Sorry - haven't posted on here for a couple of weeks, as we have been manically sorting out and saying our goodbye's. Movers arrive tomorrow, we move out on Friday into my sister in laws, say goodbye's to the family on Saturday & Sunday and then fly on Monday - it's really all happening now!

Have found out we will be staying at the Heartland hotel Cotswold in Merivale for the first few weeks, courtesy of Mr T's employer and his job is based in Addington, so at least we know where we are going now! Am looking to rent near there if possible, although have noticed the distances are not as far as they seem on the map! Know there are lots of great areas, but is there anywhere we should avoid?

A massive thank you to everyone on here who has helped me through this stressful time - hope I can repay the favour to you and others in the future. Apologies if I go a bit quiet again over the next week or so though!

Woo hoo - Christchurch here we come, finally..... and it's Spring too!

Only the snooty middle class areas filled with greying baby boomers driving the latest model SUVs. Consider your proximity to the nearest liquor outlet and K-Mart.

The best of luck with the move. I'm sure you are going to go through a wide range of emotions over the next few days/weeks/months ... but it's all part of the adventure ... so just go with the flow.

We look forward to hearing all about it when you get to the other side.

Wooohoooooo!!!! Here you go .......

Good luck! I can totally feel the rollercoaster you're on, it'll be us in a couple of weeks. It's good you've got the short term accommodation ticked off, so you've got somewhere you can make yourselves at home in straight away while you get used to the areas. Really hope it all goes well over the next week or two - take a deep breath and stay calm!!! :-)

The east of Christchurch took a real hiding from the earthquakes. Like the east of any city it was probably more, 'affordable' anyway.

I lived in Linwood and thought it was ok. It's very near the East Gate shopping centre i.e. a supermarket, a McDonalds and a huge hardware store, shoe shop and hairdressers.

Phillipstown is next door to Linwood and I didn't like that although it's not a big area.

You will just have to follow your nose and use your instinct.

Good luck and well done to get this far.

We'll let you go a bit quiet. It's allowed after all the work . Just make sure you come back and update please.

Woo Hoo indeed. Spring is in the air. It will all be lovely for you.

Working in Addington - living in Merivale, aaaah the enjoyment of it! I'll forward a way to avoid the major traffic that occurs at the Glandovney Road/Strowan Road roundabout or attempting to turn right down at Papanui Road/Bealey Avenue which is a major roadblock.

Rents around here at the moment vary from around $330pw at St Albans to $1000 round Merivale/Fendalton. It depends what you want, the cheaper places are mainly the apartments off Papanui Road etc.

For Addington, you might want to consider away from where you've suggested. Merivale is a lovely area, which is getting better now the drunks are buggering off back to the centre. But to commute to Addington can be a pain in the backside at times. Now Hornby I'd recommend because you can just get on the Southern Motorway which is fantastic! Avoid all the stop, start, stop, start traffic lights and gets you to Addington easily. Where abouts will he be working at Addington? I can be found at Princess Street sometimes, if i'm not at the airport

Although it's cheaper, don't go east as it'll mean driving through the city centre to Addington. Honestly I'd avoid driving around that area as much as possible soon, especially when March comes round and every single bleedin road is full of cones, making every single road a stand still causing tail backs galore!!!!!! Aaah but I best not go on my rant because Gerry Brownlee says everything is all gravy

Just to let you know that your a 5 minute walk away from where we live. Once you've settled and depending how long your going to be at the hotel for, feel free to shout if you fancy a pint down the Brewers or a coffee at either coffee culture or the coffee place opposite Beverley Street (forget the name). We're a friendly trio You can use us as a base if you need help settling in or for some further advice etc.

Enjoy your trip over and enjoy the stop at the Heartland. Hope you get some sleep on Friday and Saturday

Thanks everyone and thanks Tom - will definitely give you a shout. Will be at the hotel max 6 weeks so that's how long I have to find a rental! A beer or a coffee sounds great. Will be in touch once we're settled í ½í¸„

Thanks everyone and thanks Tom - will definitely give you a shout. Will be at the hotel max 6 weeks so that's how long I have to find a rental! A beer or a coffee sounds great. Will be in touch once we're settled 😄

Hi

We moved to Chch in June and my husband currently works in Hornby but is about to move to their new office in Addington. We live in Sumner, at the moment his commute is about 45mins but that will reduce to around 25mins when the office in Addington opens. We wanted to live by the sea so the commute isnt an issue for us and actually we dont think its bad at all. I think you use your base to really explore the areas. Depending on what type of property and budget you have and in the first few weeks just go view anything suitable. I dont work at the moment and my son is at pre school so if you want to meet up for a coffee or chat (or want me to drive you around areas) I am trying to gather as much info as poss at the moment as I am trying to get a job with a relocation company so I have been reasearching different areas!!!!

I would def look at Beckenham, St Martins type areas for close commute, but I wouldnt discount east of the city at all.....

That would be brilliant! Once we've got ourselves settled I'll give you a shout too! New life ahead and can't wait. See you all soon

OK, so have finally done it! Been here almost 2 weeks and a rollercoaster it has been!

Hotel in Papnui road is oK- basic but clean and has everything we need for a short(ish) stay. Cooker could be better and the fridge is just too small but other than that its warm and comfortable.

Hubby was offered a rental through his employers, which is a result! It's a brand new build in Halswell, not far from the motorway which makes his journey to work really easy! This has saved us so much time searching for a rental, as we did a couple of days and was feeling a bit disheartened! Hopefully it will be ready for us in about 2 to 3 weeks. Then we just have to wait for our container.....hmm - will be buying a few cheap items to see us through and have been offered a couple of armchairs, but will need to buy a bed and a fridge freezer. Trademe here I come

Have to say first impressions have been great, everyone is really friendly and willing to help.

Definitely up for a coffee if anyone is around!

Further updates to follow when I get into the new home!

so glad you got the rental sorted, it is one of the major hurdles out of the way. hopefully it works out.

Welcome in Pinksar Do you need any of these until your stuff arrives :-
Small bench top fridge
Iron
Ironing board (all Warehouse specials )

If so pm me and i will drop them round we live in Burnside near Airport.

They kept us going until the boat came in!

Great. Enjoy the weather.