[ncalfamilyguy]

I have seen several posts about NZ'ers leaving, I am also getting the impression there is a relatively small U.S. population. If I can ask why did you go?, did you find it, would you do it again?. I of course have my own reasons and ideals but would be relieved to compare with my own hopes and desires. PM if you want to, I would be glad to start a conversation with one or more on this topic.

Thank you

[Bruckner]

I didn't want to raise my kids in New York City and we were ready for a change of lifestyle. We could've moved somewhere in the US but wanted to experience living overseas. It's a big world out there, and New Zealand was the only country on our short list that we could get into relatively easily. It's not been easy but we've made some fantastic friends and my children are happy and thriving. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Are we going to stay? We came with a two year minimum (IRRV), five year maximum (dual citizenship) but are open to staying indefinitely if things were going well. I don't see that happening right now and in my heart I don't think that will change.

There are many things I miss (food variety and warm housing for instance) but nothing that would make me up sticks and head back home. In some ways it's been a challenge for me to come to NZ and be out of my comfort zone but that could be said about anywhere else I'd have ended up.

Hope this helps.

Emily

[ncalfamilyguy]

of course it helps... i think we may have close to the same mind-set
thanks for your response

[tleventer]

Knowing my own reasons as well as hesitations, I will be watching responses closely. Thanks for asking the question!

[sweetpea]

I have seen several posts about NZ'ers leaving, I am also getting the impression there is a relatively small U.S. population. If I can ask why did you go?, did you find it, would you do it again?. I of course have my own reasons and ideals but would be relieved to compare with my own hopes and desires. PM if you want to, I would be glad to start a conversation with one or more on this topic.

Thank you

I was thinking about moving to NZ anyway when I learned about the option of going to an accredited veterinary school here. I pursued that (as a 30-something year old career changer) and am now in my third year. I was drawn to NZ because I thought it would be a first-world, progressive, environmentally-friendly place not run by George W. Bush and cronies. I thought there would be enough of a cultural difference to be interesting, but not so much as going to Russia, where I did my college semester abroad.

I am happy I came here, and equally happy that I have a definite departure date (December 2010). NZ's clean, green image is not necessarily deserved. NZ government is pretty progressive on social programs and issues like gay rights, and I like a lot of the policies. The government is far ahead of the average Joe, though, and you will hear all sorts of narrow-minded crap bandied about (anti-Asian, anti-immigrant, anti-Maori, anti-gay). If you're looking for a progressive, environmentally friendly place, you're much better off living on the US West Coast and ignoring what goes on in the beltway as much as possible.

I don't have a regular salary here (just do temp work when I'm not studying), but from the Kiwis I know, there is quite a bit of scrimping to live on the average salary. Also, mortgage interest rates here are sky-high and there aren't 30-year-fixed options or anything like that.

[daygloweyes]

I must say reading these posts over the last few days regarding making a living, etc. in NZ compared to the US have been a little discouraging. I've also read on another forum that many folks are opting for Oz instead of NZ??? I've always lived pretty comfortably with one job as well as been able to take vacations, etc. and would like something comparable in NZ. I'm reading on here and hearing from others that I may not experience the same in NZ??? I suppose I need to do more research before heading down under..:confused:

[BkyMonster]

A lot of reasons (like those expressed by others, and by me in other threads on this site). I'm also looking forward to living in a rural country. Living rurally is something I currently do, though living as rurally as NZ would offer us with our professions is something we wouldn't necessarily have access to in the US. I could do without having a city that has everything 2 hours away. :) The thing I'm honestly most worried about is internet access availability. We'll see how that develops in the next few years.
I like Oregon. I wouldn't live anywhere else in the US but the US isn't something I can live with currently.
Of course, not there yet, but I can say that very few of the complaints I've seen on the forum faze me. Perhaps I'm just overly optimistic (not something I'm known for :p) but I don't feel like I'll have too many illusions shattered.
We'll see...

[BlueDevil]

I like NZ, but the money for many professionals, especially anything remotely related to healthcare is better in Oz. Salaries and benefits are 40-140% higher. They are a richer country (mining boom).

