Level with me on NZ!

[FrankCarsonsDressingRoom]

I read too many conflicting reports re Rome, cost, weather etc etc. I never know if these are whinging Pom reports!

I'd like to go. Husband would already have senior job sorted.

Anybody done this with kids? We prefer a less materialistic, less boozy and more outdoorsy lifestyle for our kids but are not particularly sporty ourselves....kind of bookish hippies.

I love NZ and have spent a lot of time there, although I live in the UK and would not/cannot swap permanently.

interestingly the only place I have driven past 'square forests and power stations' is NZ - that's the Waitaki valley! there is loads of managed forest on the north island. With the place the size of the UK and only 4 million people, there is a lot more empty space, especially on the south island.

bookish hippies: Golden Bay? Coromandel?

downers: plenty of drink and drugs issues, reflected in the high road kill rate. Going anywhere else is a major mission. Talking to UK family involves always being at the wrong end of the clock. Plenty of history but obviously not on the scale of the UK. Dreadful TV, radio is fun though. Books hideously pricey - there are second-hand options. Earthquakes.

If you have the chance for an extended stay I'd say give it a go.

Tbh Hamilton wouldn't spring to mind for bookish hippy types. With that self-description, in Auckland I'd recommend Grey Lynn/Titirangi/Waiheke. But I don't know where in Hamilton. Raglan is a surfy town so has a bit of a hippy vibe but it's quite a windy long road to commute to Hamilton (45+ mins I think?)

I live in Cambridge, been here for 11 years and I really like it. It's pretty, relaxed, good climate (if you're not a farmer - we have had several years of summertime drought), safe, friendly, mostly good schooling. It isn't very diverse though - lots of English, Dutch, South Africans, Australians, but not very racially mixed. I wouldn't say there was an obvious divide between rich and poor, people are generally a lot less materialistic so you wouldn't guess that the scruffy guy in jandals standing next to you owned a horse stud.

Personally, I wouldn't live in Hamilton. We're close enough to commute and that's close enough for me!

Happy to answer any questions

Hi daisy, do you mean everybody just hangs out in their native groups? I've lived in, places like that before (madrid, Brussels) ....

Are there plenty mother and toddler groups etc? I'm a sahm, so that's my biggest concern in a way!

Basically, we reckon the jobs a long shot, but are totally going for it!

My house backs onto a wood, I live 5 minutes from open countryside, I live 45 minutes drive from the beach. My kids play out in the street with neighbours, go for cycle rides. We go for family walks, cycle rides. Kids are in good schools.

Where do we live - Kent, Uk. Life is what you make it.

Can I just ask a question about flights (sorry can't find this info anywhere)...

When you travel from the uk allll the way down under, can you break up the journey by stopping for a day or two in Dubai (and leave luggage in the airport?).because I'm actually more worried about getting there than anything else!

Totally getting ahead of myself here!

No, not at all, I have friends of many nationalities and lots of kiwis too - I think they are very open to befriending immigrants, most kiwis have come from somewhere else in the not too distant past. Just there isn't much racial diversity, not even that many Maori families which is unusual for the Waikato. Hamilton is much more diverse.

There are plenty of things for SAHM's to do - playgroups, playcentre (parent-led preschool), music, gym, coffee groups. Not much in the way of shopping if you are a keen shopper - supermarkets and everything you need day to day, but you'd need to go to Hamilton for clothes shopping, furniture, etc.

Lots of people have lifestyle blocks - an acre or more in the country - if that interests you.

Yes, you have to stop somewhere on the way - Asia, US, Middle East - and it's perfectly doable to break the journey there for as long as you like. You do have to take your luggage with you though.

Yeah, I know, invicta, but I can't change glasgows pollution, crap schools or weather, none of which we can love with long term, so we do need to leave. I've spent more time outside the uk than in it, so leaving isn't really a big deal.

I agree - Glasgow pollution not so nice.

Hi Frank, you asked earlier about mother and toddler groups. Contact your local Plunket nurse (equivalent to a UK health visitor I suppose) when you get settled, they organise coffee groups for mums and will put you in contact with a group. Another good way to meet parents is through Playcentre or Kindergarten.

Carseats are expensive here so make sure you bring yours with you and if yours dc are about to go into the next stage bring that to. You will get a better seat for less money in the UK than you will here.

Children start school at 5 here and it depends on the school how strict they are on uniform. Uniform does seam to be expensive here but it does seam to last. I would by a little at a time I think I bought to much. stuff dry quickly here so I could of got away with much less.

Thanks, that's a good point....child "stuff" and thanks for the info re uniforms etc.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed re distance....the thought of not being able to listen to Wimmins hour live is quite scary! Is it a big head fuck? I can deal with scheduling phone calls etc but the radio shizz....scary. Middle of night footsie matches? Gawd.

Second, Im Really paranoid about cost of living....I assumed taking in all factors that a salary here would feel the same over there....am I wrong? I keep reading...that people go over and struggle on what they thought would be ok. I've been in that situation before on moving abroad bc the cost of living indexes only really tell you so much.

It all depends on what your lifestyle expectations and earning potential are. Dh and I earn good money but we have a modest lifestyle compared to my sister and BIL - I think we just chose to spend money differently. Some every day things are definitely more expensive here but part of that is getting your head around having those things is not essential here - people just aren't worried about keeping up with the Jones'. Unless you are going to live in Remuera of course

I listen to UK radio quite a lot. Most of the good stuff is on pod cast or the 'tinternet these days.

Cost of living is hard. We get paid more than we did in the UK but our housing costs are much higher as we live in Auckland. I'd suggest doing a good budget and I'm happy to help with costs of stuff you don't know.

We have been here for a year one and I have mixed feelings. I think there was just as much outdoorsy stuff in the UK but when you factor in the weather it's easier getting out in NZ.
The downside about NZ is it seems to have a lack of cultural and historical sights. I love sightseeing and I miss days out to visit beautiful national trust properties. I also miss the array of museums and theatres big and small that we had access to in the UK. I get quite sad at times to think I can never have those things anymore without a big expensive trip with the kids to the uk. I find the scenery here is beautiful but all a bit samey. The best thing about NZ for me is the lovely safe clean beaches, the more casual relaxed approach to life and the cafe culture which is everywhere.
I think I'm a pretty non materialistic person so I'm not too bothered about the lack of decent shops over here. I do miss good book shops though but have taken to using the library which is something I never used to bother with in the uk.

I hope my post doesn't sound too negative I'm just trying to be really honest. Beaches and bush walks are wonderful but I really miss the English countryside and the options and choices of things to do which we took for granted in the uk.
I'm glad we are here though, we are currently thinking we might rent our house out and return to the uk next year to see how we feel as we can't seem to decide where we want to be. Best of luck :-)