Nz 2nd worst country to live in

[xylophone]

24 minutes ago, chalawaan said:

I have both NZ and UK citizenship, so this so called "report" doesn't matter, since I'm not an "expat" in NZ. It can't be that bad for expats either, British doctors, nurses, plumbers, etc, can't get over here fast enough. 

Like you, I have both NZ and UK citizenship and lived in both countries, but born in the UK and emigrated to NZ in 1984, so I believe I've seen the best of both countries, and now that I'm living in Thailand and have been for 16 years, I can look back on those countries and those times with a certain amount of nonbiased clarity.

 

I left the UK in 1984 because I wanted a new work challenge, although I enjoyed my years there, having played a fairly good standard of football and at one time it was "my life".

 

I revelled in NZ when I first arrived, exploring the skiing, whitewater rapid rafting, beautiful countryside, trout fishing in Lake Taupo, smelly and interesting Rotorua, as well as sailing in the Auckland harbour and also in the Bay of Islands, not to mention the beautiful trips down south, and I simply loved Christchurch and Nelson.

 

There was nothing to dislike about the place apart from the fact that the summers sometimes seemed too short and the winters too long. 

 

I left NZ in 2006 to retire in Phuket, mainly because of a health problem and I needed to get out of the rat race. So where is all this leading to........ 

 

I had been back to the UK a few times and my last trip in 2018 was a disaster, with poor weather (in June??) fairly expensive food and constant building in my beautiful old Sussex town, ruining it completely, so it was nothing like the place I left and I was glad to get back home to Phuket.

 

I have visited NZ a few times as well and still believe that it is a beautiful country that offers so much more than others, but like most places, things have become expensive, and just recently in the paper there was an example of something I know only too well: – Rustique French Camembert cheese in NZ was five times as expensive as it was in the UK??

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg as house prices in NZ have rocketed, and crime is much more commonplace now and there seems to be no effort to curb or control it, and that has to come down to the current government which is a disaster.

 

But, for a professional person looking to move to New Zealand, it still offers a lot, but if one is "counting the pennies", then elsewhere needs to be explored.

[Paul Catton]

UK citizen born, NZ permanent resident for the last four decades. Also, during my formative years I resided in Saudi Arabia for seven years and traveled regularly. back to UK and throughout SE Asia (predominantly Thailand) as a teenager on R & R.

It afforded me the opportunity to witness the vast changes over the decades, both positive and negative that now influence present day UK, NZ and Thailand. 

I am trying to ready my position as a potential ultimate snow-bird, being, NZ - 3 months Nov/Jan, Thailand - 3 months Feb/Apr, UK (and easy access to Europe) - 3 months May/July, Thailand -3 months Aug/Oct, rinse repeat, adjust if desired or necessary. There are still obstacles to overcome and further research required.

Am I concerned about the state of the NZ now? Yes. Am I concerned about the state of UK now? Yes. Am I concerned about the state of Thailand now? Again a Yes.

I weigh up the 'pros and cons' that have effected the changes over time.

I have been very fortunate with NZ, UK and Thailand being my mainstay background. The world appears to be in turmoil, and am glad that I am not living on field stop-bank in Pakistan. 

 

The smaller NZ made "Camembert & Brie" style wheels are available in NZ for NZ$2.50, THB 55, The kilogram wheel is available at times for NZ$16 THB 350.

 

Nowhere will ever be perfect unless you can set aside concerned reservations. W.I.P

[Fat is a type of crazy]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Credibility with whom? I don't know anyone that doesn't want her gone next year.

It seems like she was a bit more popular back when she gave that speech than she is now.

Edited September 4, 2022 by Fat is a type of crazy

[Sparktrader]

4 hours ago, chalawaan said:

Yep. If I had serious money I'd spend northern summer in Portugal winter in Thailand.

New Zealand isn't bad at all, but southern winter messes up that schedule, something weird about Christmas in Summer, maybe because I was born in blighty. 

Bangkok has everything for me except beaches and mountains. A $3m condo with a great view suit me. Fly to Trang and north for a break.

