenmelon]

This morning - I walked my puppy along Oriental Parade in Wellington. It took me about an hour and a half.
By the time I got back - I was well and truly peed off by the lack of communication between people I passed and myself. No eye contact. No smiles or nods. Plenty of disapproving looks at my cute wee doggy.


well i would definately have stopped to talk to you and pat your puppy...but thats just me, i love dogs and always get a big grin on my face when i see them :yes (i met a friends poodle puppy today that last time i saw it was a ball of fluff. awwwww)

[StevieD]

Can put it in a nutshell mate - Whinging Poms!!! :laugh

[Red Devil]

Personally, I'm more than happy to read both positive and negative posts about New Zealand... I'll be completely honest and say that when we first considered moving to NZ some 6 months ago, we thought it was this idealistic place on the other side of the world where everyone lives in perfect harmony with each other :laugh I'm sure it does in most areas, but we'd rather be prepared for certain aspects of life that we see, read and hear about on a regular basis here in the UK. It's a sad fact of life that negatives do happen to us no matter where in the world we live, but I think the general consensus is that we're all trying to move onto somewhere better in life... let's be honest, it can't be worse than the UK :mad:

Keep those posts coming... good or bad ;)

[ICR]

Call me crazy. Even the negative posts are "positive". I am in the process of of emigrating/immigrating(whatever) from South Africa!

I have ::no
Erratic electricity supply! I heard they found traces of uranium in some of the water (wondered why the wife was glowing)! CRIME!! Economy taking a dive!

You have::yes
Cold houses? Gangs? Speeding youths? Sand Flies? Somebody mentioned "hoons"?(dunno what it/they are). BRING IT ON!!!

We are under no illusions that we will be going to some fantasy wonderland and are very grateful to hear the pros and cons but will ultimately decide for ourselves when our dream is realised.

[migratory birds]

That's why I need to stop reading these posts here and on other forums from time to time...otherwise I forget the positives and the reasons I sought another country to settle in in the first place.

We've had nearly 7 feet of snow this winter...I originally applied for a milder climate!

[buzztalks]

[QUOTE=Carol;182212]

This morning - I walked my puppy along Oriental Parade in Wellington. It took me about an hour and a half.
By the time I got back - I was well and truly peed off by the lack of communication between people I passed and myself. No eye contact. No smiles or nods. Plenty of disapproving looks at my cute wee doggy.


Maybe you were in the 'exclusion' zone at the wrong time? There is a ban on bringing dogs into the City centre from 8am - 6pm. Not sure if the Parade is in the zone, however it may explain the 'disapproving looks'??

[Carol]

I've checked all of that really carefully - and I'm 99% certain it's fine to walk dogs (on leads) along there. In fact - I saw quite a few.
I know there are no dogs allowed on "the beach" - which is fair enough for hygiene - especially on a beach like that.

I honestly think it's just different in "the city".

But I wont be doing it again...... Will stick with the friendly suburbs I think.

[gina]

Perhaps Im not being very thorough but I seem to be coming across mainly positive posts. Nearly everything Im reading is making me more sure I want to emigrate. Rose-tinted glasses perhaps!!! An earlier post mentions that people stress they are only giving their own opinions, and I have found that negative posts are normally followed by someone expressing the oppostie opinion.