DH is considering a job in Auckland. We currently have a good standard of living in North of England with young DC. DH has worked in oz before but many years ago, and has always been keen to return to Australasia.
We both work in healthcare and are disillusioned with the gradual erosion of the NHS.
Attractions are new challenge, better summers, beautiful country, better childhood for kids (?)
Concerns are kids feeling unsettled (both at first and later - will they hate us for taking them away from the opportunities in the UK), missing family (they're supportive and we don't see each other that often anyway), whether we'll ever feel we belong, if we will actually get a better quality of life in NZ, the dismal wet winters.
I've been reading loads, for weeks and weeks. I have a few questions for anyone out there who has been in our shoes and made the leap and would really appreciate some help.
Some people say education is great, others that class sizes are huge and not close to UK standards. What's the truth? DS is currently in private school which we would consider but had hoped class sizes and standards were reasonable enough to not have to.
Auckland seems very expensive for housing and there's is a lot of mention of v expensive foods and day to day living costs. Is this considerably worse than the UK?
If you live in nz and particularly Auckland as an immigrant what would you say are the best bits about living there? And the worst?
It's so so hard. I don't want to make the mistake of a lifetime, nor miss the opportunity of a lifetime. I know no one else can choose for me but I'd really appreciate some views from those further down the line. Thanks.