Speaking as someone who has moved away from the UK I would disagree. I never ever want to move back. I don't mind visiting for the culture trips, but then again I don't mind visiting India or other overcrowded countries. Living there is a whole different matter.
In NZ I get paid more, fuel is cheaper, tax is less, land is everywhere, I don't sit on a motorway for an hour a day commuting, shop workers are friendly, you hardly ever queue in shops, Xmas isn't a pain as the shops and queues are still fine, house prices are cheaper and I can actually afford a house here next to the beach for cheaper than a flat in Southampton, there isn't a chav culture, if I phone my doctor I can see them the same day and there isn't a hoarde of people in the waiting room, you can get cheap domestic flights to fly around the country which don't invole ryanair, you can be at the beach and drive a few hours to ski in winter, you can easily go hunting if you're into that in the middle of nowhere as national parks are everywhere.
Everything is just so much easier day to day. Phoning banks gets someone local with no waiting on the phones, sorting out car documents you can just walk into the equivalent of the DVLA in town and ask questions, setting up bank accounts is simple and sorted same day. It's just much more of a personal experience dealing with companies and all the staff seem friendly and genuine. I used to dread having to phone Natwest! I recently had to call O2 back in the UK to sort out an old account issue. It was press 1 for this, press 3 for that, hold for ages. Reminded me of what frustrated me about day to day living in the UK. I can call my current mobile provider and just speak to someone straight away, same for the power company, etc, etc as everything is on a much smaller scale.
There are disadvantages too such as tropical rain, but I feel moving to NZ was the best thing I did. I was immensely unhappy living in the UK renting and not having my own place. I loved Devon but there were no real jobs there. In NZ I get countryside 5 mins from work and the job market is much better. Love it here.
The only saving grace about the UK is family and the OCUK forums
![[FnG]magnolia](/styles/overclockers/avatars/9.png){kind=avatar}
) and run a smallholding. but the wifes not keen.
