mum-dad-3-little people

Hello everyone
This is my 1st post on here so forgive any mistakes please.
My Hubby is coming out the British Forces and we are in Cyprus at the mo.
Planning to move to New Zealand in Feb 09
Using a fab Emigration Consultant but would like to make a start on researching areas to live.
Can anyone give us some ideas on were to find good jobs in IT. We really don't want to live in great big towns or work in big industries. Were coming to get out of the rat race not join in another. So small scale companies who need IT guys, areas with good Primary Schools, Kindies, and Crèches as kids are 4,3 and 1 and I'm not to fussy
Help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
mum-dad-3-little people

shirl

If you don't want to get caught in the rat race I would go for the South Island and probably find work in Christchurch. There are lots of outlying areas within an easy commute to Christchurch. Go on www.trademe.co.nz which is our equivalent to ebay. There you can search for jobs and houses. Have a good poke around. Go to Canterbury area for jobs and houses and then just scroll through to see where the fancy takes you. Also www.seek.co.nz is another job site. Good luck and I am sure you will love it. We live in Rangiora - 20 mins from chch with a lovely feel to the place. In the country but near to beaches and city. Mountains in the distance capped with snow, lakes down south about 3 hours drive and hot pools of Hanmer Springs 90 mins away. Ahhh the lifestyle!

howden40

Welcome to the site, you'll find lots of help.

It's a BIGGIE of a question, like anywhere in the world people have prefereces. In the UK I loved the moors, my husband loved Cornwall I hated Cornwall.

As previous advice check out trademe, seek etc. Go where suitable jobs are. When you find a 'suitable' area in principle ask if anyone lives in that area.

I live in the Bay of Plenty area and love it. Can't say first hand about schools but the people I have met seem happy with the schools in my area.

You'll have loads of fun looking at prospective homes. Like a child in a toy shop you won't know what to pick. I spent many happy hours looking at homes, and then went for one the exact opposite as to what I'd looked at, but that was because of the boys. Being 23 & 19 I decided it would be better to live in a town so they could find employment and meet people easier.

I will eventually move right out into the country, but the boy's needs came first.

Your priorities may also change on arrival, keep an open mind.

Be Happy
Pauline

mum-dad-3-little people

Hi shirl
Thanks for that, its really helpful.
Funny enough we were looking at North Island but the more we have researched, the more we are drawn to South Island.
Rangiora sounds lovely will have a search round that area online now.
Thank you, all help is much appreciated.
Jackie

mum-dad-3-little people

Hi Howden40
Are we making to much of the weather & climate thing?
We looked at North Island 1st because of the above reason. But how much does the weather and climate differe for North to South Island?
Best wishes
Jackie

angpaul

we live in Nelson and the weather is fantastic.most sunsine hours in NZ.Today blue skies washing hung up and its going to 16 C.Great.We made the decision if we leaving the Uk we want sunshine

shirl

I am sure many on here would say North Island because of the higher temps and more job opportunities. I have only visited the Bay of Islands and that is a very beautiful area. We had rain for a week solid last November and I said it was like being back in the UK. Couldn't wait to get back to the sunny south. Saying that it gets more rain up there than down here. Traffic is abysmal as well. Here in the South Island last Saturday we had our first snow here in Rangiora. Stayed for Sunday and was gone pretty much by yesterday. 2 weeks ago last Friday (winter) we were sat in the garden with a coffee and it was so hot we thought about getting the sun umbrella out. We had just moved here so we were having a break and soaking up the sun. We are pretty much in trouble here as we have not had much rain and power cuts are looming - shame they can't bring it down from the North Island to fill our Lakes!!

But like Pauline said - it is choice, job market and where you would feel you are getting the best deal. Homes here are cheaper than Auckland - they are astronomical there. Not sure about other areas though. We have beaches, mountains, lakes, beautiful countryside, skiing etc. They say you can be skiing in the morning and on the beach in the afternoon! However, saying that the more pics I see of the North Island beaches the more I love it. OH would not consider a move North due to the population and traffic crime etc. Will just have to take our hols there instead and visit the beautiful beaches!

By the way - welcome to the site. You will find so many posters with very different views that you are sure to become confused. Good luck wherever you decide to settle.

howden40

The only comparison I can think of is how much it differs from Scotland to London, but the South Island is Scotland and the North London.

The weather and climate I feel are minor issues. Here in Tauranga we're not too far off the shortest day, I have 2 loads of washing on the line and one in the machine, summer is just around the corner.

No matter where you pick, it should be an improvement weatherwise. The summers will still be longer and warmer, the winters shorter than UK. It depends on what you like, I used to love snow, still do.

Enjoy your window shopping, I loved it. We live here as this is where Tony was offered employment, I don't regret my choice.

Tony hasn't really settled yet, he misses too many things, friends, architecture, sense of humour, but he's changed this week. Keeps commenting on how happy I am and he's smiling a lot more again, think he's beginning to settle. It's nice.

This was my choice of move, the boys only came because they love me and knew I would not leave any of them to move on my own.

Keep Happy
Pauline

BEVS

Kia Ora and welcome to the forum. Have some welcome karma.

As this thread is more than an intro & welcome, I am moving it to the main NZ forum.

From what I have read on NZ forums over the past 5 years, I'd hazard a guess that good IT jobs will only be found in Welly, Auckland or Xch.

New Zealand has many micro climates.

If you wanted similar to Cyprus , then the top of the South Island could well suit. Nelson or Blenheim both have high sunshine hours with hot summers and cool/warm winters. The weather is very even here & doesn't seem to get the rain and winds that areas of the North Island have. It also doesn't get the snow and ice that happens lower down the South Island in Winter. I often think it is sort of similar to South Italy .

The trouble you would have is in finding work but never say never.

southerner

There's a cluster of specialist IT companies in Dunedin too, if you're looking for somewhere else with IT jobs in the South Island.

clair73

Hi
I live in Chch and have only been to Auckland for a visit and it felt like i was back in the UK every time.
The South Island is beautiful, scenic and the one thing i noticed first about the South Island is people work to live not live to work. Chch is a beautiful city as is Dunedin, you may have to have a drive around and see where you like the most

3kidz

Hi, it all depends on what you are looking for and what is important to you. We live near Hamilton N Island and love it here too. Auckland is a no no for us. We are central to many places, coastal, Rotorua, Coromandel etc. all just an hours drive away. Hope this helps too.