Migrating to NZ

I moved from the surburbian London (SW London / Surrey area) over to the USA. (SW Florida) 7 yrs ago. Both the wife and i packed things up, sold our nice enough house and decent and comfortable lifestyle & just went for it. I always dreamed of living in a nice warm climate, with way more things to offer than the pokey and a little miserable UK. Took some gambles along the way, since the only way into the USA was through an investment visa. could have potentially lost everything I had worked for. But ran through the minefield and came out the other end, living a life of luxury, compared to what I had in England. Absoutely love the lifestyle, a lot more relaxed. We've since started a family and couldn't be happier. Zero scum to deal with, love the weather, sun, attitude of people. Cost of living is so much more acceptable than it is in England. Actually my wife stays at home to raise our kids, which wouldn't have been possible in England. There are some caveats, such as Doofski has said, healthcare being one of them. No credit when you get here being another. BUT i am now fortunate enough to be employed by an employer who insures my entire family for next to nothing. So I am getting the best healthcare in the world, for less than what I was contributing in my taxes to national healthcare in England. TBH, I'm never sick, but my kids have both needed healthcare, which could have essentially cost a life of one of them, had we still been in England on the crappy for serious issues, but ok for the occasional broken bone, that is the NHS. The hospital was like a 5 star hotel and he got the absolute best treatment, that any parent could have wished for.

Do miss some things such as a country lane and a decent pub, but, the postives, FAR OUTWEIGH the negatives of living out here. Does all depend where you choose obviously and what you were used too. I feel I've chosen one of the best parts of the USA to live, so that does make it all that much sweeter. I'm fairly well travelled, both in the USA and Europe and have lots to compare things too, and I personally feel, I live in one of the best places in the world !, when you add all the pro's.

Go for it if it's your dream. Though accept there could be financial consequences. Look at it as a starting a business. It's a calculated risk. I agree, that 70% of Brits probably have to come home after 5yrs. ESPECIALLY if we are talking the USA under an investment visa.

Good luck to you and enjoy the ride !
 
My story is almost identical to thedoc's above. Been in the US 7 years - never looked back. No scummy youth culture, modern healthcare, awesome variety of scenery, etc, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love the UK and do miss certain things, but as a place to live day-to-day.....no thanks!
 
Cooper said:
Make sure you dont burn your bridges in the UK, as the odds say 70-80% of Brits leaving the UK return within 5yrs..

Those arent very good odds that things will work out......
Click to expand...

According to the DIAC website:

for 2009 - 2010 :

UK Permanent Arrivals : 28193 UK Permanent Departures : 7127 for Australia obviously.
 
doofski said:
All the hassles with letting agents, mostly them being useless, the fact that its really hard to remorgage when your not a resident, if you don't plan on moving back its just less hassle and worry.
Click to expand...

Well my idea with it all was that I could buy an apartment, rent it out, pay all the rent back into the mortgage every month, and then when I come back after a year I can stay there and then:

A) Live there and continue on as normal

B) Sell it and have the money left over as money to use on a property in Canada (If move for good)

Maybe I'm making it sound easier than it is :p
 
Marky said:
Well my idea with it all was that I could buy an apartment, rent it out, pay all the rent back into the mortgage every month, and then when I come back after a year I can stay there and then:

A) Live there and continue on as normal

B) Sell it and have the money left over as money to use on a property in Canada (If move for good)

Maybe I'm making it sound easier than it is :p
Click to expand...

Yes, you are making it out to be a lot easier than it will be. Once you are out of the country, it becomes a much bigger headache to sort things out on the other side of the pond. People knowing you are out of the country WILL mess you around. I had run out of time to sell a car before leaving the UK, and it became a costly mistake. All to have transport until my last day. Can't imagine what it would be like running a home from abroad.

My recommendation would be avoid it like the plague.
 
You guys that emmigrated to NZ, did you get a Skilled Migrant Visa? or Working holiday visa and pray you get a job?

