Top tip I'd say.Originally Posted by Shones
We've been here 2 1/2 weeks. We booked our CBD apartment for one week from the UK but are extending on a week by week basis and plan to do so until our container arrives. Here we have all bills included; internet all day for job hunting and house hunting, as well as keeping in touch with family and friends; secure parking; plus we're really close to the centre which has been great for organising things like banks, IRD numbers and looking into public transport options for work. Buying a car was a bit awkward but we hired a car for a couple of days so we could tour the garages which are mainly in the suburbs. It is costing quite a bit but it is hassle free and they offer a weekly rate which if you want a 2 bed apartment is MUCH cheaper than the motels I approached. Our apartment is brand new - yes it is small but it has everything we need including proper beds which we wouldn't have if we move into a rental before our container arrives!
So far we have toured the North Shore and Eastern suburbs, as well as some of the Western side. Interestingly, as we are all very different people, we have plumped for an area that very rarely comes up as recommended on the forum. And our impressions of rental houses so far are pretty low. I know everyone mentions the damp thing and orientation regarding the sun, but only when you get here and see it first hand do you realise what a difference it will make. And as for descriptions for both rentals and sales (we're looking at both) - jolly limited and very much open to interpretation I'd say. You really need to check them out firsthand.
If you're like us, you'll have plenty to do tying up loose ends at home without adding more stress trying to arrange things in NZ too. I hope that helps and doesn't sound like a lecture - I'm really glad we're doing it in Auckland because I suspect we'd have ended up in entirely the wrong place for us if we'd had a go from the UK.
(not really! 
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