 

 

 

[ozimoron]

38 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Bangkok has everything for me except beaches and mountains. A $3m condo with a great view suit me. Fly to Trang and north for a break.

That's my dream as well, in the complex adjacent to The Emporium. We could be neighbours.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 9/4/2022 at 4:36 PM, mstevens said:

The issue I have with many who claim they like Thailand because it's cheap and don't like the West because it's expensive is because they don't actually have a lot of genuine options due to their financial situation. The other issue I have is that many claim the West is boring when really their definition of boring is that they cannot find cheap prostitutes. That's a sad and seemingly growing affliction across this forum.

 

New Zealand has a myriad of problems, about that any of us living in New Zealand will be the first to agree. And, yeah, in some ways it's not the place it used to be. If you want excitement, certainly there are better places to be....but NZ is a pretty good place for many types of lifestyle. It all comes back to what you want from life.

I don't even recognise the place as the same as when I grew up.

 

Sadly, most of our problems were caused by politicians, from Holyoak to the present one. Some are caused by not dealing with them when they were small, eg gangs; others manufactured eg keeping thousands of unfortunates in motels for years instead of building houses.

 

Unfortunately I see no light in the tunnel, no hope for better. Seems to me the problems have become to large to solve eg how could there be any way to build a hundred thousand houses and build better roads to cope with the current jams? We can't even create a decent public transport system, or recruit enough locals to be nurses.

 

It does not surprise me at the suicide stats.

[thaibeachlovers]

20 hours ago, Paul Catton said:

The world appears to be in turmoil,

Ain't that the truth!

[chalawaan]

On 8/25/2022 at 4:31 PM, Patong2 said:

Just spent 2 months in New Zealand (where we have a permanent home) and found it so boring and depressing. People seem cowed, not much patronage at the restaurants we went to and it hasn't really moved on since the big lockdowns for Covid. Some people said they are scared to go out in case they caught Covid. i could understand that with elderly and vulnerable but these were people in their 40's & 50's. It is rife and inevitable most people will catch it by the look of things.

 

Most people very critical of the mismanagement by the government and Ardern as the messiah seems to have lost her glow.

 

Glad to be back in Thailand and we are certainly happier here although it is not perfect either.

 

I have to agree with your summary on NZ it's in a time warp compared to Aussie, and boy do I miss Thailand! But, we're the opposite, we have two properties in different Thai cities, it's further complicated as missus is looking after dying relative in the Sukhumvit place, I'm in NZ, and back in the grind, as well as getting her a resident option just in case we need plan b if the lunatics take over the asylum and blame "farangs" as a distraction for their own problems (it's happened before, Germany, Uganda, Indonesia, China right now! etc.)

Also, she can work here, we both top up the kitty, and just figure out maybe how to get a small NZ batch we can rent out, then use the income from three properties in two places to retire on (while renting ourselves) in LoS. 

I know Cindy doesn't have her fans, but it's laughable using NZ politics as a legit excuse when you consider the absolute <deleted>show that Thailand has suffered since WW2. What makes that dangerous, is there we have zero rights. That's not likely to happen in NZ. There's still healthcare and the pension if it goes pear shaped in paradise. 

Never burn your bridges if you're lucky enough to have one to NZ. 

I'm a dual UK citizen, and my blood runs cold looking at the PM they just got lumbered with. That place is starting to make Thailand look organised!

[whereyougo]

On 8/25/2022 at 10:49 AM, greenmonkey said:

I live in Thailand and had been seriously considering a move back to the UK mostly for my son's education and for a better family life (grandparents, lots of uncles, aunts, cousins). But now am unsure as I understand that the average energy bill in the UK will rise to aprox 500 GBP per month!!! Add to that the impending interest rate rises and rising food prices I honestly don't think I can afford to move back. Crazy times!

How much is the monthly  health insurance bill  here? 

Probably cheaper to cop the UK energy bill

[chalawaan]

On 8/31/2022 at 5:26 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

You're dreaming if you think NZ has "lavish" social benefits, or that the pension allows one to live a life of luxury.

