Croft
26th June 2007, 12:31 AM
Just got back from, would you believe it, Reccy Trip No 3! We first went over in 2001, then again last year. This trip was primarily to activate our residency visas and look for houses.
The Flights
We flew out via LA to get the 46kg weight allowance. LA improves every time we go through - they were even going down the queue and handing out drinks, and smiling! I was surprised by how few were in the transit lounge though, only a 30-40. Incidentally, we were on the last ever flight for 777s on that route - they reverted back to 747s the following day.
Internal flight definitely have a quirky Kiwi character about them, for instance announcements like:
"Welcome to our flight to Auckland where weather conditions are better. It's warmer and, well, that's about it" (it was very wet, windy)
"First Officer xxx will be flying the aircraft so you can blame him for the landing" (because of the weather the landing was hard and fast).
I wish I could remember the rest of them but it had most of the cabin laughing.
We went back via HK, stopping over for a day there as we'd never been. As we flew out via LA all sectors had the 46kg allowance, a fact we had to point out to the chap checking us in at Christchurch who was going to charge excess baggage (but then again it was only his 2nd day!). We enjoyed HK, but it does restrict your menu choices as 1 is always Chinese in character.
All in all, I think we'll fly via LA in the future.
Auckland
We stayed in Auckland for 5 days, mainly to check we were making the right decision to settle in Christchurch. After seeing what we could get for our money and the commuting required, we decided Christchurch was the right decision. Apparently, if you see a parking space going for $60K then you should snap it up! It was amazing to see some of the bigger shops all grouped together, eg dozens of furniture stores, white good stores and car dealerships all grouped together.
I like Auckland, but it isn't for us.
Christchurch
The place we've decided to settle. Just like everywhere house prices have increased massively since 2001. Last year we were looking in the wrong price category so we've decided a mortgage is required for the kind of house and location we want.
Beware of buying sight unseen...
Thank goodness we didn't buy over the net. The OH fell in love with a house in Cust and was assured by the agent that it was only 35 mins from the centre of town. If you're going Warp Factor 10 maybe. I refused to bid for it without seeing it and it sold before we arrived. Thank goodness. It was miles out and very rural. The OH was highly relieved we hadn't bought it.
Auctions
There are an awful lot of houses up for auction - some agents seem to push that method of sale almost exclusively. It's not like the UK where houses go to auction if they can't be shifted - indeed it's the most desirable properties that do go to auction! It's hard to get an idea of price, and some agents can be very reticent about giving an estimate. My advice, if you're after the house get a valuer in to make make sure you're not wasting your time and going for a house that's outside your budget.
Even worse IMO is the tender where you submit sealed bids - thankfully not as prevalent as in Australia I'm told.
Prices
Supermarket prices are nowhere near as bad as we expected, especially in places like Pak'n'Save. Lots of goods at reasonable cost in places like Warehouse and K-Mart too. Also, we looked around at the factory shops and got some good bargains.
Driving
Once you have the hang of the priority from the right rule it's fine - some say Kiwi drivers are ruder but I haven't find that in any of my visits. I got the Rule of the Road manual for when we emigrate permanently next year
Food
Love L&P, Hokey Pokey Ice Cream and Cadbury's Rocky Road chocolate.
Skiing
Only managed a date at Mt Hutt. As it was only the beginning of the season, and they haven't had the snow dump like last year, only a couple of runs were open. An enjoyable day still, and very nice weather.
Conclusion
I love it. This trip has really confirmed that we want to be out there (though the OH found it very cold!!). I didn't want to go back to the UK and was verys ad to leave. Hopefully in a few weeks we'll own our own little piece of NZ, then early next year will see us there forever,
The Flights
We flew out via LA to get the 46kg weight allowance. LA improves every time we go through - they were even going down the queue and handing out drinks, and smiling! I was surprised by how few were in the transit lounge though, only a 30-40. Incidentally, we were on the last ever flight for 777s on that route - they reverted back to 747s the following day.
Internal flight definitely have a quirky Kiwi character about them, for instance announcements like:
"Welcome to our flight to Auckland where weather conditions are better. It's warmer and, well, that's about it" (it was very wet, windy)
"First Officer xxx will be flying the aircraft so you can blame him for the landing" (because of the weather the landing was hard and fast).
I wish I could remember the rest of them but it had most of the cabin laughing.
We went back via HK, stopping over for a day there as we'd never been. As we flew out via LA all sectors had the 46kg allowance, a fact we had to point out to the chap checking us in at Christchurch who was going to charge excess baggage (but then again it was only his 2nd day!). We enjoyed HK, but it does restrict your menu choices as 1 is always Chinese in character.
All in all, I think we'll fly via LA in the future.
Auckland
We stayed in Auckland for 5 days, mainly to check we were making the right decision to settle in Christchurch. After seeing what we could get for our money and the commuting required, we decided Christchurch was the right decision. Apparently, if you see a parking space going for $60K then you should snap it up! It was amazing to see some of the bigger shops all grouped together, eg dozens of furniture stores, white good stores and car dealerships all grouped together.
I like Auckland, but it isn't for us.
Christchurch
The place we've decided to settle. Just like everywhere house prices have increased massively since 2001. Last year we were looking in the wrong price category so we've decided a mortgage is required for the kind of house and location we want.
Beware of buying sight unseen...
Thank goodness we didn't buy over the net. The OH fell in love with a house in Cust and was assured by the agent that it was only 35 mins from the centre of town. If you're going Warp Factor 10 maybe. I refused to bid for it without seeing it and it sold before we arrived. Thank goodness. It was miles out and very rural. The OH was highly relieved we hadn't bought it.
Auctions
There are an awful lot of houses up for auction - some agents seem to push that method of sale almost exclusively. It's not like the UK where houses go to auction if they can't be shifted - indeed it's the most desirable properties that do go to auction! It's hard to get an idea of price, and some agents can be very reticent about giving an estimate. My advice, if you're after the house get a valuer in to make make sure you're not wasting your time and going for a house that's outside your budget.
Even worse IMO is the tender where you submit sealed bids - thankfully not as prevalent as in Australia I'm told.
Prices
Supermarket prices are nowhere near as bad as we expected, especially in places like Pak'n'Save. Lots of goods at reasonable cost in places like Warehouse and K-Mart too. Also, we looked around at the factory shops and got some good bargains.
Driving
Once you have the hang of the priority from the right rule it's fine - some say Kiwi drivers are ruder but I haven't find that in any of my visits. I got the Rule of the Road manual for when we emigrate permanently next year
Food
Love L&P, Hokey Pokey Ice Cream and Cadbury's Rocky Road chocolate.
Skiing
Only managed a date at Mt Hutt. As it was only the beginning of the season, and they haven't had the snow dump like last year, only a couple of runs were open. An enjoyable day still, and very nice weather.
Conclusion
I love it. This trip has really confirmed that we want to be out there (though the OH found it very cold!!). I didn't want to go back to the UK and was verys ad to leave. Hopefully in a few weeks we'll own our own little piece of NZ, then early next year will see us there forever,