[fignozzle]

Hello all,

My wife's a teacher here in the States, and I'm in IT (computer) support.
We shouldn't have too much trouble qualifying on points, IMO.

I do have some questions about a few things, though.
RE: the 'health' factor...I'm 45, and had to have a hip replacement, and right now have a few extra pounds, which are also causing hypertension (high blood pressure). This is totally weight-related, and disappears as I drop the pounds.
Is any of this going to DQ me?

Also, we like a smaller town to live in, with lots of trees and parks and bike trails. However, IT jobs are predominately in larger cities, or at least urban areas. I want to avoid Auckland, just due to size, crowds, traffic, and so on. I envision securing a computer support job in Wellington, Chch/Canterbury, or heck, for that matter, I have no idea if Hamilton, Hastings, or another smaller city might have a place for my skills. But a reasonable commute of say, 30 minutes should get me to a small, safe, enjoyable community to live in where there's maybe a nice pub or two ( ), where we could go for a good bike ride right out the front door without having to haul them 2 hours into an area that allows for it, a place with some trees (is that even possible) in the backyard and a home with a deck or porch to grill out with friends. Since there are 5 in the family, it'll need to be at least a 3br/2ba home. For my wife and the girls' sake, I'm sure shopping within that same 20-30 minute drive will be an asset, and of course access to health care that's as good as any city in NZ, okay just not sub-standard.

Am I describing anyplace that exists? What parts of this are realistic, and what's not?

And finally, we've been involved in a Protestant, non-denominational church that does alot of modern worship music and is not *exactly* traditional, mainline, stand up, singasong sit down read a verse listen to the sermon format. If you've heard of Darlene Zschech (sp?) or Hillsong Music Australia, it's that kind of thing. Anyone care to venture a suggestion as to what we'll encounter in NZ? It's not that we're 'against' the more staid, traditional stuff, it just doesn't really 'speak' to us. Get it? Clear as mud?

Anyway, thanks for comments on any or all of these ramblings!
Ben/Fignozzle

[Cobra]

fignozzle,

I just want to wish you a goodluck. You will make a fine Kiwi or a black cap as we say in our Cricket lingo.

[kiwi_dude]

Originally Posted by fignozzle

Hello all,

My wife's a teacher here in the States, and I'm in IT (computer) support.
We shouldn't have too much trouble qualifying on points, IMO.

I do have some questions about a few things, though.
RE: the 'health' factor...I'm 45, and had to have a hip replacement, and right now have a few extra pounds, which are also causing hypertension (high blood pressure). This is totally weight-related, and disappears as I drop the pounds.
Is any of this going to DQ me?

Also, we like a smaller town to live in, with lots of trees and parks and bike trails. However, IT jobs are predominately in larger cities, or at least urban areas. I want to avoid Auckland, just due to size, crowds, traffic, and so on. I envision securing a computer support job in Wellington, Chch/Canterbury, or heck, for that matter, I have no idea if Hamilton, Hastings, or another smaller city might have a place for my skills. But a reasonable commute of say, 30 minutes should get me to a small, safe, enjoyable community to live in where there's maybe a nice pub or two ( ), where we could go for a good bike ride right out the front door without having to haul them 2 hours into an area that allows for it, a place with some trees (is that even possible) in the backyard and a home with a deck or porch to grill out with friends. Since there are 5 in the family, it'll need to be at least a 3br/2ba home. For my wife and the girls' sake, I'm sure shopping within that same 20-30 minute drive will be an asset, and of course access to health care that's as good as any city in NZ, okay just not sub-standard.

Am I describing anyplace that exists? What parts of this are realistic, and what's not?

And finally, we've been involved in a Protestant, non-denominational church that does alot of modern worship music and is not *exactly* traditional, mainline, stand up, singasong sit down read a verse listen to the sermon format. If you've heard of Darlene Zschech (sp?) or Hillsong Music Australia, it's that kind of thing. Anyone care to venture a suggestion as to what we'll encounter in NZ? It's not that we're 'against' the more staid, traditional stuff, it just doesn't really 'speak' to us. Get it? Clear as mud?

Anyway, thanks for comments on any or all of these ramblings!
Ben/Fignozzle

hey mate sound to me like you should be doing some research on the Tauranga area. what part of US are you wanting to move from?...

[tarnz1965]

you have to be careful of some of the smaller towns in NZ. they can be very rough with high crime rates. i think Tauranga or Rotorua are nice places. whangarei is a growing city that's not too bad. a good site to look at is the nz immigration website, lots of stats on different towns, cities, rent prices around the country etc.

[SPAZo]

new zealand is a nice place but it anit like america.
if you want to get away from living in america thats fine
but if your typical americans its not worth comming here.