WhatToDo82

So I had a second interview last night for work in the hospital in Hamilton. They have offered me a job. Written offer on its way in the post shortly. Today I have given their OH equivalent information about my seizure, or as much as I have at the moment. I am now hoping they won't withdraw their fitness to work decision.

Anyway, the job offer is subject to successful registration with the NZ midwifery council so I need to get a wriggle on with sorting that out. Then the visa. Job starts 3rd week of January, but they said it's flexible if things are taking longer to sort out...

I now can't drive until April, so we're going to have to live in Hamilton, walking distance from the hospital when we first arrive and move to Te Awamutu (where we planned to be) later on.

Yikes. It's becoming way more real!

davros1984

Great news! Fingers crossed you can make the big move to the Tron .

Snap Shot

All is not lost.....

LauraNotts

Ooh awesome news well done . January will be a lovely time of year to arrive as well. Have you thought about cycling? Hamilton has some lovely bike trails, granted I only did those as a tourist though.

M_and_M

Awesome news! Another step closer...

kitbag

Hi there,
I qualified as a midwife in the UK and moved to Hamilton a couple of years ago and am working at Waikato hospital, so if you have any questions let me know! Good luck with all the organising and we'll see you in the new year.

Tracey

WhatToDo82

Thanks everyone. Meet you next year, Tracey

WhatToDo82

Tracey,

I have a question, if I may.

I will need to be walking distance from the hospital when we first arrive, but also walking distance from a High School and an Intermediary School (boys will be almost 10 and almost 15). I can see Melville on the map, and also Bader. Is there anywhere else that may be suitable and I could get a 3 bed for under $350 per week? Are those areas OK? How far into each would you say it stops being a comfortable walk to the hospital?

(I hope all that makes some kind of sense!)

Thanks

kitbag

Its a bit of a tricky question really, especially if you're bound by walking distances. Melville is probably more of a lower income area with older houses, and I don't think Melville high school has a fantastic reputation. It is a decile 4 school, Decile 10 being the highest and the decile indicates what socio economic backgrounds the school draws pupils from. However lower decile schools get extra funding from the government to help balance things out. In 2012 it looks like only 1:4 students at Melville High passed the university entrance exam so that might be something to consider also.
With your youngest I think he will still be at primary school level if his is 9 when he arrives. Intermediate schools cater for years 7 & 8 and most 10 year olds are year 6 which is still primary. When we arrived my youngest 2 were 10, & 11 and they went into years 6 & 7 respectively. Something for you to check out.
There is plenty of cheap accomadation around the hospital, they are cramming new buildings in every month it seems. Is it just you and your boys coming over?

Cheers Tracey

Bo-Jangles

What's wrong with taking a bus? I'm pretty sure that they have them in Hamilton.

WhatToDo82

I suspect that the buses will not run at appropriate times for working shifts at the hospital. I may be wrong though.

WhatToDo82

Thanks Tracey. Is it ok to pm you a bit nearer the time?

kitbag

Of course you can PM me whenever you want or email me direct on <snip> . In looking at schooling (And this is only MY opinion) you would be better off looking for accommadation the other side of the hospital more in the Hamilton West zone. This means you would be zoned for Hamilton Boys High School, although an easy bus ride away for your son. It is a publically funded single sex school but a much better choice than Melville. That side of the hospital there is also a full primary school called Hamilton West school that takes children through to the end of year 8 so potentially less disruption for your wee lad.
There are bus services to the hospital but they run limited services on a sturday, no service on a sunday and don't run late enough if you do a P shift and finish at 23.15.
Cheers Tracey

Justcol

This might be of some help, not sure of the times but the orbitor seems to
run all day !!

Busit!

Melville isnt a great area, its ok but the nice areas are surrounded by the
many not so nice areas. It might be ok short term while you get settled.
the bus might help you look at other areas and if you cant drive its fairly easy
to get a licence down here.

WhatToDo82

Thanks Justcol

I can drive, I am just not permitted to until mid April due to have a seizure. This whole public transport malarky is getting tedious :/

Just looked at the bus map link, it doesn't look like buses will be running early/late enough to cover the shifts at the hospital. Or at least no early enough... Walking (or cycling) it is...