[daveandlisa]

Hi everyone!

My name is Lisa. My husband and I always said when our children were older that we would want to move away somewhere we can have a better quality of life.

Now we feel that time as come. With things in Britain getting so bad with crime, drugs and out of control youngsters we want a better life for our children.

My husband attended a New Zealand seminar three weeks ago for New Plymouth, Taranaki and was very interested in what he saw - especially when he was told that his profession was on one of the long term skill shortage lists.

We then started getting more information about NZ and started to get excited.

Two weeks ago my eldest daughter was robbed at gun point and her boyfriend was hit over the head. That clinched it for us; we HAVE to move our younger children away. We have started to do an EOI and have 130 points but after reading some comments on this forum about low wages and high taxes we are not sure whether to proceed because we don’t want to struggle financially. We have no idea of the cost of living out there. Please help! If anyone can give us some information we would be grateful.

Thank you.

[victoria24]

hi lisa
our view is that if cornwall isnt nice enough anymore then why not? youve got to work wherever you live in the world unless you're retiring somewhere so why not do it in a nicer environment and whichever way it pans out it'll be an experience for the whole family. we also look at it that if NZ doesnt work, the world is a big place and there will always be new adventures on the horizon but a return to the Uk is not one we would want to embark on.
we want a sportier more outdoor life for the kids and ourselves. i guess the last week of better weather brings it all home

[shakyle2906]

HI

Welcome to the forum!

We have been here just over a year and love it!

We felt we were getting nowhere where we lived in South Wales. We had paid over £4k about 6 years or so ago to go to Australia, then i fell pregnant and inlaws talked us out of it...........we kicked ourselves ever since.

I guess what i am trying to say, is if you dont try, you dont know. We made the leap and a huge one at that, our son was only 4.5 We took a huge gamble, but i am please to say it had defiently worked out for the better. We wanted a better life for us, but moreso for our son, with a better future for him too......

Its a decision i think only you can make but if i had my chance again, the answer again would be yes.

I was so sorry to read about your daughter in your post, and have to admit, i would feel thats a real plus in getting away too. I do hope things have got better since! Thoughts are with you.

Please feel free to ask any questions - PM if you prefer!

Keep in touch

Sharon
xx

[CJ22]

Two weeks ago my eldest daughter was robbed at gun point and her boyfriend was hit over the head. That clinched it for us; we HAVE to move our younger children away.

Alternatively, you could just move out of whatever crime-ridden hell-hole you currently live in :)

Just a suggestion. Crime and anti-social behaviour aren't endemic everywhere.

[StevieD]

And, it all depends on what you mean "better life". It is all subjective... each to their own.

But, as for the kids, our two love it, healthier more active life in a clean environment.

As do we love it too. But NZ isn't for everyone as those who have returned will testify.

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

We love it here after a year, our kids (10 & 11) love it and love their school. Both are doing extremely well, particularly socially as this was an issue for both of them in the UK.

That doesn't mean it will be an instant hit for anyone else of course, we are all different.

Many have gone back but at least, in general, have then been happier and better off in the long run for the experience (if not financially).

I'm all for new experiences and giving your kids wider opportunities for the future, but that's just me.

Financially it's virtually impossible to advise. What is a lot to one, is a pittance to another. It all depends how you live. You will (probably) also find you live differently once you're here anyway, so even a 'like for like' comparison of salaries and outgoings won't tell you that much.

Personally we've found the financial standard of living to be broadly similar, others would argue differently.

[andrewandjane]

Hi,
Like the majority of posts its an individual thing, we moved out here and earn more money but thats due to the low wages paid in Cornwall!. Cornwall was great but out here is even better for us. we moved here without having ever been to NZ and the whole family like it. Its still difficult financially at times but thats the case anywhere, over all i wouldnt says its more expensive here for anything, if anything i'd say our weekly shop is cheaper here!.

good luck with whatever you choose

[daveandlisa]

HI

Welcome to the forum!

We have been here just over a year and love it!

We felt we were getting nowhere where we lived in South Wales. We had paid over £4k about 6 years or so ago to go to Australia, then i fell pregnant and inlaws talked us out of it...........we kicked ourselves ever since.

I guess what i am trying to say, is if you dont try, you dont know. We made the leap and a huge one at that, our son was only 4.5 We took a huge gamble, but i am please to say it had defiently worked out for the better. We wanted a better life for us, but moreso for our son, with a better future for him too......

Its a decision i think only you can make but if i had my chance again, the answer again would be yes.

I was so sorry to read about your daughter in your post, and have to admit, i would feel thats a real plus in getting away too. I do hope things have got better since! Thoughts are with you.

Please feel free to ask any questions - PM if you prefer!

Keep in touch

Sharon
xx

Hi sharon hope you get this message thank you so much for your kind words glad thins worked out for you keep in touch too.

[daveandlisa]

Hi everyone
can someone help i am looking to add my experience and qualifications to an EOI my husband is submitting is there a section to do this or is there a diferent channel to use .

Many thanks Lisa.