[Paul]

Hi all

Haven't been a particularly active member of the forum but still gathered lots of info and "met" a few nice people along the way.

Basically we have over past couple of weeks had a reassessment of our life here in UK and found that maybe we don't really need to be looking over the other side of the world to find happiness. We have a great life here and the difficulties I would face getting the sort of job I would want are maybe a step too far for now. That combined with poor exchange rates, high interest rates and higher house prices than originally anticipated make this not right for us at the moment.

So never say never but for us we will be staying here for the forseeable, but who knows when our little girl grows up a little we may decide to have a look again.

Thought I'd be disappointed but actually seems like a weight off the mind to make a decision at least which is right for us! I think that is the key thing for everyone, you have to look at what is right for you, there is no one correct fits all answer

Best of luck for everyone going through the process I have the utmost respect for anyone doing it, but also good luck to anyone who decides its not for them. If it makes you look at what you have then it can't be a bad thing can it?!

Signing off (for now)

Paul :cheers

[willsken]

If you are happy with your life then it's a huge undertaking. Good for you making the right decision for your family. As you say there is no reason in the world you can't change your mind in the future if things change. Good luck.

[zardell]

Hey - good for you.

It wouldn't do for us all to be the same and want the same things now would it.

Everyone strives to be happy, or to achieve what they believe will make them happy and if you've already got that, well I for one am more than pleased for you.

Take care,

Julie

xx

[gil]

Good post Paul, a strong illustration of the power of deciding. In a sense, it doesn't matter what you decide, it's just emotionally helpful to be be clear and feel in control.
All the best for your life in Essex (where exactly? My in-law family are mostly over there)
Gil

[Smiler]

Brave decision Paul and I'm sure you feel the relief of deciding what to do. :nice1

All the best and who knows what the future may bring for us all?

Deborah

[Diny]

Well done you Paul !!!! I have the greatest respect for you and your family. It's so easy to be carried along with the flow of everything and not give ourselves time to actually sit and discuss our deep rooted feelings and reasons.

We made the move 7 months ago after spending many many holidays here. Yes I love it, but on the other hand I loved our life in the UK and I can honestly say - hand on heart - that NZ doesn't provide a better life for us. An equal life yes - a better life no.

Sometimes what we're looking for is right there in front of us - what is it they say about not being able to see the wood for the trees (or something like that).

Best of luck for whatever you decide to do in the future.

Diny

[Avalon]

Paul-

Good luck, and well done for making a hard decision. Even though you have decided at this point not to head to NZ, you have had a re-assesment of life and i really dont see that bringing you anything but great things for the future.

:cheers

[Leccy-Lee]

Well lives all about "living it" i say. And if you have happiness and all you need then youve made the right decision. Glad its all going well.

Good luck with all you do.

[janjane]

we were offered the chance to come to NZ 20years ago and turned it down.I had my first baby on the way etc. Now we are going to try again. things change, people change. So good luck I dont regret the choices I made neither will you and if you change your mind in say, 20 years time, NZ , unless things change alot more than I think they will, will still be right where you left it. jane