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Living overseas

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Original poster

where's best to live in nz,and what do we need to know?

999 replies

AngryBeaver · 16/01/2011 20:57

My dh has been on at me for a year to move from the uk.He wanted Quebec,which looked gorgeous and romantic,but i wasn't sold on the winters and coudn't leave my mum.
He recentley said he wanted to move to NZ and i thought ,yeah if it's warm and a better life than here,let's do it.
So we've got fuck all money and 3 kids under 4.5 ...but we want to do it.
I don't know what's changed in me for me to agree ,but I hear th schools and hospitals are fab,and just want the best life for my lovely children.
I'm worrying though because I've read the houses are crap and cold.
We want sun,space and not too expensive (don't we all!)
We thought Tauranga,but that seems quite busy and we've read about boy racers.
We don't want Wellington as we've heard it's windy and weather not great.
Does anyone know about Nelson?Heard it's nice weather,but what's the reality?
We are going to put the house on the market this week,I am shitting myself,but I feel it's now or never.
Any help or advice,gratefully recieved

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Original poster
AngryBeaver · 04/10/2011 09:53

Not so good,Kiwi

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thelittlestkiwi · 06/10/2011 21:43

Really sorry to hear that AB. Wish I could wave a magic wand for you. How are your OH and kids coping?

Original poster
AngryBeaver · 08/10/2011 10:27

Me too,kiwi,that would be great (smile).
The kids are fine,mostly too young to understand.
Dh and I are having a tougher time. I want to try again straight away,he wants to wait until we get to NZ (ha) and to that end,we haven't spoken for two days.
Not good.
Don't know how we can resolve it.
We are both so determined

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Original poster
AngryBeaver · 08/10/2011 18:13

Sorry, I mean Smile..you can see I'm not with it at the moment.
I have just had a tequilla shot at 6 pm, and I have stolen a cigarette from my brother.
Even though I haven't smoked for 5 years.
Feeling like I'm in freefall right now

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thelittlestkiwi · 09/10/2011 00:22

Oh, AB. That sounds hard. Is there anyway you can put the decision off for a few weeks? You must be still in shock and must need some time to process what has happened together before you make any decisions on anything.

Original poster
AngryBeaver · 09/10/2011 07:25

We are speaking again but still no resoloution in sight.

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Original poster
AngryBeaver · 11/10/2011 07:23

Sype interview on thurs,fingers crossed. It's in Hamilton though,don't really fancy being so central,but beggars can't be choosers!

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thelittlestkiwi · 11/10/2011 08:15

That's good news. I have lots of pals who are very happy in Cambridge and work in Hamilton. It may be a stepping stone to another area.

Will keep everything crossed.

Original poster
AngryBeaver · 11/10/2011 09:47

Thanks kiwi, I'll have a look at Cambridge. Ideally I think I'd like us to be closer to Tauranga.
Also, Dh has said that we can have another baby when we're in NZ, so full steam ahead from that point of view!

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thelittlestkiwi · 12/10/2011 04:57

I'm sure I read somewhere that most migrants change jobs within two years of moving to NZ. So don't stress too much about finding the ideal 'forever' job as it may all change when you get on the ground anyway.

I started my first 'kiwi employment' and I'm struggling a little. It's a volunteer job once a week and most of the other volunteers are 60+ kiwi women. I don't really fit in.

Original poster
AngryBeaver · 12/10/2011 07:40

Yes,it's definitely about the Getting There,now.
Once we're in, we can have a scout about and then decide where we may like to settle. The only thing I worry about with that is the dd's school. Don't want to mess her about too much,but can't be helped I suppose.
Anyway, iv is tonight so here's hopin'!
Sorry to hear you're not enjoying your new job. A mix of people is better isn't it?
Maybe stick it for a while whilst having a look for something more suitable?

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Original poster
AngryBeaver · 13/10/2011 09:50

Interview went really well,there are two more next week, though.
They said if he got it they would get him through on a Talent Visa.
The money's not bad.
The hours would be long.
The location isn't where we would have chosen.
But, if it means getting us to NZ,it'll be worth it.
We could always look for another job (closer to Tauranga/Omokoroa) after 6 months, once we've secured PR, couldn't we?

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Original poster
AngryBeaver · 13/10/2011 14:12

OOh,they've emailed his boss asking for a reference....

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Sibble · 13/10/2011 19:19

good luck and fingers crossed for you

kiwidreamer · 13/10/2011 21:30

Hamilton isn't toooooo bad, its a Uni town but still family friendly. I do like rural Cambridge and that's on the right side of Ham's for a quick jaunt to the Bay (about an hours drive). Hamilton is also an easy drive to Auckland now they have the expressway. All in all it would be a fine 'foot in the door' option.

