[lindajax]

hi all,

sorry its been a while - no net access is a killer one of the biggest down points when you first get here BUT there are net cafes aplently.

Well, the flights were great can recommend the entertainment on Singapore airlines but no upgrades!!

Singapore ariport - BIG and relatively cheap can get most things there.

Advice - if you are having a long period of time between flights book into the Changi airport from the uk at least 4-5 week in advance not 2 weeks like they advise - we didn't get a room and had to wait 3 hours for one but it was worth it for the kip. that possibly helped us not be jetlagged for too long after arrival.

when we got here my work were waiting and collected car etc. - cars tend not to be new and mostly japanese - toyotas, hondas, mitsubishi etc.

Driving in Auckalnd is a doddle compared to london or Manchester etc.

Motel basic but can highly recommend it as a base - has everything you need and the owners are really nice and very helpful with most of the info you need to hand. :nice1

Lucy has settled well but obviously misses the contact of other kids :wah .

Finding a rental was not as easy as we thought its not a case of view and YOU decide if you want it you put in an application and the OWNER decides if they will let you have it!!!!.
Saying that we did find one and it was okay some we saw were just minging!!!! all furniture and fittings tend to be old 70"s style and cookers electric - that'll take some getting used to but for 6 months anyone can put up with it :? .

finding a car - I have never seen so many used car lots in my life :eek - they are everywhere with varying degrees of price and condition/presentation of the vehicles. In the end we opted for the Toyota dealership and managed to get a People carrier 1999 Lucida top of range special edition thingie for approx $18000 = 6500 pounds which is alittle pricey for here but we figured a dealership has more to loose by selling a duffer.
You can pick up probably the same thing in a used lot for about$1500 less but you get no warranty and the interior will have bits missing and not be as pristine so its really a tit fot tat thing - we'll see how it works out and any probs - we'll let you all know!! :hopeso

We move on the 17th so we will hopefully get on line more when connected up at home.

the biggest thing I have found most astonishing is the amount of pacific islanders that are here I didn't realise, and theire size - they are generally quite big people - not fat but thier stature is bigger and coming from the uk i found they seemed a bit intimidating but when they speak its not the case - I know this sounds very prejudiced of me I AM NOT !!! but it was something that intiially threw me a bit.

i don't know what else to put at the moment - Ido feel like I am on a runnaway train at the moment everything seems to be going fast - house, car, childcare, job etcetc and we haven't really had a lot of time to reflect on how we feel. maybe once we are in the rental and I am doing "normal" things I will be better able to describe this time and believe me I will.

Overall things are okay and progressing well it is a big change and very disorientating but doesn't feel uncomfortable or bad so I suppose that must mean a lot.

Anywhooiz, a long post -SORRY if it was helpful - great if it was dull - sorry . we will keep postin!

We all hope you lot are okay and everyones plans are going along smoothly - although we've been absent we think of you all often and hopefully any bits we can pass on we will.


Lover Linda xxxx

[Diny]

Great to hear from you, sounds like things are going well.

I guess you're right, you've been too busy to really assess how you feel just at the moment. When you get into a bit of a routine you'll have time to reflect. I'm sure you'll find things continue to be great.

I'll PM you.

Have a great time.

Diny x

[shagen]

Good to hear from you Linda!

Once you get into the routine, you will feel much better.

Your post wasn't dull so keep it comin...

[Wannaway]

Hey Linda,

Welcome to sunny Auckland. You have picked a good week, the fine weather started on Monday and should hold at least until early next week.

Are you renting a place in Auckland? The whole renting business was a shock to us. Estate agents here are the lowest form of life, worse than the UK, and if you are renting, well they don't seem that interested really. You have to do all the leg work and, once you have found somewhere, then maybe they will be interested. Can't wait until we start the buying process - not!

Anyway, if you need anything, advice, tips, whatever let us know. Whilst the weather's good you might want to get out and do a few trips. In good weather I could recommend doing a ferry trip on the harbour, Waiheke, Devonport. Or, if driving and fancy a drive out, Bethells Beach is lovely. Pack the suntan cream though, we had two hours on Bethells during which time it remained very cloudy...still managed to get sunburn though!

