nearly 6 months and going home

walshy

18th May 2009, 01:17 AM

:( very sad, but just isnt going to work.

Its just too far from all our freinds and family.

Not a lot else to say except in 02 we back packed and stayed in oz for a year and here only 2 months so more like a holiday whereas we actually lived in sydney for 7 months, on reflection oz would have been a much more suitablle location for a 32 and 26 year old with 2 very young children to emigrate to.

We may try oz in a few years, but for now we miss people too much and are booking flights tommorow for 3 weeks from now, very, very out of pocket

It has tarnished our fantastic memories of backpacking back then here as the realities of living here have quite a few downsides

benandclare

18th May 2009, 01:19 AM

Sorry to hear that guys, good luck back in the UK

icemaiden

18th May 2009, 02:31 AM

I'm really sorry to hear things haven't worked out for you. Good luck with your future plans.

Ash3000

18th May 2009, 03:02 AM

goodluck!! :)

spudulike

18th May 2009, 05:07 AM

Hey, at least you had the guts to make the move. It does feel awful when it doesn't work as planned but something better will be around the next corner.

Good luck

:)

Shones

18th May 2009, 05:09 AM

Hi, so sorry it hasn't worked out, glad you've been brave enough to admit that it jusn't isn't working and home is the better option.

For all us "potential" emigrants, I'd love to hear in what ways you feel Oz would've been a better option (i've got two kids too and lived in Adelaide for one year) and which ways reality was so much harder than what you'd seen back-packing.

If you do reply to this, I hope that everyone reads it in the light it was written, not as an attack on NZ

Good Luck

GillyM

18th May 2009, 05:10 AM

Sorry things haven't worked out though I suppose it's better to find out sooner rather than later that it's not for you. At least you won't have regrets that you didn't give it a go. We're hopefully moving out there in the next few months and possibly to Tauranga with our two girls (9 & 11). Would apprreciate any advice you could give us on the area - good and bad. We won't miss family too much as our close family live all over the world anyway. Thanks

JandM

18th May 2009, 05:46 AM

Sorry to hear you haven't been happy. All good wishe for the return trip.

victoria24

18th May 2009, 09:01 AM

best of luck for the future. are there any other parts of the experience that havent worked for you that you'd be ok to share?

tea drinker

18th May 2009, 09:20 AM

Sorry to hear this, hope that it all works out for you

janrzm

18th May 2009, 09:34 AM

It's always sad to hear when people decide to go home , I hope it all works out for you and your family.

We also moved to Tauranga ,just after you I think, we have 4 kids aged between 9 - 5
It just goes to show that no two peoples experiences can ever be the same, as they are dependent on so many different factors.

Kanga

18th May 2009, 03:17 PM

Hey Walshy, if it isn't for you then it isn't for you. Good luck back in Blighty and make your last three weeks something special to remember so you can leave on a high :)

Scotty69

18th May 2009, 03:39 PM

Sorry to hear things are not worked out for you, good luck in the move back.

veronica

18th May 2009, 05:50 PM

when you have young kids and are at home with them a lot missing folks is very hard. years ago we lived in Oz and ended up going home for that very reason after being there for 6+ years. When we got home I realised it was more a case of being isolated at home with two small children rather than homesick for the UK. Hopefully when you get home you will settle having tried it, but keep in mind the reasons you wanted to leave the UK.
Good luck with it all.

Arwen

18th May 2009, 06:06 PM

Hi there Walshy :nice1

As others have said, sorry to hear that this has not worked out for you, it's not for everyone, but at least you gave it a go!!

Hope you move back to a place where you can find happiness and peace. :)

Best wishes :nice1

LesleyS

18th May 2009, 06:49 PM

Sorry to hear you are going, apart from missing family, what other factors made you decide to go back?

clairelouise

18th May 2009, 07:42 PM

It's sad things have not worked out the way you wanted them too, but I think it's brave to admit that fact and do something about it. It's surprising how people sick you can be on the other side of the planet I think :yes

I hope you are happier back in Britain, and good luck with everything :nice1

CJ22

18th May 2009, 11:06 PM

Sorry to hear that Walshy. But it's not like Blighty's that bad either eh? Safe travels.

nickydwuk

20th May 2009, 02:31 AM

I can totally empathise with you. We knew after 3 months it wasn't for us. Unfortunately we had a house to sell so our return has been delayed. Good luck with the move back :)

Kerry and David

21st May 2009, 01:04 PM

Good luck with your move back.

walshy

21st May 2009, 04:14 PM

any idea if we took a flyer on it and flew in to oz, could we maybe get a work permit over there and see where that took us?

