Brits in New Zealand. Do you think of yourself as losers?

[Middle Man]

I got my stamps for Australia a couple of weeks ago.

If I'd failed, I'd have thought about New Zealand.

I know a few people who thought New Zealand was the booby prize if they couldn't get into Australia.

I've met a few Kiwis who left New Zealand for Australia.

I've met a few Brits who moved to New Zealand, got citizenship, then moved to Australia.

So do you all reckon you've got the booby prize, even if it's better than living in Britain?

[benandclare]

Absolutely NOT

[girlwithanewf]

We moved here because of a job offer here in New Zealand, not because it is 'better' than Britain or the consolation prize for not moving to Australia. I don't even see how you can compare Australia and New Zealand and certainly don't think of ourselves as losers because we have permanent residency in New Zealand. We could have moved to Australia too, just don't want to. Far too hot.

Good luck to you and enjoy Australia.

[dharder]

What an odd question.

I don't even think this is better than living in Britain, and have never given Australia a serious thought.

Daniela

[sophiedb]

Not a chance. I lived in Australia for 3 years, and I'm finding that NZ (2 years so far) is much better for me and my family.

[Beachcombers]

Back in the 1770s the British Empire discovered Australia and, after finding it generally unfit for human habitation, proceeded to send all of their criminals and generally unwanted peasants there...because basic human empathy was not to be invented until the year 1821.

After somehow managing to survive on Monster Island for over a century, it was considered only fair to grant the Australian citizens their freedom and on January 1st, 1901, Australia gained federation of its colonies, and The Commonwealth of Australia was born.

Things in Australia that Will Kill You - Everything. No, seriously: Everything.

First there's the wildlife: If something appears to be cute and harmless in Australia, then I promise you - it has only evolved that way to lure you close enough for the thousands of ravenous, prehensile blade-tongues to descended upon you.

Then there's the Geography: Consisting mostly of arid, dry desert, (populated by over 100 venomous species of snake,) the harsh local climate is peppered with small, livable areas presumably just to lull human beings into a false sense of security.

Ah, but the tropical beaches, you say! Surely the paradise on Earth that is the Australian beach makes up for an entire continent of biological weapons. And it's true: Australia is known for having some of the best beaches in the world...all you have to worry about are the Saltwater Crocs, Great White Sharks, poisonous Stonefish, or being stung by the Box Jellyfish: The deadliest and most painful sting of any Jellyfish species in the world.

Your best bet is just to stay in the city then, right? Enjoy the local culture; go visit the capital of Canberra, or visit beautiful Sydney and see the wonder of the Opera house. And that's totally safe: Just remember to wear protective clothing, stay in well travelled areas, always know the nearest path to a hospital, and just generally try not to exist - because Australia is also home to over 280 species of poisonous spider, including that aforementioned Sydney Funnel Web Spider. What, did you think it was just a name? No, it lives in cities, in garages, in tool sheds and houses - it even swims. IT *** SWIMS.

Seriously: Everything in Australia evolved solely to kill everything else in Australia - and you show up with your soft, unarmored skin, tiny, rounded teeth, and ridiculously non-poisonous spit and expect a vacation?

You just walked into Mother Nature's Thunderdome, friend. And in this analogy, you're not Max; you're the dead ****.

NZ rules!

[JJG]

Back in the 1770s the British Empire discovered Australia and, after finding it generally unfit for human habitation, proceeded to send all of their criminals and generally unwanted peasants there...because basic human empathy was not to be invented until the year 1821.

After somehow managing to survive on Monster Island for over a century, it was considered only fair to grant the Australian citizens their freedom and on January 1st, 1901, Australia gained federation of its colonies, and The Commonwealth of Australia was born.

Things in Australia that Will Kill You - Everything. No, seriously: Everything.

First there's the wildlife: If something appears to be cute and harmless in Australia, then I promise you - it has only evolved that way to lure you close enough for the thousands of ravenous, prehensile blade-tongues to descended upon you.

Then there's the Geography: Consisting mostly of arid, dry desert, (populated by over 100 venomous species of snake,) the harsh local climate is peppered with small, livable areas presumably just to lull human beings into a false sense of security.

Ah, but the tropical beaches, you say! Surely the paradise on Earth that is the Australian beach makes up for an entire continent of biological weapons. And it's true: Australia is known for having some of the best beaches in the world...all you have to worry about are the Saltwater Crocs, Great White Sharks, poisonous Stonefish, or being stung by the Box Jellyfish: The deadliest and most painful sting of any Jellyfish species in the world.