The only thing "free" about the health sector is being in hospital or suchlike. To even see a consultant one must pay large to see a GP first, and then wait a long time for an appointment. The public health service is apparently so short of staff that it's crumbling as I write.

The heart meds I need I could buy over the counter in Thailand, but in NZ I must pay the same as a millionaire to see a GP to get a prescription.

As for dental; it's so expensive that people could fly to Thailand for a holiday, AND get their teeth done for less in total, before covid.

 

I doubt the rich have a problem, given their ability to pay for private health care.

 

Rent a house on the pension- you're having a laugh?

 

You are right about the military though. It's been emasculated to the extent that it's virtually invisible. We don't even have fighter planes any more.

However, you're barking if you think we have "fabulous social safety nets" instead.

I'm all for redirecting some taxes to rebuilding the military, but that's probably never going to happen.

 

If I thought I was in any way like Biden, I'd have to sit in the naughty corner for a month.

Why would NZ need fighter planes? Seriously, think it through.

If I wanted to "see" the military I'll fly back to Thailand.

NZ has plenty problems we agree on but a bloated military or pointless jets isn't one of them. 

The NZDF did a great job during the zero Covid nonsense, I was genuinely impressed by the personnel I encountered. And yes, I am ex services (not NZ). 

Edited September 5, 2022 by chalawaan

[chalawaan]

On 9/3/2022 at 11:30 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/6/65/Under_the_Southern_Cross_(1927).webm/Under_the_Southern_Cross_(1927).webm.480p.vp9.webm

 

Interesting New Zealand film.

Under the Southern Cross (1927)

 

Those were the good old days, for sure.

 

 

A hundred years ago (or even 1927) life was unremittingly <deleted> everywhere. Then you died early. 

And you say Antipodeans live in a fantasy world? 

Bruh. ????

[chalawaan]

On 9/3/2022 at 3:53 PM, Sparktrader said:

Thai hotel 600 baht, oz 3000 baht

 

Thai curry 60 baht, oz 420 baht

 

Thai Massage 200/300 baht, oz 1600 baht

 

Kayak tour thai 1000 baht, oz 5000 baht

 

Thai women under 50kgs, oz 70 to 90kgs

 

You get the idea

The other side of the coin, of course, is those prices support the Aussie economy which supports us, which enables us to get to Land O Slaves and party/retire there.

It's foolhardy to be glass half empty about home, imagine living under the jackboot like 98% of all Thais do, with no chance of it ever improving?

Not a lecture, just a thought. ????

Edited September 5, 2022 by chalawaan

[chalawaan]

On 9/3/2022 at 5:56 PM, Mac Mickmanus said:

Beer, Wine , Crisps , Toothpaste , Chocolate , Biscuits ,Pickled Onions , Cheese , Cashew nuts , 

Go to www.numbeo.com

Compare those items with Sydney or Auckland prices, you'll be unpleasantly surprised. Numbeo is open source, prices are input by anyone who logs on. 

[chalawaan]

On 9/4/2022 at 2:41 PM, Sparktrader said:

Plenty of lefties vote Labor no matter what

Would you vote for the a guy who wanted to go full blown military parades no matter what?

One of the greatest cons in history is Communism, both the left and the right think it's a  socialist construction, it's not, it's a Facist Dictatorship.

Both the Nazis and the Communists proclaim they're of the people, for the people, by the people. It's horse<deleted>.

But yeah, when you're pointing the finger at lefties there's your own three fingers point back at you.

Edited September 5, 2022 by chalawaan

[chalawaan]

On 9/4/2022 at 5:32 PM, Sparktrader said:

Many people like asian culture

The west has western culture

 

There's much about Asian cultures I admire, and lots I think sucks too. 

I don't like the way most Thais are brainwashed to accept their humble lot, but I still enjoy the gracious deference of the female gender because of this same culture! Is that hypocrisy? Well, it's the Thai way too! I'm just as hypocritical (when in Rome) as the Romans are.

