BaldyBeardyBloke
4th November 2007, 10:45 AM
Well, we've been Hamilton residents for six whole months as of yesterday.
The title for this post really sums it up, I think. They say time flies when you're having fun, and it's been almost all good to date.
I definitely feel like I am 'at home' here in NZ. Have done for some time really. A big part of us settling quickly has been down to the fact that we made a big move in the UK only three years previously - from Leeds to Scotland. OK, so the mileage was significantly less, but all the other factors (far from friends/family, no local knowledge, new jobs, new schools, new house etc etc) were all a part of it. As a result I think we were very well mentally prepared, which gave us a big advantage.
We had also been to NZ before - we came for a month on holiday in 2006. That meant we had a reasonable idea about what to expect culture-wise. We were all over both North and South island but, interestingly, never came near Hamilton.
I really like Hamilton and the Waikato area generally. We've found people here very friendly and are slowly gathering a network of friends and contacts. Like most we've found this a slower process than we'd hoped, but we're getting there. Initially most contacts are fellow ex-pats but over time we're getting to know more locals. It's great to have some ex-pats as a ready made community on arrival as it makes the early days/weeks of 'where the hell am I and where do I find stuff' stress much easier. We were also lucky that the owners of our motel were increadibly friendly and helpful. We remain good friends with them to this day and I blame this mornings fuzzy head totally on them!
Anyone coming to Hamilton - Gardena Court Motel, Ulster Street - Patrons Toney & Trish - Can't recommend it enough. It's not spectacular, but it's a place you'll get to love - a bit like Hamilton itself really.
Like Kim39, in his 2 year post, I won't bore you with where we've been and what we've seen in NZ. There's no shortage and you'll all find it for yourselves once you're here, that's part of the fun.
So, what hasn't gone so well?
Finding a permanent job for me has proved virtually impossibly here. As I've said before, I knew this would be difficult, so not too surprised. Fortunately, I picked up a three month contract which paid well and that has led on to my current contract which is, at present, 2 months. I'm really enjoying the work and there's a strong chance that the current job will get extended to next April as a minimum and pay even better (which is nice), however I'm not counting too many chickens and have an every day glance at Seek. Hamilton is clearly becoming more of a business orientated city and over time prospects will almost certainly improve here for those into technology as an employmeny choice (in my opinion)
Paula has a job, which is going well thus far, so that's great news and it keeps her out of trouble :yes
On a personal level we all (including the kids) have missed Amanada and the Leach family, but in equal measure we're so glad that they're now in a happy place.
Paula has posted at length about problems with her dad's health recently. That was, of course, difficult, but things are looking good on that front too now.
The only other minor issue is that of housing. We're still renting and I think the final 'we've totally settled' feeling will come if/when we get a home that we own. In turn, that depends on my longer term employment prospects as we don't have much in terms of a cash reserve so will be relying on committing to a mortgage. Having said that, the rental we're in is great and suits us just fine, so it's not like we're itching to get out, although I think this feeling is stronger for Paula than me - must be a woman thing :exit
So, what are we looking forwad to? The honest answer for me is just 'more of the same' preferably with a sprinkling more of financial security, but on the whole another six months as good as the last will suit me just fine.
There is the prospect of my mum, our friends from Scotland and, possibly, Paula's dad all coming out here to visit in the foreseeable future which will be great.
And not forgetting the cricket. Looking forward to that loads. I may have mentioned that once or twice before :laugh
Would I consider going back? Personally not for all the tea in China and I'm reasonably confident the rest of family BBB & PP feel the same. If we ever did feel like leaving NZ I think it would more likely be to a different country again, who knows, can't really see it happening any time soon.
BBB
The title for this post really sums it up, I think. They say time flies when you're having fun, and it's been almost all good to date.
I definitely feel like I am 'at home' here in NZ. Have done for some time really. A big part of us settling quickly has been down to the fact that we made a big move in the UK only three years previously - from Leeds to Scotland. OK, so the mileage was significantly less, but all the other factors (far from friends/family, no local knowledge, new jobs, new schools, new house etc etc) were all a part of it. As a result I think we were very well mentally prepared, which gave us a big advantage.
We had also been to NZ before - we came for a month on holiday in 2006. That meant we had a reasonable idea about what to expect culture-wise. We were all over both North and South island but, interestingly, never came near Hamilton.
I really like Hamilton and the Waikato area generally. We've found people here very friendly and are slowly gathering a network of friends and contacts. Like most we've found this a slower process than we'd hoped, but we're getting there. Initially most contacts are fellow ex-pats but over time we're getting to know more locals. It's great to have some ex-pats as a ready made community on arrival as it makes the early days/weeks of 'where the hell am I and where do I find stuff' stress much easier. We were also lucky that the owners of our motel were increadibly friendly and helpful. We remain good friends with them to this day and I blame this mornings fuzzy head totally on them!
Anyone coming to Hamilton - Gardena Court Motel, Ulster Street - Patrons Toney & Trish - Can't recommend it enough. It's not spectacular, but it's a place you'll get to love - a bit like Hamilton itself really.
Like Kim39, in his 2 year post, I won't bore you with where we've been and what we've seen in NZ. There's no shortage and you'll all find it for yourselves once you're here, that's part of the fun.
So, what hasn't gone so well?
Finding a permanent job for me has proved virtually impossibly here. As I've said before, I knew this would be difficult, so not too surprised. Fortunately, I picked up a three month contract which paid well and that has led on to my current contract which is, at present, 2 months. I'm really enjoying the work and there's a strong chance that the current job will get extended to next April as a minimum and pay even better (which is nice), however I'm not counting too many chickens and have an every day glance at Seek. Hamilton is clearly becoming more of a business orientated city and over time prospects will almost certainly improve here for those into technology as an employmeny choice (in my opinion)
Paula has a job, which is going well thus far, so that's great news and it keeps her out of trouble :yes
On a personal level we all (including the kids) have missed Amanada and the Leach family, but in equal measure we're so glad that they're now in a happy place.
Paula has posted at length about problems with her dad's health recently. That was, of course, difficult, but things are looking good on that front too now.
The only other minor issue is that of housing. We're still renting and I think the final 'we've totally settled' feeling will come if/when we get a home that we own. In turn, that depends on my longer term employment prospects as we don't have much in terms of a cash reserve so will be relying on committing to a mortgage. Having said that, the rental we're in is great and suits us just fine, so it's not like we're itching to get out, although I think this feeling is stronger for Paula than me - must be a woman thing :exit
So, what are we looking forwad to? The honest answer for me is just 'more of the same' preferably with a sprinkling more of financial security, but on the whole another six months as good as the last will suit me just fine.
There is the prospect of my mum, our friends from Scotland and, possibly, Paula's dad all coming out here to visit in the foreseeable future which will be great.
And not forgetting the cricket. Looking forward to that loads. I may have mentioned that once or twice before :laugh
Would I consider going back? Personally not for all the tea in China and I'm reasonably confident the rest of family BBB & PP feel the same. If we ever did feel like leaving NZ I think it would more likely be to a different country again, who knows, can't really see it happening any time soon.
BBB