JandM

21st May 2009, 09:04 PM

Wow, that's something of a change of mental direction... http://www.immi.gov.au/immigration/

I have heard it said that it's harder to get a work permit for Australia than for NZ, which is why some people have been known to go through getting NZ citizenship in order to qualify for Australia by the back door.

· Most New Zealanders with a valid New Zealand passport can travel to Australia without applying for a visa before they leave. New Zealanders who have criminal convictions or a serious medical problem should check with the Australian Consulate-General before they travel.

· New Zealanders can live and work in Australia, but cannot obtain Australian social security unless they have Australian permanent residence. New Zealanders who moved to Australia after February 2001 have to formally apply to obtain permanent residence and pass the points test. See this link for more information. http://www.nzembassy.com/topic.cfm?c=18&l=60&s=nz

Kanga

21st May 2009, 09:26 PM

What's your line of work Walshy? I wouldn't just fly to Australia and chance it atm unless you're in healthcare because the recession is taking it's toll here. And even if you're in healthcare I'd get a job first.

JandM

21st May 2009, 10:06 PM

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=185781#post185781

I don't remember on what basis you did get in eventually, Walshy.

Kanga

21st May 2009, 10:21 PM

OK- good detective skills JandM :)

Walshy you should be aware that there is a priorty processing order for VISAs in OZ atm- employer sponsored, state or territory sponsored, CSL (critical skills list) then all other. This is a result of recession hitting hard here and the government looking to 'focus' immigration on actual vacancy filling rather than the more general skills in demand visas. I'd recommend a chat with an immigration consultant (they have to be registered here- try George Lombard in Sydney- he's pretty helpful and will give you a good consultation for under $100).

You wouldn't be the first to wash up here from the UK via NZ and in fairness many seem to prefer it to NZ- but we don't and will be heading back soon.

Bunstar

22nd May 2009, 08:44 AM

Sorry to hear you guys are leaving, good luck for the future whatever you do :nice1

walshy

3rd June 2009, 06:34 PM

I bought three twix and 3 cans of coke today, $16:exit

That is why im leaving New Zealand

dusk

3rd June 2009, 06:41 PM

blimey - where do you shop, I can ge that from the veniding machine in the office for less than 10 bucks.

ourquest

3rd June 2009, 07:13 PM

I bought three twix and 3 cans of coke today, $16:exit

That is why im leaving New Zealand

Wait a minute...I thought it was because you were too far from friends and family?

If it wasn't for your initial post in this thread I'd just suggest you don't drink coke.

That would of course be a lot easier (and quicker) than just not having any friends or family.:)

walshy

3rd June 2009, 09:04 PM

haha, a bit tongue in cheek

Red Devil

3rd June 2009, 11:49 PM

I bought three twix and 3 cans of coke today, $16:exit

That is why im leaving New Zealand

... blimey, that is some sugar fix... hope you shared them out ;)

Best of luck wherever you end up :nice1

walshy

1st July 2009, 11:21 PM

well we have been home 3 weeks, not quite real yet as living with friends until tennants move out of our house, but very very happy to be home.

Choice wonderful choice.

victoria24

1st July 2009, 11:31 PM

did you notice any differences as to how you remembered the UK? are there any changes that have happened recently there at all?

Sheldon

2nd July 2009, 02:07 AM

Enjoy the heat!

tea drinker

2nd July 2009, 07:07 AM

Glad to hear that you are feeling happier :)

spudulike

2nd July 2009, 09:36 AM

Glad you had a safe journey back. Welcome home!!

Hopefully we should have a good summer too - we certainly seem to be on track for one...

Hope you get settled and into your own place soon and that you continue to be happy with your choice.

L :)

leachio

2nd July 2009, 10:41 AM

welcome home hun xx

92Immigrant

2nd July 2009, 09:52 PM

Its just too far from all our friends and family.

A very sad story, and one oft repeated I'm sure. Holidays, and living here are completely different. One has to be tough emigrating.

One has to question why emigrate if one has close friends and family, it's a recipe for heartache.

NZ is not a convenient travel hub, it's the back of beyond. And that's just how I like it.