I agree Aussie and Kiwi life is "boring" so then someone earlier said that's a subtext to signal one enjoys renting company by the hour? ???? 

Damn right I does, when I gets the chance!

Often the same people who whine about PC gone mad have no problem judging others, and that's all being "PC" is -judging from high moral ground, just using a different yardstick, but it's not a specifically lefty behaviour! often, they're up to no good themselves, but lets let that slide.

Culture is a buffet, we can take the stuff we like, and leave the rest, but what's the point in getting all <deleted> off about the Chinese hogging the prawns if one's allergic to seafood?

 People insist on getting all wound up about the other side, when in fact we're going to die, so why spend ones priceless time being <deleted> off at something we can't change in, or about, others?

 

 

[rabang]

On 9/4/2022 at 9:04 AM, chalawaan said:

Yep. If I had serious money I'd spend northern summer in Portugal winter in Thailand.

New Zealand isn't bad at all, but southern winter messes up that schedule, something weird about Christmas in Summer, maybe because I was born in blighty. 

I dislike Christmas largely because it is the worst time of year for me in terms of the northern winter, cold and so dark. I have spent a Christmas once in the southern hemisphere and a couple of times in Thailand as well and although it didn't feel very Christmaslike I still preferred the warm weather.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, chalawaan said:

Why would NZ need fighter planes? Seriously, think it through.

If I wanted to "see" the military I'll fly back to Thailand.

NZ has plenty problems we agree on but a bloated military or pointless jets isn't one of them. 

The NZDF did a great job during the zero Covid nonsense, I was genuinely impressed by the personnel I encountered. And yes, I am ex services (not NZ). 

We don't need fighter planes, but we do need anti ship and anti air missiles, and I very much doubt we have enough to ward off any nation that decides they need our land to grow food for their immense population.

The NZ military has never been "bloated", and even during Vietnam was tiny compared to other western nations. I WAS in the NZ military for many years.

If we think we can depend on America to protect us indefinitely, we haven't learned anything from history. I doubt the Australians could protect us on their own, and why should they if we can't be bothered to have a decent military of our own?

 

While the military have always been used for civil disaster relief, their real job is killing the enemy, not as a social service. If they can't kill the enemy because they don't have the means to do so, change the name to NZ disaster relief organisation, and be done with protecting ourselves from an invader.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, chalawaan said:

imagine living under the jackboot like 98% of all Thais do, with no chance of it ever improving?

I don't know what country you thought was Thailand, but in my EXPERIENCE, the real Thailand is nothing like that.

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, chalawaan said:

imagine living under the jackboot like 98% of all Thais do, with no chance of it ever improving?

The UK was more like that than Thailand. My Thai daughter has more opportunities in Thailand that she would ever have had in the UK. 

Edited September 5, 2022 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

10 hours ago, whereyougo said:

How much is the monthly  health insurance bill  here? 

Probably cheaper to cop the UK energy bill

My monthly health bill in Thailand is Zero! My monthly electric bill is under 300bht.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

My monthly health bill in Thailand is Zero! My monthly electric bill is under 300bht.

I think you said you use solar. How long will it take to make it worth while ie how long till the savings on electricity bills has paid off the set up?

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I think you said you use solar. How long will it take to make it worth while ie how long till the savings on electricity bills has paid off the set up?

7 years at 4bht/unit.

5 years at 5bht/unit.

 

The batteries doubled the repayment time (increased the setup costs from 50kbht to 100kbht).

But I'm prepping for the Zombie apocalypse where there won't be any grid.

I'm just happy to no longer have to worry about the grid going off either for minutes or forever.

Edited September 6, 2022 by BritManToo

[whereyougo]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

7 years at 4bht/unit.

5 years at 5bht/unit.

 

The batteries doubled the repayment time (increased the setup costs from 50kbht to 100kbht).

But I'm prepping for the Zombie apocalypse where there won't be any grid.

I'm just happy to no longer have to worry about the grid going off either for minutes or forever.

Living near a jungle whilst cheap will have grid problems.