Finally coming home

Vamps · #1 (**permalink**) 31st October 2009, 05:58 PM

Ex New Zealander (Auckland) having lived in the uk for 30 years is coming home. Where did the time fly to?

Am arriving on December 12th with my 16 yo son and my pregnant 22 yo daughter. We will be staying with my brother and his wife in Tauranga to start with then hope to get our own place.

I guess my situation is slightly different in that both me and the kids (citizenship by descent) have NZ passports so don't have to go through the immigration route.

Wont be bringing much either as we want a completely new start - just me the kids, the bump, a few suitcases and some small personal stuff that I don't want to leave behind.

Really looking forward to steping back on home soil. Was in NZ 2 years ago for a family trip and it felt like home then so I know the time is right to come home. The kids are looking forward to going to a new country for them also.

So just thought I say hello. I've been out of the loop for a while now so please bear with me if I ask questions.

Cheers

topcat83 · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd November 2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vamps

So just thought I say hello. I've been out of the loop for a while now so please bear with me if I ask questions

Hello Vamps

Welcome home.... and it sounds like you'll see some changes in 30 years, and have quite a lifestyle change with bump on its way too!

I think in many ways you'll find NZ similar to the UK about 20 years ago - but in others it seems to have overtaken the UK. We certainly felt very comfortable here almost immediately.

So ask away - we'll see what we can do for you.

ConfusedKiwi · #3 (**permalink**) 12th November 2009, 08:39 PM

Hi,
I too am in the process or should i say thinking about moving home after 9 years in London (Thats nothing on your 30 Years i know) and it feels like i have been here forever some times...

I have the oppurtunity to pack up and move back in Feb 2010 (Or to at least travel with someone during that horrible long flight during that time) I now have to pluck up the courage to do it...

Because i have been away for awhile i have no idea of what a good salary is, what houses prices are or even how employment is.

My parents live in Tauranga so i would look at moving back there for a while to decide what to do. Although i did the big OE in my early 20's my friends are now doing it now so i have the feeling that Tauranga and even NZ is going to be a shock for me..

I am still hoping for some inspiration or a big event that will force my hand to make the decision and book the ticket and quit my job...

Any inspiration or ideas of what life is now like and what i have to look forward to would be brilliant...

Thanks

One confused Kiwi :-(

topcat83 · #4 (**permalink**) 13th November 2009, 05:27 AM

Confused kiwi -

Have a read of our wiki (see my signature) - there's no advertising, just our online diary and how we've found life in NZ.

And have a look at Trade Me ? New Zealand online auctions and classifieds. Browse, buy and sell online on trademe.co.nz for jobs and houses, SEEK - New Zealand's no. 1 jobs, employment, career and recruitment site for jobs, and Real Estate, Houses for Sale, Rentals, Commercial and Businesses for sale at Realestate.co.nz - Realestate.co.nz for houses.

Rough salary - two thirds what you're on in the UK (but of course cost of living is less)

Susiep · #5 (**permalink**) 18th November 2009, 10:58 PM

Hi, I lived in the UK for 14 years and returned to N.Z. (Hamilton). This was 20 years ago, but I had a real hard time at first settling in as everything seemed so quiet and dull after living in London. Took me ages to settle back in, however my life changed quite dramatically as I ended up having twins and going from being a working girl living in London to a stay at home mum in N.Z. I think things have changed a bit now as there's more cafes, bars, shops etc. here and it's certainly a better place to bring up kids. My English husband (who has since passed away - another reason I'm glad I came back to N.Z. as had family support), went back to the U.K. for six weeks and couldn't wait to get back here again. Said there were far too many people etc. over there.
Good luck with settling in back here. You might find it hard and strange at first, but stick at it and you'll be fine. I look back and can see I did the right thing by coming back here. N.Z. is still a great place to live.

ConfusedKiwi · #6 (**permalink**) 19th November 2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susiep

Hi, I lived in the UK for 14 years and returned to N.Z. (Hamilton). This was 20 years ago, but I had a real hard time at first settling in as everything seemed so quiet and dull after living in London. Took me ages to settle back in, however my life changed quite dramatically as I ended up having twins and going from being a working girl living in London to a stay at home mum in N.Z. I think things have changed a bit now as there's more cafes, bars, shops etc. here and it's certainly a better place to bring up kids. My English husband (who has since passed away - another reason I'm glad I came back to N.Z. as had family support), went back to the U.K. for six weeks and couldn't wait to get back here again. Said there were far too many people etc. over there.
Good luck with settling in back here. You might find it hard and strange at first, but stick at it and you'll be fine. I look back and can see I did the right thing by coming back here. N.Z. is still a great place to live.

Hi Susiep and Topcat,
You are both filling me with more and more confidence. Now i just need to book the ticket, hand in my notice and start the horrible job or packing everything.... :-( I have days when i think "Today is the day to make the decision and to book the flight and to tell everyone" and then other days i chicken out and think i will miss so many people in London. Time to work on my Pros and Cons list seriously i think. Maybe if i get someone else to book my ticket it will be easier :-)

Thanks again for your encouraging words...

One still Confused Kiwi..

ConfusedKiwi · #7 (**permalink**) 19th November 2009, 09:07 AM

Hi Susiep and Topcat,
You are both filling me with more and more confidence. Now i just need to book the ticket, hand in my notice and start the horrible job or packing everything.... :-( I have days when i think "Today is the day to make the decision and to book the flight and to tell everyone" and then other days i chicken out and think i will miss so many people in London. Time to work on my Pros and Cons list seriously i think. Maybe if i get someone else to book my ticket it will be easier :-)

Thanks again for your encouraging words...

One still Confused Kiwi..