Looking to make the move ?
 

Hi




We visited Auckland in April this year and fell in love with the place. We would love to make the move and have spoken to a couple of people regarding work whilst we were out there.


We would ideally like to make the move and rent, to eventually buy our first home. Auckland seems very expensive house wise


Wondered if anyone had any opinions on Wellington or Christchurch ?


obviously we have to go where the work is but would like to find out from people who have been to Wellington or Christchurch pros and cons


We would like to make the move to give our daughter a better chance in life, and feel they would all have more to offer than the uk

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

At the end of the day it has to work for you and the work life balance needs to be right.


All places will have different pros and cons for different people:
Main cons according to most people:


Christchurch = Earthquakes
Wellington = Wind + Rain




Dunedin seems to be becoming more popular for people who want to escape the Auckland rat race.

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

I assume that you have qualifications that fit in with the current shortages?

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

yes my partner is a security technician and we have spoken to migration agents his job is on the skilled shortage list

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

I would first check where he can actually get a job and see if the salary can get you what you want in that location.

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

Speaking as a visitor I would prefer Christchurch to Wellington, but would be cautious about where I located.

The area around Christchurch is much more open and Akaroa (near by) is charming.

We found Wellington a bit isolated being right at the tip of North Island, and as others have said it can be a bit windy. It also gets the rain from the prevailing weather. Nice city, though.

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

Wellington, great city center, quite hilly, lots of traffic, VERY windy.

Chch, sprawling mass of not a lot, now appears broken and still lots of EQ damage visible, new developments south of the city getting expensive, doubt the place will ever fully recover.

Also look at Hamilton, Napier, Tauranga, new Plymouth, Wanganui, Blenheim, Dunedin.

Hamilton and Tauranga are going through massive growth due to people leaving Auckland and new road infrastructure.
Don't just jump out of one city and into another, explore all options.

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

Chch is a big open sky city with a large town feel. We boast excellent quality drinking water and it's free. We only get 24" of rain per year so nobody gripes on about the wet other than the ground is too dry. The city centre is being rebuilt at a very fast rate and every week sees new "Earthquake proof" buildings popping up. We have beaches of lovely sand that go on for ever and parks on almost every street corner. I never bother to drive anywhere because the bus service is so good and being on the flat cycling is so easy. Yes we get winter frosts but I still grow lemons and oranges. Waking up to a minus 3C means that by 10:00 am shorts and tee shirt will be the days dress in the big blue sun shine. Having cooler nights and less humidity goes for better sleep. Our houses have been destruction tested a few years back and if you settle on the West of the city there is little or no visible EQ damage remaining. The new builds in the city all in need of security systems no doubt....;)

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

I'm in riccarton and its looks bloody awful
Today I've also been in Bishopdale, Avonhead and Papanui and wasnt impressed there either,
It all looks so dirty
I guess its horses for courses

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

Really? Those are quite nice areas, not the flashiest but nice and certainly not dirty. The weather has been miserable here the last few days however after the recent dry period it's certainly needed and means some snow for the ski slopes opening soon :-)

Re: Looking to make the move ?
 

I second all of this.