Your best bet is just to stay in the city then, right? Enjoy the local culture; go visit the capital of Canberra, or visit beautiful Sydney and see the wonder of the Opera house. And that's totally safe: Just remember to wear protective clothing, stay in well travelled areas, always know the nearest path to a hospital, and just generally try not to exist - because Australia is also home to over 280 species of poisonous spider, including that aforementioned Sydney Funnel Web Spider. What, did you think it was just a name? No, it lives in cities, in garages, in tool sheds and houses - it even swims. IT **** SWIMS.

Seriously: Everything in Australia evolved solely to kill everything else in Australia - and you show up with your soft, unarmored skin, tiny, rounded teeth, and ridiculously non-poisonous spit and expect a vacation?

You just walked into Mother Nature's Thunderdome, friend. And in this analogy, you're not Max; you're the dead ****.

NZ rules!

Couldn't have put it better

[KolA]

Strange question. If it's about money then we can go further: "If you are in Australia but not in U.S.A. then do you consider yourself as a loser? ". I'm from 'third world' east European country, not UK, nevertheless my brother permanently lives in California, and my wife's sister is in Massachusetts, they're USA citizens. People keeps asking us why the heck we moving to NZ if we could earn much more in USA and also have close relatives there? The answer is very simple - we love it so far and certainly want to give it a try. I spent a month in United States this year and didn't change my mind, we still want to try New Zealand. Motivation is different for different people.

[ralf-nz]

Back in the 1770s the British Empire discovered Australia and, after finding it generally unfit for human habitation, proceeded to send all of their criminals and generally unwanted peasants there...because basic human empathy was not to be invented until the year 1821.

After somehow managing to survive on Monster Island for over a century, it was considered only fair to grant the Australian citizens their freedom and on January 1st, 1901, Australia gained federation of its colonies, and The Commonwealth of Australia was born.

Things in Australia that Will Kill You - Everything. No, seriously: Everything.

First there's the wildlife: If something appears to be cute and harmless in Australia, then I promise you - it has only evolved that way to lure you close enough for the thousands of ravenous, prehensile blade-tongues to descended upon you.

Then there's the Geography: Consisting mostly of arid, dry desert, (populated by over 100 venomous species of snake,) the harsh local climate is peppered with small, livable areas presumably just to lull human beings into a false sense of security.

Ah, but the tropical beaches, you say! Surely the paradise on Earth that is the Australian beach makes up for an entire continent of biological weapons. And it's true: Australia is known for having some of the best beaches in the world...all you have to worry about are the Saltwater Crocs, Great White Sharks, poisonous Stonefish, or being stung by the Box Jellyfish: The deadliest and most painful sting of any Jellyfish species in the world.

Your best bet is just to stay in the city then, right? Enjoy the local culture; go visit the capital of Canberra, or visit beautiful Sydney and see the wonder of the Opera house. And that's totally safe: Just remember to wear protective clothing, stay in well travelled areas, always know the nearest path to a hospital, and just generally try not to exist - because Australia is also home to over 280 species of poisonous spider, including that aforementioned Sydney Funnel Web Spider. What, did you think it was just a name? No, it lives in cities, in garages, in tool sheds and houses - it even swims. IT **** SWIMS.

Seriously: Everything in Australia evolved solely to kill everything else in Australia - and you show up with your soft, unarmored skin, tiny, rounded teeth, and ridiculously non-poisonous spit and expect a vacation?

You just walked into Mother Nature's Thunderdome, friend. And in this analogy, you're not Max; you're the dead ****.

NZ rules!

Great - I rep'ed you

[batgirl1001]

Why would you think that Brits who moved to NZ as losers? Do you think you are a winner for getting residency to Oz? That would be perfectly childish but if you must......Congrats to you. RA....RA....RA!!!!

Granted I've lived for 2 years in Oz and pretty much loved living there. But I like NZ more and so hence the choice. And it's not about the money, because coming from Singapore which is all about the money....I found out thankfully, money isn't everything in life.

Beachcombers description is funny but a clear exaggeration in many ways. Never once did I come across anything remotely dangerous in Australia and that included camping and trampling in 2 nature reserves islands, surfing and diving in oceans and seas. But I did once come across a cute possum tame enough to beg for food. Here in NZ it is a fearsome pest!

I am sure you'll find your "somewhere nice" in OZ. But people have been very satisfied with their "somewhere nice" in NZ.