I have 3 kids, all living in Australia.

As I pen this, my thermometer shows -28.4c, with a -35c windchill

wtf – how did this happen? & I wouldn’t bitch about the Wellington weather too much!

~Bruce

So far after 5 months we have enjoyed most of all the weather. We also enjoy Golf, Rugby and Football and have loved not freezing our butts off as we have done in Wellington for year after year! I love a good winters day like anyone but the relentless Wgtn wind just gets to you in the end, I’m sorry to say but I have had just to many days in the Wgtn wind, have never lived in a place where it looks so lovely outside but so dam cold. The wind chill in Wgtn, is painfully shocking.

In Sydney, even if it’s raining you are still (be that only being here 5 months) walking around comfortably in a T Shirt. You wouldn’t do that in poor old Welly.

We have also found that food pricing in Sydney is great as long as you hunt out the deals, Aldi is a great store where you can fill the kitchen for a Family and walkout feeling like you won on the deal. Also clothing and electronics are defiantly cheaper here than home in NZ. But you must be prepared to look for the right deals otherwise YES you will lose.

Totally agree on you in regards to Fast food and restaurants, a lot better deals at home in NZ. And Wines, Sprits and Beer here in Oz are very expensive where at home they are almost 25% – 35% cheaper.

Schooling… Our children go to a mostly Asian primary and Secondary School. We have found the level of commitment from our Kids to their schooling has increased, where there is more focus on where they are heading and success than there is back home. My children are part Maori and I have found that they are flourishing in this enviroment more than they ever did at home. Here the teachers put it on the line to them, it is there decision whether they succeed or fail and the kids know it!!! No messing around where I find at home there are too many options for kids to cruise in and out of school. In adding to this, we have landed in a decent area of Sydney where there are a lot of good hard working families.

Work, this is totally dependent on what profession you’re in, so any sweeping brushstrokes over this topic would be an in-justice… But as we all know work is work and what you make of it. So I will hold my tongue on this. One thing I have noticed is that in Oz they are quicker to give you a pat on the back for a job well done than in NZ.

Sydney= options, options, options.

Wgtn= options but limited.

LOL Thanks for the read, Cheers.