Welcome again to NZ, hope you enjoy the ride.

Lee

[pleccy2000]

Welcome!

Take it easy - dont rush too much.... enjoy the honeymoon period!

[sarahw]

Linda - great to hear you got here safely! Also great to hear your first experiences! :mrgreen:

We arrived a week ago & are having great fun - we've already sorted everything like bank a/cs, cars, house so are spending next week having a bit of a holiday before Ian starts work. I thought it was going to be really stressful when we got here but we've had the best week ever - everyone's so relaxed and its much easier than at home to sort things out! :nice1

[Annierobrigado]

good to hear from you again, lindajax! have you started work already? how are the hours? hope lucy will quickly make new friends. tell us how that goes, you know with school adjustment and belonging...

alijax, hope your hair's still red

annie

[Bubbles]

Welldone Linda

Congrats on taking the leap !

Keep us informed
:cheers

[Gran]

Hi Lindajax,
Welcome to Auckland, glad everything seems ok, as to the Pacific Islanders, Could you be staying in South Auckland by any chance?

[Moorf]

Welcome to NZ Lindajax and family ... sounds like you're getting sorted..

All the best

:cheers

Moorf & Woz

[MelissaLG]

Yay Linda! From one recently arrived immigrant family to another, congrats! We know how you feel (that whirlwind bit) as we have been going through the same thing, but now its getting a little calmer, and we are quite happy so far. Keep us posted, dear. And we are not far (at least until Jan. 21) so if you need anything, ring us on (09) 292-8371 or drop us a pm.

All the best,

Melissa & Rick

[Beach Kiwi]

cars tend not to be new and mostly japanese...

If you're based in South Auckland, which has most of New Zealand's poorer suburbs, that could explain why there are so many older cars.

On average, about 72,000 brand new vehicles are bought each year in New Zealand, which means there are over 350,000 cars on the road that are under five years old. Not bad when you consider the size of the country, and its pay rates. ;)

The reason there are so many Japanese vehicles is due to the fact that they are cheaper than European ones (due to shipping costs, etc), they're better suited to our roads, and because heaps of them get imported from Japan as used imports - most being under seven years old.

Finding a rental was not as easy as we thought its not a case of view and YOU decide if you want it you put in an application and the OWNER decides if they will let you have it!!!!.

Good rental accommodation, at a good price, isn't easy to get in Auckland at present, so landlords can afford to pick and choose.

all furniture and fittings tend to be old 70"s style and cookers electric

Rentals tend to have older furniture and appliances, as it's just not worthwhile for the landlords to spend heaps on quality furnishings that'll most likely get treated poorly.

If you are prepared to pay more for a rental, then you'll probably get a better quality of fittings too. The suburb you rent in will also have a bearing on how well the house is furnished.

the biggest thing I have found most astonishing is the amount of pacific islanders that are here I didn't realise...

Auckland, and South Auckland in particular, has the largest population of Pacific Islanders in the world. Most Islanders are really nice people, so don't let their size, or appearance put you off from interacting with them - but don't let your guard down too much either, of course.

Auckland is going to be very different from what you're used to, most likely, but give it a chance and it may just grow on you. :nice1

[Timbo]

Hi Linda, Ali, and Lucy. Great to hear you made it and are (sort of) settling in.
Not boring in the least Linda, keep us all informed if and when you can. Take care.

[jo b]

Wow Linda


You are so organised. Car, rental, school, all in the sapce of less than 2 weeks.

I think you should be an events organise or wedding planner :laugh

It's great to hear from you bud, I bet it's Awesome.

Just thought I would throw in a few Kiwi catch phrases.

Keep us posted and take good care of yourself. Rest relax and allow yourselves to take it all in.

Jo

[acisman]

Hi Linda

Glad to hear you arrived safely and are getting into the swing of life down there. We are about to book our tickets and intend to use Singapore Airlines, with a 4 night stop-over in Singapore.

There have been comments on the site about baggage allowance and the fact that only Air New Zealand ( via LA ) give us one way ticket holders an increased baggage allowance. What was your experience of Singapore Airlines; did they allow you more than 20kg.

