Emigrating to New Zealand: New Zealand v Australia

Our Blog

So Far
It's been 3.5 years now, we moved house, had twins, got our permanent residency and we've cried - a lot - wanted to go home, wanted to stay for ever and now we are back in the UK. You are going to read about a roller-coaster ride that hasn't stopped.

This is the story of our journey, please comment or ask questions via the comments. I will answer them all.
If you're moving to Auckland buy "Where to Live in Auckland," there's a link on the left. It is invaluable.

Regards and Good Luck
Jonathan and Rebecca

p.s. I am dyslexic and pruod. Comments about spelling are inappropriate!!

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

New Zealand v Australia

So what is the difference? If you have a choice which one? And why do so many kiwi's move to Australia if New Zealand is such a great place?
Well to answer the last point first, young people go to Australia from NZ becasue there is so much more happening, kids in sleepy UK Norfolk villages seek out bright lights and bustle, nothing wrong in that. The more worrying thing for the NZ economy is that people earn more in Australia so the standard of living is higher so that is why a lot of the skills base and work force is being lost the Australia. Interestingly an English friend of mine who recently got citizenship in New Zealand has moved to Australia where kiwi citizens have automatic right of abode.
But which should the prospective emigrant choose? My advice is go to both and see, if you are going on a recce to New Zealand you may as well go to Australia as well. Australia is more cosmopolitan it's cities have more of the hustle, and hassle, Europeans would be used to and the shopping is much better. The weather is very different, New Zealand is warmer than the UK but it rains more there than the UK (yes it really does). New Zealand is a place for rural life and a quieter lifestyle, laid back. Australia can be those things but you do have a choice of a more urban life. Auckland and Wellington are very small cities, it is their charm. But they are not like the cities a UK resident is used to. Its a personal choice, go visit, you should never move counties without a recce.