However I'm sure that I'm better off here, there aren't many downsides for me.

Hey, I didn't mention the "F" word :laugh

Dave.

Arwen

4th July 2009, 12:34 PM

Hey, I didn't mention the "F" word :laugh

Dave.

Good on ya Dave. :nice1 Horses for courses as they say. ;)

walshy

9th July 2009, 01:39 PM

did you notice any differences as to how you remembered the UK? are there any changes that have happened recently there at all?No difference at all, except its a bit more positive economy wise

New Zealand is way way too far from freinds and family,and you know what, way too boring.

Completely out of our system now.

CityBlue

9th July 2009, 03:03 PM

No difference at all, except its a bit more positive economy wise

..........

Really??

I didnt expect that - I thought it would be worse over there

benhila

9th July 2009, 05:41 PM

New Zealand is way way too far from freinds and family,and you know what, way too boring.

Sure, it is sooo boring climbing to the peak of Mount Taranaki in good weather, seeing the horizon curve in the distance and discovering for yourself that Earth isn't flat. It is much more interesting shopping in Tesco!

Cheers

Hila

Moorf

9th July 2009, 05:51 PM

KatieBen

9th July 2009, 11:44 PM

Depends on what makes you excited, thrilled to wake up every morning, bounce out of bed and not grump around though :)

For some people (me included) it's little things like the amazing snow capped mountains I get to drive past on the nursery run, or watching my sons blossom in their new surroundings.

And I guess yes, for some people it's what is on special offer at Tesco, or being able to get the latest high street trends, or living packed in with another 60 million people, or having "culture" on your doorstep (as opposed to yoghurt left by the milkman ;)) ... each to their own, one man's heaven would probably be my hell and other such cliches.

If everyone liked the same thing then life in general would be very boring for all of us.

peebles16

9th July 2009, 11:59 PM

92Immigrant

10th July 2009, 12:01 AM

way too boring

I must be boring 'cause I'm loving it here. :cool:

Dave

victoria24

10th July 2009, 12:35 AM

No difference at all, except its a bit more positive economy wise

New Zealand is way way too far from freinds and family,and you know what, way too boring.

Completely out of our system now.

walshy, will you do us a favour and post once your back? interested in your perception once there.

sweetpea

10th July 2009, 01:04 AM

way too boring.

He he he. Bet you suspected you might get a number of defensive replies to this.

(If its any consolation, I find day-to-day life here a little less than riveting too!)

All the best.

Ngeru

10th July 2009, 11:32 PM

(If its any consolation, I find day-to-day life here a little less than riveting too!)

All the best.

Me too and that's not to say I prefer shopping in Tescos either.

Why can't people accept that New Zealand is not for everyone? Taking the rise out of them for going back to '60 million people and Tescos' is just plain nasty - besides which it IS hugely possible to live a nice life in the UK, away from the madding crowds and Tescos.

Tesall

10th July 2009, 11:40 PM

He he he. Bet you suspected you might get a number of defensive replies to this.

(If its any consolation, I find day-to-day life here a little less than riveting too!)

All the best.

So why are getting defensive about people getting defensive.. about someone being defensive over thier choice. All this defensiveness just shows how silly it is to say people are being defensive....

I very much doubt that he is surprised that he got the replies he did, I mean you can hardly make an insulting comment about something alot of people cherish and then be shocked when they take issue.

Eric Hoffer:
When people are bored, it is primarily with their own selves that they are bored.

Metallica:
Boredom comes from a boring mind.

KatieBen

10th July 2009, 11:42 PM

60 million people and Tesco were high on my list of reasons for leaving the UK, although by no means the only reasons.

We were very happy where we were living (countryside), shopping (Sainsbury!) and had family close by. We didn't emigrate because we dislike the UK - far from it - but because we like NZ more and would prefer to live here. And so far (albeit only 2 months in) we are happier here.

NZ isn't for everyone and neither is the UK - that's why AirNZ makes such a lot of money ferrying us all around :)

Personally one of the things I love about NZ is the less hurried/stressed pace of day to day living - I *like* the less-than-riveting aspects of bumbling along!

I would also be interested to hear Walshy's opinions after moving back the UK having spent 3y here - how have things changed and is it what you were expecting?

M-Squared

10th July 2009, 11:46 PM

I must be boring 'cause I'm loving it here. :cool:

Dave

I'll happily join the boring club. :D :nice1

IanW99

11th July 2009, 12:18 AM

I'm a little confused by this thread :confused:

walshy, will you do us a favour and post once your back? interested in your perception once there.