If anyone else has used Singapore Airlines I would love to hear how you got on with the baggage allowance. I mean 20Kg... who can get their needs down to 20Kg including case when you are going for ever !!

Dave

[Kim39]

Linda/ Ali.

Glad to hear you arrived safely. I could start askin questions straight away but i will leave it for now and let you get well and truly settled. Will PM you over the coming weeks, but for now take care and enjoy your new start.
Oh yeh, we will have a drink for you on the 5th, yours and Ali's company will be missed.

Kim

[Rimbo]

:nice1 Linda, Ali & Lucy.
Good work in settling in, looks like your well on your way. :clap
Keep us informed.

Later dudes :cool

John

[Babette & Andy]

Hi guys, great to hear from you. You seem to have continued to be calm and organised - how do you do it :cool Sounds like things are falling into place, hope all goes well on the 17th with moving into your new home. Anyway, have PMd you so won't repeat too much.

Maybe we can call you on the 5th from the pub with Diny's laptop? Would be great to see your sleepy faces joining the NW meet :cheers

Take care you 3 - BIG HUGS for Lucy from Lianne

Babette

[Tate6]

Hurray!! Have been thinking of you!! So glad to hear all of the progress you have made in such short time! :nice1

Laughed so hard about the comment on the size of the Pacific Islanders!! Our friend, who owns a business in NZ and visits there several times a year, made the same comment to us!! That was the first time I heard anything like that and thought it was odd that no one on the forum had made mention of it. Thought it was just his opinion, but apparently not! :laugh

Best of luck to you and cannot wait to hear more, more, MORE!!

Terry

[jesselyn]

hi linda, ali and lucy,

glad to know you are doing great! :nice1

hugs,
jes

[lindajax]

Well,

We left the motel after a big BBQ with the owners to celebrate Bernies Birthday - our first invite out and it was great fun :yes

Its week three, we've managed to get a rental in Halfmoon Bay ( lovely place) which is okay ( needed a good clean but is a sound and spacious house with gardens and decks - no subdivision) :nice1 :raebanana

The Toyota Estima is fabulous - the dealer has been very helpful. :nice1

We are now officially on-line from home although our webcam is acting up a bit :wah

Have done some touristy things like the Ranges, Miranda Springs, the Zoo, Kelly Tarltons etc and everything has been fab!!!

We are now settling in a bit and feel like we have finally arrived - at first everthing was so fast and we had so much to do there was no time to feel homesick or stressed or even happy. it was a case of " theres his to sort lets get to it" and away we went. I do feel this has paid off though because after 3 weeks we are both employed, Lucy is in Nursery, we have a nice home and a new car to suit our lifestyle.

I haven't found any really fanastically bizzare things that are going to be a problem or infact many little things - of course, and it has been mentioned by many other earlier forum immigrants- there is less choice in the supermarkets, clothes appear expensive, and shoes but these are things that you learn to accomodate to.

The driving is not as bad as I expected , bear in mind my car in Uk was a Fiat Sciecento ( tiny little 899cc car) Now I drive a Toyota people carrier with no problems at all daily driving or parking , I was terrified at first but its yet another thing I've accomodated into my daily life.

I think once Lucy starts nursey and meets some friends I will feel much more relaxed as this is my most major worry really. She has missed having her friends on the doorstep and at first was not eating well etc but now has settled well and is eating fine, so she's coming to terms with the move I think.

To all who are here, we now truly know why you and why we came.
to those who are coming soon or thinking about it - do it you won't regret it if you have a positive attitude.

anywhooz off to try the webcam again

Love
Linda xxxx

[Soon2baKiwi]

Hi Linda - so glad to hear you've settled in so well. Now that you're online we'll be looking forwad to hearing lots more from you. :nice1

[jan]

Hi Linda,

Your posts are brill to read. Glad you are settling in ok. :nice1 :nice1 :nice1

May I ask what `sub-division ` means??? :?

Jan xx

[Diny]

Linda

Sounds like things are going really well, it was great to find you posting when I logged on this morning, I know a few of us have been wondering how you're getting on. I spoke to Babette and Jo this week and we all reckoned that you'd posting soon giving us an update.

