[Gran]

I have a question for you, why have you chosen NZ? I see all these programmes, "Escape to the Sun" etc, and I wonder why you want to come to NZ as opposed to all those lovely exotic places in Europe, where you can just walk in any time, and even say Florida or the West Indies. When we left we didnt have the option. The world must be your oyster these days.

[sarahw]

Gran - interesting question!!

We actually looked at quite a few countries - the first decision was to leave the UK - that was the easy decision - the not so easy one was where to go... we discussed it over the course of a couple of years!!! (and boy was I fed up with that conversation by the time we decided on NZ!!! :laugh )

We fell in love with NZ a year ago when we came to the Bay of Islands & Auckland on a quick trip around the world & loved the pace of life here, the friendliness of the people & the fact that we saw kids out playing in the streets which reminded us of our childhood - at a time when we were considering moving abroad to settle down & bring up kids those factors were important to us.

We looked at France, Spain & Italy (Switzerland because the job I was going to be promoted to at home required me to work from there), USA (Oregon as that's where my company's HQ is based & Florida as we have a home there already) but the answers were simply no to all of them - language barrier for Ian in most places except USA & his qualifications did not translate in any of the countries including USA (construction) as they do to New Zealand - so I'd have to be the one working & thus picking any of those countries would have been a concious decision not to have a family. Aussie was a big no even though Ian's sister has just moved there - he has an irrational phobia of spiders & all things crawly!!! Plus he doesn't like the weather too hot. :laugh

It was very painful but once we came out here for interviews we fell in love with it all over again and saw even more bonuses of living here.

We sooooo made the right decision! NZ is definitely where we'll spend the rest of our lives! :nice1

[annaerb]

Great to hear some positive comments for a change.

I came to NZ in 1962 from Scotland when I was a wee lass with my Parents, Grandparents, Aunties & Uncles( quite a few of us). We also had other family come from England to NZ in 72 and more in 2003 for the same reasons.

I was told that my Family came here for a better life and I still believe that NZ offers a better life.

[veronica]

I think one of the plusses for NZ is the ease for us brits with the language. We have owned a house in france for years and the grappling with the language on legal docs, electricity bills etc gets beyond me at times. Also, we have friends who are moving to spain and they are having a bit of a culture shock with the way things are done over there. Red tape is bad enough in any language but when you have to cope with it in a second language its a nightmare.

[wilson182]

We also looked at France and Spain. France wasnt really an option, Lauguage would have been a problem and the employment situation is not ideal over there. The time to move to Spain was a few years ago, when property was cheap and the options were there. Unfortunately, many british took up that option and now it is not so attractive. As Timbo said "costa lotta (little britian) spain" I think that just about sums it up. (Hope I quoted you correctly Timbo). We gave our name to a couple of agencies promoting property in Spain at the Emigrate exhibition and that was a BIG mistake.

Canada was an option, but think it will be too cold. We came to NZ in May last year to have a look around and if we hadnt liked it maybe we would have looked at Canada again.

[kiwidollie]

We've never considered moving to any other country than New Zealand.

We were smitten with the scenery etc from books, films etc before we set foot in the actual country. The fact that there are approx 4 million people in a country about the same size as Britain (60+ million), means there's so much more room to move and you can drive around without being stuck in traffic the whole time.

Most importantly for us though is that we wanted our two kids to grow up and live in a society where people still value each other. When we were in NZ last year for 3 weeks we loved the friendliness of the people, the fact that they make time to talk to each other, and that they are so genuine. It wasn't all about making as much money as possible out of people, whilst giving as little as possible in return.

I'm in no doubt that moving to the other side of the world and leaving family and friends will be hard, but I feel very strongly that it is the best place for the life we want to live.

:yes

[Beach Kiwi]

Why?

Because it wasn't acceptable for a three-year-old to stay behind on his own! ;) :mrgreen:

Man, did we ever argue over *that* decision! ;)

[Nicola]

We were only ever interested in New Zealand. Climate, language, scenary are all part of the decision. We also have relatives in Christchurch and near Auckland.

Both out parents almost emigrated when we were small children. I have always wished that they had made the move.

One of the big motivating factors is for our kids to grow up in a more relaxed environment. A different education system with more focus on well rounded children. Our local education system concentrates more on money and politics than it does on the kids themselves.

But I think the main motivation for moving to New Zealand is for a complete change.

France or Italy may be our second choice if we do not make New Zealand (which is not going to happen).

[Kim39]

The distance of 12,000 miles appealed to me. Yes 12,000 miles away from the in-laws. Can't get any better than that can it... :laugh

On a serious note now. We had a few countries in the mix originally, i suppose the normal destinations really. After visiting The Emigration Fair last year down in Sandown we came away thinking that NZ was the place for us. Canada was an option and fairly easy for me to get into as they were on a big recruitment drive for HGV drivers,but with that said i would be away for 4 weeks and home for a few days and then away again. So really not good for family life. :no Had a quick look into OZ but went against it when we spoke to some snotty representative who told me that i was not needed(job that is) in their country.

