New Zealand - Land of milk and honey? Holwellcourtfarm's tour 2017

[stewart]

Not at all. Just posting about the negative aspects of current NZ life for balance in case anyone else is considering going.

There are some negatives, although from my own perspective I haven't found too many, it does get a bit hot in February.

 

[kiwi pom]

Thinking about differences between the countries, I'm not sure how NZ stacks up for those thinking of moving here and working as opposed to buying a farm or setting up in business?
Out of touch with UK rates and hours nowadays. Its very area dependant but cost of living, buying a house etc can be high here. Perhaps NZ cant compete with salaries, hours etc compared to the UK?

 

[Kiwi Pete]

It's a worry, for sure. You'd soon make it work, the worry being that many don't even try to make life work anymore - it's someone else's fault that they can't have the same house as their parents, without any acknowledgement that their parents probably made considerable sacrifices, due to having clear priorities....

Good affordable homes are around, generally where the demand is lower.
I just bought Mum a house (she'll be 80 next July) and it wasn't prohibitive.
$175,000 for a 25 yo 4 bedroom house, with a GV of $220k.
Not something your average Yuppies are looking for.

 

[kiwi pom]

I see there's an article on Stuff today (so it must be true) saying Brits are heading back home as life's too hard here.

 

[stewart]

Thinking about differences between the countries, I'm not sure how NZ stacks up for those thinking of moving here and working as opposed to buying a farm or setting up in business?
Out of touch with UK rates and hours nowadays. Its very area dependant but cost of living, buying a house etc can be high here. Perhaps NZ cant compete with salaries, hours etc compared to the UK?

If you are looking at moving for financial reasons, because you believe land is cheap or wages may be higher then you are moving for the wrong reason and will more than likely move back.
If you want the lifestyle that New Zealand offers particularly if you have a young family that are active and enjoy the outdoors then I can think of nowhere better.

 

[stewart]

I see there's an article on Stuff today (so it must be true) saying Brits are heading back home as life's too hard here.

Soft cocks, what do they expect if they move to Auckland and think that is New Zealand. JAFAs

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[FonterraFarmer]

It's a worry, for sure. You'd soon make it work, the worry being that many don't even try to make life work anymore - it's someone else's fault that they can't have the same house as their parents, without any acknowledgement that their parents probably made considerable sacrifices, due to having clear priorities....

Good affordable homes are around, generally where the demand is lower.
I just bought Mum a house (she'll be 80 next July) and it wasn't prohibitive.
$175,000 for a 25 yo 4 bedroom house, with a GV of $220k.
Not something your average Yuppies are looking for.

$175,000 wouldn't even buy a section up here....wait , no even half a section ?
Houses on neighbouring sections over the fence, once you meet the requirements for the covenants, you won't see any change out of $850,000!!!☹

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Soft cocks, what do they expect if they move to Auckland and think that is New Zealand. JAFAs

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Stuff "Stuff" and harsh as it might sound, don't live in Auckland!!!.

 

[Campbell]

I have a non farming brother who 'went native' in Auckland 25 years ago, and never to return. Apart from visiting him, we have lived and worked in rural North Island and experienced most of the life changing factors as mentioned previously. A few things from my experience; NZ is as a foreign country, and not old Blighty with more sunshine, people aren't too bothered about being polite to everyone, similar or higher cost of living but not the pay to match, 100k [62mph] speed limit heavily enforced. But, the work / life balance is far better and more relaxed, a beer with your mates is a ritual, much more time can be spent outside and at the beach, the same choice of stuff to buy and fewer people in the way. So if you are prepared to 'harden up a bit' no worries....

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

$175,000 wouldn't even buy a section up here....wait , no even half a section ?
Houses on neighbouring sections over the fence, once you meet the requirements for the covenants, you won't see any change out of $850,000!!!☹

At today's exchange rate that ($850,000) wouldn't buy the 2 bed flat that's just been sold next door here (for the equivalent of $1.2M)...

They need to wise up, they are comparing sleepy Hereford with Auckland. Try comparing London!

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

There are some negatives, although from my own perspective I haven't found too many, it does get a bit hot in February.

Only on the wrong island?

 

[texas pete]

At today's exchange rate that ($850,000) wouldn't buy the 2 bed flat that's just been sold next door here (for the equivalent of $1.2M)...

They need to wise up, they are comparing sleepy Hereford with Auckland. Try comparing London!

If articles like that are true, then you do have to question how much homework folks like that have done before they made what is probably the biggest decision of their lives. Yes it doesn’t have to be forever, but you kind of wonder what the point is, if you “might“ come home anyway??

London or Auckland, that is a tough one.

 

[Canada Farmer]

If articles like that are true, then you do have to question how much homework folks like that have done before they made what is probably the biggest decision of their lives. Yes it doesn’t have to be forever, but you kind of wonder what the point is, if you “might“ come home anyway??

London or Auckland, that is a tough one.

You need a city with good infrastructure, roading, good quality warm and affordable housing with views to die for,




Calgary !!!!

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

You need a city with good infrastructure, roading, good quality warm and affordable housing with views to die for,




Calgary !!!!

You lost me at "city"

 

[unlacedgecko]

You need a city with good infrastructure, roading, good quality warm and affordable housing with views to die for,




Calgary !!!!

And there's the stampede...

 

[stewart]

I have a non farming brother who 'went native' in Auckland 25 years ago, and never to return. Apart from visiting him, we have lived and worked in rural North Island and experienced most of the life changing factors as mentioned previously. A few things from my experience; NZ is as a foreign country, and not old Blighty with more sunshine, people aren't too bothered about being polite to everyone, similar or higher cost of living but not the pay to match, 100k [62mph] speed limit heavily enforced. But, the work / life balance is far better and more relaxed, a beer with your mates is a ritual, much more time can be spent outside and at the beach, the same choice of stuff to buy and fewer people in the way. So if you are prepared to 'harden up a bit' no worries....

You have summed it up quite well, part of the problem, for those that decide to leave is that they were expecting Blighty with more sunshine, as you have pointed out NZ is not that, it is a foreign country.
You sometimes hear ex pats, when they find something that is different to what they are used to, commenting that it is not as good as back home, they tend to be labeled as whinging poms and you can nearly always guarantee they will be heading back, those that celebrate the difference and accept it is not the same tend to stay, it is down to attitude.
The work life balance is far better, although you have to go out and enjoy that balance, don't expect it to come knocking on the door, it is a country that suits those that like an outdoors lifestyle, if you want to dress up and go to the theatre or spend every weekend in the pub it really is not for you, having a beer with mates is generally round at someones house over a BBQ or meal, as you say more relaxed. Weekends are usually spent outdoors, either down at the local rugby ground, at the beach, at the lake, mountain biking, or just going for a walk in the bush.
One of the first holidays we spent at the lakes I had to drag the kids out of bed to get them to on the water, the following morning they were up and waiting (they were only 10 at the time.) I have never had to do it again, they will be up before it is light and quite often stay out all day. it is not all play you do have to work and work hard, the pay may also be less and the cost of living is at least the same if not more, your free time is however cheap.

 

[stewart]

At today's exchange rate that ($850,000) wouldn't buy the 2 bed flat that's just been sold next door here (for the equivalent of $1.2M)...

They need to wise up, they are comparing sleepy Hereford with Auckland. Try comparing London!

It depends where you want to live, Auckland and London averages are comparable price wise, why would you want to live in either. Property prices vary greatly depending on location.

 

[unlacedgecko]

You have summed it up quite well, part of the problem, for those that decide to leave is that they were expecting Blighty with more sunshine, as you have pointed out NZ is not that, it is a foreign country.
You sometimes hear ex pats, when they find something that is different to what they are used to, commenting that it is not as good as back home, they tend to be labeled as whinging poms and you can nearly always guarantee they will be heading back, those that celebrate the difference and accept it is not the same tend to stay, it is down to attitude.
The work life balance is far better, although you have to go out and enjoy that balance, don't expect it to come knocking on the door, it is a country that suits those that like an outdoors lifestyle, if you want to dress up and go to the theatre or spend every weekend in the pub it really is not for you, having a beer with mates is generally round at someones house over a BBQ or meal, as you say more relaxed. Weekends are usually spent outdoors, either down at the local rugby ground, at the beach, at the lake, mountain biking, or just going for a walk in the bush.
One of the first holidays we spent at the lakes I had to drag the kids out of bed to get them to on the water, the following morning they were up and waiting (they were only 10 at the time.) I have never had to do it again, they will be up before it is light and quite often stay out all day. it is not all play you do have to work and work hard, the pay may also be less and the cost of living is at least the same if not more, your free time is however cheap.

Free hunting of pigs and deer on crown land

 

[stewart]

Free hunting of pigs and deer on crown land

And the full version

 

[Canada Farmer]

You lost me at "city"

Don't go to the city, use the ring road around the city
Or even better , take the back roads, eh???