Walshy is being asked to post when he is back in the UK?

But from a previous post...

well we have been home 3 weeks, not quite real yet as living with friends until tennants move out of our house, but very very happy to be home.

Choice wonderful choice.

And...

...
I would also be interested to hear Walshy's opinions after moving back the UK having spent 3y here - how have things changed and is it what you were expecting?

AFAIK, Walshy only spent 6 months in NZ before going home, I would be really suprised if too much has changed in only 6 months.

I would expect that the 'boring' comment was a little tongue in cheek as there is certainly plenty of exciting things to be done in NZ.

It would be interesting however, that if it was a serious comment to post what they considered was boring? It may save others from making the same mistake?

Ian

peebles16

11th July 2009, 12:41 AM

Oh gosh we do seem a bit quick to jump to conclusions/criticisms lately ...:o My point in agreeing with katieben was each to his/her own and whatever floats you boat, if it's found in your neck of NZ, then you'll be a happy chicken :yes If you're going miss dreadfully Tesco or Sainsburys then maybe tis not the best move..... (I still pine for Primark cheap cashmere tops tho'-ssshhh :o)

Karenx

YouMeAndThree

11th July 2009, 01:04 AM

Ian - I too am confused by those 2 posts. Especially the 3 year bit seeing as the title of the thread is "nearly 6 months and going home"

M-Squared

11th July 2009, 01:07 AM

Walshy is being asked to post when he is back in the UK?

Oi, calm down... Maybe "Walshy" could actually change their location. That would probably help :p Currently shown as "Tauranga, Bay of Plenty"... maybe life back in the over-crowded UK is too good to be true? :D :exit

baboonworld

11th July 2009, 01:50 AM

"Eric Hoffer:
When people are bored, it is primarily with their own selves that they are bored."

oh that is a great quote - thank you for that.

enjoying reading this thread .. a few things i agree with, one was what clairelouise(?) said about getting people sick.

i lived in the UK for 13yrs (i am a kiwi) and i got soooo people sick. it wears off. each time i came back to NZ and saw my family it was hard to leave them again. when i went back to the UK in march again i was people sick and it was hard leaving my best mate. but i have to make choices that suit my family. i only have one life and i have to live it my way.

i love cliches like "the grass isnt always greener", well actually in NZ the grass is pretty green, apart from summer and then it is dry and brown! but i digress - the grass may be greener but you still have to mow it!

"home is where the heart is" - another classic cliche - however i kinda have the take that if you are unhappy in the UK (or wherever u are) then you can be unhappy anywhere - a negative home is where the heart is i guess.

good luck walshy - i am not criticising you in anyway - i am pointing out that everyone has various reasons and each to their own - there is no wrong or right way - ther eis only your way that suits you

when i was in the Uk in march things werent looking good - "credit crunch" and all that - but the media likes to big it up!

find happiness!

eassae

11th July 2009, 09:54 AM

If someone was bored here it may be as simple as they were bored here. Not all people thrive in all environments. I don't see a problem relating about how you feel about a place. Walshy never said everyone in NZ has to be bored.

Eric Hoffer, in 1931, attempted suicide by drinking a solution of oxalic acid.

Metalica is in therapy.

Tesall

11th July 2009, 11:32 AM

Eric Hoffer, in 1931, attempted suicide by drinking a solution of oxalic acid.

Metalica is in therapy.

Not sure what you are getting at, how is that relevant to thier comments on boredom? Does the fact they ended up like that colour what they said and did in life?

If someone attampts suicide... personally I think the things they say and do are still worth value.

But how about this, if it makes it easier for you, just ignore who said it, and concentrate on what is said, not who says it, you might be better off.

FYI though Turing also commited suicide and he is considered the father of computing, and without his words and insite you might not even be able to type your comments on this forum....

eassae

11th July 2009, 11:42 AM

It doesn't diminish their value in anyway. I am just saying both probably had first hand knowledge of what it is to be bored in their own lives.

So it is understandable that anyone else in the world can be bored as well.

Tesall

11th July 2009, 11:57 AM

It doesn't diminish their value in anyway. I am just saying both probably had first hand knowledge of what it is to be bored in their own lives.

Thats a pretty huge assumption. I doubt you have any idea what got them depressed, I certainly dont know.

