Oh wow, AB, just logged on after a few months away (trip back to the UK, then other stuff going on). I don't know where to start.
So, so sorry to hear about the baby. What awful news for you all.
At the same time, massive congratulations on the job! What fantastic news after all this time! I think Hamilton is a great place for children. Hopefully you'll love it. And if not, it's so easy to move later - Kiwis are way more mobile than Brits. It's more normal here to move on after 6/12/18 months to a new job.
As for gangs, yes, we do have them, but on the whole they are fairly self contained. You can live here a lifetime and never experience any issues.
If you're still looking at flights, I'd suggest a couple of options. One is fly through Asia (Singapore Changi airport is the best) and break the journey up with a stop over. A few nights if you can afford it, a few hours if you can't. Changi has a swimming pool, gardens and playareas so it's great for giving the children some exercise before the next long flight. They also have a stopover hotel in the airport that you can book by the hour.
The other option is to fly Air New Zealand and book a Skycouch (basically 3 economy seats which convert into a flat area that you can lie in). With all of you, it would mean you could take it in turns to nap. The downside is you'll need to transit in Los Angeles which is hell on earth - long queues, fingerprints, nowhere to sit, unfriendly airport staff convinced everyone is a terrorist. We always go through Asia now, Singapore if possible, after bad experiences at LA in the past.
Almost certainly a 16month old will be too big for a bassinet (DS was way too big at 18mo - they're for newborns really). I'd either go Skycouch or pay for a child's ticket (own seat but costs about a third of an adult ticket). Trailfinders is really reliable travel agent - we used them when we emigrated out here.
You're going to have a million and one things to do in the next few weeks but you will get there. Here are a few things to think about:
- think carefully about what you will bring with you. Some things here, like furniture is expensive (no Ikea!). You can buy 2nd hand so it is perfectly possible to arrive here with just suitcases but if you've got nice stuff, think about whether you want to ship a few bits.
- make sure you get your mortgage company and insurance company's permission if you decide to let your house out.
- British Gas homecare is expensive but really worth it for peace of mind as a landlord.
- get a good letting agent. Don't go for the cheapest management fees. Peace of mind is way more important than whether you get charged 8 or 10% (speaking through bitter experience here!). You want an agent who will take the time to talk you through the process and knows about managing properties for overseas landlords. Ask them, for example, if they can help you get your NRL1 sorted so that you aren't taxed at source on the rental income.
- don't forget to notify HMRC. The good news is you may well get a tax rebate as you are leaving the UK part way through a tax year.
- don't bother renting in NZ without seeing the property first. Book yourself into a motel in Hamilton for the first fortnight - that'll give you plenty of time to do some house viewings and work out where you want to be. Better than being stuck for 6 or 12 months in the wrong place (and then thinking that NZ is awful and getting on a plane home without really settling here first). Avoid houses that face south, are in native bush or come with a free dehumidifier. Check whether the property is insulated and how it is heated.
- when you do get here get in contact with your local playcentre. It's a great way to meet other families and make new friends.
I'm sure you've got loads to do but just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS again! Very happy for you and your family.