3 ms·

2000 was 16 years ago, so it's important to understand that NZ is no longer the same country that you knew. I left in 2005 for the UK and can't imagine returni

2000 was 16 years ago, so it's important to understand that NZ is no longer the same country that you knew. I left in 2005 for the UK and can't imagine returning to NZ to live (last time I visited was 2010). Here's just a few reasons: * I've been spoiled by UK broadband speeds and NZ just doesn't compare. * Food is more expensive, and not of the quality that I'm now used to (fresh seafood would be the exception). * Higher tax relative to what I pay in the UK as a contractor. * Real estate prices are now worse than in the UK * It's an isolated country, you can't just hop on a cheap plane and find yourself in a completely different country & culture an hour or two later. * Purchasing power is greatly limited. In the UK I can buy virtually any obscure item that I want online and get a good price, including P+P. Not so in NZ. * There's very little variety in the job market for software developers, few 'cool' or cutting edge companies and no startup scene worth speaking of. * Finally, cultural experiences are extremely limited. I know I'd miss all the museums, art exhibitions, theatre, concerts, comedians, ballet, opera and so forth. One of the biggest reasons that I left was because of boredom and the UK/EU certainly alleviated that. Source: 27 years of living in NZ.

disordinary 10y ago
You realise that the government has been laying fibre to the door for 90% of the population. Or to put off another way 90% of the population will have direct fibre connection by 2018, and most in cities have it already. And while it can't compare to Europe access to countries like Australia, the Pacific islands, and south Asia is quick and convenient. The startup scene in Wellington has exploded, the government funds incubators and lots of companies are fueling each other. Check out the likes of atomic or 8i
mattmanser 10y ago
They've changed contractor tax in the UK, this year you'll be paying 10% more than you were (less £500, you're only allowed £5k dividend tax free now).

disordinary 10y ago

You realise that the government has been laying fibre to the door for 90% of the population. Or to put off another way 90% of the population will have direct fibre connection by 2018, and most in cities have it already. And while it can't compare to Europe access to countries like Australia, the Pacific islands, and south Asia is quick and convenient. The startup scene in Wellington has exploded, the government funds incubators and lots of companies are fueling each other. Check out the likes of atomic or 8i

mattmanser 10y ago

They've changed contractor tax in the UK, this year you'll be paying 10% more than you were (less £500, you're only allowed £5k dividend tax free now).