Like I said, why dont you stop worrying about who said it and just think about what they said.

eassae

11th July 2009, 12:08 PM

Thats a pretty huge assumption. I doubt you have any idea what got them depressed, I certainly dont know.

Like I said, why dont you stop worrying about who said it and just think about what they said.

I understand very well what they are saying, and really when you think of all the possibilities any given person may be bored the quotes may apply or they may just be platitudes.

On the actual topic not everyone fits in everywhere. Walshy obviously didn't fit with New Zealand and they expressed their reasons. They didn't tell us how we have to feel about New Zealand, so I don't see any problem.

This is an internet forum so I expect that people will push silly disagreements, and it's fun, but it still surprises me when people get offended about another perspective than their own, so I start the silly cycle all over again by making another post.:nice1

Tesall

11th July 2009, 12:37 PM

Because he said NZ is to boring.

What is NZ? It the sum total of its peoples, places, events, culture? The people who post on this board and call NZ home are NZ.How can you be surprised when people defend themselves and the country they consider themselves to be a part of?

If he had just said he was bored, thats an individual thing, he didnt say that, he said NZ was to boring.

It still surprises me that people try and defend sweeping silly statements based on nothing but personal angst. It is almost as if they believe that insulting broad generalisations are ok. Wierd.

KatieBen

11th July 2009, 03:01 PM

The 3y mistake was me getting threads mixed up, sorry. Would have edited the original post but then it wouldn't make any sense.

Still interested to hear how Walshy gets on once back into work etc in the UK although now I realise it was only 6months he was here it's probably not changed as much as it might have done :)

benhila

11th July 2009, 03:06 PM

I would like to point out that it is not an 'either or' situation. We lived 21 years in central London, loved it and still consider it 'home'. We are now moving to Sydney with its hustle and bustle and looking forward to the new adventure.

We also love NZ, plan to keep our house here and may return some day, who knows?

You can love more than one place just like you can love more than one person.

Cheers

Hila

eassae

11th July 2009, 05:41 PM

It still surprises me that people try and defend sweeping silly statements based on nothing but personal angst. It is almost as if they believe that insulting broad generalisations are ok. Wierd.

You mean Like, "When people are bored, it is primarily with their own selves that they are bored."

The thing is it doesn't matter either way. I am from the US. I me come on how many ridiculous statements are thrown at that country, like for instance "when we go to the US we have to order the kids meal", which is a valid point in some cases and others not. Either way I still know what you mean, and it doesn't offend me.

victoria24

11th July 2009, 06:06 PM

I think to clear this up, most of us are interested in walshys views once he has settled back in blighty to see the balanced view once the emotional aspect has died down. of course it will be subjective, that's the point of personal experience!

Moorf

11th July 2009, 09:20 PM

"New Zealand is way way too far from freinds and family,and you know what, way too boring" - is going to get you defensive replies.

"New Zealand is way way too far from our friends and family and too boring for us" - will start a decent discussion about why YOU find it so.

My father always said, think before you speak, applies well to forums, too.

eassae

11th July 2009, 09:59 PM

Moorf

11th July 2009, 10:08 PM

Yes, sad perhaps, but necessary on a forum as we're not all able to sit around a table and nod, wince, interject, raise eyebrows, snigger, laugh or storm out (ok, maybe you can storm out :uhoh) so (imho) the nuances picked up on are in the black and white type on the screen and can be construed in so many different ways.

Some phrasing winds some people up - for instance I hate generalisations such as "all Kiwis are this", "all Americans are that" "all Poms are whatever" yet see it used with abandon. (Just this minute I was reading a post where someone observed that "Kiwis don't let anyone get above their peers", or something of that ilk, and immediately was wound up... others may have read it very differently, c'est la vie.)

JandM

12th July 2009, 01:55 AM

I second what Moorf says, here and in her previous post.

willsken

13th July 2009, 05:28 PM

I second what Moorf says, here and in her previous post.

:yes

Sam B

13th July 2009, 07:00 PM

I agree about the phrasing of it making a difference. There are some people on here that are pretty much always negative about NZ because they are not liking it, and they never really get people's backs up really because they avoid generalisations and make it clear that this is their personal experience.

I'm not a rabid NZ lover, I like it here, and I liked Britain, and I like most places except Eurodisney, but even I felt a teensy bit prickly about the way too boring comment. But I managed to breathe through it.