Kentishgirl

We have shipped all our stuff, almost a 40ft container full (4 bed house plus extra stuff) cost £6000 including insurance. We thought it would cost more than that to buy new (plus not so much choice). It left Felixstowe on 14 March and is due to arrive in Chch on 26 April. Looking from the uk there appeared to be very little furnished accommodation, other than holiday stuff, which was very expensive for anything more than a couple of weeks.

Toodles23

Hi

I've been lurking on BE for a few months learning lots of valuable bits of info, so thank you all for that!

We were planning on moving to Christchurch at the end of September but due to a family event we may have to delay until the beginning of November. We'll be looking for IT jobs (we'll start before we leave but aren't expecting much joy until we can meet face to face in NZ) and are used to recruitment slowing down over Christmas in London... Does the same happen in Christchurch and if so when does it start/finish? We thought it might be even worse as it's also the summer holiday? We're wondering whether we'd be better to hold off until January instead.

Thanks in advance

MrsFychan

We found that Companies seem to shut just before Christmas and most are not back to full quota/capacity until early Feb. But you may be lucky with the ChCH rebuild going on you may get some firms still running as normal.

TheCockneyKiwi

We moved from Sevenoaks at the start of the year.

Good Luck!!

TheCockneyKiwi

I got my IT Job (SharePoint Consultant) by doing Skype interviews in the UK and got offered in October, with a view starting in January as they didnt want people starting on projects before xmas as literally the whole world closes down forcibly over the Xmas / New Year period.

Toodles23

Thanks for the replies MrsF and CockneyKiwi. We'll weigh up the options before booking flights :-)

Kentishgirl

Cockney kiwi, I'm just outside Maidstone at the moment. Coming over to join husband soon, hopefully flying on 15 May, arriving chch 17 May and moving to Rolleston.

Charismatic

Looks like Fletchers Building are scaling back on rebuild work:
Full link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1005...-builders-told

Good move by EQC IMO, if they can push cash settlements they'll probably save themselves a lot of money over remediation. Frankly between price gouging, fraud, incomplete scope of works and the risk of future litigation any risk that can be kicked back to homeowners with a clean settlement is a much better outcome for EQC by moving risk back to owners.

Charismatic

Curry chips, where can I get my fix?

laanantha

Hi. I posted awhile ago as my husband has got a job at Christchurch Women's Hospital. Our plans are a bit further along now and I now also have a job, in Spreydon. We are leaving the UK for NZ on the 4th August.

I was wondering about suburbs to live in, preferably within cycling distance to the hospital. I will have a car so I can drive a bit further but would rather not have to drive too far to work.

We were looking at Fendalton initially but it seems quite expensive to rent, we were hoping for a 3/4 bedroom house for about 800-900 dollars a week, furnished.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions of good nurseries for my baby who will be 11 months near my work in Spreydon?

Thanks for your help!

Pom_Chch

Hi Laanantha,

Congrats on the jobs

Yep, Fendalton is probably the most expensive suburb in Chch! Try Merivale, which is jut next to Fendalton. Still a nice area but not as expensive. You could also look at Addington (bit busy for my liking but still a possibility). Same with Riccarton. Personally I find it too busy and congested, but you may like it.

I work in Beckenham, which is lovely and not too far from Spreydon or the hospital. St Martins is also a nice area. If I had to pick it would be Beckenham/St Martins area. Colombo Street has a few cafes, restaurants with supermarkets near by. It also has a river running through it which is great for walks and also very close to the Port Hills, one of Chch's best bits
Google "Victoria Park, Chch", fantastic area for kids - has a wee park there with toilets/changing facilities. Great walks for the adults too. You'll also be able to whip round to Taylors Mistake and Godley Head in the car within about 30 mins (stunning areas, Google those too!)

If you haven't already done so just Google Map the above to give you a feel for where everything is. The only downside is properties to rent in those areas will come with a high price tag! Probably not as much as Fendalton though!

Any more questions feel free to ask!

Kiwikaye

Hi Laantha,

Congratulations on the job. I can recommend the ABC Childcare centre at 95 Colombo Street. We had our son in there when we lived in Christchurch and they were brilliant.

Good luck with the move.

Kaye

MrsD70

Hello everyone I landed in christchurch three weeks ago my son has started school on his third week now. I've found a job start Thursday so most of my experience so far has been good!

LauraNotts

Welcome MrsD70 what's the job? Whereabouts in Christchurch are you living? Feel free to ask any question of the lovely people on this thread they are really helpful.

MrsD70

Hi my job is with transpac waste can't wait to start as I'm home alone all day. We live in bishopdale. My husband is working for fletchers he has been here about three months.