Will you be a changed person in New Zealand?

John Miller

I must admit, I've changed. I'm much less concerned now with having the "right" car and the "right" house and keeping up with the neighbours than I was in the UK. I think New Zealand has that affect on most people who come here. Boy it's such a relief. You can get on with living your life and stop bothering that someone else has got a BMW/Jaguar/Rolls-Royce and you don't. It just doesn't seem to matter any more. Does anyone else whose been here a while feel this?

If you're on your way or just arrived, do you think you'll change?

Azazel · I Like It Here Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 64

I think for myself it will be just less worrying about everything .. work being the main one.
The current culture in the UK from management towards workers is all wrong and unfortunately we have no choice.

For example, my job has changed so much my original job description doesn't even count anymore and whereas before I only had responsibilities for my company in my town I now have responsibility for all the groups companies across Europe.

Do I get any monetary recognition? Nope
Do I get more hours and more stress? Yep

To be hoenst I can't wait give them my minimum working notice so they know how it feels to be shafted

// rant off ? :)

JCM · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject:

There are less consumer goods to spend your money on here so the change comes whether you like it or not. Laughing

Seriously though, yes, I find the atmosphere is more relaxed here and I'm certainly less concerned with consumer stuff and making money than I used to be.

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

Liked the last comment from Azazel - how many people will identify with it I wonder?

My family are what you would call "comfortably off", but so what? Apart from our mortgage we are debt free, we could buy many consumer goods if we wish but for what purpose? And do they make us any happier? No is the short answer. And the job I am doing, well financially rewarding yes but in all other respects I am wasting my time. We are hoping the move to NZ will help us achieve two things;

1. Give me a chance to retrain and do something that I consider more worthwhile (and undoubtedly not for the money!)

2. Declutter and have the opportunity to see and appreciate another way of living.

On the second point, we could conceivably achieve this in the UK, but where's the adventure in that!?

Lee

Moorf · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 11:32 pm Post subject:

Oh man - can't believed I logged on today to find this thread!! This is a discussion Woz and I are having - we have always had a v. comfortable living with big incomes. However, we have never been big "consumers" - preferring holidays, adventures (ok, ok and lots of gadgets!!).

I really can't say whether or not I (we?) will change - Woz is more laid back than me and I NEED to be more laid back than I am currently!! I need to be less concerned with the safety of big income and happier with a "life" outside of earning money.... does that make sense?

We know we won't have nearly as much disposable income and that is what we are currently discussing - it's very hard to do so without being in the environment to begin with.. i.e in Scotland my clothes spending dropped dramatically (well... I was working on the Kings Road previously so it was bound to!!) - but, in all seriousness, I spent more on the garden than clothes once we were in Scotland and that would have been unthinkable beforehand!!! So, without consciously changing we did - hoping that NZ will have same affect!!! Nice One

Graham Barnes · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 11:36 pm Post subject:

With you completely on this one Lee...

I enjoy my job as a teacher, and find it rewarding (personally and financially)...

But keep thinking, nice and comfortable at the moment but is this all there is to life?? We're not ones for buying items for the sake of it (i.e. as and when we need to), and, like Moorf, prefer to do and experience things instead. Moving to NZ would noticeably reduce our disposable cash, but given the sort of people we are, we wouldn't mind as long as we have enough to get by without ending up in a Debtor's Jail. NZ-ers manage to get by, and looking at the stats, we would be relatively comfortable anyway.
Our reasoning for making a move is more along the lines of your No.2 point, i.e. for the experience of living somewhere else and viewing a different way of life, and to have a bit of adventure too. I suppose to do this properly, we should go and live in a mud hut in Mali but we'd like a keep a BIT of familiarity around us!

Graham

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

i'm the only no voter so far. i'm already a skinflint and i can't see me changing if i ever make it to new zealand toff

Lisa.C · I Like It Here Joined: 03 Jul 2004 Posts: 75

You are no longer the only no voter Rodders, I'll add me to that stat, we earned, we travelled, hope to continue till we die, well maybe leave a little for the kids Yes

Lisa.

xanctus · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 2:06 am Post subject:

I think I would definately change in terms of more relaxed and stuffs...
especially if I get stress out, I could probably just go to sight seeing or something :D

Rimbo · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 2:49 am Post subject:

I will vote but only after i've got there. the proof is in the pudding and it would be so easy for me to say i will change and become mr Beach bum wearing my long shorts, dirty vest (no shoes) and driving a knackerd old land rover (jet ski/boat/water Ski's/snow ski's etc in tow). I have an industrious nature and i do work hard. Although latley i too have been getting well shafted at work. Now its my time to rebel. i'm only hoping that life/employers in NZ are what people make it/them out to be - laid back. Yes

but with only 15 days holiday a year, i'm now wondering!! Uhoh

John

Timbo · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:18 am Post subject:

Trust what you are hearing Rimbo. If the Kiwis were anymore laid back they would fall over.

coastcat · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:55 am Post subject:

Moorf · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:02 am Post subject:

WHAT!!!! 5 days holiday?? Eek

Coastcat that is obscene!!

So when do Americans get to travel??!! Weekends?!

coastcat · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:22 am Post subject:

wilson182 · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:27 am Post subject:

For us it is mainly about giving hubby a chance to see the kids grow up, rather than being stuck on the m25. Confused