Do we jump

[Gran]

There seems to be a shortage of Truck Drivers all over the country Sylvia 0825, here is an add about an Auckland trucking firm. Good luck!!
http://www.google.co.nz/url?url=http...PLSRYzs1J672qg

[sylvia0825]

Hi Sylvia 0285
my hubby and I came out in Feb 2013 (from UK) the rollercoaster ride beforehand was extremely stressful because, THB I don't think I really wanted to jump. My OH had always wanted to emigrate, but not me. In the end, because of our age, we decided this was out last chance and I knew I would regret it if I just didn't give it a go. Yes, I did think that it would cost a fortune to get here (and it did) and if I wanted to go back to UK would cost even more (which it will) but I also didn't want to ever regret having a go. We decided we would jump and if it didn't work out we would go back to UK and treat it as a long holiday, yes, very expensive one, but hey filled with lots of experiences. We're on a LTBV and only part way through the process, we will be able to apply for our Permanent Residency next year, and we are hoping we will be accepted, but there is no guarantee, so again a bit of another rollercoaster emotionally. Having said all that, I am so glad I did it, it's certainly not an easy journey but this place is fabulous, gorgeous, the people are friendly and pleasant and respectful and it is such a refreshing change from how UK has become (in our eyes anyway). Yes we miss our family and friends, but to be honest not much else. It is a different way of life here, not the same choice in the supermarkets but that's not always a bad thing. We are from Lancashire but now live in the North Shore of Auckland and I would say prices of houses/food etc are probably comparable to London but the outdoor lifestyle is fantastic, beautiful beaches on the doorstep, fantastic landscape scenery at every corner. I haven't been to Christchurch so can't comment but listening to others I believe it is quite depressing, but that can be expected after what it's been through. Just wanted to give my view seeing as we are also from UK, I know what you're going through and hoped that I could perhaps give a little insight from my own experience.

Hi That is SO helpful, thank you for taking the time to reply. Everything you have said is how we feel, we would be coming on a work visa and then need to find an accredited employer to gain the work to residency. As you have said it is not a guaranteed result either. Did you have a property to sell or have you kept it etc etc. I am a little disheartened with the comments that I have seen about Christchurch but that is where the job offer is for so hopefully once there we could look to move. I understand South Island is the more popular of the 2. Have you found the health insurance expensive and what about pension contributions. I understand that you can't contribute to Kiwisave unless residents. I would want to work as well so the job market is another consideration. So many questions.

[sylvia0825]

There seems to be a shortage of Truck Drivers all over the country Sylvia 0825, here is an add about an Auckland trucking firm. Good luck!!
http://www.google.co.nz/url?url=http...PLSRYzs1J672qg

Thanks for that, it might be that we come to Christchurch and then start to look for elsewhere, would need to get an accredited employer for the work to residency.

[SarahLField]

Hi Sylvia 0825, we emigrated to Nz last year and live in Christchurch-wouldn't go back-we love it here-moved with our two children and find the way of life and people and scenery very appealing-we don't go into the city centre much as , like someone previously said there is not a lot there although the rebuild seems to be on the increase over the last couple months-and we work within half an hour of where we live so we don't have traffic problems. Everyone's experiences are different - we have no regrets about moving here-our children are thriving, both happy and settled, we both have good jobs and with more time on the weekend as a family we are free to explore this beautiful place we now call home-however we had a friend who stayed with us last year for a month and he was not as thrilled with it-wanted more of a nightlife-obviously not everyone suits everyplace. Good luck with your move and if you find it doesn't suit there are so many lovely places I am sure you will find somewhere you want to call home, Sarah

[Mirrors]

Hi
Really glad you found my reply helpful. We did have a property to sell, in fact 2. However, the second one we had been renting out and the tenants had said they wanted to buy it. The one we were living in we put up for sale but no viewers. Due to circumstances we ended up renting this to family and they moved in. All good.......However, very shortly before we were ready to move to NZ family decided they didn't want to live there and moved out leaving us in the lurch...we quickly put it back on the market at a reduced price but when viewers came that wanted it and made a substantially reduced offer we had no option but to accept otherwise we wouldn't have had enough money to start over here. Not only that, our current tenants couldn't get a mortgage. This all happened about a month before we were due to leave UK. Extremely stressful, but we sold our house at the very last minute at a very reduced price and decided to keep the other house with the current tenants. I've only looked into health insurance briefly and yes found it expensive (can't remember costs) so we don't have it. That's also correct you can't join Kiwisaver unless you are a resident, but once you are it's sounds a good thing to be in. What line of work are you in? I've always worked in an office and back in the UK worked for the public sector, I applied for a lot of jobs here, there seemed to be more opportunity but saying that it took a couple of months before I was in work but looking back, this gave me time to help the OH set up his business and for us to sort out accommodation.