Its a little like Canada (NZ) and the US (Oz). There are reasons to move to NZ (many posts) but right now the finances are rough (see posts re inflation of food, high mortgage/housing costs/low relative salaries).

New Zealand is a small island nation with high social/infrastructure costs and no real industrial/technological base. But the people are friendly and the scenery is great.

People in NZ really seem quizical when asking me why I/we came here; whereas friends in the US thought it was pretty neat (well, except for the ones who thought it was odd or career suicide). They of course take the things I appreciate for granted - and I of course know I can leave anytime I want; that freedom probably has a lot of value in my happiness.

[ncalfamilyguy]

there has to be more than the US west coast right? Is it the most profitable, peaceful, social, liberal, intellectual (spell?), climate friendly, expensive, to live?.... just prodding

[Bruckner]

Of course, but it all depends on where you live and what you're looking for in life. I love New York City, I'm just over living there. I was tired of fighting for space amongst other things. I think NZ is what you make it and what you want out of it. I've only just scratched the surface here.

Emly

[akp713]

I moved to NZ to become a teacher because they have a much higher ranked education system than the US, in fact among the highest ranked in the world. Also they pay starting teachers better than in the US, probably the only profession where that's true though. Add to that the cost of tuition for my graduate degree in education was half that of any equivalent US school and University of Auckland is ranked 5th in the world for teacher training.

I'm quite happy with NZ and the more I learn about the freedom given to teachers with a very broad curriculum, the more I like it. The people are incredibly friendly in comparison with the US. I didn't come because of political reasons and I am well to the right of most Kiwis but I love a good debate. I also love the climate here, it's my ideal, 73-75 in summer and 57-60 in winter. I like the high humidity of Auckland summer, but could do without the rain in winter.

Now to the downsides I've experienced. Kiwis can be very racist and a bit xenophobic against non-English speaking immigrants, but they generally like those of us from former British colonies, including the US. They definitely aren't clean and green, they actually remove the cadallidic converter from imported cars to make them cheaper to up-keep.

The rush hour traffic in Auckland is worse than any major city in America with the possible exception of LA. I live 7 miles from school and my commute time is 1 hour. Petrol currently costs US$5.32/gallon for regular and the equivalent to a bottle of (277g) Kraft parmesan cheese would cost at least US$9.25. Also the fact that all malls and businesses close by 5:30 or 6PM every day can be annoying because I can't do any shopping on week days.

Despite the down-sides the longer I've been here the more I've wanted to stay for the long-term. I think living in NZ is a wonderful experience and it is easily the most beautiful and friendly country I know of. But it is best to have no illusions, so consider the negatives I and others have pointed out carefully.

[ncalfamilyguy]

thanks for the response akp, just the kind of honest response I was hoping to see. If I can ask where in the u.s. did you move from?

[Amy]

Thanks for posting this question. I'm an American planning to move to NZ in June. It's good to see others have made the transition smoothly.

[jess]

We moved from Virginia to NZ two years ago, and live about an hour from Wellington. We don't commute to the city for work. Here's my pro and con list in no particular order...

+ foreign policy and more left leaning
+ lots of parks and reserves near the house
+ 4 bed house overlooking the ocean for $315K (1 1/2 years ago)
+ has been nice to broaden our horizons by living abroad
+ affordable of health care
+ affordable car insurance
+ gun control
+ smaller feel of a nation with half the population of VA

- higher taxes
- gasoline, food, general items more expensive
- less insulation in the (generally) colder houses
- weather feels colder for more of the year than I expected
- feeling out of place for a few months
- no squirrels (threw that one in because my OH misses them :o)
- fewer vegan products than where I was in the states

We have not decided whether we will stay here or eventually move to the west coast of the US or to Australia. Not moving within the next year...

[ncalfamilyguy]

still wanting to hear from more Americans... PM if you want...Dave

[Amy]

Good information. Thanks for asking. I'm due to arrive in Auckland mid June or July. It's curious to see the American perspective on moving.