Hazelnut

Following on from all the help and feedback I had a couple of months ago husband and I have talked about things more, looked at Seek and vacancy lists a lot and scoured a couple of housing sites. I'm now putting this down as it helps me get it all straight in my own head and because we've made a big decision.

It's looking very unlikely that we'll be able to take jobs in Auckland, housing is simply too expensive even if I manage to find a job as well as husband. We have an hours commuting time as our maximum and the only places we've seen similar to what we have now and that we can afford are all 40-50 miles away minimum.

It does look like we could afford the housing we want from Hamilton downwards though Warmer climate is something we're moving for but where we live now the top summer temps are 20C with it being more typically 13-15C. In the worst three months of winter the average temp is -3C. Annual rainfall for us averages around 1800mm. From what I have read this makes even Dunedin warmer and drier for most of the year.

Previously we thought we'd make the points for automatic selection under skilled migrant category but I had misunderstood the form and it turned out that husband needs a job offer for him to be selected. That means going out on a temporary visa and applying for skilled migrant once out there and hoping to goodness it's approved. Initially we were a bit worried about this and thought I'd have to stay behind and try to hang onto my job as well as manage the smallholding and all the household running while living apart, potentially for months which wasn't something we felt we could do. In order to move the ponies over we need to sell the house and that is something we also found really scary to do as we could never afford anything like our current house if we emigrate and then find it's been a huge mistake.

We then had a moment of looking at each other and thinking, "Why are we looking at NZ anyway?". It's because we feel really ready for a big change and we want an adventure before we're too old for it. We think we'd prefer that to be in NZ but it could be in the UK. Once we realised that it made things easier.

What we're going to do is come out to NZ for three weeks at the end of January/beginning of February next year. House sitter was booked this weekend so it's really, definitely happening now

It will be the honeymoon we never had when married 25yrs ago but we're also going to visit some key areas where we think we could both find work and afford a home.

If the visit confirms to us that we really do want to move to NZ we'll come back to the UK, put the house on the market and sell up. That is scary to type as we have an amazing house at the moment and we've worked hard for 30yrs to be where we are. We'll then go into rented housing until such time as husband has a job and we can move over to NZ together. The ponies will come over once (and only if) we have approval under skilled migrant category. Hopefully that means we can be agile with moving out for new employers.

If skilled migrant isn't approved or we find, a few years down the line, that we made a mistake we'll move back but to a cheaper part of the UK where we can self build a timber structure house to retire into, that way we can afford to live in the UK again and to bring back any ponies that are still alive.

We want to build our own home in NZ, if we do that once over there the thought we might need to do it again won't seem so daunting. We've also visited a couple of people here in the UK that have lived in temporary homes while self building and it isn't as scary as we thought.

So, trip is booked, nerves and excitement are up and I'm open to any ideas on how to combine a holiday of a lifetime with visiting potential areas to live.

If we know we're going to be in particular places on specific dates would anyone who's successfully moved over be willing to meet us for coffee and a chat?

blandford

wow - lots to think about, have you got quotes to move your ponies, as I am bringing one horse with me and it is a HUGE expense.

Persephone

Decision made and as you said, if it doesn't work out then at least you'll have had a honeymoon [at last!]

I can't remember what your husband does but how about arranging to meet potential employers or at least sending out a CV whilst you're there? Only downside could be that if something does come up then you may have to move earlier than expected...
That worked for me [though I already had residency approved], my employer was willing to wait 4 months for me to start. All depends on the profession.

Hazelnut

The cost of moving the ponies nearly stopped us looking, it was quite but they are our family so if we go then they go I sent e-mails to a couple of companies but only one came back to me, their quote was roughly what I was expecting though.

One of the things that worries us if we bring CVs and talk to prospective employers is that we're coming for a holiday as far as this trip is concerned. I'd hate to be turned round on arrival in NZ as airport staff thought we didn't intend to go home

For various reasons early 2015 is the earliest we can move, it's a shame as husband has already had interest from two employers but it's how it is. We've got a narrow window between us being too old to emigrate but also needing to support our siblings and say goodbye to our parents who are in the terminal stages of different diseases. That's a downside but the positive is that it's really focusing our minds and gives us time to plan and the really big thing is that our parents are on board and incredibly supportive of us going.

MrsFychan

sounds like you have really thought it through so good luck to you. fingers crossed that your husbands job does not slip off the skilled list in that time

Hazelnut

Definitely! Toes too

The work he does is very specialised, the downside is there's not that many jobs available. The upside is there's usually a few around and not many people who can do them. Hopefully if it slips off long term shortage we'll still be able to find something. I've started working towards a horse care and riding coach qualification which is a totally different area of work to what I do now as it can always be done freelance if I can't gain work in current career field.

Mind you I did see a job this week that I really want to go for :sitsonhands:

Bo-Jangles

Well you don't need to physically bring a printed or even a soft copy CV do you? E-mail it to yourself, put it in 'the cloud' Sky-Drive it, whatever.

The only issue I foresee is that you will be here at the height of summer and potential employers will mostly have been out of office / at the bach and you'll not find anyone at the office able to talk turkey.

Snap Shot

I live in Wanganui, two and a half hours drive from Wellington. It's hundreds of kms from Hamilton. However, if you want to meet up, ok. We emigrated to NZ from Britain in 2011.

Hazelnut

I'm investigating LinkedIn as I think I can put some of my details on there but keep them private from current employer. I'm slightly wary of the cloud as many of the companies, like Google, keep copies of everything you place on there even after you think you've deleted it and also take the right to re-use and make derivative works from your content

For me summer might work well as I work in HE and people in my role seem to have more time to chat to me when there's no students about. Definitely something to think about for husband though, thanks for the thought Bo-Jangles.

SnapShot - That's a really kind offer. I'd love to meet up as I've followed your posts with interest. We're planning on driving down to Wellington from Hamilton via Palmerston North so Wanganui is practically on the way One thing about living in remoter parts of the UK is that I think we're prepared for NZ roads and the fact you hop in a car and drive 30km to meet someone for coffee and a chat.

Snap Shot

Hazelnut - There'll be hot coffee or tea or your preferred drink on arrival. Please let me know when I/we (husband and I) should expect you.

If you arrive after 6pm I'll get the wine glasses out.

Take care, Debbie

P.S. I don't mind meeting at a coffee shop in Wanganui if you would prefer.

Hazelnut

My new passport arrived yesterday and we're going to book our flights in the next few days. I'm varying between, "we're going to see the reality and find that we can afford it and will move" and "why are we bothering to even look when internet research tells me we can't afford to move there". Husband is more relaxed and says we're going for the holiday of a lifetime and may just decide to make it our permanent lifetime. He's a calm rock to my crashing surf waves.

A friend who moved over there quite a while ago was back for a visit recently so we met up and had a long chat and she reckons we could afford what we want and that we'll fit into the lifestyle.

I'm looking forward to hopefully meeting some forum members when we're in NZ as this has been a great resource for me

Snap Shot

Good luck. You're definitely coming, whether you're staying is to be determined.......

pixiewink

Hi Hazelnut

....Well Done on booking a trip.....You must be so excited

I will share with you the rules I am playing by for checking out a new place to live!!! (this is my plan for 2014 when I go back to the UK on my research trip)

1. Leave the Rose Tinted Goggles at the Airport on departure or with a responsible friend....

2. Talk to as many people as you can in the areas you would like to live/work..for honest opinions.....especially about potential employers...etc

3. Look at the areas you want to live with an open mind...check out the housing situation - insulated homes/heating options/cost of wood to burn etc...areas to live & not live, as with anywhere their are desirable & not so desirable places to live...

4. Keep a note book and jot down the likes & honest dislikes of everything...from heat/housing/food/people/practices & so on & on & on...

5. Remember this is not exclusively a holiday!

This is as far as I have got with my "rule book, to finding another place to live" but maybe others can help out with other things to look for too....

Good luck to you & yours....

Snap Shot

It's so subjective isn't it ? One of my negatives is being to close to a pub. Someone else might say it isn't close enough !

On and on it goes.....

Purrball

First of all, congratulations on taking this step and making an event of it.

The desire of having a holiday and doing some research will pull you in different directions at times. What's more, you're visiting right at the end of the summer holidays when the weather is likely to be lovely and the country will seem even more laid-back than usual, but it's still also high season, so accomodation and so on will be a bit more pricy then usual.

Imagine if you were doing the same kind of trip in reverse, visiting the UK at this time of the year, at the end of August. Everything would look lovely, perhaps a bit more crowded but more buzzy, rather than visiting a small town in the Midlands or by the sea in the midst of a wet weekend in March.

What I would do, is to do the country like many Kiwis would. To make the most of what New Zealand has to offer, be prepared to unwind and peel off your skin, metaphorically speaking. Think laidback and casual. Don't overpack and travel lightly. Try not to insulate yourself too much by staying in hotels all the time and eating in restaurants, but get the local vibe by visiting supermarkets and shops and making picnic lunches, visiting any events like farmers markets and local fairs, hanging out where people tend to gather. Mark out noted scenic routes to drive and beauty spots to pull the car over and hop out for a few minutes to walk. Always pack swimsuits and towels and go for any easy swims or paddles in any designated rivers or lakes, some of them are stunningly clear. Find quiet beaches, get out on the water somewhere and/or rent mountain bikes. Stock up a chillybin and go camping for a couple of days; some of the campsites are in some of the most beautiful places.

Two drives I enjoyed the last time I was there:
• Thames over the Coromandel to Whitianga and down to Tauranga
• Nelson to Picton via Queen Charlotte Drive

Also, if you're coming down from Hamilton, take a detour to McLaren Falls Park. Worth staying there for a day, it really is stunningly beautiful.

Make your lists and schedules, draw up your bucket list... but don't forget to dawdle and kick back. New Zealand is that kind of place.

Have a fab time. Bit jealous.