Have you seen the terrible news of that fecking container ship that ran into a reef in Tauranga? Devastating. My heart breaks thinking of the gorgeous beaches I grew up on, the beaches I took my little boy to Christmas just been, littered with animal pelts, part cooked burger patties, dead wildlife and oil slicks Sad Angry it's going to be years before the Bay of Plenty recovers environmentally and economically Sad Sad

Original poster
AngryBeaver · 14/10/2011 10:53

Thanks,Sibble Smile

kiwidreamer, I know,it's just awful. Hopefully they'll put in all the hours they can to ensure the clean up happens as swiftly as possible.
But,yes,unfortunately it will be a while.
And aside from the environmental catastrophe...what about those poor people who had shipped their belongings over in containers?? All their furniture,ornaments and keepsakes?
Thanks for the info on Cambridge, I have just looked at a primary school there. Fucking hell, the uniform is expensive!! It may as well be a Private school.
School does look great, though.
I'm getting a bit ahead of myself,he probably won't even get it!

How are you getting on,lollystix?

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Original poster
AngryBeaver · 14/10/2011 10:55

And, Highlander?

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Original poster
AngryBeaver · 16/10/2011 22:17

OH FUUUUUUUCK...he got the job!We're coming to NZ!!!
I am shaking!

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Original poster
AngryBeaver · 16/10/2011 23:04

Ok,help. Anyone know what Rotatuna is like??Aaargh!

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sqweegiebeckenheim · 16/10/2011 23:22

congrats, AB. You guys deserve some good luck.

Original poster
AngryBeaver · 16/10/2011 23:45

Thanks! I am absoloutely wired now,though!
There is so much to do in nt much time. Rent our house out for a start.
Also, should dh go on without us etc
School for dd, but what do they have for 3 year old?
Panicking about what to stock up on before we go. Need summer clothes, but it's all winter stuff here!
Is suncream pricey over there?
Argh,too many questions!
Still have to break the news to my mum who is on her holidays for another 3 weeks. It is not going to be good.
I'll never sleep tonight Shock

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angelinterceptor · 17/10/2011 00:18

I have been following your story all year. I am so please for you and a teeny bit jealous too.
I wish we could up sticks and move too.

Good luck

WhatSheSaid · 17/10/2011 00:38

Ooh how exciting, I can't believe you're finally going! Do you mean Rotorua?

I've visited a few times, it's a big tourist-y town - lots of geothermal stuff and bubbling hot pools and it smells of sulphur in some places but apparently you don't notice it once you've lived there a few weeks.

Wiki on Rotorua

Rotorua town website

LIke anywhere, there's prob a few dodgy areas, maybe ask on an expat forum if anyone lives there and can give you abit of info on good/bad bits.

I bought a supermarket own brand suncream a couple of weeks ago, it was about $11 for 250ml. Don't know what prices are in the UK but if Boots are doing a 3 for 2 or a BOGOF you could grab some. Get a high factor one - you need it here.

3 years olds get 20 free hours at a daycare (private nursery) or kindy. Kindies are state funded and (virtually) free - they sometimes ask for a small donation e.g. 50 cents an hour. My dd1 goes to one for 16 hours a week. The 20 "free" hours come from teh govt and most places actually add a little extra fee on but not much. There will be playgroups etc too.

You would need to email/phone kindies and daycares to see if they have waiting lists, ones in Auckland sometiems have quite long ones but not sure about Rotorua.

WhatSheSaid · 17/10/2011 00:41

Can you get summer stuff in the sales, I know Debenhams seems to have loads of its summer stuff still available when I look at their website.

Don't worry if you don't get summer stuff there, despite all the tales of clothing doom and gloom you can actually get clothes here Grin.

febes · 17/10/2011 01:51

Brilliant news Beaver!!!!
Don't know about the location but I would reccommend getting sunscreen and clothes before you come its more expensive here until you know where to get bargins but that takes time. We have been back here for nearly a year now and feel at home now but I still miss the UK high street.
Childcare is much cheaper though. 20 hours free for 3-5 year olds and all the preschools and kindy I have seen are really high quality ( as are the schools) Most preschools have waiting lists so find some on internet when you know the basic area you will live. I've just booked my DCs in a preschool for January when I start my new job and we move into our new house. For 8am-4pm childcare for my 4 and 3 year old it will cost $184 per week which I think is quite cheap compared to what I paid in the UK for DD. I'm hoping DHs dad will come over for a few months to help us settle so I won't have to put them in full time and will only put them in for the free 20 hours per week and I won't pay a bean.
When does you DH have to start?? Maybe send him first to find a place to live etc but then you'll have to travel with 3 DCs by yourself Shock
Good luck with all the planning and awesome news xx