simonmarkellis

So, you get of the plane, you chose your area to live, when did you feel part of the community and part of NZ? When did you feel NZ was home? Was it the moment you got your blue stickers? the moment you started work? when you moved into your rental? when the kids started school?, when you moved into your first (bought) home complete with mortgage? Or was it like me when you didn't need a map to find your way around anymore! (that's not a dig at your sat nav Karen).

happynz

I'm still trying to come to grips with this planet.

Maz

Very first thing I thought of!

I remember you being asked the question before, and you said "about 45 minutes after I got off the plane" or some such.

As for me... I missed NZ when we left after our recce. Felt at home pretty much straightaway. Keep saying to Phil how much I love our house. Wish our neighbours were around more to hang out with a bunch more. Our immediate next-door neighbours are away a bunch and the wife is extremely homesick, with a new grandchild back in the UK. Yep, they're Brits too! Opposite are Aussies with a very young baby, so they're not great socialisers too.

The people here have been such a wonderful support group, it's made it feel a lot more like home.

happynz

Maybe it was 45 minutes before landing, I can't recall.

Boopy

For me, when we moved into our first home & the container arrived with all our worldly goods.
Surrounded by familiar things makes you feel at home.

karonious

For me, it was when I was able to give someone directions...I LIVE HERE!!
{and I will ALWAYS need my sat-nav Simon!}

Nerine

Sorry, I don't understand the question (Thank goodness)

I've got a maximum of 5 fingers on each hand so I guess I must have got out in time.

Ted Logan

[QUOTE=Maz;5746112].......... Our immediate next-door neighbours are away a bunch and the wife is extremely homesick, with a new grandchild back in the UK. Yep, they're Brits too! Opposite are Aussies with a very young baby, so they're not great socialisers too. [QUOTE]


My God !!! Brits living around you, how bizzare !!! and they don't subscribe to this site either

Maz

Apparently the majority of homeowners in Aotea are Brits... actually that rather saddens me as I don't want to be in the majority here!

simonmarkellis

According to the Dom Post, I thought it was a forgone conclusion that we'd all be living amongst other expats - all the kiwi's are buggering off to Oz...

BEVS

It took me about a year or so. It took my husband less.
We don't live among ex-pats and we didn't have a social ex-pat group that we met with until very recently. Our friends are mostly kiwis & an assortment of nationalities. None were from forums until we met up with a few couples abut a month ago. We have been here over 3 and a 1/2 years.

We know & are friends with other new people to the village. They are not ex-pats. Some are kiwis from other parts of NZ and it took them the same amount of time to settle here and get to know folk.

simonmarkellis

Out of pure interest, can i ask where in NZ did you appear not to have enjoyed residing? (Don't say all of it)

Nerine

North Shore, which could've easily been any part of Asia....sorry I mean New Zealand. Should've visited NZ and Oz first but hey, we all fall for the hype to some degree but work dictated that we live there.

About the fingers? bit of an in-joke, we left with two eyes each too

bourbon-biscuit

Odd comment Nerine. Did the racial mix in Auckland bother you?

bourbon-biscuit

I think I'm nearly 'settled'. I live in a village with no other ex-pats but have only been in this village three months. Before that I lived in an 'ex-pat' area and felt less settled. I've been here just shy of one year.