We have actually come full circle really because we tried this about 10- 12 years ago, but my job wasn't really required in NZ at the time(ambulanceman).

I would like to echo the thoughts of Kiwidollie really. We want to give our girls a better chance in life. I know where we are at this moment in time is the pits, and i don't really like slagging my place of birth, but its true. So we think NZ will give us more than what Britain has to offer in the short but mainly long term.

I am not going to make this move solely on the backing of that film LOTR, showing what beautiful scenery NZ has to offer cos that won't pay the bills. We are making this move mainly on the back of research we have done, and also for the fact that we tried this all those years ago. If it doesn't work, then so be it. At least we can say we tried it. Life is a gamble so why not gamble on trying to get a better life. I can't see anything wrong with that can you?

Kim

[Karoline]

I met my sweetheart in NZ, that's why i'm going to live there. Otherwise i wld only have come back for a holiday.
He can't live in the Netherlands, it's too crowded and not enough nature (Holland is like a big park, he said).
Another point is the language. He can't speak Dutch and that's a big handicap for working here, especially in gardening/landscape consultant etc. He's got his life setup in NZ, loves his job and here in the Netherlands he would have to struggle so much.
It will be difficult for me sometimes to be away from my family and friends, but i will not have much problems with English, finding a job etc.
And i do love the amazing NZ nature. For a Dutch girl it's amazing to walk in a forest...alone!...hearing birds!, not cars or planes and without having to stare at the ground (--> dogpoo!)
I'm looking forward to the outdoor life!
:nice1
Cheers :cheers
Karoline

[leslie]

we thought about s of france... didn't jam. netherlands - interesting but didn't jam. very seriously considered oz but more time there less interest. i was born in canada and went back for 4 years that felt like 40. hub inheriting 60 acres in nicest part of cyprus but c not worth looking at for a good long time yet - and then only for holidays. lived in nz for 10 months 10 yrs ago and it stuck. it has everything we need/ want. everything one could realistically ask for.

[xanctus]

I say NZ because of the Lord of The Rings... Just kidding. :laugh :laugh I am sure people in this forum who hates/anti LOTR will flame me. :mrgreen:

[foolsgold99]

What a good question, it's one that I'm being asked a lot these days.

We meet in the Falkland Islands about 9 years ago. From there we moved to Scotland, I always had it in my head that Scotland was temporary, and I'm shocked to have spent 9 years here. I remeber setting out what I wanted from life then, it was clear from the start that Scotland wasn't going to cut it. I wanted a decent climate, a clean environment, political stability and a place where I could hold down a good job, that means English speaking

NZ was first on the agenda about 6 - 7 years ago, I had some meetings and it all sounded very interesting. Around the same time we got a job offer for a job in New York, the money was better and it seemed more exciting, so we gave up NZ and went through the US immigration process in '99, After a long painful process we got our US work visas, then for whatever reason they couldn't give me a start date, said they were quiet, then it all fell apart (I hate you Anges Zaragora), This whole fiasco wasted years of our life, we delayed trying for kids.

However as time wore on, I realised that I was phyiscally incapable of living in Scotland any longer. Around the middle of last year I started looking again, we ruled the US out, as we'd had a bad experience before, and while we both love the place as a holiday destination, politically it isn't great these days. I looked at Canada could have got in, but decided against it in weather terms, it fails one of my criteria with the -30 in winter.

New Zealand was the obvious choice, it ticked all the boxes. Oz was never in my mind, dunno why, just didn't fancy it.

[Danpoll]

There's all these great reasons and I am going to wade in with, urhhh well the missus said she wanted to live there and who am I to say no. She liked Lord of the rings I think, though it seems like a good choice she normally is a good judge of character. I hope so anyway.


dan

[tigerlily]

Have you been to Florida? Gads! I hope I not offending anyone who does live there. But it's really not my favorite place (too many hurricanes, sink holes, guns and conservative politicians). Oh on the upside it has great Cuban restaurants. No, never thought of it.

Did think of Hawaii (where DH grew up). But it's so much more expensive, and has none of the adventure of living in a different country. It's also still in the Bush regime, and still in the bull's eye of terrorism (as is the rest of the US, so we are told). I just don't want to raise my kids in the US.

Fell in love with NZ on trip around the world. Most friendly people we met the whole way round.

[Carol]

got to be honest....we did it on a whim.


(VERY irresponsible in those days..)

But...still here!

[Gran]

Thanks guys, I love all your replies they are a lot more varied than I thought they would be, love yours Carol!!! in a way I suppose we all do it on a whim.

[Diny]

Good reading !! Everybody has a different story to tell yet the underlying reasons are very similar.

Moving to NZ has just always been part of our 'grand plan'. We decided that we'd go back 'one day' .... one of those things you say you'll do when you get older.

Suddenly 'getting older' has crept up on us.

To be honest, if I hadn't married a Kiwi I can't really say that I would ever have considered going to live in NZ. But there again who knows? The course of my life has meant that I've had a very close 'relationship' with NZ for many years. I guess it just feels like the natural thing to do.

Sorry I can't be more specific.

Diny

[Carol]

Suddenly 'getting older' has crept up on us.

