Author Topic: Why New Zealand? (Read 404 times)

Nolan · « **on:** February 22, 2007, 08:01:37 PM »

Tell us what made you decide on New Zealand as opposed to another country?

Nolan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2007, 08:07:14 PM »

As with most South Africans it was a toss up between New Zealand and Australia.

We then took a look at both countries via the Internet and decided that the lifestyle in NZ suited our way of thinking better. We have always looked around on our annual holidays to the South Coast for a possibility to live there, but were never convinced. So Auckland was the prefect choice for us as we will be living by the sea and the economy in the area is good.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2007, 08:07:14 PM »

Shirls · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2007, 07:50:47 AM »

For me it is simple... My sister is there, and my mom will follow soon.

Paul is keen on the UK, because our earning power is so much better, but in the long run and for the benefit of our children (when we have them) the UK is not the best option!

We are going over in May to NZ for a look around and hopefully one of us will get a job offer! We like the way NZ is more family orientated, and offers the kind of lifestyle we had as kids growing up - riding bikes, playing in parks!

Sounds good to me!

Nolan · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2007, 08:15:01 AM »

I agree with your UK statement Shirls, 25% of immigrants to NZ come from the UK. Now we are leaving SA in droves and we make up 7-10% of immigrants to NZ. Things aren't so lekker in UK with all the wierdos they are letting into their country.

Happy Expat · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2007, 09:36:27 PM »

I can vouch for how horrible the UK, is having tried it for 4 years!! I hated it. I gave it a go and tried really hard to like the place, but it just never happened. It's cold, dirty, crowded and the people are mostly miserable too! (That's my opinion anyway).
As said above, it's not a nice place for kids to grow up. The stories I heard from people of what was excepted as the norm scared the hell out of me......like girls having babies at age 12 so that the government will give them a free house, and then the whole family moves in?

They also winge so much, it got me down so badly I ended up with depression. I'm a happy go lucky person, but I get really affected by my surroundings.
When we moved here, I walked out of the airport and just felt at home. I just knew this was the right discision for us. Just over a year later and I couldn't be happier!!

NZ Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nolan · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2007, 09:53:22 PM »

We also have no doubt that we will have the same feeling when we step out of the airport. Can't wait.

Obviously no way you guys are heading back to SA, except for a visit then?

Happy Expat · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2007, 10:31:32 PM »

I've been away from SA for too long now and to be honest, I'm too scared to even visit now!

I'm relaxed here, we drive with the doors unlocked and windows open. We sleep with windows open and no bars on them. We've even forgot to lock doors at night. We've even gone out once and when we got back we realised we had left the back door wide open. We've also left the cars unlocked.....once left a boot open. We have turned into scatter brains and we love it!! Not saying it's a good thing though

We always say the same thing........could do this in SA and laugh!!

I think I would just get myself in to trouble if I went to SA now :-[

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2007, 10:31:32 PM »

Nolan · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2007, 11:02:07 PM »

People do seem to 'normalise' quickly once they leave SA, but they still carry the emotional baggage around for a very long time.

Happy Expat · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2007, 08:26:53 PM »

Very True! People still laugh at us when we're too cautious and say, but this is NZ. $:-\$
It good to be a bit cautious, cos life in general is getting more dangerous.

Nolan · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2007, 09:41:32 PM »

Yep, and I feel sorry for the guy that tries to break into an ex-Saffer's house while their in it

zatexnz · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2007, 07:12:31 AM »

Why NZ?
Hmmmm

When we decided to leave SA, we had the USA and NZ on our list of options (funny, never even thought of OZ for a moment!). We decided firstly on USA, because we had friends here and it is huge with lots of opportunity and variety and a stronger economy. BUT with the problems of immigration (and illegal immigrants) making legal immigration a pain, and ours now failed, we've had to rethink. For us it was now an easy choice, as in the mean time, both my sisters have immigrated to NZ, and are citizens! And when my mom passed away 20 months ago, my sister helped my dad get things in order, and she took him over. He has PR there now, too. So it just figures that it would be where we'd go too. Plus, we visited there in 2003 and noticed how much closer to SA lifestyle NZ is, as apposed to the USA which is SO very different.

Nolan · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2007, 08:21:42 AM »

Thanks Colleen, what makes the US & CA way of doing things so different to the way we do it?

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2007, 08:21:42 AM »

zatexnz · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2007, 09:21:09 PM »

Can't speak for Canada. But the US.... oh boy, I could write a book!

Nolan · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2007, 09:41:06 PM »

Okay, you write it and I'll sell it. If we sell it to the Americans, then they can realise that there is a world outside their borders and we can become rich

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum