The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Mar 26th 2011, 5:07 am
#1
If u see Sid, tell 'im...
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Ex of Hucknall and Mansfield, Notts and now in Manly, Whangaparaoa, just North of Auckland!
Posts: 973
The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Well, that's us just completed the first 12 months of our new life! I can honestly say it's been great, no drama's, virtually as expected and can't wait till we buy our first place.
I got here mid March, last year, with the rest of the family turning up mid April. We found a great little rental, with sea views out of 3 sides of the house, bought 2 'kiwi' cars (4x4's!) and started a business. The business side hasn't gone as well as hoped, so I got a full time job and have landed on my feet with the company I work for (great bunch of guys I can now call friends). The business just ticks along as a weekend earner.
Financially, we are doing good but we are renting, although the mortgage we need to buy a place would work out less a month than we currently pay in rent, so once we buy, we should still be good. We actually manage to save money, have a few hobbies and get out every weekend, whether it's just days out or weekends away, it's more than we managed in the UK.........and we didn't arrive here with bucket loads of cash, either. The house sold for 60k less than valued and then the exchange rate fell through the floor, so we turned up here with $150k less than we planned on! We have made it work, though and the kids are better for it. They have a full active social life (better than ours!) and have some great friends.
We live in Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland and settled on the place following a recce 2 years ago. I have friends already in the area and so walked into a ready made circle of friends and so somebody to turn to when help was needed. That has made all the difference and I believe that that part of the move has made things as easy as they are, for us. Without the friends, it could have turned out very differently.
So far, no homesickness or feelings of 'why did we do it', just all positive with a good mix of reality thrown in.
All in all, a most excellent choice of location and a move I would recommend to others.....just do your homework and plan for the unexpected and 'she'll be right'!
I got here mid March, last year, with the rest of the family turning up mid April. We found a great little rental, with sea views out of 3 sides of the house, bought 2 'kiwi' cars (4x4's!) and started a business. The business side hasn't gone as well as hoped, so I got a full time job and have landed on my feet with the company I work for (great bunch of guys I can now call friends). The business just ticks along as a weekend earner.
Financially, we are doing good but we are renting, although the mortgage we need to buy a place would work out less a month than we currently pay in rent, so once we buy, we should still be good. We actually manage to save money, have a few hobbies and get out every weekend, whether it's just days out or weekends away, it's more than we managed in the UK.........and we didn't arrive here with bucket loads of cash, either. The house sold for 60k less than valued and then the exchange rate fell through the floor, so we turned up here with $150k less than we planned on! We have made it work, though and the kids are better for it. They have a full active social life (better than ours!) and have some great friends.
We live in Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland and settled on the place following a recce 2 years ago. I have friends already in the area and so walked into a ready made circle of friends and so somebody to turn to when help was needed. That has made all the difference and I believe that that part of the move has made things as easy as they are, for us. Without the friends, it could have turned out very differently.
So far, no homesickness or feelings of 'why did we do it', just all positive with a good mix of reality thrown in.
All in all, a most excellent choice of location and a move I would recommend to others.....just do your homework and plan for the unexpected and 'she'll be right'!
Mar 26th 2011, 9:57 am
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Pakaraka
Posts: 3,264
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Well, that's us just completed the first 12 months of our new life! I can honestly say it's been great, no drama's, virtually as expected and can't wait till we buy our first place.
I got here mid March, last year, with the rest of the family turning up mid April. We found a great little rental, with sea views out of 3 sides of the house, bought 2 'kiwi' cars (4x4's!) and started a business. The business side hasn't gone as well as hoped, so I got a full time job and have landed on my feet with the company I work for (great bunch of guys I can now call friends). The business just ticks along as a weekend earner.
Financially, we are doing good but we are renting, although the mortgage we need to buy a place would work out less a month than we currently pay in rent, so once we buy, we should still be good. We actually manage to save money, have a few hobbies and get out every weekend, whether it's just days out or weekends away, it's more than we managed in the UK.........and we didn't arrive here with bucket loads of cash, either. The house sold for 60k less than valued and then the exchange rate fell through the floor, so we turned up here with $150k less than we planned on! We have made it work, though and the kids are better for it. They have a full active social life (better than ours!) and have some great friends.
We live in Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland and settled on the place following a recce 2 years ago. I have friends already in the area and so walked into a ready made circle of friends and so somebody to turn to when help was needed. That has made all the difference and I believe that that part of the move has made things as easy as they are, for us. Without the friends, it could have turned out very differently.
So far, no homesickness or feelings of 'why did we do it', just all positive with a good mix of reality thrown in.
All in all, a most excellent choice of location and a move I would recommend to others.....just do your homework and plan for the unexpected and 'she'll be right'!
I got here mid March, last year, with the rest of the family turning up mid April. We found a great little rental, with sea views out of 3 sides of the house, bought 2 'kiwi' cars (4x4's!) and started a business. The business side hasn't gone as well as hoped, so I got a full time job and have landed on my feet with the company I work for (great bunch of guys I can now call friends). The business just ticks along as a weekend earner.
