My daughter and her husband and children emigrated to New Zealand a few years ago. He had a good job contract lined up and they had enough equity in their house in England to allow them to buy a house with a couple of acres. She had a good career but worked long hours and is now able to stay at home, grow most of their own fruit and vegetables, keep chickens and pigs, and enjoy the outdoor life. They are a very sporty family and all enjoy hiking, camping, swimming, kayaking, riding, and cycling.
The house is not as large or as elegant as their house in England, but they all feel that their lives have improved enormously. They have made many friends and have a great social life
The older girl is just finishing a degree, and the two younger ones are very happy at their secondary school. They settled in almost immediately and found the Kiwis incredibly welcoming and friendly. Three adult children remained in England because of work, university and marriage.
I have been retired for over ten years, but I am very fit and healthy - I walk for several hours on most days, as I live in a very beautiful area of France.
My daughter has suggested that they sponsor me and that I sell my flat here , which I own outright, and use the funds to help them buy a bigger lifestyle property that had the potential for separate living accommodation for me. I think it is a bad idea for two generations to share a house and I know my daughter and her husband look forward to some privacy once all the children have flown the nest. I would be able to afford only a very small flat by myself as prices in their area (Nelson) are so high.
My income from UK government pensions (I was a teacher and later a civil servant) is not far short of the NZ average family income. I have no debts and I am able to save several thousand pounds a year for travel - not just an annual trip to NZ but also holidays in many parts of Europe.
I have looked at the various costs involved in living in NZ - I would need to run a car (I would probably export one from the UK), and full health insurance would be around $500 a month. I would want to return to Europe once a year to see my sister and older grandchildren.
I would like to join some social groups, either for women, or older people. At the moment, I live in a very isolated mountain village and have no social contact. I have had several long holidays in New Zealand and loved the countryside and the people. I have a very good relationship with my daughter and her husband, but my idea would be to respect their privacy and live quite independently as I do now.
I wonder if any of you have sponsored your parents to move to NZ and how it has worked out. I would like to emigrate whilst I am still fit and active so I can enjoy all that NZ has to offer.
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6 replies
Unbeliever · 27/01/2013 08:44
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