[jenniferandziggy]

Thought I should introduce myself instead of just lurking around. Myself and my dog moved here last November from Calgary Alberta, Canada to Rangiora just outside of Christchurch. Absolutely no regrets, no homesickness even, just really enjoying all the changes and new scenery. Especially no minus 20 degree weather! I have been working non stop in my garden since I arrived and have finally laid it to bed for the winter, and so have finally come inside and turned on the computer.
A little background on me - I sold my stained glass store and decided to semi retire and do glass for fun just over a year ago, and then took a trip to NZ to visit friends. Not too sure all what happened, but returned to Canada after buying a house here, sold house in Canada and then applied for immigration. Not the recommended route or order to attempt immigration!! But I do believe in fate, and here I am and everything has worked out. Sure wish I had found this site much earlier!
My mini dauschund who is 11 years old, is very happy to not have to drag the family jewels thru any more snow banks, and loves his walks on the beaches of NZ. He wasn't too happy with doggie prision when he first arrived, but all is just a faint bad dream now.
Looking forward to meeting and talking to others in the same boat.

[zardell]

Hello Jennifer and Ziggy (whom I presume is your mini daschund !!) and welcome to the forum.

Julie

xx

[Mexican in NZ]

Welcome Welcome!!!
I am happy to know you are truly enjoying New Zealand:)
xox,
Adri

[StevieD]

Wilkommen to the forum guys

Steve

[nippa&pippa]

Hi Jennifer and Ziggy, welcome to forum!:cheers
If you are up for it, come to next christchurch meet, I think there is one very soon but i have not been following it due to just move house (now near springston, other side of christchurch from you!!). PM Pip to find out about next meet.

[RayBCO]

Hi JenniferandZiggy,

Welcome to the forum...
Calgary eh? I have stayed there for a few months some time ago...loved the place. What dont you miss about Calgary?

How does Calgary compare in your new home town?

Anyway, hope you find all that you hoped for and good luck!

RayBCO

[jenniferandziggy]

Thank you for all the welcomes and I will be sure to get to the ChCh meets, a great idea.
Someone asked me the differences between Calgary and Rangiora, and what I don't miss of Calgary, and here are the main differences.
1. Calgary just hit 1 million in population and with that all the related problems, with gangs, crime and the added problems of a huge oil boom going on. The median price for the avg house has gone from $230,000 to $450,000 in less than 2 years. There is no more affordable housing and yet thousands of people are moving there to get jobs. With everyone leaving to work in the oil fields we now have a huge shortage of workers that businesses are failing as no help or help you can afford. Vicious circle as to afford to live there you need to make mega bucks. The constant building of infrastructure means roads etc are constantly torn up and traffic horrendous. Don't get me wrong, I love Canada, we're very different from the US, pacifists, very few carry a gun, large open spaces, greenies etc. In fact I think NZ and Canada are so very similar, EXCEPT I don't have to drive 1200 Km to get from the mountains to the sea. I love how everything is so available, the people are the same friendly types, conspicuous consumption is not rampant at least not yet.
Rangiora is only approx 14000 with a lovely small town feel, and yet ChCh is only 15 min away for when I need a starbucks shot, or a bit of nightlife, shopping etc. I have set up my studio so I can do my stained glass, mosaics, fusing and make my lampwork beads. I can garden 10 months instead of 3 months, and my dog and I walk on the beach every week. I can't ask for anything more, and LIFE IS GOOD. Without sounding like I'm whining, I know the cost of living is more, but the tradeoffs are worth it. Looking forward to the next ChCh meet!

[Howie]

Hi and Welcome!!!
I lived in Calgary for 4 years and loved it. My dog (the 11 year old Lab - Howie) was rescued from Vancouver and shipped to me in Calgary. He has immigrated to the US and now NZ with me. He loves the beaches in NZ. He goes swimming in the sea 2 or 3 times a week. He misses the snow, the squirrels and the deer (to chase). He's very excited about the flightless birds in NZ - but hasn't met any yet. He has enjoyed some dead possum on the beach though. Yum!!!
Yes I agree that NZ and Canada are quite similar. I really missed Canada while living in the states and have found a lot I really like here in NZ. When I first moved here, I liked it a lot, but still felt like Canada was the best place in the world. Now, after living in NZ for over a year, I think it's a toss up. Sometimes I see myself staying in NZ forever, sometimes I know I want to go home eventually. We'll see what life brings. I do miss the snow, but not the long winters. I still can't get over how green everything is here in the winter and having to mow my lawn in the winter. As much as I love kiwis, I still miss Canadians. I've met very few Canadians in NZ and really miss being able to relate to people straight away. I still struggle at times with the cultural differences here. I think I've come to the realisation that Canadians and Kiwis make friends in very different ways. I think maybe we're more formal about it in Canada. You meet someone you like, you get to know them, then maybe you invited them over for dinner. I've met a lot of great people through the dogs, but every time I've given someone my number, they've never called me. Maybe this is too forward for kiwis??
Anyways, I've finally gotten in touch with the Canadian club in Auckland so hope to meet some Canadians soon. I also have some great kiwi friends and I know the longer I stay here the more like home it feels.
Sorry for going on and on, but welcome again,
Susan

[nippa&pippa]

If you are up for it, come to next christchurch meet, I think there is one very soon but i have not been following it due to just move house (now near springston, other side of christchurch from you!!). PM Pip to find out about next meet.

here http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11299
Hopefully i might see you there if not too busy with unpacking and everyone is better by then :nice1

[olivia]

Hi jennifer,

you should definitely come to the meet at pip's. she's only in ohoka which is 10 mins from here (we too live in rangiora). it'd be nice to meet you.

