Author Topic: Nervous and unsure (Read 605 times)

Lisa09 · « **on:** April 09, 2008, 09:52:13 AM »

Hi Guys
I am new to the forum and am seeking peace of mind really. My husband and I have decide to move to NZ mainly for a more secure future, not only for us but for our future kiddies.
However, neither of us has ever been to NZ before so we are not quite sure what we are letting ourselves in for. We have read so much about the country and feel it is the best place for us but I am worried that we may think differently once we get there. Are we making the right move?
Any advice is truly welcome.

hadenough · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2008, 10:00:18 AM »

Welcome to the family Lisa. Good luck with your plans. do lots of reading on this site, use the search facility and also the bookmark facility for anything you may need to go back to. I also have never been to NZ, but have made up my mind that I will make it work if we eventually get there. Each individual is different. If you are unsure, it will be best that you go there first before making up your mind. If you are the type of person who can make something work come hell or high water, don't bother. The people on this site who are there have mainly good things to say, but they do not hide the bad/frustrating things away, which is good.

Best of luck to you and DH. What field are you both in and where in SA are you?

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2008, 10:00:18 AM »

Lisa09 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2008, 10:36:38 AM »

Thanks Hadenough. It is nice to be able to talk to someone who understands.
My husband is in the IT industry and I work in the beauty business. We stay in Johannesburg.

hadenough · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2008, 11:01:39 AM »

Look at seek & trade me and apply, apply, apply

minette · « **Reply #4 on:** April 09, 2008, 02:01:22 PM »

Lisa, we're also currently Jo'burgers, but are moving to NZ in August. We've also never been to NZ... as a matter of fact the only place I've been "out of the country" was Lesotho and I've never been on an aeroplane! I did a lot of homework before we decided on the move - read as much as you can on the internet about New Zealand and get books on the country - travel/history/stories, whatever and catch up with NZ news (www.nzherald.co.nz) and radio stations and just familiarise yourself with the country. Do yourself a favour - try to get some of the "bad thoughts" on the place as well so that you don't only hear about the good side - it is best to make such a huge life decision with ALL the information you can muster. This site is a fabulous place to ask questions and get advice - from current South Africans and from South AFricans already living in New Zealand.

minette · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2008, 02:03:22 PM »

And by the way, I'm still nervous and unsure! I think those feelings stay with you even for a while after you land!

Lisa09 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2008, 02:09:52 PM »

Thanks Minette. We have armed ourselves with as much info as possible and are excited about the move. I guess I am just scared of the unknown. Some days I wish I had a crystal ball so I could see what the future in NZ would be like. I suppose it is only natural though to be a little nervous.
The site is really helping to put my mind at ease though.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2008, 02:09:52 PM »

Tel · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2008, 07:12:48 PM »

This is Lisa's husband

.

As I've told you many times. It's gonna be good.

Thanks for all the replies people. All the information on this site is really helping us.

NicholaM · « **Reply #8 on:** April 09, 2008, 07:24:00 PM »

Hi Lisa

Welcome to the site! We decided to emigrate in January this year, after six years of debate in our house. I don't think I have ever been so terrrified in my life! I come to this forum almost every night just to check that I am not loopy for wanting to leave SA. You can read hundreds of posts here, and each one will reflect thoughts and fears we all seem to share as South Africans. I don't think any of us really WANT to leave. It's an intellectual choice, and we just have to hope that the heart will follow.

Lisa09 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 09, 2008, 07:46:47 PM »

I agree with you NicholaM. It is definitely and intellectual choice. We also decide in Jan that it was time to leave.There are so many reasons to leave yet so many reasons to stay. Family is probably one of my biggest reasons for wanting to stay yet it is also one of the reasons we want to leave. We want to start a family of our own and we do not see a future for our children here but leaving all our extended family behind is gonna be tough. I am so glad I found this site, it is really helping me put things in perspective.

SaKiwiBoer · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2008, 08:38:07 PM »

Hi "Tel Lisa09", welcome and

with your plans and decisions. I am glad you both are on the forum because you will both have your own "fears". You will also realise that there are other H & W teams on this forum. Myself and Eileen(the chick on the blue couch), CarlaP and Kiwi-K and WendyH and WayneO and many more. So, welcome and enjoy. Cheers,

, SAKB.

Nolan · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2008, 11:09:39 PM »

Welcome to the family guys

with the process and keep us posted

We are all in the same boat, so your fears are well understood here. The problem is : Do we have a choice on whether to leave or not?

Lisa, I have given you access to the Ladies Lounge too

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2008, 11:09:39 PM »

Happy Expat · « **Reply #12 on:** April 10, 2008, 12:45:14 AM »

Welcome to the site Lisa

I've been in NZ for 2 and a half years now, after living in the UK for 4 years. I too had never left SA and had never got on an international flight. When we went to the UK, I had been told all these stories about the place, none of which were true for us

I hated it there for a number of reasons, but then we decided that we're not happy and needed to move, but no way would I ever go back to SA, so we looked at NZ. Again, we just up and left, straight into a country I'd never seen before and this site wasn't "born" yet

so we arrived here not knowing much and not knowing a single person either?

It was hard for us to find out stuff you guys get to know before you leave, but I loved every second. From the day I walked out the airport until now and I'm sure for many years to come, I just felt like I was "home".
We've had lots of hassles along the way, but we know it's worth it in the end. It's just life and those hassles will happen anywhere in the world. I think it's just human nature that some people blame the country

If you are willing to accept that there may be tough times ahead and that the kiwi's don't do things the way you are used too, then you will be fine

When you're down, think about why you left/leaving SA in the first place, and then (when you in NZ) look around you. The clean air, the people walking around without fear, no bars on the windows or high fences and then you will have the strength to get through

I hope this helps

dance · « **Reply #13 on:** April 10, 2008, 05:03:03 AM »

Welcome Lisa. I could not agree more with all of the above. This odes not make it any easier but at lest you know there are others to chat to who have the same doubts and fears.

Saturn_Moon · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2008, 08:12:58 AM »

Hi Lisa and Tel,

My DH and I have also never been to New Zealand and we would like to be there by the end of this year - God willing. Fortunately with this amazing website and our tons and tons of research and reading we are comfortable that we are making the right decision to immigrate and that New Zealand is the country that will suite our lifestyle the best.

Hang in there and if you can't find any information on the NZ immigration website then just ask here - no question is a dumb question and there are tons of very knowledgeable

people on this site who are more than willing to help you out because they have been or currently are in your position.

You will have family that won't want you to go and may (unfortunately) say all sorts of things but, from our own personal experience, it's just because they care about you and won't admit that they will miss you so their best defense is just to say 'nasty' things. If your family is not like that then, that's fantastic.

with everything and just keep your eyes on the future goal - it will be well worth it in the end.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum