Hi,

We are migrating from Dublin/Ireland to Wellington. I'll be moving boards as well from (http://www.boards.ie) - i've kept the same user name.

I need lots of help in our move and hope that the guys/gals on the NZ board are as brill as the one at home.

We where thinking of moving into thornton area near where I'm going to be based for my work placement.

I have a two year old boy and a one year old girl

We would like the have the two year old go to playschool (chreche) in the morning and would love some help in finding an area close to where we will be living. It seems to be difficult to get a place I understand. How much are these place. Just looking for a place for him to interect with other kids and give my wife some time to sort out our new environment.

Also looking to rent in this area...ideally a 4 bed house as my parents will be with us for a while.

Appreciate all your help...PM me if you want info on Ireland etc.

[Sparklechick]

Hey there

Welcome to nzboards.

I'm sure some of our Wellington members will be able to assist you (sorry I'm from Auckland!).

I love the sparkle theme...it makes me want to dance...as its night time here maybe its a hint for me to go get some glitter and do a few steps.

Thanks for the welcome.

Forgot to ask about babysitters as well....how do you find people you can trust in a new country?

CANT WAIT.

[Penny]

Hey there, good luck in your travels.

I grew up in Wellington, I love it, I am sure you will enjoy it there too. Thorndon is a pretty old part of town, mostly old villas etc, so finding a house big enough for you and your extended family shouldn't be too hard. It is pretty close to town (Walking distance) so you might find it is pretty expensive.

I grew up in Kaori which is just a short bus trip to Thorndon(or drive), there are other suburbs also closer to Thorndon like Northland etc. If I were you I'd start having a look around, there are a couple of websites that might help you out.

Flat hunt might help you out www.flathunt.co.nz (although I think it might be mainly people looking for flatmates), you could also try the local paper's website for classifieds. The main paper in Wellington is the dominion post. I don't know what the website is sorry.

As for childcare, I don't know. There are kindergartens and day care and lay centres everywhere here, so I would wait until you arrive and find one that you like and suits you.

Babysitting, its always difficult to find someone to trust anywhere in the world. My first step would be to ask at a daycare you might find your child attending, they would have an idea of what you might be able to do. I used to babysit allot and the people I babysat for were friends of my Mum and Dads, then their friends etc, so you will probably meet someone through day care etc that could help you out.

I do know when we were young, my Mum used to belong to this group, where everyone had kids, and you got cards when you babysat for other people and then used them when you needed them to babysit for you, I don't know what it was called though.

Great mail. thanks

Is 'day care' and 'lay centres' the same things...not familiar with these words in this context. For us 'day care' is for older people who need assitance :-)

Work is helping with the rent at the start so while my parents are around I dont mind living somewhere nice...dont move country every day.

Its great to see you all posting at 8am in the morning.

[Penny]

(Its 10.30 ) and it just means I am slacking off work! hehe.

When I referred to day care, I was meaning, Somewhere that would look after your child during the day. And lay centre, I mean "Play centre" haha my typing just sucks! sorry! *proof reads*

I was afraid to ask about 'lay' centre's in case I upset someone. I taught they where some religious meeting place for lay people to help each other out. Culture shok out of the way. I'm going to bed...to await to gentle screaming of our youngest one during the night.

[Penny]

haha, yeah sorry about that! Have a good sleep... gentle screaming huh...you must be luckly!

[Penny]

OH and if you are looking around on the net, you can see a bit of a map on www.wises.co.nz roads and the like to help you get an idea of where you are looking.

[kathy31]

Wellington is a great pace to live :o)

I live here now after 12 years in London, and we are loving it. I am also a mother of 2 (although we have got past the first 5 years )

You will find the schools are fantastic and there is a great community of parents that all help each other out...

Will have to meet up and I can show you the fab reataurants, good luck with your move.

Just an update on what has happened since...Went to Wellington for two weeks for work and loved the place. Found a place to rent for the year from a lovely family who where going away for a year. Will be living up in Karori and was in contact with some play groups for the kids and had some lovely feedback from people. So the date for travel is thr 4th of January and work on the 10th. Hope to see you soon.