After reading this entire thread - we are also looking at moving from Scotland to Auckland - I must admit that I am nervous......but not nervous enough. We've relocated once already and have a better idea of the realities. My fears are that Auckland is going to be like the UK in too many ways

I do believe that every situation is what you make of it for the most part. Granted we don't always have the choice of the situation we might find ourselves in but we do have a choice in how we deal with those situations

I have to wonder if the Brits are not just seriously spoilt in what choice you get in the UK and your level of technology. I originally come from South Africa and am therefore - from the Southern Hemisphere and understand everything that has been "complained" about and actually miss the "minor" things. They seem like more realistic worries to us than as to whether we are going to have enough cash to get our children the latest bit of technology/clothing so that they can keep up with their friends, etc

We have been in Scotland for 4 years now and have hated it for probably 99% of the time. We are desperate to take our children back to the simple way of life that the Southern Hemisphere offers, the morals and family values that are important and seem to have been forgotten in the UK, the outdoor lifestyle and more family time. In short - a simpler Southern Hemisphere life!

Everything that has been pinpointed as problems just don't seem to be insurmountable to us. We expect these problems with heating, paying for everything (something the UK population don't expect to do anymore) and generally having to work hard to get anywhere (unlike working hard here in the UK to support the benefits system, government expenses and the workshy)

As my one neighbour pointed out to us when we arrived here - "we are so different in our way of thinking that it is like a space ship dropped us off in Glasgow". I would assume that it is the same for all the Northerners heading South.

Southern Hemisphere is not the same as the Northern Hemisphere - that's what makes it special - and visa versa.