Financially, we are doing good but we are renting, although the mortgage we need to buy a place would work out less a month than we currently pay in rent, so once we buy, we should still be good. We actually manage to save money, have a few hobbies and get out every weekend, whether it's just days out or weekends away, it's more than we managed in the UK.........and we didn't arrive here with bucket loads of cash, either. The house sold for 60k less than valued and then the exchange rate fell through the floor, so we turned up here with $150k less than we planned on! We have made it work, though and the kids are better for it. They have a full active social life (better than ours!) and have some great friends.
We live in Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland and settled on the place following a recce 2 years ago. I have friends already in the area and so walked into a ready made circle of friends and so somebody to turn to when help was needed. That has made all the difference and I believe that that part of the move has made things as easy as they are, for us. Without the friends, it could have turned out very differently.
So far, no homesickness or feelings of 'why did we do it', just all positive with a good mix of reality thrown in.
All in all, a most excellent choice of location and a move I would recommend to others.....just do your homework and plan for the unexpected and 'she'll be right'!
Mar 26th 2011, 10:03 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,967
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Nice update
Mar 26th 2011, 6:20 pm
#4
Joined: May 2009
Location: Welly UK to Welly NZ to Welly UK
Posts: 2,227
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Good to hear life is good for you & yours ......great to read a positive post, thanks 
......great to read a positive post, thanks
Mar 27th 2011, 3:52 am
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Whangaparaoa, Tndalls Bay
Posts: 11
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Well done we also moved to Whangaparaoa in November 2010
Husband is finding it hard to settle & eldest daughter has gone back to the UK
We still have 4 kids here one at work & the other 3 seemed to have settled into schoolHoping that things will start to get better for hubbie as My sister lives here & would be torn in too if he decided he wants to go back to the UK. So pleased that you are enjoying it
Husband is finding it hard to settle & eldest daughter has gone back to the UK We still have 4 kids here one at work & the other 3 seemed to have settled into schoolHoping that things will start to get better for hubbie as My sister lives here & would be torn in too if he decided he wants to go back to the UK. So pleased that you are enjoying it
May 2nd 2011, 10:10 am
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK - Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa
Posts: 15
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Well done you!! I guess it's all in the attitude! I moved from the UK to Whangaparaoa in January 2011. My partner had already been here for 8 years and so we have created a big "blended" family of 5 kids!! That's interesting!! I really love it up here, it is a bit special eh?!!
The kids are all settled in school and getting complacent about the beach (they said it would never happen!) The only problem I'm having is finding a job. I am still waiting for residency and am hoping it's the work visa that's putting people off! What industry are you in?
It seems like we're taking over the peninsula?! Shhhhh, don't tell anyone!
Carly xxx
The kids are all settled in school and getting complacent about the beach (they said it would never happen!) The only problem I'm having is finding a job. I am still waiting for residency and am hoping it's the work visa that's putting people off! What industry are you in?
It seems like we're taking over the peninsula?! Shhhhh, don't tell anyone!
Carly xxx
May 2nd 2011, 11:44 pm
#7
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Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Rotorua
Posts: 1,627
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Lovely positive post!
Glad everything is going well for you.
Glad everything is going well for you.
May 3rd 2011, 10:08 am
#8
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,208
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
I agree, lovely, upbeat, positive post. So glad things are working out well. I'm sure it's easier when you arrive already knowing people. Seems there are lots of you in that area!
May 3rd 2011, 10:27 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Blenheim
Posts: 226
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Great update, tis lovely to hear when people have settled so well and will be inspirational for people still on the long immigration journey. We too arrived last year on the peninsular and absolutely love it here.
Am loolah your right there are loads of us here lol you only have to go to Frans quiz night on a weds when the whole pubs full of brits lol
Am loolah your right there are loads of us here lol you only have to go to Frans quiz night on a weds when the whole pubs full of brits lol
May 5th 2011, 5:24 am
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Whangaparaoa, Tndalls Bay
Posts: 11
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Hubbie & I miss our social life any good ideas where to go as we now have a baby sitter??? Would be v grateful for some ideas thanks guys
May 6th 2011, 5:49 am
#12
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Whangaparaoa, Tndalls Bay
Posts: 11
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
A good laugh ha ha good company a few drinks just chilling with 5 kids I think it is much needed. Phil likes golf & I have just started at the gym our 11 plays football for HCS twins of 6 & to older ones who do their own thing so up for anything really cheers
May 9th 2011, 10:28 pm
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: From Essex to Christchurch.
Posts: 578
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
Good on ya mate.. Glads to see you have settled in well. Onwards and upwards then, so they say..
Gary.
Gary.
Jun 25th 2011, 4:54 am
#14
If u see Sid, tell 'im...
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Ex of Hucknall and Mansfield, Notts and now in Manly, Whangaparaoa, just North of Auckland!
Posts: 973
Re: The First 12 Months Done and Dusted......
http://www.wgp.school.nz/Category?Ac...ategory_id=386
Other than that there's only the social mecca of Gulf Harbour (Vitalstatistix will fill you in on that!) and each others house for a BBQ...........unless anyone knows differently! My wife joined the gym at the leisure centre.....
Personally, I head for the HBC football club to see a few mates and have a beer (to be social,........ you understand
)And on another note, we're about to buy a house....have 3 to see tomorrow to help make the final choice and will be making an offer during next week.....watch this space!
And thanks for all the well wishes and comments........it really is a great move and the big step you take seems such a small one, when you're here!
Last edited by sirplug; Jun 25th 2011 at 4:56 am.
