[rowells]

We are migrating with 2 young children, choosing either NZ or Perth Aus.
How good is Nz? Is the life there as good as it looks? We are thinking Welly or Christchurch, does anyone regret moving to NZ or know people who have moved from NZ to Aus and why did they move.
Any help would be great

[stevied20]

if you want something different and don't mind the heat then Perth is a good option, a friend of mine has just left for a new life in Perth, no question it was right for them.

As far as NZ, particularly Cch, where we will be in 10 weeks, then it is very much like this country in it's flaura and fauna, but with a slower pace of life.
The climate is similar to UK with less rain.

I understand house prices are quite high in Perth, but Cch has some of the lowest priced houses in NZ averaging about £150,000.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Steve

[rowells]

if you want something different and don't mind the heat then Perth is a good option, a friend of mine has just left for a new life in Perth, no question it was right for them.

As far as NZ, particularly Cch, where we will be in 10 weeks, then it is very much like this country in it's flaura and fauna, but with a slower pace of life.
The climate is similar to UK with less rain.

I understand house prices are quite high in Perth, but Cch has some of the lowest priced houses in NZ averaging about £150,000.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Steve

Hi Steve,
thanks for your reply, both sound good to us, thats our problem!!!
Where are you thinking of settling in Cch? We have been looking at lifestyle blocks in Darfield or Springston.
Rache

[TrentBridge]

We've chosen NZ because we think we will prefer the climate and the pace of life. Also there is a huge range of scenery on offer from the north to south. Aus just seems to be hot or hotter, which isn't for us.

The only down side to NZ as far as I can see is that salaries are lower there than Aus but I'm not sure how costs of living compare though - but as they say, 'money isn't everything'.

Depends what you want really. Both good moves I suppose :D

Once NZ forumites get up I'm sure you'll have a lot more informed comments. :yes

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[victoria24]

we looked at Perth before deciding on nz. what swung it for me was the temperate climate. dont get me wrong, I love hot weather but living in it everyday can be as bad as our weather as you can spend all day trying to stay out of the heat which is just the same as trying to stay out of the bad weather really!

[StevieD]

yawn.... morning from a cool Cambridge!

NZ has a lot to offer, as does Australia, which has more creepy crawlies (and very scary ones at that!) and Australians :laugh

Each country has it's own merits. It is up to you what you want. We love it here, nice climate (way better than UK believe me), yes the wages stink, but as already been said, money isn't everything.... our kids are thriving, we have a nice home, live in a nice area, what more do you want?

As for Australia, not been there yet, but have rellies live there. As for people moving from NZ-Oz, Jule (Zardell) did this last year.


Good luck whichever place you decide to go for, but good idea using this forum :)

Must dash, sicd family to attend to and a daughter to get to school!!

[IanW99]

...
As far as NZ, particularly Cch, where we will be in 10 weeks, then it is very much like this country in it's flaura and fauna, but with a slower pace of life.
The climate is similar to UK with less rain.
...


Sorry, have to disagree with you about less rain. See UK vs New Zealand Climate (http://www.emigratenz.org/NewZealandClimate.html) for comparisons on weather including the amount of rainy days.

Ian

[stevied20]

Hi Steve,
thanks for your reply, both sound good to us, thats our problem!!!
Where are you thinking of settling in Cch? We have been looking at lifestyle blocks in Darfield or Springston.
Rache

Hi rache,

We are looking at cashmere as Julie has a job at the Princess Margaret Hospital, or anywhere nearby really.

You could flip a coin!!!!

Steve

[stevied20]

Sorry, have to disagree with you about less rain. See UK vs New Zealand Climate (http://www.emigratenz.org/NewZealandClimate.html) for comparisons on weather including the amount of rainy days.

Ian

sorry Ian,
I meant Christchurch itself , which statistically has some of the least rainfall in NZ, and not the country as a whole, but of course Nz as a country has it's fair share

Steve

[boatieman]

I think you will find that there is more rain in NZ than Uk. In Hokitika I sat in my land rover as in 20 Minutes the water level was up to the bottom of the door. If you look at the drainage systems you will notice that they are designed for large volumes of water.
As regards CCh, Having been there several times over the past few months. It is nothing like the UK. Anyone who thinks it is, has not travelled far. Geographically, It sits on a really boring flat plain, surrounded by agriculture. The suburbs are bland and drab. The city is dirty compared to here and it has a smog problem. The restaurants are over rated, I would not live in CCh if you paid me. Unfortunately, I have to go back again, on more work/business, but at least I can fly in and out.

[Andy-Dee]

Disagree entirely about Christchurch - but one man's meat is anothers poison. We are due to go out on our second recce and will spend a little more time on North island this time, so we might have a different view when we get back.

It really depends on your circumstances and what is important to you, we need a lot of facilities but they don't have to be cutting edge - just do your research, ask as many questions as you like and make your own decision.

Good luck

[boatieman]

Hi Andy-dee,

What part did you disagree on?

Its on a plain?
Suffers from poor air quality and smog
Rains more
Is dirtier than other NZ cities
Poor eating out??

Once you Get thre you will realise that Cutting Edge is not a term banded about in CCh, but they do have a lot in common with "The program Life on Mars", yes a real journey back in time,except its for real unfortunately!

