[leejenns]

We have been in NZ all of 7 days and can not believe how much we have achieved already.
We have sorted a rental property out, paid bond etc and move in tomorrow, bank account and credit cards sorted, got my IRD number sorted, telecom have sorted our new home number and broadband so its ready to roll when we move in tomorrow ( back in the uk it we had to wait almost 2 weeks for AOL to sort out broadband), bought our first NZ car from expats car sales "ellis utting" in panmure (Mazda MPV) also collect tomorrow, have our son registered in a new primary school he starts on Monday, and been to sign import paperwork for container which arrives next Friday, oh and got sky being installed next week, wow what a busy week its been, really glad i had the week off before starting work, going to work on Monday for a rest!

Really depressed on the first day we landed, leaving behind a comfortable life in the UK to move to NZ to start all over again, but after all we have done this week it feels like the right thing to do, especially for our kids.

Looking forward to our container coming so we can have our own p/effects around us, really glad we packed almost all of our furniture as certain things out here seem a little pricey! one thing we regret not bringing was our washing machine, looking around at farmers and dick smith's your looking at over 1400 dollars for a machine:no , any body have any idea where i can get one cheaper?

[holland]

oooooooooooo

Yous sound like you have been extremely busy...you make it sound so easy and like it has all just clicked into place! Im so used to being let down with things in the UK and people making appointment and not showing up, that it has made me quite pessimistic....looking forward to a complete new start,just hope Im as organised as you!!

Good Luck with you new house, car etc etc, hope your son enjoys school on Monday and you enjoy job!

J

[leejenns]

Thanks Holland, just made sure i had my to do list before we left the UK and have ploughed through it.
Can now relax a little and do a few touristy things over the weekend.:nice1

[Sam B]

Have a look on trade me for washing machines - there are often real bargains to be had there, although you never know how reliable it's going to be.

Sounds like you're doing really well. My container arrives tomorrow, after over 6 months without my stuff, I don't think I'll sleep tonight, I'm so excited. You've done well to time it arriving so soon after you.

[jubjub]

Have a good weekend, the weather looks like it might bit a bit rubbish, but it will be spring/summer soon! Even in bad weather, driving along the beach fronts can be nice!

Have a well earned rest, and I was going to suggest the Oasis on Eastern Beach for brekky, but its changed hands recently, and not sure if they do brekky or not, but you could just go for a coffee and sit and watch the waves roll in...

Look on trademe for washing machines and also don't forget that most of the stores have a bit of leeway, so ask for a cash price and see how you get on, these guys advertise in the press all the time too and look cheapish... http://sites.yellow.co.nz/site/magnessbenrow/index.html

[bartons]

Good to hear how quickly things can be sorted out! We're still at the stage of going through our "Leaving UK-to-do-lists", but are already preparing our "Arriving in NZ-to-do-list". It's all good fun!

[M&J]

Soundslike you have had a busy week. When we arrived nearly 2 months ago we were amazed how everything seemed so easy to sort out. They even let you drive out with the car before paying!!!!

Good luck with it all.

Jo

[CityBlue]

Try Bond & Bond for a washer. we got a brand new one with loads of money off (hundreds of dollars) just because it had been returned for not having a high enough spin rate for a woman who had bought it. (it worked as it said it was just that she had misread the spin rate and wanted a faster one.)

Also there is a place on Porana road (number 75 I think) in Glenfield(?) where they sell loads of cheaper (new and seconds ) appliances. Cant remember its name but its a big yellow building.

Actually its the appliance shed it just came to me. definetely woth a lokk as it does everything!

[leejenns]

yep, now moved into our new house, just a minutes walk from bucklands beach, going to get up tomorrow, regardless of the weather and take a walk with my family along the parade.

Been to the appliance shed in papatoetoe looking for a washer, didnt find one but come away with a great deal on a sony 40inc LCD tv and dvd for $2200 all in, that was almost a $1k cheaper than neolleeming and dick smiths for the same model, and it wasnt a second! brand new in the box, going to set it up tomorrow.
still searching for the washer, will visit the glenfield site sometime over the weekend if i get the chance, have seen a washer in warehouse for 499 not sure the make and model but me thinks at that price i cant go wrong.:D

[willsken]

That's one thing I have found over here. You have to look for the bargains.... but they are out there!:nice1

[Nick88]

When filling our house with new appliances I faxed all of the local shops with a wish list of specific makes and models and asked them to quote. The fax had a list of all recipients so they knew they were competing for my business. We saved about 25%.