[Tetris]

Hi All
I was hoping you guys could help me out as you seem like a friendly bunch here!

I am 'thinking' about moving to NZ and I'm wondering what life is like there (this is where you guys come in!). Hopefully by chatting to some of you I'll be able to get a better idea of whether its for me or not!
Here's what I'm hoping for...
Well I'm currently living in Cardiff, UK I do love it here but I HATE the weather, I like my own 'space' but at the same time like to be around 30 - 45 mins drive to a decent shopping centre/restaurents/night life(?). Would prefer somewhere that is warm throughout the year as much as possible, and maybe fairly close to a beach(?). I work from home so need to have a broadband connection - what speeds do you get there and is it just availible in the big cities?
What are the people like? Is it a forward thinking place? Are people from minority backgrounds accepted? Whether thats race or sexual orientation? Are there some places more cosmopolitan than others? How do the big cities differ from the small villages? Is the health system good? What is the standard of living like? Do you have supermarkets like over here of buy more from small specialist shops such as butchers etc what do people generally eat on a day to day basis? Are you (as a country) against GM foods? What about other additives, is your food pumped with them as much as ours is?

What kind of jobs do you guys do? what defines NZ for you?

Sorry to bombard you will all these questions! But I'd appreciate it if as many people as possible could answer just so I get a good range of opinions

Finally, could someone give me some urls of local estate agents websites so I can see how much the properties are there? What does 300k (NZ Dollars) or 150K (NZD) get you property wise?
Any other info would also be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks and hope to chat more soon!

[skirandone]

Hi,

Come to NZ. You'll love it. I work with a lot of English people and they rarely want to go back home.

[tdwoods]

I've been thinking about a relocation to NZ. I first gave a thought when King George (Bush)decided to go to war in Iraq. I have two sons who are draftable age & I refuse to give them up for something so STUPID!

Fortunately, no draft appears on the horizon but I'm still thinking about it. I hope to gain more info through this forum.

And if you just want hot weather ... there's plenty here in Texas!

[Enigmatic1]

Originally Posted by Tetris

Hi All
I was hoping you guys could help me out as you seem like a friendly bunch here!
I am 'thinking' about moving to NZ and I'm wondering what life is like there (this is where you guys come in!). Hopefully by chatting to some of you I'll be able to get a better idea of whether its for me or not!
Here's what I'm hoping for...
Well I'm currently living in Cardiff, UK I do love it here but I HATE the weather, I like my own 'space' but at the same time like to be around 30 - 45 mins drive to a decent shopping centre/restaurents/night life(?). Would prefer somewhere that is warm throughout the year as much as possible, and maybe fairly close to a beach(?). I work from home so need to have a broadband connection - what speeds do you get there and is it just availible in the big cities?
What are the people like? Is it a forward thinking place? Are people from minority backgrounds accepted? Whether thats race or sexual orientation? Are there some places more cosmopolitan than others? How do the big cities differ from the small villages? Is the health system good? What is the standard of living like? Do you have supermarkets like over here of buy more from small specialist shops such as butchers etc what do people generally eat on a day to day basis? Are you (as a country) against GM foods? What about other additives, is your food pumped with them as much as ours is?
What kind of jobs do you guys do? what defines NZ for you?
Sorry to bombard you will all these questions! But I'd appreciate it if as many people as possible could answer just so I get a good range of opinions
Finally, could someone give me some urls of local estate agents websites so I can see how much the properties are there? What does 300k (NZ Dollars) or 150K (NZD) get you property wise?
Any other info would also be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks and hope to chat more soon!

Hi there,

New Zealand is a great place to live and a very friendly country.

It would be hard to find somewhere that is warm all year around but the North Island is probably warmer than the South Island in winter time.

Where I'm from we have a few beaches that are close by and have great weather for most of the year. Broadband is now available in most areas of the country at reasonable rates and speeds and you have more than one option in your internet provider as well.

You have areas like Wellington and Auckland that are more cosmopolitan than other areas in the North Island but I'm from an area that isn't too big and isn't at a hectic pace but is not backwards either.

Hawkes Bay is known for it's wineries and art deco and especially in the summer months, there is plenty to do.

As to food, we have the supermarkets that provide a wide range and at very cheap prices but also have your specialist stores like the butchers and delis as well. So you get a wide option in the food you buy and what you're willing to spend as well on food.

Hope some of that helps..

[sarahk]

Originally Posted by Tetris

Would prefer somewhere that is warm throughout the year as much as possible, and maybe fairly close to a beach(?).

Warm is relative and down south has much more "normal" seasons that up in Auckland and Northland where we whinge about the cold but, really, it's quite warm.

Originally Posted by Tetris

I work from home so need to have a broadband connection - what speeds do you get there and is it just availible in the big cities?

You should be able to get Jetstream or Woosh in most places. Check out the telecom.co.nz website for coverage.

Originally Posted by Tetris

What are the people like? Is it a forward thinking place? Are people from minority backgrounds accepted? Whether thats race or sexual orientation? Are there some places more cosmopolitan than others? How do the big cities differ from the small villages?

The smaller the town the less cosmopolitan, that said Greytown is pretty small and they had a transgender Mayor, who is now their MP. Cities will always be more tolerant, whichever country you visit. Hell, we even have a Mum at our local school who wears a burqa with only her eyes kindof visible. Oh, and we had civil unions before the UK, women got the vote before the UK, etc etc

Originally Posted by Tetris

Is the health system good?

