Hi finally worked out how to post on the site, my wife and I are moving to christchurch to be near our son and his family, and our daughter in melbourne, it is a bit daunting at our age but are looking forward to the adventure, biggest fear is finding accommodation never rented before but am sure we will find something, will be arriving middle of October once flights are booked. Looking forward to the kiwi life.

Good for you !!! I am hoping that once I move over this year that my parents will follow. I have a brother in Australia but I have always wanted to live in New Zealand so fingers crossed they will move to be near one of us.

Good luck with finding a rental I am sure you will find something. have you started your Visa process yet, if you don't mind me asking are you going on a Parent Visa? we are trying to work out what visa my parents will be able to get but I think they will have to wait 3 years until I am able to sponsor them.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, we have our visas sorted we are on a parent visa, our son has to sponsor us for the first 5 years. I'm sure once your parents see you settled there it will give them the push to follow. We can't wait.

Welcome to BE!

All the best with the move to Chch

MrsGreen, yes you do have to have been a NZ Resident for at least 3 years before you can sponsor your parents

Will you be looking for furnished or un-furnished rentals???

The plan is furnished for the first 3/4 months, while looking for a more permanent place, our own furniture will be in storage in the uk. Hopefully give us time to get a feel for the right area. (Well that's the plan). 😏

Welcome to the forum and good luck. Do you remember the story on tv a few years ago about the 102 year old man who emigrated to NZ? He said he had always wanted to do it and didn't want to get to 105 and think 'why didn't I do it'. So you're never too old, take a look on google, he was so sweet!

Karen