any Americans 'down under'?

[tantylynn]

I am American and have lived in Australia (QLD to be more specific) for nearly 4 years. DH and I have been TTC for almost 2 years. Any other Americans out there? I figure we can help each other out with (or at least chat about) the differences in health care, medications, etc between the USA and here. Would love to hear from you!

T. Lynn

[ReinetteRenee]

Im in New Zealand was thinking of moving to OZ but think we might move back to the USA in a few years. Im From Nevada how about you?

[tantylynn]

Hi ReinetteRenee! We were kind of neighbors! I grew up in Southern Utah..about 1.5 hours out of Vegas. How did you find yourself in NZ?

[vivalamama]

Hi, I'm over the ditch in NZ as well... been here about a year and a half, and we are in the process of buying a house:eek so I guess we'll be here for a while

[ReinetteRenee]

Originally Posted by tantylynn 

Hi ReinetteRenee! We were kind of neighbors! I grew up in Southern Utah..about 1.5 hours out of Vegas. How did you find yourself in NZ?

I grew up just outside the Nevada border up by Reno. My Husband is a Kiwi. We met online. Hows OZ? We were thinking of moving there but now just feel it would be better to move back to the states. something about us getting residency would be a pain as i don't have any specialty and well they don't give kiwis residency like they give Aussies here.

Originally Posted by vivalamama 

Hi, I'm over the ditch in NZ as well... been here about a year and a half, and we are in the process of buying a house:eek so I guess we'll be here for a while

Vivalamama I really hope you LOVE it here in NZ. I first lived here from December 2003 to October 2005 and we moved to the states cause DH wanted to live in the states. He got really home sick so December 2008 we came back and we have felt it was a mistake ever since. We hate how cold it is, houses don't have insulation and the power bills are awful! One night it was so cold i couldn't think about putting my son in his crib cause i was afraid he would be far to cold. If you dont have your heart set on one yet make sure you try to find one with insulation or find out how much it would cost to have it installed.  there is also a government grant to get houses insulated. also if it has one heat pump i dont know if you know this yet but they dont heat houses. im just sick of High power bills and still being cold.

[vivalamama]

Originally Posted by ReinetteRenee 

 

Vivalamama I really hope you LOVE it here in NZ. I first lived here from December 2003 to October 2005 and we moved to the states cause DH wanted to live in the states. He got really home sick so December 2008 we came back and we have felt it was a mistake ever since. We hate how cold it is, houses don't have insulation and the power bills are awful! One night it was so cold i couldn't think about putting my son in his crib cause i was afraid he would be far to cold. If you dont have your heart set on one yet make sure you try to find one with insulation or find out how much it would cost to have it installed.  there is also a government grant to get houses insulated. also if it has one heat pump i dont know if you know this yet but they dont heat houses. im just sick of High power bills and still being cold.

I know!
the house we are buying was advertised as insulated. on inspection it has insulation over the lounge and the hallway :
getting insulation installed is very high on our priority list.
where are you in NZ? we're in Hawkes Bay, so while it is cold during winter, it's only 2 months, and it is often sunny and warms up the house nicely during the day, at least. My kids can still play outside most days, which is such a huge change from where we were before in the states.
NZ is working out for us, I think, but no, it's not perfect. the cold housing and the cost of food and other goods being the main drawbacks.

good luck wherever you end up

sorry for the thread hijack, Tantylynn!!

[rabbithorns]

Moved to QLD end of May to be with my partner. I'm south of Brisbane about 45 minutes. Where are you in QLD? 

I was living in Tucson 7 years and a Buddhist retreat center 2 hours east of Tucson for 3 years before I came here.

[CariOfOz]

  Hidy ho :D    I've been here in Brisbane for 11years now!   Love it here!  there are definitely differences... someone mentioned the non insulated homes, which is a common problem in Oz as well and just makes me   ... and yes, electricity is much more pricey here... but that's mainly because it is kept artificially under priced in the US     

[Libertynjustice]

I have been down under for almost 2 years. Came from Hurricane, Utah born In CA. Incredibly home sick at the moment.

 

[wilde]

Hi! I've lived in Sydney for about three and a half years. I'm most recently from Seattle, but I've lived all over the USA. I have two little boys-- a two year old and an 8 month old. Nice to meet you all :)