Hebe

I posted this in the NZ forum but also thought I would see if anyone in here could help who has lived there and done it the other way round

Cheers

It is looking likely that we will be moving to Auckland for work purposes. Really sad to be leaving Melbourne but hey ho onwards and upwards - and it's only 3 hours over the ditch!!

I am suspecting that we will get a relocation allowance for us to sort ourselves out so we will need to negotiate on this to cover all expenses.

The ones that spring to mind are:

Can anyone recommend a removalist and a a ball park figure of associated costs. I prefer to go on word of mouth then just pick someone from the internet. We don't have a lot of furniture (minimalists is our name!!) so a 20 cubic container should do.

Been quoted just over $3k for the two dogs including crates - good price? This is with Jet Pets who have been recommended to me

Is it worth bringing the car? I have a two year old civic and only done about 12k on the clock - husband is going to sell his as it is 5 years old.

Anything else that you can think of would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Jilliebee

Can't advise on removalists or cars, but we used Dogtainers to transport our two cats from Darwin to Melbourne and they were great. Cost just under $1600 which included crate hire and two weeks boarding.

Good luck with the move x

Buzzy--Bee

Hi Hebe

I guess I come under the "anything else" category..... you may well have visited Auckland a few times, we brits have a habit of putting Australia and New Zealand in the same basket but please please please do not assume anything is the same in either place. They are very different countries.

BB

RedDragon2008

Despite reservations both myself and Buzzy have on relocations to NZ, wish you the best of luck, and lets at least congratulate your other half for getting a position in Auckland.

If you do need help other than freight forwarders once you arrive I do have a wide network throughout, so keep posting.

Hebe

It's not definite yet but putting feelers out in case.

I am caught between a rock and a hard place - its a great move career wise for my OH and in an industry he loves (and loathes at times!!) He is the breadwinner and it is about his career.

I am one of those people that usually makes friends easily and I do have a couple of contacts in Auckland (unlike when we arrived in Melbourne) so that may help (if we go!!!!)

Pom_Chch

I suppose real opinions can be found here:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=812235

Apparently NZ is almost third world, is full of clicky Kiwi assholes and is akin to hobbiton villages....

Icecube

Make sure what ever property you buy / rent has proper heating (ie more than one wood burner for the whole house) and propoer insulation. Condensation saw us go through 2 sets of curtains in 3 years due to mold.

Pollyana

....which was an interesting comment made by someone from Karachi claiming to be an immigration agent.......I'm sure he just rakes in business with comments of that kind

RedDragon2008

No just too many rose tinted wearers requiring a kick up the AH

Pom_Chch

Hobbiton villages, cracks me up!

Geordie George

Almost as useful as this invaluable bit of advice about the native fauna:

Pollyana

Classic isn't it!

Hebe

Well we are off. Leaving Melbourne and onto Auckland. Hubbie goes this next week until Christmas. He is then back until after our Thailand holiday. I then have my 3 sisters over and then I will follow him in the middle of feb

RedDragon2008

Best of luck

old.sparkles

Lots to do then - at least you get to enjoy Christmas and your holiday before you need to move