Off Topic: India to UK

indianadr · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 11

Hi All

I am new to this site and glad to note that there are several people planning to migrate/migrated to NZ.

At present, I am in India and on Jul 21st my EOI got selected.

I am a Software Professional with 10 years expertise (6 from US, 2 from Singapore, 2 India).

Recently, my parent company in UK (Mancheter based), decided to sponsor me for a Work Permit to work on a temporary basis in a Project over there.

So, my questions to all UK forumites are:
a) How is work/life in UK?.
b) I have two young kids who are school-going over here. Will they be able to secure school admission, if I bring them in Oct/Nov time-frame?
c) Why are so many of you moving to NZ?. I have a chance to apply for UK HSMP (High Skilled Migrant Professional). Is it better (employment oppurtunity wise) to be in UK or in NZ?

Hope some of you can reply to my queries and donot scare me away from this great forum.

Good luck to all

Thanks
Mallik

sanjivgoomer · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:18 pm Post subject:

Hi Malik,

You may try website www.india2nz.com regarding your queries on life in UK.

Warm regards

Sanjiv

indianadr · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 11

Hi Sanjiv
Thanks for that link.
That site discourages from applying to NZ!!

alexh · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 34

Hi Malik

I can only speak for myself, but "Why do I want to go to NZ" could be split into 2 questions - 1) Why leave UK, 2) Why NZ

Why leave UK? Despite a MSc and 30 years IT, things looked quite bleak for me until very recently. It seemed that most work I would normally be able to go for was either being outsourced to India, or having Indians coming the UK on fast track visas. (The case with the last 2 companies I worked with, but it is an increasing trend as companies seek to reduce costs)

Simply put, many UK nationals cannot compete on commercial basis due to our high local tax, and cost of living charges - the end result is high local IT unemployment, although official statistics do not always show this (Govt. Spin). For example, as many IT people work on a contract basis in the UK, they run their own companies and as such when they are "out of contract", they cannot claim to be unemployed. so they do not appear on official statistics.

So, a somewhat bleak view, but it gets worse when I look at the local property and services taxes, and think long term. It would cost me £100,000 if I was lucky enough to retire at 65 and live until 85. My home is quite nice, but I have worked 30 years for it, and seldom taken holidays or spent money elsewhere. My projected pension is £6-7,000 so quite simply even though I love my home, I have to sell up and move somewhere, either downsize in the UK or...

Go Abroad:

Why NZ

(1) Language - and probably most British like place of all overseas destinations, so it should be easier for me to settle there rather than Spain for example
(2) family and friends located there
(3) Seemingly still vibrant IT market
(4) Property prices (even now), are affordable if you can invest a fair amount from sale of UK house, I should have enough after sale of my UK place to see me right through retirement.
(5) Climate and Living Environment
(6) My grandad said it was the best place on earth!!

Whats it like in the UK

For a short to medium term visitor, and for moderately wealthy incomers, I think the UK is great. I have so many Kiwi friends who enjoyed their time in the UK visiting everywhere, and making friends.

Manchester can be very wet (I went to University there!), but it is a fantastic city for places to go, and things to do. I loved it there

Children's schools typically start in Early September, but the authorities go to great lengths to welcome newcomers and I believe you can join part way through the year.

I think the UK is one of the most racially tolerant places on earth, and we have a very high number of asian immigrants. You are sure to be made welcome and feel at home quite quickly.

Is it better employement wise in UK or NZ? Well I cannot really say, for me it is better to be unemployed in NZ than UK, as I will have cash to spare from house sale. I think things are picking up in the UK now, so maybe I could stay employed for a few more years - who knows. I do see a lot of jobs I am qualified for in NZ on SEEK etc., so I have a fair bit of confidence that I could stay working in NZ if I got a visa.

You can tell that a big chunck of my reasoning is financial - After my house, I spent nearly all my income in putting my children through college. One of my children picked an exceedingly expensive course, thats where my "life savings" have disappeared to.

My advice would be go to UK, get loads of work experience here, but if you think NZ might be the place for you, apply now as well!

I hope this helps and I wish you lots of luck and good times in the UK

alex

sanjivgoomer · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 2:53 pm Post subject:

Yes, Malik,

This website (India2NZ.com) encourages one to go to UK, as they have stopped dealing in NZ cases since last Oct. It should suit you.

Warm regards

Sanjiv

indianadr · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 11

Hi alexh,

Thanks for the very informative post and sad to note the CURRENT (near past) conditions over there.

Like you, I feel it's a BETTER option to apply and get selected for NZ.

Because, after you get selected for NZ, you are on your own and there are no restrictions to work (in any field) or DONOT have to work at all !!.

Whereas under UK's HSMP, once has to stay and work in the same kind of job for at least a year before one can get another 3 year extension. Then after 4 years one is eligible for residency. So, looong process!!!.

Since I already got the ball rolling for NZ (got selected with 135 points on Jul 21st, waiting for Invite Letter), I'll pursue that.

Good Luck to you.