It's amazing how fast time flies by when you're having fun. We moved to New Zealand on a wing and a prayer, got a job and went through the whole residency process. The past two years have been great! We traveled back for a month to see family in the U.S. and after that month was up, we were ready to be back in the peace and beauty of New Zealand. Although we do miss friends and family, we talk constantly on Skype to some member of our family or close friend circle, making it an easy and affordable way to keep connected. We still choose to live HERE though, because we've determined that where you live, day in and day out, is very important to us. We remembered living close to family but really not enjoying the weather, smog, traffic and crime of the U.S. It's just something we've chosen to do and make it work by yearly trips back to spend extended time with family. We make it work, and so far it's been such a fantastic decision.
In general, we do not miss the United States. In looking at the news over there, it's just not where we want to raise a family, among the overall crazy-ish lifestyle with keeping up with the Jones's. Also, healthcare is important to us (we're both self employed and do not want to go broke or lose our home if we get cancer or some other medical issue). Anyway, I digress We do miss loved ones and of course the cheap prices! But we have been creative and are totally happy. The pros far outweigh the cons and we feel blessed to call New Zealand home after two years. It makes us sad to see some people come over here and not have a good experience, whether it be their job or not being used to living overseas. We've seen how bitter some people get get and they focus on the negatives and not the incredible positives that are here. We hope those who are still new or considering it here don't get on the negative boat. If you look for the negative, you will certainly find it anywhere you live. If you look for the positive, you'll find it!
When we moved here, we promised ourselves we would never become desensitized to the wonder of where we live. We would never take our short jaunt to the local waterfalls or the beach for granted or fall victim to the laziness that has so many locals pausing to remember their last visit to see a sunset or feel the sand. We are happy to say we've lived my promise and will continue to do so.