Who has left UK for NZ
Discussion
I'm a Kiwi, so likely biased, but, it really depends on what spins your wheels. If you are after a laid-back lifestyle with loads of outdoor activities, either island has loads to offer. If you are into big city living, you are pretty much limited to Auckland, but as already said, house prices there are horrendous. Queenstown is as bad.
I live in Dunedin. Weather is perfectly acceptable most of the time (I quite like cooler weather) and is certainly no worse than many of the NZ places I’ve lived or spent considerable time in (e.g. Christchurch, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Timaru). I have a wonderful old 5 bedroom house with great views over the city and three car garaging, just a 10 minute walk from the CBD. I simply could not afford to buy an equivalent home in a similar location in Auckland.
Yes, our roads are not up to the standard of European or North American motorways, but the payoff once away from State Highway 1 is some great driving through beautiful scenery with little other traffic to bother (you unless you are on a major tourist route in the busy season).
The lack of choice for some goods is occasionally irritating, frustrating even, but as dobly said, most things can be sourced from overseas if you are willing to do some research and are in no hurry. If you are into the cultural side of things, events can be a bit thin on the ground.
I have a number of friends from the UK who love it here. Conversely, there are the odd one or two for whom it doesn’t work out and they have moved back. Perhaps unsurprisingly some of them return again, or try elsewhere, often Canada. Maybe they just find it difficult to put down roots.
The OH and I love travelling and enjoy what Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific have to offer, but we are always pleased to be back in NZ.
I live in Dunedin. Weather is perfectly acceptable most of the time (I quite like cooler weather) and is certainly no worse than many of the NZ places I’ve lived or spent considerable time in (e.g. Christchurch, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Timaru). I have a wonderful old 5 bedroom house with great views over the city and three car garaging, just a 10 minute walk from the CBD. I simply could not afford to buy an equivalent home in a similar location in Auckland.
Yes, our roads are not up to the standard of European or North American motorways, but the payoff once away from State Highway 1 is some great driving through beautiful scenery with little other traffic to bother (you unless you are on a major tourist route in the busy season).
The lack of choice for some goods is occasionally irritating, frustrating even, but as dobly said, most things can be sourced from overseas if you are willing to do some research and are in no hurry. If you are into the cultural side of things, events can be a bit thin on the ground.
I have a number of friends from the UK who love it here. Conversely, there are the odd one or two for whom it doesn’t work out and they have moved back. Perhaps unsurprisingly some of them return again, or try elsewhere, often Canada. Maybe they just find it difficult to put down roots.
The OH and I love travelling and enjoy what Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific have to offer, but we are always pleased to be back in NZ.
RobDickinson said:
Yep heres my little place, its Sumner, so 25min out of the CBD a small seaside village with a great beach etc views of chc ocean mountains etc
I recognise that bit of coastline in the background... You're quite close to Taylors Mistake am I right? I would LOVE to live up there. You must have been bricking it a little with the recent fires, right? vsonix said:
I recognise that bit of coastline in the background... You're quite close to Taylors Mistake am I right? I would LOVE to live up there. You must have been bricking it a little with the recent fires, right?
Yeah taylors is the next bay over.The fires were quite some distance away but its always a worry, anything starting in the general area is scary, luckily it generally gets spotted and dealt with quickly.
I moved here 4 years ago following my parents and sister who moved here 11 years ago. Dad's in the New Zealand Navy and despite living in Upper Hutt/Wellington for the first 5 years they bough a lifestyle block in New Plymouth and haven't looked back since.
I was worried my professions (digital marketing) would mean living and working in Wellington or Auckland but through luck have managed to stay provincial. Set up a business and am now living the dream. None of which would have been possible in the UK.
I love this country and won't move back to the UK.
I was worried my professions (digital marketing) would mean living and working in Wellington or Auckland but through luck have managed to stay provincial. Set up a business and am now living the dream. None of which would have been possible in the UK.
I love this country and won't move back to the UK.
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