[Georgebulldog]

We are migrating with 2 young children, choosing either NZ or Perth Aus.
How good is Nz? Is the life there as good as it looks? We are thinking Welly or Christchurch, does anyone regret moving to NZ or know people who have moved from NZ to Aus and why did they move.
Any help would be great

Maybe not what your asking but we have ioved to Wellington & love it. it's great for kids with so much going on, never known a place that has so much going on all the time. Good beaches, great scenery OK a bit windy but otherwise I love it :cheers

[peebles16]

Ooh you do have a bee in your bonnet :) I like Christchurch a lot :yes I think parts of the city are beautiful but like most cities some suburbs don't look so great don't think that's unique to CHC if you go to any UK city you'll find grubby, down-trodden areas. Relative to Scotland I have to say we've had very little rain in comparison since arriving in January and haven't noticed huge difference in air quality but time will tell. Yes on a plain but boring not in my opinion as surrounded by fantastic hills, mountains and gorgeous coastline :yes I've eaten out a few times in Christchurch and have enjoyed the experience and found it reasonable with good choices of restaurants etc.

That said tis just my opinion :)

Karen

[granger]

Its on a plain?
Suffers from poor air quality and smog
Rains more
Is dirtier than other NZ cities
Poor eating out??


On a plain which affords fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I think the boringness may be a reflection of mindset rather than the scenery itself.

Air quality is excellent most of the year. Smog levels can rise in winter but we're not much bothered by it out west.

Chch has less rainy days than anywhere in the UK. We also get a lot more sunshine.

Our local suburbs while not perfect are much cleaner than anywhere I've seen in the UK and I've seen a lot.

I've also seen you complaining about schools in New Zealand boatieman. The primary and secondary schools where we live in western Christchurch are amongst the best in New Zealand. What does that mean? It means they're amongst the best in a country whose children in international tests in primary and secondary schools outscore UK pupils in maths, science and English. My own children came from decile 10 type schools in the UK and they attend them here. Their observation was that the worst behaved children in their classes here would be average for behaviour in the UK.

Yes, we love Christchurch. :nice1

[Tanya]

I think you will find that there is more rain in NZ than Uk. In Hokitika I sat in my land rover as in 20 Minutes the water level was up to the bottom of the door.

Well - Everybody knows that the West Coast has a high rainfall because of were it is situated between a vast amount of water between them and Australia and the position of the Alps!
Hokitika experiences high rainfall year round and warm, humid summers.

Did you happen to be sitting in your landrover on a river bed????

Yes it rains - but not always as everyone thinks and to say that it does gives the place a bad name. Greymouth has just had 18 days of no rain in a row!

[Moorf]

Its on a plain?

Correct - a plain bordered by the Southern Alps to the West, beaches and ocean to the East with easy access to the West Coast and the Southern Lakes. We have gorges, braided rivers, wonderful clear clean lakes, skiing, white water rafting, jet boating, rock climbing, hiking, etc, etc etc all in the vicinity.

Suffers from poor air quality and smog - yep, in the winter it can become smoggy with all the wood fires. Other than than the air smells and tastes wonderful, often refreshed by the beastly-easterlies or warmed by the nor'westers.

Rains more - been here four years and can categorically say it doesn't rain more here than UK - not by a long shot !!!! Very noticeable to the contrary actually - Canterbury is a dry area with little or no humidity.

Is dirtier than other NZ cities - having walked round Auckland and Wellington I'd say it was neither dirtier nor cleaner but on a par with other "cities" - actually, I'd go so far to say it's cleaner but I think that's to do with it's size more than anything.... and the amount of green parks and areas and beaches (which are spotless)

Poor eating out - errrmm, disagree - have found gorgeous places to eat - ok, so we don't have the number of venues that the denser population cities but you can eat out very well here - just about anything you want, too - heaps of great cafes in the centre and in the suburbs and in the rural areas surrounding Chch...

Obviously you need to spend more than a few business trips in Chch to form a rounded opinion.....

Oh, and Hokitika isn't in Canterbury - and it's possibly the wettest place in NZ so yes, your experience there is very usual and they do have heaps of water to deal with - that's the West Coast for ya and why not many people move there!!!

Of course, these are purely my observations from living here for 4 years.... slightly different from a few business visits...

[Tanya]

Of course, these are purely my observations from living here for 4 years.... slightly different from a few business visits...


Well said Moorf - as usual a well informed opinion! Maybe someone is having a bad day and can't see anything nice about life at the moment!

Tanya

[StevieD]

It seems that Boatie has a bee in his bonnet and has managed to get all you south islanders rubbed up the wrong way!

I suppose we could ask the question which British cities outshine ChCh???

[ykkee]

Just go and watch Narnia: Prince Caspian, you may get the picture between UK vs NZ :)

[rowells]

Well, I seem to have opened up a bit of a discussion!!!
All those out there who love NZ in Welly or christchurch can you tell me where we can get a lifestyle block in a good suburb with good schools, within reasonable commute to the city.
Also, how are you in NZ coping with the increases in cost of living?
How much do you think a reasonable mortgage would be without pushing yourself. We would prob earn joint salaries of $100,000 a year.
Looking forward to any replies

[swissmissdesigner]

You may find interesting this article..

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aQYMLuHRyAP0&refer=home