Anyone in Christchurch?

[beansmum]

I know there is someone, but I can't remember who.

I'm moving there in Jan and starting to think about looking for somewhere to live. It's a bit early yet but I want to know what's available and I was wondering which areas I should be looking in and which I should definitely not. Ds will start school over there so even nice areas might not be suitable if they don't have decent schools. Any advice? or should I just but this? (I wish, I'm going to be renting, max $200pw)

wow, thanks! I might take you up on your offers.

I'm quite looking forward to starting again with almost nothing. I don't need half the stuff I have collected. SuperShed sounds amazing though, I'll have to be really strict with myself or I'll have a house full of junk again in no time.

You don't HAVE to start school as soon as you turn 5 do you? ds is 5 on the 1st of June, but I have lectures finishing at 5pm until the 5th June. Could I wait until then (or even later, after the semester 1 exams) to move him to school do you think?

You don't have to move them to school until they are six. But you may find there is no funding for his preschool once he turns 5. Some places are more flexible than others. Most people send them to school on the day after their 5th birthday - so they get to spend their birthday in a place they know well.

I hadn't thought of funding. Oh well. I was just thinking it would be a good idea because I wouldn't have to arrange any after school care. In semester 2 all my lectures will finish before 2pm.

So, waiting until the end of the exams isn't going to work, but I could possibly wait until the end of lectures if it's just a couple of days. maybe.

It's worth checking - there may be some form that they have to fill in to say that xxx would benefit from not starting school until after the holidays blah, blah, blah and it will all be fine.

But after school care should work out cheaper as it is also subsidised and of course there are not as many hours to pay for.

I don't think places mind going until the end of the week - it would be too much hassle to work out the actual cost I think.

You're probably right about it being cheaper. I was just being lazy and thinking it would save me having to sort something out for only a week or two! I'll worry about it later anyway.

BIG favour to ask. Would anyone be able to drive past 3/140 Waimairi Road any time soon. If so, would you mind sticking your head out the car window and checking it doesn't have dodgy neighbours, is not falling down or just horrible? It's this one. I think it sounds ok, right area, just about the right price.

I think I'm going to go for it. I've emailed the agent and she says, as long as my references are ok, it wont be a problem to arrange the lease from the UK. I'll have to sign a disclaimer that I didn't view the place before signing the lease but it'll just be such a relief to have somewhere sorted before we arrive. It's a bit more than I had budgeted for, but it only works out as about an extra £1000 a year, I'll manage to save that much before xmas I think, I'm doing really well with my 'spend no money at all' plan. Soooooo exciting!

hi beansmum - i will be like you soon. registering at Canterbury for PhD in March 09. am surfing the net for info and came across this chat. if you don't mind, can i contact you? i have a 4 year old daughter too and am trying to get a place in preschool for her in ilam and also into ilam primary school. we could network and i can babysit for you (for free) sometimes as my daughter needs a playmate too. i am fr kuala lumpur and like you, so much to do n transport over to chch. my husband will not be coming but will visit fr time to time.i truly understands the challenges of a single mum as i operate like one.

Hi blessedlife - yes, please do contact me! snowisnice at hotmail dot com. Have you had any luck with preschools? I have been completely panicking about it but have finally been offered two places and now I can't decide which one to go for!

hi beansmum - great - i will write to you on monday. currently at mom's place - brought my laptop back but not the charger. using my cousin's laptop now.

no luck yet with preschool too - on waiting list but have written to kindercare. for year 1, as long as you live in the zone area, you will get a place. i saw that you took out a place at waimairi - am trying too but agents will not entertain me till march 09...cheers.

hi beansmum - did u get my email? when is your departure date n are you staying in the waimairi area?