[lockstock]

I've just arranged a lovely looking rental in Glenview which is more than happy to allow the dogs (phew) and is only a short distance from the school I'll be working at. It's such a relief and so exciting to have a final destination at last - even if it's only for 6 months. The container people will be so relieved!:clap :clap

Visas? What visas?

[Lara Croft]

Well done Lockstock! This is the current hurdle that we are trying to resolve - somewhere to live when we get there!

Can you tell me, was it quite easy to set up the rental from the UK? Have you gone through an agent? I've contacted a few agents so far, about houses, and they all ask if I am available to view it. The answer has to be... errmmmm, not at the moment....

Cheers!
Jane

[M&J]

Excellent News, it is a big relief to have somewhere especially when you need somewhere that will have dogs. :clap

[IanW99]

Well done Lockstock! This is the current hurdle that we are trying to resolve - somewhere to live when we get there!

Can you tell me, was it quite easy to set up the rental from the UK? Have you gone through an agent? I've contacted a few agents so far, about houses, and they all ask if I am available to view it. The answer has to be... errmmmm, not at the moment....

Cheers!
Jane

Have you tried this agent yet at Guardian First National Rentals (http://www.guardianfirstnational.co.nz/index.cfm?pageCall=staffMember&staffID=4301)

She was very helpful when we first arrived.

Ian

[lockstock]

I trawled the agents websites and even e-mailed a few but I have to say I had the feeling none of them could be bothered especiallly with the dogs. Then I tried a couple of town information websites and found Virtual Realty where people advertise privately (Trade Me would have been ok if we could have registered) and contacted the ad direct.

Now, I haven't seen the property- just a handful of photos but it's a family owned house not an agent and they're happy to meet us in Auckland when we arrive to sort out the finances etc. It may be a complete dump and they may be gangland leaders but somehow I don't think so!

Keep trying - and lose the agents!

[holland]

Chuffed for you Lockstock!!

You sound a lot happier today!!

J xx

[lockstock]

Not quite as exuberant as you Jade - not just yet! It's all so surreal. Three more days at work but ticking off the list of things to do gradually. Now I need to find out how to get a phone connected. Can't wait to go all technical -I may even throw in a reference to Skype. I'm seriously hoping someone on here can sort me out on that.:confused: All in good time, all in good time!

[Sam B]

Oh well done Lockstock - I pre-arranged our rental before we moved here, it all worked out well and it was a big weight off my mind.

[The Hodges]

Great news - you can relax and enjoy christmas now.

[lockstock]

I wish I could Hodges! I finish work on Friday, we leave our temporary home on Sunday after nearly two months (and I'm going to write a book on what that has been like!) then off to Nottingham family for three days, dogs to kennelsn four days to Somerset, two days in Devon a day and a bit back in Nottingham. And then Heathrow.

I do believe the hurtling downhill has started:clap :clap

[katiejay]

Finding somewhere to live has definitely been the most stressful part of our time in NZ so far, but mainly because we're fussy and don't want to live in Dunedin City. There are countless rental properties in the City and immediate suburbs but very thin on the ground more than 10 mins further out. We're not city folk so that has been interesting for us! We chose to live in motels initially and find a rental once we got here, and I don't recommend that route at this time of year to anyone!! If it helps, during the course of our search, we have found a lady who is building some holiday lodges just outside Mosgiel - beautiful rural setting - and she is able to rent them short-term for between $250-$300 a week (comparable to a house rental in Dunedin). They are 2 bedroomed, and will be ready around Christmas. She got in touch with me as she heard I was newly in from the UK and she thought her properties would suit new settlers. No good for us as we desperately wanted something long-term and big enough for all our stuff which arrives on the container in a couple of weeks, but they might suit others who need a place for up to 3 months initially. If anyone wants the lady's number, PM me. This isn't an advert, by the way, I just happen to know about them! :)

[Lara Croft]

Thanks everyone, good contacts! I'll let you know if we are as successful as Lockstock!

Cheers!
Jane