Olivia

[jenniferandziggy]

Hello everyone again,

Sorry for delay, but been under the gun to be ready by Monday for an Art Exhibit in Kaiapoi and need to know what I'm going to exhibit and have list of prices and names of jewelry pieces for catatogue. Since I'm still in midst of making the glass beads, it's been a bit of a problem! LOL But I'm getting there.
Susan - there are some definite cultural differences especially when someone just drops by without a phonecall first. Took me awhile to get used to that and been caught out in my PJs to many times now. But I'm catching on. I have yet to meet any other Canadians yet, so you are lucky to have a club up there. I have yet to miss the snow though!!! Lighting fires in the logburner has been a learning curve, but I've aced that now, but do miss that instant heat on first thing in the am. I have a girlfriend coming early July & will be bringing me some things I still miss. Like Kraft macaroni, dryer sheets etc. I have family coming for Xmas this year and plan to go for a visit next winter, so think I'm going to be ok. I feel very settled here, and sure hope the feeling lasts. Keep in touch and pm me anytime.
Pip and Olivia thanks for the meeting reminder. I shall try to be there, as will be nice to meet some new people. Hope to see you there.
cheers
Jennifer

[jenniferandziggy]

Sorry should of asked for this earlier. Never been to Ohoka yet but have a map, just need detailed directions for what house? Thanks Jennifer

[nippa&pippa]

Sorry should of asked for this earlier. Never been to Ohoka yet but have a map, just need detailed directions for what house? Thanks Jennifer

will text pip for you....

[Island Moose]

Welcome,
I remember growing up in Calgary and Airdrie, andI remember thinking that they made the Deerfoot Trail way too big! Where were all the cars to fill the lanes? Well...they sure found them...Calgary is so different now from even 2 years ago.

I'm flying there in 2 weeks to see my 87 year old grandmother before I leave Canada on Aug 1 for Auckland.

[Pip]

Jennifer - am sending you a pm with the details.. (just got sophia's text) - sorry, was trying to fill in our NZ tax returns! you'd think having only been here for one month of the tax yr, it would be straightforward, but apparently not :wah

[jenniferandziggy]

Thanks I should not get lost Right LOL
Island Moose - your timing is pretty good, as june 6 they got 100mm of rain in 1 hour and friends sent pictures of trucks etc floating down the deerfoot trail. Guess it was something to see. Hopefully your trip goes well, and the weather is much better. Wishing you all the best in your move to Auckland as well, when does that happen?
See some of you tomorrow at Pips!
Jennifer

[haddad]

can any one help me about immigratoin to new zealand
please send any information to my E-mail


thank you

[nippa&pippa]

can any one help me about immigratoin to new zealand
please send any information to my E-mail





thank you

hmmm? more information about yourself would be helpful..ie where you from as this website is worldwide mean we get people here from all over the world, what is your job? to advise you what pathway etc, where about in NZ are you planning go to? what job are you interesting in NZ? etc
Also would be ideal to start fresh on new post, that way you will get more response to your questions, rather than using someone's post.
Hope that help

[kanatakiwi]

Hi Jennifer,
welcome from an Auckland based Canadian. Glad to hear you are adjusting well. would love to see some photos of your stain glass creations when you have time.
kanata kiwi
Gloria

[caz]

Hi Welcome to the forum glad you are enjoying NZ - will be doing the same from December this year:cheers



Thought I should introduce myself instead of just lurking around. Myself and my dog moved here last November from Calgary Alberta, Canada to Rangiora just outside of Christchurch. Absolutely no regrets, no homesickness even, just really enjoying all the changes and new scenery. Especially no minus 20 degree weather! I have been working non stop in my garden since I arrived and have finally laid it to bed for the winter, and so have finally come inside and turned on the computer.
A little background on me - I sold my stained glass store and decided to semi retire and do glass for fun just over a year ago, and then took a trip to NZ to visit friends. Not too sure all what happened, but returned to Canada after buying a house here, sold house in Canada and then applied for immigration. Not the recommended route or order to attempt immigration!! But I do believe in fate, and here I am and everything has worked out. Sure wish I had found this site much earlier!
My mini dauschund who is 11 years old, is very happy to not have to drag the family jewels thru any more snow banks, and loves his walks on the beaches of NZ. He wasn't too happy with doggie prision when he first arrived, but all is just a faint bad dream now.
Looking forward to meeting and talking to others in the same boat.