It's not great but compare it to the NHS and it starts to look 5 star

Originally Posted by Tetris

What is the standard of living like? Do you have supermarkets like over here of buy more from small specialist shops such as butchers etc what do people generally eat on a day to day basis? Are you (as a country) against GM foods? What about other additives, is your food pumped with them as much as ours is?

We're smaller than the UK but it's all pretty similar in the cities. Supermarkets, oversized DIY stores, we had eftpos (switch) way before you guys, but that's going back to the '80s

Originally Posted by Tetris

What kind of jobs do you guys do?

I'm in IT, the more specialist jobs are harder to get but you should be able to do anything here that you can do in Cardiff. My sister is in senior hospital management, hard for her to get a job down here so she's stuck in London for now.

Originally Posted by Tetris

Finally, could someone give me some urls of local estate agents websites so I can see how much the properties are there? What does 300k (NZ Dollars) or 150K (NZD) get you property wise?

Check out www.reinz.co.nz for a decent range of properties. You'd do well to rent initially and then buy once you've worked out what suburbs and cities you like. You can buy a lovely house in a crap area and hate it, or a crap house in a lovely area and be really happy. The community is what matters.
So, what minority group do you fall into? Or was that just a general question to test our tolerance?

[Funlover]

hi There try open2view.com for property is is a great site covering most estate agents and all areas of New Zealand with an added bonus of currency convertor.
There are some Beautiful properties In New Zealand well i guess it matches the people who live there, very frendly and Helpful Bunch are the Kiwis! I Love Em . Cant wait to visit in September.
The best way to check out Houses and areas of work is to hire a camper van make some appointments to meet prospective employers and tour the two islands. There is always someone who wants to stop and have a chat.

[man]

would you marry me?!

[Lina]

Oh Man, oh man oh man (haha that was pretty funny!)

Tetris - Skirandone is right. Just come. Don't think, just do it.
My family lives in Southampton and they would emigrate at the drop of a hat, they love it so much.
Unfortunately my Uncle has a few health problems that the Government do not subsidise here that he needs medication for... and if they came he would have to spend more than 60% of any wages on medication.

Other than that... come! If you're already thinking of moving here why don't you come on a visit first?

[tazjet]

Tetris we're just like any westernised nation. Friendly people. Course we have supermarkets. Nelson is a warm city practically on the beach. Wellington is a bit more cosmopolitan and with a beautiful harbour. Health care is similar to the UK set up. Private and public. No fault accident compensation (can't sue for injury). Take a holiday trip and see. $300k in a bigger city will get you a modest house. Google the following with "nz" suffix
realestate
allrealestate
ljhooker

[tnook]

Considering moving too. I gave up the day job recently to work from home in IT and was thinking of a long time dream of mine to live in NZ. Where would be a good place to live with access to the mountains?

Thanks for your help!

[sarahk]

If you are working in IT then Christchurch might be a good place. Great mountains, access to the Southern Alps for weekend expeditions and a sound IT industry.

If you were really onto it you might be able to live in Queenstown. It's pricy to buy or rent there and a town as opposed to a city so some amenities won't be as developed. But the outdoors is there on your doorstep beckoning you every minute of the day.

[MatthewBadvices]

Hi all !!!!
i'm comeing down to New Zeland on the 04th December 2007 with a friend of mine. We both work in hotels as receptionists and why not ... loool we could do it over there too ! I'm comeing just to relax a bit far away from this crazy world ... but if i will find something like " working holliday " of course i will stay ... Ah sorry ! i didn't say where i'm from ! I'm from ITALY !!!! The champions of the world, but i think you don't mind cause you all play rugby and no soccer there. Anyway life here is great but a bit expensive. I'm sure i will find an easier one there ... i'm right ?
byeee people and stay cool.

Matteo.

[SPAZo]

think plan and do it!

get a job through a recuirment agency.
yes we eat everyday.
our food is great.
the goverment is a bit tardy though.
dont move to south auckland.

good luck

[jujubean2401]

Very interesting to read !
I too am looking to move to NZ with my husband and 3 kids ( ages 7 and 6months-twins all boys waiting to learn to play rugby !lol!).
We are looking at the South island and I am pretty set on Dunedin although my husband is more realistic than me so we are going to come over for a recce ! My eldest son told me today that he can't wait to emigrate which made my life alot easier ....

So what are your views on the south island and what kind of job opportunities are there for a HGV drive and a special needs teacher ?????

Is childcare widely available at reasonable rates ??? ( Here in the UK they rob you blind...... my job doesn't pay enough to cover childcare expenses so I had to quit to stay at home !)

Is the education system similar to the Uk ? How is discipline in schools ?? (In the UK its a shocker !!!)

Sorry to hijack a thread .........

[CrisMa]

Hi,

I am new to this site. What is the best time coming to visit Christchurch? I am planning a vacation. Thanks.

cheers,
Cris.

[Brett]

To the original poster.....I have been to both places Cardiff and New Zealand. And hands downs I prefer NZ. I was just over in England in September and had a wonderful time, stayed with friends in Monmouthshire.

When my wife and I took a holiday to NZ we stayed in the Hawkes Bay area and it truly an amazing place. Everyone we met was friendly and always seemed willing to help a hand with others.

I couldn't tell you much about internet capibilities or the job market or housing.

Next is for CrisMa, if costs are a concern try to plan your vacation starting in Feburary. It is the end of there summer season and airfare is lower. When my wife and I planned our holiday to NZ, we first looked at going in Jan. The cost of each plane ticket was going to be $2600 US. Moving our date to leave in Feb lowered the price each ticket to just under $1500 US.

If money is no object plan it for anytime you wish (and you can always send me some)