[suzer]

Political reasons were a motivator, though not our only reason - but we had never been expats before.


The Thanksgiving dinner in Wellington brought in 130 Americans last night! The place they held it at Houghton Bay was beautiful, and we talked to couples who had been here for 12 years or more. One guy had been here for a week and won the door prize for newest arrival. A lot of the kids were born over here and hadn't had a US Thanksgiving, but were enjoying running around with the other kids. Someone read George Washington's original Thanksgiving proclamation just before we ate. We were to bring one dish per adult attending so there was a ton of food. I'm veg myself and there was plenty I could eat, but there were turkeys as well. It was nice, though of course very different from a small Thanksgiving with the family. I was struck by how open and friendly everyone was - something about us all being expats makes sure we have plenty to talk about. Several people joked about a standard list of questions including of course,
"Which part of the states are you from?"
"How long have you been here?"
"Why did you move here?"
"What do you do for a living here?"
(Oddly enough kiwis ask me the first three questions, but almost never the last.)
We enjoyed ourselves. It's funny that you move all the way over here and then enjoy the occassional meetup with other Americans, but it's nice to compare notes and talk about the beauty of NZ or whine about the lack of Mexican food choices. The cold houses were a big topic, but there was an overwhelming sense from everyone I talked to at least that they were thrilled to be here. :D

sounds great. hope you have another one next year;)

[Melza7]

Hi there, sorry I am kiwi crashing your thread. Just to let you know I have made friends with 4 America girls (24-30) in Christchurch, great people!
Merry Christmas

[constablechuck]

Were finally here and enjoying every minute, the flights were ok other than some minor delays and overweight luggage, Christchurch has even more culture than we anticipated, weve been to the square and Westfield Mall, the car we bought was exactly as the dealer described and were happy with it.

If you see a bewildered looking guy in a grey nissan driving on the wrong side of the road it's probably me :uhoh

[suzer]

Hi there, sorry I am kiwi crashing your thread. Just to let you know I have made friends with 4 America girls (24-30) in Christchurch, great people!
Merry Christmas

crash away;) i have a kiwi friend in christchurch as well, so hope to get down there at some point and see her & check out the place!

suzer

[barryp]

I don't think we moved to NZ (about one week ago, eek) from the USA for political reasons. But already... reading the news from back there is reading the news from 'back there'. Sending 20 thousand *more* troops to Iraq? My old home district congressperson is now Speaker of the House? Surreal!

[jcisco]

My wife and are moving to NZ Jan 18th from the US.

We can't wait!!

Jonathan Cisco

[*Paul]

I'm a Kiwi who has lived most of my life in the USA and am a dual citizen. I was planning a move back here since 2003, but GW's policies just made it easier and I did move in 2004. I do miss discussing politics with my friends in the US, even though most of them now are looking a bit silly.

[Ana&Steve]

Hi Paul, where did you live in the US? We are in San Diego County. Congrats on making in home!
Ana

[wanderingoregonian]

Pretty in impressed with that list! I had no idea there were so many Americans here.

We did move for political reasons - among others... My partner didn't even have a passport until a trip to Oz in 2001 (the month before 9/11) and I had studied in Oz for about 6 months awhile ago and a few 3-5 week stays in South and Central America studying Spanish. So no ex pat experiences for us.

I have a suspicion that while we didn't move here to meet Americans, those we do meet will probably have a bit in common with us. We have so many wonderful friends in America, some who think like us and some who hold their own opinions, but other than certain liberal cities (like bits of Portland, Or & Cambridge, MA) we often felt it difficult to find kindred spirits who made us feel fine for being whatever we are. Even in those cities, many of our friends were actually from Canada or Australia and have all started moving home to start families or be with their families (or they couldn't pass go with the US immigration folks).

Also if any Americans are thinking of self shipping – we did it, I plan to write about it once we actually get our stuff, but if anyone wants my tentative info, just pm me. So far its worked okay, but until I have my stuff I won't hold my breath!

[*Paul]

Ana, I lived just down the I-15 in Mira Mesa for 17 years. My parents moved us to San Diego in 1967 but I did go back to NZ to attend college.

Where are you planning to live in NZ?

I'm currently going back to San Diego to work for a few months each year, starting early April this time. You can't beat having two summers in a row.

-Paul

[Ana&Steve]

You can't beat having two summers in a row. :yes
Our best friends live in Auckland, but we've been seriously geared toward Wellington since our visit last year. Hubby and I were both born in LA, and we have both lived in SoCal our whole lives, North County for the majority. We'll be in NZ for a visit at the end of March, so it looks like we are trading places. :)
Ana

[Maggiepie]

Hello all,

Hong Kong=> Singapore=> USA No. CA=>USA WA/OR=> USA So.CA. No problem with moving. My BH ( Better Half ) spent his whole life in So. CA ( LA area ). Moving to NZ for political reason, very depressing.

EOI selected Nov-7, 06
Encountering problem with ABET accreditation. Posted my first thread yesterday regarding this problem. Thank you Ana for the reply. Will keep you all posted on the deveolpment in my USA/ABET thread.

Love to get away & live happily ever after in NZ.

[Junnifer USA]

Another American family here. 13 months till we apply for citizenship!
We came from SC South Carolina...about as conservative as it gets. George Bush rarely visited during campaigning...he had SC in his pocket! How nice to be out of that!

We love it here. Have a new business running. Kid happy in school. Ugly Dog is even happy.

Jen

[jennybeth]

my husband and i are both american. we are moving back home to TN and then saving up for new zealand. i think its very helpful to find people coming to NZ from america because they can tell you exactly what they went through and what places are like where in the states. i hope that we can help each other out and make things as less complicated as we can! welcome to the site!

[Ashby]

We are from Texas. My husband owns a plumbing business and I am (was) a math teacher. (I got disgusted and quit recently)
We are in the process of researching and planning the feasibility of a move. I know that this move is a necessity--we have two small children and this is not where (or how) I want them to grow up. (Ironic. Didn't my grandparents just do this? Come to America to give us a better life?)
So, we are hoping to move. It is just so scary. And, even though I want my kids to live with less consumerism and materialism--giving up our pool is going to be hard. But since it won't be 106 there (as it is routinely in Texas during summer), perhaps we won't miss it at all!

[auskiwi]

OH is American and I lived there with him for 10 years before moving to NZ in Oct 2006. Long story (and have posted about it) but we are heading back to the U.S in a month or two.

[swissmissdesigner]

10 years living in US, is that account?