I thought leaving London meant saying goodbye to better fashion, beauty and a more exciting life. But a month back in New Zealand has made me realise I may have underestimated just how good we’ve got it here.
Two months ago, I was firmly in denial about leaving London. I was mourning my visa expiring, the life and friends I loved, and dreading the prospect of returning home to New Zealand. I’d even told my family my life was over. Full-on drama queen status.
But a few weeks back in the homeland has made me reconsider whether the grass really is greener on the other side. Because the more I settle back in, the more I realise we’ve actually got it pretty good here.
Like many twenty-somethings, I’d romanticised London for years. Social media made it look bigger, better and infinitely more exciting – the obvious destination if you weren’t settled in a career, getting married or buying a house. I felt a little lost, wanted more and convinced myself that moving as far away from New Zealand as possible would give me the chance to rebrand entirely, free from the judgement of everyone who already knew me.
And it worked. After three years, I was working my dream job, had filled my passport with stamps and built a life I genuinely loved. London gave me experiences, friendships and a version of myself I might never have discovered by staying home.
So imagine my surprise when, after just a month back, I’m actually enjoying myself. Starting to notice what I’d taken for granted: the sense of community, quality of life, our local brands quietly punching well above their weight – and the fact that there’s actually plenty going on.
No, Auckland isn’t London. Maybe that’s the point
I’m not going to pretend Auckland has the same hustle and bustle. With around 1.7 million people compared with London’s nearly nine million, it’s never going to.
But for a city at the bottom of the world, Auckland feels surpisingly international. There’s a Mecca on seemingly every corner, four Westfields opposed to London’s two, and completely different vibes depending where you are. Each neighbourhood has its own restaurants, shops and pockets of culture.
After three years in one of the world’s biggest cities, I’d forgotten that Auckland can feel pretty cosmopolitan in its own right.
My inner beauty snob was wrong
I’d almost resigned New Zealand to the dark ages when it came to beauty launches. I loved the thrill of knowing what Rhode was like before everyone back home. But it turns out we’re not quite as far behind as I thought. There’s no need to fear beauty isolation when I can pop into Mecca and swatch the latest Hailey Bieber drop myself. And designer makeup is no longer confined to the Selfridges Beauty Hall. Sephora is in on the action too.
I felt particularly proud to be a Kiwi when Emma Lewisham entered the Beauty Awards at my previous publication and swept the board – a reminder that our local brands can more than hold their own internationally.
We don’t realise how good our local brands are
“What’s the UK equivalent to Glassons and Ruby?” became one of the most frequently asked questions among my friends. We were constantly trying to find stores that offered decent, on-trend clothing without the hefty price tag. Zara aside, mid-range shopping options were surprisingly limited.
Brands I’d completely taken for granted had become things my friends specifically requested as “clothing hauls” whenever someone was visiting home. Nothing says you’ve underestimated what you have quite like being asked to fill your suitcase with Ruby and Glassons.
I’d forgotten the joy of a shopping mall
Who would have thought mooching around a shopping mall could bring so much joy? After years of wandering between London’s standalone stores, there’s something surprisingly satisfying about having your favourite shops conveniently housed under one roof. Curated retailers like Superette make the whole experience even easier.
And I don’t have to completely give up my designer department-store fantasy either. The opening of Faradays on Queen Street has brought a little slice of luxury department-store shopping to Auckland.
Maybe I don’t need Europe on my doorstep
One of London’s biggest draws is its proximity to Europe. And when it’s that close, who wouldn’t want to fly to Spain for the weekend? I can confirm that the classic Euro summer really does live up to the hype. So living on an island at the bottom of the world is inevitably more restrictive when it comes to spontaneous travel, though there’s also a rather embarrassing amount of New Zealand I haven’t seen.
The number of times UK friends would tell me about some incredible corner of New Zealand they’d visited, only for me to have absolutely no idea what they were talking about, was humbling. I’d become so accustomed to our beaches, mountains and ridiculously picturesque landscapes that I’d forgotten how lucky we are to have them on our doorstep. Perhaps the irony is that I had to move 18,000 kilometres away to realise how much of my own country I’d never properly appreciated.
Moving to London in my early twenties was one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve had. I’m so glad I went, and I’m glad I’m back. “Thrilled” might be an oversight while I’m still finding my place again, but what has surprised me the most is how little I’m mourning the life I thought I was leaving behind.