Also did you get job offers first or apply for a visa first?
 
Oxy said:
You guys that emmigrated to NZ, did you get a Skilled Migrant Visa? or Working holiday visa and pray you get a job?

Also did you get job offers first or apply for a visa first?
Click to expand...

When my brother emmigrated to NZ he did a working holiday Visa so you can work for a bit then explore the place more. You can always upgrade your Visa when your over there.

I hear that NZ girls like the british accent ;) I think I can't wait now.

thedoc46 said:
Yes, you are making it out to be a lot easier than it will be. Once you are out of the country, it becomes a much bigger headache to sort things out on the other side of the pond. People knowing you are out of the country WILL mess you around. I had run out of time to sell a car before leaving the UK, and it became a costly mistake. All to have transport until my last day. Can't imagine what it would be like running a home from abroad.

My recommendation would be avoid it like the plague.
Click to expand...

I have to sell my motorbike. God I hope I sell it before I go otherwise there will be problems. I suppose I could always ship it over...
 
thedoc46 said:
Yes, you are making it out to be a lot easier than it will be. Once you are out of the country, it becomes a much bigger headache to sort things out on the other side of the pond. People knowing you are out of the country WILL mess you around. I had run out of time to sell a car before leaving the UK, and it became a costly mistake. All to have transport until my last day. Can't imagine what it would be like running a home from abroad.

My recommendation would be avoid it like the plague.
Click to expand...

Though if needed you can give someone Power of Attorney to act on your behalf, we have just done this so the folks can look after the sale of our house after we emigrate. Have the same issue with the car as you though, annoying as hell.
 
I earn even more here than I did in the UK so that blanket statement of "ah you won't earn the same" is not that clear cut.

It's not for everyone. That's a given, I guess.

I vastly prefer Auckland to London. As has been said, YMMV. I lived in London for 11 years and liked it; I've lived in Auckland for 2 years and love it.

I'd also like to see the source numbers on all of these UK returns because - and I know I'm a sample group of one - I'm not seeing it. At all.
 
the only kind of thing that would stop me moving to somewhere like NZ is..........

spideroy.jpg
 
kokuten said:
the only kind of thing that would stop me moving to somewhere like NZ is..........

Click to expand...

lol, yes the bugs are bigger and badder than back home ! I recently had to step over a cottom mouth snake to get into my car ! Also seen a spider the size of your hand crawl from behind a blackboard in a classroom of adults, being that i was at the front of the class, i jumped out of my chair and screamed like a little girl! The embarassing thing was no-one knew each other in this class, so it was rather embarrasing. But got everyone laughing.

I do know of a handful of people who have been bitten by a snake or worse a spider !!! Everyone seems to know of someone who's been bitten. The thought just freaks me out !

Austrailia is somewhere I'd struggle to live for that simple reason. At least in FL you only see a big spiddy once every few yrs.. Over there it's a far more common sight.
 
If your really into giving it a go, then give it a go. Or you could be like a lot of british people, staying in the same town all your life, going to the same pub at 65 that you went to when you were 18. Stuck in a job you really hate but don't want to take a risk leaving.

If you do come back in 5 years at least you took a chance and tried bettering yourself.
 
doofski said:
If your really into giving it a go, then give it a go. Or you could be like a lot of british people, staying in the same town all your life, going to the same pub at 65 that you went to when you were 18. Stuck in a job you really hate but don't want to take a risk leaving.

If you do come back in 5 years at least you took a chance and tried bettering yourself.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I have the chance to do it so I'm going to take it, otherwise I would regret not taking the oppotunity. I know a lot of people who said that they would never leave the town I currently live in. I find that very sad that they don't want to see the world.
 
Good luck. Everyone talks crap about rural midwest USA but I absolutely love it. I chose it because it IS a bit backwards and quiet. I think it's probably the same with NZ. Just keep an open mind and don't be a pretentious British **** and go with the local flow. There is supposed to be excellent hunting in NZ. You could be up here next year:

nz0371.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom