The Reason [b]Why[/b]

BJ · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 10:57 am Post subject: The Reason [b]Why[/b]

Hi All
I've had my days of "am I doing the right thing?" like most people, and I still keep on with the form filling. Sometimes I wonder what if it all go's wrong. Then Friday the 6th of August happen.

It started as usual, 8am start work (I'm a Lift Engineer) servicing and doing the odd break-down, this went on until 5pm, when I started "night call duty". All of the time on night-call is spent attending to lift break-downs all over London. I managed to get home at midnight only to be called out again at 01:00, after that call I got home at 03:00, I was then wide awake so had a drink before going to bed after a long day and night. I was then woken up by the phone saying someone was trapped in a lift at Trafalger Square, the time was 04:50 so off I went again. Released trapped passenger and returned home, arrived at 07:30 absolutley shattered Eek

. And yes I have to do night-call as part of my contract.

So now to the point of this post. That was my reminder as to why we started the migration process, "to get away from this work work work life style". Every now and then we need to remind ourselves "WHY"
I have my cool

WHY

, whats yours?

Good Luck to all Nice One

BJ

Robert · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 8:20 pm Post subject:

Lots of our reasons have looked less valid from here, especially as money has been tighter than we would like.

I just had a great day in the mountains with the family though. We got wet, muddy and made a horrible mess of the car. The kids did things you would never expect of them climbing and scrambling over rocks, down a stream and not getting too upset when wellies filled with mud.

You still have to work very hard to earn a living here (that regrettably might not change much) but it surely does have its compensations!

ruthyroo · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 39

Now that we are here, I can barely remember the reasons why we wanted to do this - and I'm sure that if I heard my idealistic self talking 6 months ago I would cringe a bit Embarassed

! You don't leave your problems behind when you move to the other side of the world - either they come with you, or a whole new set develop! For us, my husband's job has not worked out as well as expected, and we're having to look at him moving elsewhere - and all the implications it has for my job, and our work permit situation. He is miserable a lot of the time Confused

, and we can't relax and enjoy ourselves. Financially, the whole move has cost far more than we ever estimated, and put a big hole in our budget. We're living in a fairly standard rental, but with the job situation can't even look at buying here and feeling a bit more secure. I keep reminding myself that this isn't a holiday - it's not going to be fun all the time, and I guess you need the rose coloured spectacles to get you through the actual decision to make such a big move.

michelle · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:45 am Post subject:

Hi Ruth

I remember you replying to a post I put on ago weeks ago about rentals and I have just read your latest post, I do know what you are going through.

We move out to NZ 9 years ago, my husband was offered a job as a nurse, paid flights accomodation etc. Although he had a place at UNI to study law we decided to go to NZ for a year. Yes we knew it was temporary but we went through a lot of traumas. It rained for 28 consecutive days when we arrived, we were in a flat that was in a 50's time warp, cars were over priced and ancient, we knew nobody and work wasn't great, the shift pattern was awful. We ended up sharing a house because it was the only way we could afford anything decent and even then it was freezing and damp. Nobody told us about the total lack of unfurnished accomodation, no internet then ! so we had to buy a load of c**p from the previous tennants. Although we knew it was a temporary move we had masses of problems at home which had we sold up and gone for good we wouldn't have had.

We came back to England as planned and Richard did his law degree and got a pretty damn good job. We have a nice warm!! big house, no debts and 2 decent wages but we just want to go back. I think we can see the potential and you have to really get through that first year and all the pit falls because it isn't easy.

Ruth you are so right, many problems will follow you, others will develop and some will disappear. Go thinking life will be perfect and you are heading for big trouble. Sorry if this sounds depressing its not meant to be and out of all the Brits we met out there only one person has come back to the UK so it must be ok in the long run. Just stick at it and take those rose tinted specs off.

Michelle

charley · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 25 Jul 2004 Posts: 26

Good sound advice for someone just about to take that idealistic jump.
Thanks - its good to hear other's real experiences
Charley

ruthyroo · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 39

You are so right. Despite all the difficulties, we haven't considered chucking it all in and heading back to the UK - yet! And TBH I don't think we will, even in the pits of despair I can see the benefits / plus side to living out here, and the adventure is far from over. Our mistake I think was not researching my DH job offer / conditions etc - we kind of jumped on it because it looked good, and hell it was a job offer! The reality is though that a crap job is a crap job wherever you are in the world. So everyone listen up and investigate those job terms and conditions thoroughly before you leap in!! Though I guess it is less of an issue for PR than for work permits. Anyway, cheers Michelle, best of luck with the relocation - forewarned is forearmed after all!

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

Dear all,

Interesting thread. I've had enough of the UK, but will NZ be any better? I just don't know, but I know I have to give it a try rather than not and have regrest for the rest of my life.

How much of the anti-climax do you think can be attributed to the whole emigration process, the moving, the logistics, the paperwork etc? I have only really started on the road and already I feel hacked off and frustrated with it. I kind of get the feeling that, if and when we finally do get to NZ, we will be so relieved and exhausted by the whole process that it will be difficult finding the energy to only then start building your life in a new country.

Any thoughts?

Lee

Moorf · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:55 pm Post subject:

Gonna throw a spanner in the works now... Embarassed

Nearly all my reasons for wanting to live in NZ have been questioned either on this forum or others! That's not a bad thing, but it certainly has made me determined to shed any preconceptions I had of what life might be like there and to just go with an open mind. To the point that I can't even be bothered to justify our decision to anyone anymore - all they get is "we'll suck it and see".

I now feel that there will be many obstacles to overcome but at least, after all the posts here and on other forums, we are forewarned and hopefully this will stop too many disappointments once there.

All I know is that I too have had enough of the UK and if we aren't able to settle in NZ I feel sure we will start looking elsewhere.....

Daniel Park · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:59 pm Post subject:

Hi all,

A very philosophical thread!!

You're right about the rose-tinted specs - my wife Emily is keen for us to try and take them off whenever we can. We've been to NZ twice (and loved it to bits), but in retrospect it was a very useful experience to have a lot of our stuff stolen out of a car when we were there last, just proved to us that nowhere is perfect (as well as making us more careful in future!). Having said that, she rates Christchurch police station as possibly the best organised, friendliest and cleanest one she's ever seen (and being an ex-solicitor she's had to visit a few!).

So yes, a lousy job is one of those universal things, as is rain, rotten landlords, wondering where the next money's coming from...

But I keep coming back to this forum because everyone is so realistically positive about the whole process and it's very encouraging. So keep at it, ruthyroo and others, and I hope it works out for you.

Happy Monday!

Dan

Timbo · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject:

Every time I find myself having any doubts about going for it, I pick up a national newspaper. There is always something there to remind me of what we want to get away from. A good example is page 20>21 of todays Express. Not only does it take hours of sitting in endless traffic to get there, but when you finally find somewhere to park up,and pay an extortianate fee to do so, you cant actually see the beach anyway.
Everyone here is by now aware that Nz is not quite the paradise it is made out to be by some, but I for one am convinced that it has just GOT to be better than what we have here now. Just think of what this country is likely to be like in 10 to 15 years time.
Scary really.

michelle · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:28 pm Post subject:

Moorf · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:56 pm Post subject:

I'm on UK2NZ - don't like the way it's going (as you've probably guessed if you have read my posts there!!! Laughing

)

Sorry to say this (and it's not meant as a generalistic comment on the people there) but some people on UK2NZ seem to be like the Brits on "get a new life" who go to places with no clue and then moan like hell when they get there!!! That is sooooo embarrassing and the only reason we watch it !!

RANT OVER..

michelle · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:27 am Post subject:

MOORF Have just read your post, ohh you are brave.

I do think its important to be able to say what you are going through, been through etc. But there is a line between this and the "I can't get branston pickle" mentality. I have to say I love the stuff but its not the end of the world if you can't get it. Did you see the episode of get a new life when the opened a sandwich bar in Cyprus but only wanted to use English bread because its what people want when they go on holiday.

Struggling on a low wage or working with poor terms and conditions will impact on your life. As Ruth said do your research, forewarned is forearmed. NZ is not the Uk and its because of that we want to go but its not going to suit all especially not the moaners.

Lee, I think its probably an anti climax if you have un realistic expectations. Once you arrive all the things that pre occupy your time now will be relpaced by house hunting, job hunting, etc And best off all, even if you are skint you can go for a walk, its usually warmer than indoors ! Maybe this explains the Kiwi outdoor lifestyle.

Michelle

Raeven · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:34 am Post subject:

<face in hands>

Oh, god, I was one of the ones sniveling about sand flies and tumble dryers... I think I'd best not darken the door of uk2nz ever again.. I fear I have distinguished myself as The Whinging Yank. Uhoh

Quietly, Rae

Moorf · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:35 am Post subject:

hehehe yep Michelle - can't believe I got involved either but I couldn't help myself...!!

Absolutely agree with having somewhere to discuss good AND bad points but I don't consider lack of M&S knickers and Branston something that warrants god knows HOW many posts on that site!!

YES YES- since we stopped work we've watched all those "get a new life" progs (ok woz, I watch them and you have no choice!!) - and are usually STUNNED at the complete lack of research and forethought that goes into their planning for a new country... personally I loved the one where the guy bought £200k worth of boat in Oz to run a fishing charter and never got it out of the water to check below the waterline - thank god for his wife!! She really pulled things around!!

Oh and there's something on Ch4 c. 4.30pm on weekdays about Brits abroad - very entertaining but the moaning really makes me wanna throw something at the telly...!!