strawbie

not sure how you can compare the two really, there has to be more considerations than the difference between two places when thinking of moving just about as far as you possibly can! am i wrong!? you could compare Altrincham with Glasgow!!

Wilderbeest

Thanks all for your input

Bellasmum

If it helps you any Wilderbeast as a Kiwi married to a Brit who spent 5 years living in Altrincham ....

The areas you are considering are very good areas of Auckland. And yes your children may well spend more time at school studying topics that are unfamiliar to those you are accustomed to in the UK. But they will have a wider picture of life in general. Auckland is a vast region and it does not begin nor end in Queen Street. IMHO you will not have the class issues that I found when living in your home town.

Most importantly remember that NZ is not a small version of the UK. It is a few islands in the pacific and your expectations will probably determine how well you adjust to life here.

Good luck whatever you decide. All I can add is that my three sons benefited so much from the experience of life abroad and IMHO is why they now live a life that is balanced and expansive.

Wilderbeest

Thanks Bellasmum for your input too. I'm optimistic that NZ will be best for our daughter...even though it has flying cockroaches

Bellasmum

I have never seen a cockroache in any house I have lived in, but I have seen them in hospitals I have worked in around food areas at night time.

Elizabeth I

It's gotta be AUCKLAND! Hands down!

(I used to live in Cheshire, now live in Auckland, it doesn't compare, way better down here ).

Elizabeth I

I think he means "weta."

Wetas fly don't they? I've never seen a flying cockroach neither

Elizabeth I

Titirangi in West Auckland is a 25min commute and really beautiful. (I love it anyway). It's a national park heritage area, rainforest and surfing beaches, quite idyllic, has a charming village with a nice small cafe culture...I always feel like I'm on holiday there....and find any excuse to be there, even if I have to just post a letter or pick up dinner, I head to the village just to soak up the cruisey atmosphere. LOL. Tis very pleasant indeed and with the city just down the road, provides the best of both worlds, imho....

Bellasmum

I have never seen a weta or a cockroache fly myself.

Whe I was child the wetas used to crawl out of the teatree in the open fire when it got too hot for them and walk around on the carpet. As kids we used to let them walk up are legs and arms.

We used to keep weta's as pets at school as part of our science projects but I was never allowed to keep them at home.

Dad used to take them back out into the bush and let them go.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/docume...al/misc001.pdf

chrisjb

We live in Altrincham, and are currently completing ITA, so I guess we have the same considerations.
You said that your other half has a job Offer already, one thing that concerns me are the job opportunities once in NZ. I would guess that the North West of England has a bigger economy than the whole of NZ?

Whilst schools aren't a factor for me, I do know the local state Grammar schools are amongst the best in the country.

Yes the Cheshire countryside is nice when it isn't raining!!!
however i've been to Auckland, and some of the beaches to the north are fantastic. Have you visited Auckland at all?

jmh

It sounds like you have a wonderful opportunity for an adventure. Go and have fun. Since your main priority is the lifestyle for your daughter, you have plenty of time before she starts school to sus the place out and come back to the UK if you find it wanting in that regard. Whether you stay or return, it will have been a great experience for you. In fact it is easier now that if she were in school and you had further children to worry about.

Elizabeth I

Aw, what a delightful story, thanks for sharing.