red.debz

Hi, me and my husband and 2 children are currently living in darwin and looking at relocating to Christchurch. They have allot of plumbing jobs advertised with relocation agencies and we have had our heads turned! What I really want to know is how does life compare to darwin and England? What's the general attitude towards the English? What are the good areas for families and schools? Any feedback would be great.

Woodlea

Christchurch compared to Darwin? Well having worked in (out of) Darwin on a number of occasions I know where I would rather live!
We have a much nicer climate than Darwin, warm and sunny summers, and sunny, frosty winters, with very little rain.
I've never found being a pom an issue in Canterbury. Considering that most of the population of Canterbury are descended from poms or are poms it's really no surprise that it is easy to assimilate.
Good luck!

Justcol

Ayup chuck, I used to live just over the hill from you in rossendale.
I came out here just under 8 years ago and despite the usual ups and downs that we all go through,
it was the best thing I ever did. You really can't compare life here to Darwin, it just doesn't compare.
There's no issue with being english, there are poms everywhere down here. there's more space, life is slower,
there's not as much choice, cars are expensive, so is food
you adapt because the alternative is living in the UK and that's a bloody awful prospect

Woodlea

Choice bro - my sentiments exactly!

red.debz

Thanks guys, we sent of my husband job application last night, fingers crossed. Also, one more question, I'm a hairdresser and don't want to struggle for work. Is it a sought after trade our am I going to find it tough?

LauraNotts

Can't speak for Darwin but I am a Pom who has settled very well in Christchurch. I have very good friends among a number of Kiwis now and (not deliberately) don't really socialise much with other expats because I don't need too. I've never really had any negative reactions to where I'm from amongst the people who know me. People will always say ignorant things about immigrants from time to time but I just ignore that.

It does help that I am a die hard All Blacks fan, Crusaders season ticket holder and lover of the Blackcaps but hey when in Rome

Pom_Chch

Hi there and welcome!

My advice would be to come over and check out the place. As with any where in the world you will get people who love it and others who will hate it.

I personally love it as it suits me down to a t. I love the outdoors - hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking and Canterbury is a mecca for those things! The climate is favourable to be able to be in the outdoors. It rarely gets too hot or too cold. I've even developed a tan since living here - something I never thought possible 😃

In my experience us Poms are well received here. I've never experienced any ill feelings from locals. More interest about where in the UK I'm from, how long I've been here etc. In the three years I've been here my partner, friends and myself haven't had any problems.

Chch seems a good place to raise a family. I can't comment too much as I don't have kids but friends with kids don't seem to struggle when it comes to good schools and activities.

Anyway, that's my two cents, any questions fire away!