British Expats - First Week Update

Hi All

Been in NZ now for (nearly) one whole week and having a geat, but tiring, time. Just thought we'd let you know where we're at and what's been going on. So far we've been amazed at how friendly and helpful everyone has been. We haven't seen one grumpy face! When we've been stuck whoever we've dealt with have either lent us something, picked up to phone and called a mate/contact who can help or found pen and paper and given us details to point us in the right direction. We've even been lent two cars!

Sunday had a mooch round. Got Vodaphone PAYG sims. $35 each with $15 credit. Sounds good? Gone in no time - probably most expensive mobile tariff in the universe!! :eek:

We'd already set up a bank account and po box number from the UK. Monday we went to get IRD numbers. Simple form to fill in, they took copy of passport and said it would be sent within 7-10 days. Had phone call couple of days later to check a couple of details. Asked the lady if she could tell us our numbers as we need those to register for various things and were told good as gold, no probs, call you back in 10. Which she did. Official letter still to come in post in about a week.

We were in a Real Estate office looking at property and were asked to pose in their new family reception area for their forthcoming newspaper article - they paid in big chocolate bars so how could we refuse!!

Currently staying in a great motel with just the best owners who have been so kind and helpful. Spent 2-3 days looking at houses. Real Estates guys are fantastic but can have very vivid imaginations and poetic descriptions but after day 1 they kinda got the hang that we are not riched up poms. We had to be very firm, politely of course, and very repetitive that there was simply no point showing us anything above our limit. By Wednesday we found what to us is just a great house that feels like home and is within our low budget. Put in conditional offer (eg. subject to finance and LIM and title) which was accepted that evening. Already had mortgage agreed in principle but then came against stumbling block at as we're on 30 month work visas, not PR, we couldn't borrow more than 80% of the value of the property. Lots of help, advice and running around and frantic phone calls, our very knowledgeable finance advisor sorted it all for us and although we'll have to pay over the odds initially on interest and set up fees etc it should all go smoothly and we should complete next week.

I don't know why kiwis aren't thought to have a sense of humour - dealing with one bank the girl had us in stitches, especially when she mentioned what the variable rate was! Boy, you should've seen the tears rolling down :rofl:

We've also bought a car. Not one we'd have ever bought in the UK, but the cars here (in CCh anyway) don't seem to rust. The engines are so clean as is the bodywork and interiors. We must have looked at several hundred (least that what OH tells me I'd done) before choosing a black 1991 Toyota Celica which the kids thought was just fab. Although I haven't been brave enough to drive it myself yet am going to tomorrow so I can get to know my way round as next week OH is off to work so I'd be a bit stuck otherwise. Luckily our daughter is great at navigating so will be installing her in front seat as my in car SatNav. Couldn't believe how trusting the garage blokes are though, they don't need to find special plates for a test drive, you don't need to book an appointment and they don't come with you! Most in fact suggested we keep the car overnight and have a good drive around the next day to see if we liked it, with no deposit or name or address details asked!

We've been for coffee with Sky in Rangiora which was good to finally put a face to a name and her stories and advice made us laugh - hope to be able to keep in touch with her. And we had just the best evening at Wiz and Toni's with their killer cat the other night. It was great to be able to just sit and relax and chat and Toni is a fabulous cook. They're an absolute oracle of information, help and generosity - so very many thanks to them - will be returning favour just as soon as we can guys :thumbup:

Spent two hours in bank today to open new account ready for mortgage. Also got car insurance there (just over $100) and quote for building and contents which seemed reasonable. Takes some getting used to all these bank charges! It is our money afterall, but there's a monthly fee, a yearly fee for a plain, simple credit card, etc, etc. We'd transferred over our GBP to $ and got our first interest added, then tax came off!! Even the kids pay tax on their savings accounts - oh, and they need an IRD number to in order to open an account.

We've been food shopping at the Pac n Save which was a bit weird but very reasonably priced. And we've been to The Warehouse which we thought was fab and reminded us of Charlies or Hooties back in the UK.

Personally I think CCh is brill. There are so many shops, prices are reasonable and there is plenty of choice. You don't pay a fortune if you want UK branded products - Colegate, OXO, Cadbury's, Heinz, etc but saying that there is so much NZ brand choice here. We haven't had any bad vibes yet from anyone about being English or immigrants. We chat to people, even just passing in the street, everywhere we go and they all seem open and friendly.

So far we're very happy with our choices. We have appointments to look around the schools near our house next week. Kids can't wait to start and have already picked their preferred school - although I feel a difference of opinion coming on!

Anyway, think that's enough blurb from us for now! Very glad to be here and not missing home at all (although it helps we have msn and webcam and email friends/family regularly) :thumbsup: