Comments for Broken Luggage

Comment on Honest talk about some of New Zealand’s problems by Rob

Rob — Sun, 19 May 2013 02:29:42 +0000

Well written blog, and I could’nt agree more. My wife and I all both well educated with 10 to 15 years experience in our field. My wife as a primary school teacher has struggled to find good work since the day we arrived 5 years ago, not to mention to get her around teaching practices that are behind other western countries. Don’t get me wrong, NZ is a lovely country but if your thinking about moving here, think long and hard about it, for some it really is a ‘one way trip’ whether you like it or not.

One of things to watch out for that one else has mentioned is the ‘kiwi price’ and the ‘immigrant price’. We renovated our house and the number or trades that came round and inflated the price because we where from the U.K and in one persons words ‘must be loaded’ was astonishing !!!

We have quite a few friends who are settled and happy, but we also have a larger amount of friends who have now moved to OZ or back to Europe. As I said, think long and hard before making the move..

Comment on 3 year retrospective by wise sloth

wise sloth — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:13:23 +0000

That picture was taken in West Texas.

Comment on 3 year retrospective by Tamara

Tamara — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:00:24 +0000

Thanks for the update! I am still working on moving. I loved your two pictures one of New Zealand and the other from Texas (?). I live in Oklahoma so not much different than the picture you posted!

Comment on Ten Things An American will get Used to After Living in NZ for Six Months by May

May — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:35:14 +0000

Hi Amber
I have movied back to NZ after living in San Jose, Ca for the last 14 years, my children are US born and raised, and feeling a bit homesick, (and so I am even though Im an ex pat), you mentioned that you belong to an Americans womans group, , I unsucessfully tried looking for a US group NZ, could you please forward me the link to join.
many thanks

Comment on The Reality of Kiwi Austerity by Trina

Trina — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 09:08:46 +0000

Oops, I pressed the wrong button, sorry. Anyway, $9 for gas would be great for us. I really enjoyed your book, laughed out loud in a lot of places…. ie stay at home in the USA if u like watching thousands of TV channels etc. I was born in California and my parents moved to the UK when I was 5. I think the things they wanted to get away from there have now come to pass in the UK…. corrupt govt, crime, etc. and my own family want to move on. The only other family member I have is my mum and I am trying to persuade her to come with us, but she’s 73 and has all sorts of issues and barriers she puts up to the idea. I don’t feel we could come if she didn’t come…. But then I feel it was her choice to leave her folks back in in the USA, and should we not forge a new and better life. It is a huge dilemma. I know it would cost way too much to fly back to the UK once a year, it wouldn’t be possible. at the moment I probably see her 4 times a year. when we lived in Australia for 18 months (work contract for my husband) she refused to visit even though the flight would be paid for. and whenever I spoke to her, she’d say, ‘I haven’t seen anyone, I haven’t done anything!’ It was very hard. Anyway, I’m sorry I am waffling away to you. It is something only myself and my other half can deal with. We have been to NZ. Again my husband worked in wellington for 2 months back in 1997. unfortunately it was winter and when I visited him for 3 weeks I huddled by the wood burner most of the time (instead of studying! He managed to get some time off and we did some great sight seeing. I guess I can cope with a cold and wet winter as long as I KNOW FOR CERTAIN that NZ has PROPER SUMMERS!!!!!! We haven’t had a decent summer in the UK since my oldest daughter was small, about 9 years I think!!! Every year we say, if we don’t get a decent summer this year, we’re emigrating. and after this long freezing winter. I think we’ve finally had enough.We love camping and hiking and would also love to get into more water sport and I want my kids to grow up with a great outdoor lifestyle. Is there at least 2 months of good weather every summer? That is all I am really concerned about…. we need some SUN and HEAT!
sorry for my waffle. I just enjoyed your book so much, hearing about your move from a Texan point of view, mostly I’ve read or heard about the Brits. Good luck in all your endevours. I shall continue mining your blog for all its wonderful gems-LOL!

Comment on The Reality of Kiwi Austerity by Trina

Trina — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 08:44:18 +0000

Hi Travis and Amber,

I read your pamphlet 1st and am now discovering your blog. Me and my husband are thinking of moving to NZ with the kids, from the UK. and it’s kind of funny, because a lot of things you have mentioned above, i.e. being cold all the time and liquor etc being expensive in NZ are how life is like here! But the $9 for gas would be an amazing b

Comment on Some Footnotes: Relationships and Moving to Another Country by cysterworld

cysterworld — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:09:32 +0000

Thanks so much for posting this. My husband and I have been married for over a decade – and we moved to south africa with our toddler. My family is from here – so you’d think this would be an easy transition – but it isn’t really. I think it’s hard to really quantify the challenges of such a move until you experience it.

We’re doing some soul searching – because we’re 4 months in and not really feeling happy. We both work from home – so fortunately money isn’t a factor – but we are just feeling very unfulfilled by this move!

I think it’s critical to keep the communication lines open. We don’t have any off-limit topics but the stressors are definitely hard to ignore! I think you guys have grown – and even if you regret the decision, it’s definitely brought your relationship to another level

Comment on Finding a Rental Home in Auckland – Welcome to the Dark Side by linna789123

linna789123 — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:01:06 +0000

Thank you for sharing your experience. You tell me the different New Zealand. As i know that the This can be supported by the increasing job opportunities and business establishments that consistently emerge in Auckland Central Business District. Even, most businessmen choose to rent shared office space Auckland for starting up business.

Comment on What’s the best city in New Zealand to live in? by karen

karen — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Well the Australia bashing is reciprocate in aussie so that’s a stupid comment. I’m kiwis and live in Brisbane and the aussies and it is worse here. Aussies have winat all costs and can be very racist. Let’s talk about indigenous people here and how they are treated even now in aussie.

Comment on 5 Ways Traveling Makes You a Better Person by Outpost Magazine (@OutpostMagazine)

Outpost Magazine (@OutpostMagazine) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:06:25 +0000

This is a wonderful article. The psychological and physical benefits of travel are undeniable, plus you will have some incredible stories to tell. We absolutely adore travel and we encourage everyone to pick a destination, grab your gear and get out there!