Moving to NZ - what do I need to know?

[SoLongDaisyMay]

DH and I are moving from the UK to the north island next year, not entirely sure where yet but probably within a reasonable distance of Palmerstone

We have two DDs who will be 5 and 2 when we get there

What should we know before we go? Thanks!

Palmerston North? (Palmerston is in the South Isalnd).

Is it a permanent move? Have you got visas sorted?

If you are on FB I would recommend joining the group "Moving to New Zealand" as a wealth of info on there. If not, will try to help as much as I can.

I would research the housing market for sale or to rent, depending on which way you are planning on. Also schools, to ensure you live near a good one. Medical insurance unless this comes with your job. Good removal company who will pack and ship your belongings, remember your stuff will take around 6 weeks to ship. Bank accounts, currency transfer etc

I live in Hawke's Bay, around 2 hours from Palmerston North and if I can be any help please ask.

I grew up on the North Island of NZ, and Palmerston North is one of the last places I would consider living, so you might want to think about exactly where you want to live. If you want to be near Palmerston I would consider Wellington if you like city life, or one of the coastal towns like Waikanae for something more laid back. Why are you moving? That might help us give advice.

@CallItLoneliness there are some quite good areas on the outskirts now, but the city centre is definitely somewhere I would not want to live. But I think that applies to everywhere - we have the odd place in HB which I would not chose to move to!

I grew up on the coast, then lived in Hamilton for 10 years and hated it, so I am biased against non-coastal towns without mountains nearby, in fairness. But if I was moving all the way from the UK, I would want either a beach or mountains!

@CallItLoneliness I picked beach and wineries!

High cost of living in proportion to wages.

Oh lord. I grew up in palmerston north and hated the place. I was there 11 years. But I guess it’s good for young kids - there isn’t a lot to do there though and the weather isn’t brilliant. I would go nearer Wellington - Kapiti, pararparaumu etc. Nearer the city and far more interesting. I loved living in Wellington and went to uni there. Fab city!

A little backstory, although slightly outing:

DH lived in Whanganui a few years ago and has permanent residency, so he says I'll get in on a family visa

We're looking at Palmerstone North and the surrounding areas, I've told him I want to be coastal if at all possible but it depends on what we can afford

We're moving because he's not happy in the UK and wants to give the children the opportunity to experience a different way of life for a while.

We'll come back to the UK before our eldest is due to start secondary

I'm also open to considering wellington, although DH less so but he's not sure why

I moved from Palmerston North to London 16 years ago. My in-laws live in Whanganui. Went back for a visit last Christmas for 5 weeks. Can give you all the pros and cons!

I'd be extremely grateful for any insights you can offer @Daijoubudesu both good and bad, I need to be fully prepared 🙏

Palmerston North? You can do better than that!

and, my advice? Bring a raincoat!!!

Anyone been to Foxton Beach?

My FIL suggested we might like it. I want to be somewhere quiet and coastal but with easy access to amenities. Would it fit the bill?

Big move. I have to admit I wrinkled my nose a bit at the Palmerston North suggestion as have PPs. There’s a lot nicer spots imo, even on north island (I’m biased to South Island 🤣). Be prepared to be shocked at how much food costs.

So are you just moving for 5 years? If so I would keep your home in UK and rent it out.

We moved to NZ from UK 2003, had to return in 2014 as my Dad was ill and then returned to NZ in 2017. It is really really tough doing international moves. I wish we had retained our home in NZ when we moved back to UK, it would have made it so much easier when we came back to NZ.

The cost of living here is much higher than UK. I was in UK last month and the food is really cheap compared to here so you need to be prepared for that.

@MarleyandMarleyWoo snap!😁

It's also very expensive to travel back to the UK. And yes our food cost and cost of living is really high.

I do think Palmerston North has some good points. There are lots of ammenities in the city. No beach though. Traffic always seems to be a lot when we visit!

There are lots of uk expats in the Kapiti coast which has easy connections to Wellington which would probably give you the lifestyle you want.

I would be very wary.
if your dh loves it and you don’t you might not be able to bring your dc back to the uk.
you would be stuck somewhere you don’t like for years.

Palmerston North is boring. Whanganui has improved over the years but Palmy has gone backwards.

You'll need a car (ideally one each). It's quite spread out but mostly flat. Whenever I'm there I find myself going out in the car multiple times a day.

Renting or buying? There's a real shortage of rentals in NZ. House prices have gone up a lot. I wouldn't accept any place that doesn't have a proper heat pump. Central heating is not a thing.

Foxton Beach is a very average beach. I would not live there. If you live in any of the little towns surrounding Palmy you will find yourself always in the car driving to Palmy. It's about a 45 minute drive.

Weather isn't great. We were there for 5 weeks Dec to Jan and only had one week of sunshine. It's windy but great for drying washing.

Palmy is not in a great location. 2-3 hours drive to Hawkes Bay, Taupo, slightly less to Wellington. A long way to Coromandel, Auckland, Rotorua. Driving to and from Whanganui was quite taxing (approx 1 hour).

It's easy living - can take the kids down the river very easily, playground at The Esplanade (Park) is really good and my kids love the miniature railway, it has most shops you would want. Lido swimming pool has improved, nice cafes for brunch etc. Schools mostly good.

Cost of food (supermarket and cafes, restaurants) was comparable to London. Food is fresh. Portions huge.

I could go on and on. What questions do you have?

Is being near Whanganui key here? Because if it is, move to New Plymouth, not Palmerston. New Plymouth is small and coastal, but has some of the amenity and lifestyle of a larger town due to the money from the oil industry. It's a couple of hours from Whanganui, but it's easy driving. Also plenty of UK expats.

BUT, I really strongly (even as a New Zealander) want to echo what PP have said about moving if you're not sure. New Zealand is one of the places where you might not be able to leave with your kids, if your partner wants to stay and you split.

I'm really trying not to out myself by giving the full picture as we haven't told my side of the family we're going yet. I appreciate that makes it a little harder for anyone to advise though so I appreciate all the responses so far!

Basically I want to be on the coast and DH wants to be somewhere he can find work (he's in IT)

We're thinking we'll go for five years but we've agreed I'll give it a go for two years and if I don't like it or can't settle we'll come home early. I've already started joining NZ based Facebook groups connected to my hobbies to get a feel for how I could make a life there that I'll enjoy

We live somewhere pretty rural in the UK so having to drive to get anywhere doesn't really bother us

I'm aware this may not work out, or may not be the idyllic dream we're hoping for, but if we don't do it now we'll have to wait until the kids leave education so I want to take a chance and see what happens

OP have you fully looked into the visa side of things?

I’d say your husband should be looking closely at the job market and where he’s likely to find work first of all, and go from there in terms of location. PN isn’t where I’d pick to stand even half a chance of your idyllic NZ dream!

Sounds like it’s early days so keep doing lots of research re work, schools, housing and costs of living. And get on to the visa stuff as this can sometimes take a while.

I also recommend New Plymouth/the Taranaki region. You’d have the mountain, beaches, a range of schools, all the amenities and a far greater larger employment and rental pool than PalmNorth.

Sorry to hijack! My son has just been offered a place at Massey University Manawatū campus for his year overseas. Is it is decent student town? Am a bit dismayed to read the negative posts- seems a shame for him to go to the other side of the world and end up in some random town…! Is it a good base to travel from?