Diny

me too Diny.......particularly around my stomach!
:laugh :laugh :laugh ;)

[Diny]

ditto

[Timbo]

Well, I guess it is time to confess Gran. NZ was not our first option, in fact we had not even thought about the place. Always assumed (wrongly) that it was very much like Australia :oops:
We visited Oz and felt we could be happy there, especially Cairns area. Started researching and soon realised it was going to be a long hard slog to get in. Then one day my Pops said that he had heard on the grape vine that one could use NZ as a back door way into OZ. I know, I know. Guilty as charged your worship.
So, we checked things out in NZ as much as possible and eventually decided a visit was the only way to be sure. Well, as sure as you can be when in holiday mode anyway. Not to put too fine a point on it, we fell in love with the place/people etc. within a very short time. In fact I seem to remember someone posting here that they instantly felt "at home". That is how we felt. So, here we are 1 1/2 years on, and we are still sure it is for us. 100%
Out of curiosity Gran, what made you choose NZ over Australia?

[Pezhk]

Spent 9 mths travelling around NZ 11 yrs ago and loved it. Worked on farms and met locals and could not belive how friendly and open they were.
Beautiful uncrowded countryside. Strong sense of nature and being at ease.

I have been in Oz quiet a few times, but never felt as relaxed. Plus its too hot, got racial problems and lots of flies............not to mention all the things out to do you harm....snakes....crocs.....spiders.....Oz men......Oz women!!!!!! :mrgreen:


Canda far too cold for my Phillipino wife.........plus bity insects......mind you NZ has those as well.


France................full of French.

Spain...........too many English Breakfast and Watneys red barrel, and former salesmen from Lewisham who go on and on about how hot it is and you can't get proper sausages etc etc.

[Jennie & Rob]

My husband has dreamt of living in NZ since geography lessons when he was 7....! We have never been there and know no one there. We are so fed up with the tax situation here for contractors (paying so much tax and having none of the benefits of the employed and none of having your own business)
Our children are our main motivation. Our little girl (6) is growing up so quickly here and we want her to be a girl and love her childhood - not be a "woman" by the time she is 10!!!1 We love the emphasis on leisure and sport in NZ. We want to be less materialistic and enjoy just being a family more. All these things seem possible in NZ. We have not seriously looked anywhere else. Let's hope we are not disappointed with the land of our dreams....

[jonSE]

All the usual stuff counryside, environment etc. plus and a big plus: little things like the guy in the bank remembers your name, where you live, when your containers were arriving etc., Lines of school kids queueing at a bus stop (in an orderly fashion) moving aside as you walk past, school kids on the bus jumping up to offer you a seat ' cos you are older. And not.... the Maori guy of about 20 yrs of age who offered me his seat on the bus - I politely to told him F*** off and sit down I'm not that old,(I'm only 41). We then had a good laugh about the fact that I have not a lot of hair and could be mistaken for being older and were still laughing when 2 ladies not in the 1st flush of youth got on the bus. We both got up and were similarly politely told to sit down. Try that in London

Jon

[leslie]

don't worry, i'll take your seat.

[Miffy]

I strongly dislike the way th UK is heading both its strong links with the USA and Bush and Blairs determination to get us to be part of the United states of Europe. ( i like europe, I love visiting there but I don't want to become a european thanks!). I also don't like the way this country is going, the lack of respect, our health service, our education system, over crowding etc etc etc and I don't see any of it changing soon.

I've always wanted to live in or near the mountains.
We both snowboard and mountain bike alot! (Hubby also sails and canoes but I'm not convinced they are all that enjoyable ...)
I also wanted to live somewhere where there is a slower pace of life which is not based around materialist gains or possesions and keeping up with the jones's.
I also agree with the way NZ tackles its 'green' issues and that it is proud to be an island nation and safe guards that and the way it stands up to its prinicples (green peace vs french nuclear test for example).

We did look at Canada and Alberta / Calgery in particular but it would mean living in a large city and it being so close to the states was a worry.

NZ seemed to be a good fit, offering everything we wanted and hopefully we in return can we will be a good fit for NZ.

[Miffy]

I strongly dislike the way th UK is heading both its strong links with the USA and Bush and Blairs determination to get us to be part of the United states of Europe. ( i like europe, I love visiting there but I don't want to become a european thanks!). I also don't like the way this country is going, the lack of respect, our health service, our education system, over crowding etc etc etc and I don't see any of it changing soon.

I've always wanted to live in or near the mountains.
We both snowboard and mountain bike alot! (Hubby also sails and canoes but I'm not convinced they are all that enjoyable ...)
I also wanted to live somewhere where there is a slower pace of life which is not based around materialist gains or possesions and keeping up with the jones's.
I also agree with the way NZ tackles its 'green' issues and that it is proud to be an island nation and safe guards that and the way it stands up to its prinicples (green peace vs french nuclear test for example).

We did look at Canada and Alberta / Calgery in particular but it would mean living in a large city and it being so close to the states was a worry.

NZ seemed to be a good fit, offering everything we wanted and hopefully we in return can we will be a good fit for NZ.