The car sounds great by the way. We have a people carrier over here and PB is keen to get me another one when we're there so it's interesting hearing your comments.

Half Moon Bay !! Some of our oldest mates live there (our best man and his wife), that's where we always stay for the first couple of nights when we arrive in NZ. They are in Pidgeon Mountain Road.

Sounds like you've been doing a good amount of touristy things ..... just that you can't be referred to as tourists any more. The places you mention are all so familiar. Are you going to the Auckland meet on 5th Feb? We have another meeting here that day too, with one or two new faces turning up which will be great. We're going to take our laptop and hope we can get a wireless internet connection in that area so we can arrange on anoline conversation with you. Never worry about the time difference, you can stay up late or get up early for your old mates back home :nice1

We're still in the same old situation of waiting for the house to sell, although I have noticed that things are starting to pick up a little so we continue to keep our fingers crossed. We're not moving to the Manawatu any more (will PM with details about that decision) - we're now heading for the Thames area so we'll not be a million miles from Auckland. I can see us hitting a few of those shopping malls and sampling some of the restaurants on offer :nice1

Now that you're up and running at home with the pc we'll be able to keep in touch more often. Keep us posted with all your news. I'll 'plug in' my webcam and we can 'link up' sometime. I'll drop you a PM soon.

Good to hear that Lucy is settling in a little better, like you say, once she's made some friends and got into more of a routine she'll be fine .... kids of her age adapt very quickly.

Take care old thing and speak soon.

Diny

[Diny]

Linda

Sounds like things are going really well, it was great to find you posting when I logged on this morning, I know a few of us have been wondering how you're getting on. I spoke to Babette and Jo this week and we all reckoned that you'd posting soon giving us an update.

The car sounds great by the way. We have a people carrier over here and PB is keen to get me another one when we're there so it's interesting hearing your comments.

Half Moon Bay !! Some of our oldest mates live there (our best man and his wife), that's where we always stay for the first couple of nights when we arrive in NZ. They are in Pidgeon Mountain Road.

Sounds like you've been doing a good amount of touristy things ..... just that you can't be referred to as tourists any more. The places you mention are all so familiar. Are you going to the Auckland meet on 5th Feb? We have another meeting here that day too, with one or two new faces turning up which will be great. We're going to take our laptop and hope we can get a wireless internet connection in that area so we can arrange on anoline conversation with you. Never worry about the time difference, you can stay up late or get up early for your old mates back home :nice1

We're still in the same old situation of waiting for the house to sell, although I have noticed that things are starting to pick up a little so we continue to keep our fingers crossed. We're not moving to the Manawatu any more (will PM with details about that decision) - we're now heading for the Thames area so we'll not be a million miles from Auckland. I can see us hitting a few of those shopping malls and sampling some of the restaurants on offer :nice1

Now that you're up and running at home with the pc we'll be able to keep in touch more often. Keep us posted with all your news. I'll 'plug in' my webcam and we can 'link up' sometime. I'll drop you a PM soon.

Good to hear that Lucy is settling in a little better, like you say, once she's made some friends and got into more of a routine she'll be fine .... kids of her age adapt very quickly.

Take care old thing and speak soon.

Diny

[lindajax]

hi all,

Jan subdivision to the best of my very limited knowledge!! is when a section of land ( usually owned and occupied by one house at first I think - don't quote me) is then divided and other bits sold and then built on.

the initial sections can be very big and often you can see upto 3-4 houses on the section. the houses can be all styles and sizes with some or no garden depending on size of section and house.

I hope this helps - if anyone else can make what I'm saying clearer - new here and not quite up to speed with the way thins really work- please feel free!!!

the place we have is one house ( sinlge storey ) on a flat section with both front and rear gardens although it is not a large section looking at some but its bigger garden areas than the Uk and the house is much bigger too.


see ya later
love Linda xxx

[Moorf]

How about some pics Linda? :nice1

Moorf

[sarahw]

Linda - you sound so sorted - so quickly! That's great!!! :nice1

Keep us posted on how you find your jobs/rental property etc.

We're still in a motel for a few more days - Ian starts work on Tuesday - still love it here and agree completely with your comments as to how you can see why everyone who's emigrated here has done so! :mrgreen: