[cliffandkate]

Well I guess it is my turn to throw out an introduction. I have been looking around the site for a while now and there is a lot of great info. My wife and I are in the initial stages of deciding on if we are going to move but it looks more than likely we will. We have lived in California our whole lives but realize there is a big world out there and have been discussing this move for a few years.
Kate works as a software engineer and I am finishing college to be a teacher. I have already contacted a few teaching programs at the colleges in NZ to find out what is out there. So far sounds pretty good and I have no doubt Kate will find a job quickly.
I guess I am looking for some experiences from others who have moved from the States just to get an idea how they like it, do they miss the U.S you know all that stuff. Everyone sounds super helpful in here so I know if I have a question I can find the answer here.

Cheers,
Cliff and Kate :cheers

[dilanium]

As I haven't left yet- I can't comment on the move, but welcome to the forum!

[Bruckner]

Welcome to the forum Cliff and Kate. Not sure where you're at but My husband is originally from Oceanside.

We moved here from NYC last August and so far it's been OK. My husband is still looking for a job (in finance) and somethings here are ridiculously expensive but on the whole we're glad we made the move.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Emily

[cliffandkate]

We are in Carmel Valley/Del Mar area. I have read a lot about the cost of things but I see housing is a lot cheaper than here in SD so hey win some lose some.

[Bruckner]

I have an SIL in not far away in Poway and worked in Scripps Ranch when we lived there, which was up in Vista. Not too familiar with the housing prices there (lived there back in 1989) but houses in my area are out of our reach. That said, there are more affordable places to live but we like our rental.

Emily

P.S. And can I just say I need a Rubio's Especial - stat!

[cliffandkate]

I will absolutely be bringing along my homemade reciepe for fish tacos couldn't go too long without some of those. I don't know when you last had Rubio's but they have gone downhill in quality the last 5 years. Oh well at least around here there are a lot of options.
What area do you live in in NZ?

[Park City Partner]

You will need to bring more than your recipe...mexican ingredients are hard and expensive to get. I lived in LA for about 15 years and moved here 2 years ago from Utah with my Kiwi partner. I do miss the states but some things are far better here. For example, the health care system is way better than the US and having a baby here can't be beat. It is expensive and options are way more limited. If it were just up to me I would still be living in the states but NZ is good...all depends on why you are moving I think.

[Bruckner]

We're in Devonport and love it here. Very quiet, great for kids, very active social community even if you don't have kids and it's a 10 - 15 minutes ferry ride to the CBD. I highly recommend it!

Shame about Rubio's. I've had the real thing down in San Felipe but haven't seen it on any menus so far.

Emily

[Wahlet]

Welcome!

We're in Montana and planning a move to Wellington, just in the thick of preparations now. Let us know how your plans come. Let me know if you have any questions...maybe I can be of some help! Learn all you can (this is a good place to do so) before you plunge in...it will sure make things easier. :)

David

[xanctus]

Hi Cliff n Kate,
We used to live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for 10 years n moved to NZ in mid 2006. So far it's been OK. But I would say that we both miss US badly. From shopping stand point, being with siblings during the holiday season, and better internet connection! hahaha.

As many have said, we find NZ is expensive but again with having a family (baby), NZ is way better I think. However, I do need to point out about adjusting manners and etiquette in NZ for us sometimes is rather challenging!
But again that is just for us...everyone is different in terms of adjusting new life.

Nonetheless...welcome to the forum!!
Good luck for the Chargers against Patriots! :D

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hi and welcome to the forum. We are making the move sometime in the first half of this year. I am a Kiwi, my husband is a native born Texan.


Suzanne.