I'm more of a lurker than a poster, but thought I would share our story with you.

We flew into Christchurch last year, then onto Wellington a few days later, with four suitcases, and no jobs. Two days after arriving in Welly, I got a job offer, and my OH got a short term post six weeks later. That led to another job, which has since gone permanent.

We're renting a small flat, and bought a car in the winter. The car meant that we've been able to travel and see a lot more of the area. We've been to a vineyard concert in Napier, a luxury lodge in the Marlborough Sounds, and spent the Christmas break travelling around Taranaki.

To celebrate our year, we flew back down to Christchurch, and spent a week tramping in South Island. We still own a house back in the UK which we're renting out for now, so it's still too soon to see if we'll stay, but we know that we'll stay for longer than the two years we initially set ourselves.

My friends tell me that I'm real Kiwi now, as I've got a Farmers card

OOpsies . How did I miss this .

Sounds like it's all going to plan. Congrats on the job front too & thanks for taking the time to pop in and update .

What did you think of The Sounds?

Cheers Bevs. We loved the Sounds. We'd been through on the ferry a few years ago, on holiday, so to get some quality time there was great. We tried sea kayaking for the first time, loved it!

Sounds a lot like our first year in Wellington!!

Hope things are still going well. You must have your fly buys card now! If you are still in Wellington, I hope you're enjoying this extraordinary weather. I'm back for my second stint here - there is definitely something about the place.

Airpoints credit card. All the points! Still going well, I'll be doing my two year update next week

Two years in, where did it go!

I picked up our PRVs today, it's exactly two years since we arrived bleary eyed at Christchurch airport. In the last year, I got promoted to a permanent position, and we moved to a slightly larger rental, more convenient for both of us. We've seen Flight of the Conchords, Bill Bailey, and Billy Bragg, all on our doorstep in Wellington. We had a short break in Aussie (no jet lag, yay!), and tramped the Queen Charlotte Sound over Christmas. We can't get away on hols this week (flipping month end), but we're off to Stewart Island next week, tramping again.

The past two weeks have seen amazing weather, and my OH has spent most afternoons after work down at the beach (within walking distance), swimming, and again at the weekends.

We're going 'home' for a holiday in August, so topping up our Loaded card now, as the exchange rate is so good, and looking forward to seeing friends and family. When we got back here from Aus, it felt like coming home, not getting funny looks when I asked for a 'trum flat white' !

Still not sure if it's permanent, but I reckon we'll still be here for our NZ passports in three years time

Congrats on your visas. After 2 years here, Wellington felt like home to me so may do again.

Congrats to you JanieJones.

Lovely to read that it's all tramping along nicely. I'll be interested to read about Stewart Island . It's one of those places I've wanted to visit.

been here in Welly almost 7 yrs now but selling up and going back as soon as house is sold ,I have retired early and wifes still working for now so I am houseman ,enjoyed every bit of Welly ,seen all of the islands top to bottom and will miss them but family ties are first and we have to return as wifes mothers in need of help now so we have decided to go back .No probs returning as full residents here will just have to see what happens.Would deffo recommend living here to anyone coming over .

Hi janiejones,
We are in the process of sorting everything out as OH has been offered a job in Welly.
Was wondering if I could PM you to tap into your knowledge of areas to live etc in Welly
Thanks in advance

Hi Moonie

Get up to the Kapati Coast (raumati / paraparaumu beach) and commute, better weather, less wind and a couple of degrees warmer.