12 replies to this topic

[retroracer1275]

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Edited by retroracer1275, 22 August 2013 - 12:36 AM.

[sixtyeight]

do it I say.. there are plenty of minis in New Zealand so you will be able to pick up a cheap runabout. check out trademe.co.nz (it's new zealands version of eBay)

[sixtyeight]

oh and download Goodbye Pork Pie ... an NZ movie which stars a mini. 

[blacktulip]

i have never been abroad but if i had the chance and i had no ties i would be the first to go.

[Tamworthbay]

I lived abroad when I did my masters degree. It was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone. Living in a place is totally different to visiting it though so not sure how much you will get out of a pre visit apart from a nice holiday of course.

[Black.Ghost]

I have lived in Germany for four and a half years, and although there were times I hated it, overall I have really enjoyed it. Looking back now, I realise I did not make the most of my time there which is a bit of a shame really. I wouldn't mind staying a little longer but unfortunately there are not too many jobs there I would want to do. Cyprus might be a good one though.

 

The good thing about Germany is its easy and relatively cheap to get back to the UK, even just for a long weekend. That's not the kind of thing you can do from NZ. There are a lot of things to weigh up, because its a pretty big decision. The plus side for you is you are still quite young so if you don't like it, you can always come back to Blighty.

 

My gf is from Colombia. She came over about 4 years ago and there are many things that she loves about England (me!) but she does miss Colombia a lot. Its a completely different way of life for her here. 

 

Exciting times. Young free and single. Go for it. 

[blacktulip]

maybe if you go you might end up appreciating home more. will be a life experience as well as a lesson.

[retroracer1275]

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Edited by retroracer1275, 22 August 2013 - 12:36 AM.

[kingbenvolio]

To quote Martin Crane (Frasiers father) "As you get older, its not the times that went wrong you regret, its the times you never even tried."

Bit of a weird source, but i like to think theres some truth in it.

[Tamworthbay]

I do really want to go, but at the same time I don't, because ill be a complete loner over there lol

That is down to you. I won't lie, there were times that I was bored and a bit lonely but you get off your ar5e and find stuff to do. The language can be a barrier but its surprising how quick you pick up the basics and if you try people tend to be really helpful. The major problem I had was lack of cash due to very high rent, this meant I didn't have enough money to do everything I wanted to. That said it was an amazing year and there were things I experienced that I will never forget and loved doing. I would do it again without blinking if I went back in time.

[Black.Ghost]

The language? They speak English in NZ. as for being lonely, bugger that. Don't let that hold you back. Just make an effort to get to know people. Find a mini club for starters. Get a job and hang out with work mates.

Don't let not knowing anyone ever put you off. You will look back in a few years and really regret it if you don't go because of that.

[Captain Mainwaring]

I have been married for 15 years to an Indonesian...We have had a house in Indonesia since 2003 always with an intention to move back. 

The decision came in 2009 when I lost a substantial sum of money in a bank failure in the UK - all my hard work lost.

Our kids were granted dual nationality in 2006 and so after I got the news, I called in some outstanding invoices to pay the credit cards and we packed up and left. 

We initially lived in the first house we bought - a villa type bungalow on a golf course, and intended to build on a 400m2 plot of land that we had purchased next door, however while out one day looking for a bit of inspiration for house design we found a house for sale. Contacted the owner and nego'ed a deal. It was a dream house for us, everything we wanted - big land (about an acre) nice sized building (about 6600 square feet) and really well built and designed- it had been built as a show house 7 years back and had never been lived in - complete with furniture, TV's, the lot.

Slowly got it round to the way we want it, and I have just built a swimming pool at the back - 

 

Kids soon settled at school and now both of them speak bahasa Indonesia, Jawa (our local language) and reasonable mandarin. Kids are studying for GCSE's too.

 

It's safe, the weather is great, people are easy, though driving with a million baby hondas is a challenge. We live near mount Bromo (can see it in the mornings) and a 30 minute flight from Bali.

 

Downsides - we have a good international foodshop in town - fillet steak is about £7-00 Kg but they don't always have Colemans mustard....alcohol other than beer is a bit more expensive than home, we occasionally get the odd shortage....and you can't always get salad cream....

 

Oh and if you need imperial nuts and bolts, that can be a challenge. So I keep lots of stock.

 

Obviously we have to budget school and medical insurance in, but even with that we can have a far superior way of life for less money than we ever could in the UK.

 

 

You will never feel threatened in the street, and household robbery outside of Jakarta is very low as are crimes against the person.

We still have two properties back in the UK, so the kids have a choice, or if they want to go back for uni - but I for one have no desire to go back to the UK.

 

If you want to succeed, you HAVE to learn the language - I was always keen since being married here, but obviously spending more time here it becomes easier and easier. In saying that there are expats here that think it's like the Raj were they can not bother, however they are the ones seriously missing out....

 

In the OP's shoes, I'd be off like a shot, give it your best and see how you get on. Never look back thinking...."if only"....

 

Sadly I feel that the UK is trashed beyond redemption and certainly no place for us anymore - lots I want to say...but for another time, another place...

 

 

Bromo mountain...   

 

Yes...I know it's not really a Cooper S

 

Minis and Triumphs..

[brad-the-bear]

how much money would you need to move to New Zealand? "start up cost"