What would it take for you to stay in NZ?

**Romeo** · 26th September 2007, 21:22

I'm 20 and I finish my degree in ICT in 3 months, am I ever going to be able to own my a home? I don't think so somehow...

Oh, and forget having a family. It seems the only people who can afford to have kids nowdays are those on the benefit, at least that's whats happened to everyone I used to know in Blenhiem ;[.

**dino3310** · 26th September 2007, 21:24

do it 'go' before you settle down and get tied down with other commitments,
go make some money and see the world-you can allways come home,
or you can stay here and always be asking yourself that question
WHAT IF

**Macstar** · 26th September 2007, 21:30

Hard case, I wasn't expecting to get so much support to go and have an overseas stint. I think that's a reflection of KBer people, an honest and genuine bunch of folk!

BUT DO PLEASE TELL ME WHY YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN NZ (IF APPLICABLE).

**jrandom** · 26th September 2007, 21:39

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

everything to remain as it is

What.

He.

Said.

Like Satchmo put it, if ya gotta ask, you'll never know.

**kiwifruit** · 26th September 2007, 21:39

Originally Posted by jimbo600

Mate I wouldn't leave NZ for anything, however in your case I would recommend that you do go overseas, earn some good pinghas, and in due course you'll learn to appreciate NZ all the more. Yeah NZ aint what it used to be and I believe the current labour govt has served to social engineer a sorry less than ideal situation. However the grass is always greener and UK/Aussie aint that flash either.

End of the day trackdays for $50? Well fuck me all to hell NZ gets my vote

this man knows the score

nz for for the motherfuckin win

**tri boy** · 26th September 2007, 21:43

Jump on a plane and give it a whirl. If you have no dependents etc NOWS your time. If you like it good. If you don't like it, thats good too.
Every generation has and will go through this. Its just part of life, but at least its a lot easier to do now than 40yrs ago.
The excitement will still be there, and if you do decide to return, then your family will welcome you back.

Money/Housing/Future wealth should be the last thing on your mind. Think new Cultures, Cute Tanned babes looking for a kiwi guy, Nights drinking Rocket Fuel at some tropical backpackers.

All work and no play makes Macstar a dull boy. (and the cute babes will be doing someone else).

**RantyDave** · 26th September 2007, 21:44

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I have just turned down a tax-free job offer in Dubai. Where on earth are we going to ride our bikes over there?

I have three letters for you: K, T and M. The desert is calling

Dave

**Manxman** · 26th September 2007, 21:45

Originally Posted by Macstar

Gimme your opinions on the following:

1. I'm in my 20's, have been studying at uni for 5 years (clocked up a student loan higher than the national median annually income), and am ready to enter the workforce.

2. Over the last 5 years I have had 16 close friends and immediate family members move overseas (just 3 have since come back). They all proudly boast that their lives are so much better after leaving NZ.

3. So far, my search for jobs in NZ and abroad is showing that I could be 10-30K per year financially better off overseas (adjusted for varying cost of livings). And that's just in my first year of work....

4. I study business and I know factually that NZ slips economically further behind most OECD member states each year, and that basically there is no promising signs this will improve given that we are still selling cheese when other countries have moved on to electronics and services.

5. According to a recent news article, in NZ it now requires 80% of the median income to pay a mortgage for the median priced house. Housing affordability has reached all time lows.

There are many more growing social problems with NZ too but I wont go into those.

ANYWAY

Despite all that, I'd like to hang around NZ as I think it's a bloody beautiful country with some awesome people (especially the KB Whanau!). A beach, river or lake is never more than 30 minutes away, traffic in Akl is still minor by world standards and the city is way more scenic and greener than places like Tokyo, Shanghai etc.

My question:

For those of you that are remaining in NZ, why?

-Lifestyle choice?
-Friends and family?
-Not convinced that you can earn that much more money overseas?

Go. Live life while you can (ie young, free single, with mates, etc). Earn more dosh, save hard, play hard. See the world, then...after about 5 years (maybe less, maybe more) you'll realise that the rest of the world is a pretty harsh place compared to NZ, and that money isn't everything but quality of life is - and come home.

Or put another way - don't make the decision that will result in you looking back in 20 years time and saying to yourself...bugger, I wish I'd done it.

Have fun...

It is very true that NZ is 10 years behind the rest rest of the world (maybe less so these days, with better communications, easier travel, etc)...but, but, but trust me - that is very much a GOOD thing!

**RantyDave** · 26th September 2007, 21:48

Originally Posted by Macstar

I'm in my 20's, have been studying at uni for 5 years (clocked up a student loan higher than the national median annually income), and am ready to enter the workforce.

Piss off overseas. Now is the best time in your life to do it; it'll give you a broader experience of life; it'll give you an appreciation for what nice people Kiwis are; and with any luck the housing insanity will die down before you get back.

Go.

Dave

**Mully** · 26th September 2007, 21:51

I'm in my 20's too (27) and one of he reasons I'm working for a multi-national at the moment is so I can go overseas to work.

We'll rent out the house, go, earn some decent coin, and probably come back.

NZ, for all it's faults, is home.

Originally Posted by Macstar

But I'll get relatively OK and free healthcare.

But we'll be paying for private medical care for us and any kids we have.

**Hitcher** · 26th September 2007, 21:51

Originally Posted by RantyDave

The desert is calling

Loudly too it was. There's more to life than money (My god, did I really say that?)

**Wolf** · 26th September 2007, 21:52

Mate of mine keeps on at me to move to Aus where he and his missus are. A bit of relevant info about him, tho: was raised in Hong Kong and London and thought JAFAville was a fucking ghost town so now he's in Sydney. It might well be fine for him but not this country lad - Hamilscum's too fucking big and crowded for my liking.

I'd like to travel and visit other places but not emmigrate - if the USA and the UK are so fucking great, how come I have so many Pommy and Amerkin friends living hereabouts?

They couldn't wait to ditch those green-grassed places in favour of NZ - and I have friends I chat with overseas who've visited NZ and would love to move here but they can't because they're reasonably skilled people with degrees we "don't recognise" not dole bludgers from some Pacific Island.

NZ is a great place to live and ride - now we've just got to get rid of Labour, National, the Greens and NZ First and find someone decent to fix up the fucking mess those thieving mongrels have left behind.