[arya]

Hi guys
This is my first post in this forum but certainly I have been visiting it on a pretty much daily basis. I would be reaching NZ possibly in june, was just wondering how people cope when the shipping container has not yet arrived. I understand the rental houses are unfurnished as well. :uhoh

[lockstock]

We bought a tv, a bed (to replace the spare bed we didn't put on the container) a cheap set of cutlery and plates (yeay for Warehouse) and a small fridge (to be used as a beer fridge once the real one arrives). Most rentals have a cooker and even a dishwasher. Neighbours lent us a couple of dining chairs and a picnic table and offered to do our washing. We found a launderette close by too. And we bought some camping chairs.

It's not ideal but you get accustomed to it. Mind you, we can't wait for the container to get here. But that's another story.

PS Welcome to the forum!

[arya]

thanks a lot, was glad I got such a prompt reply. Hope your container arrives soon. I have a 3 yr old son as well, just wondering how I will manage with him. Did you manage to get internet connection, cant imagine life without my laptop.

[Familyofmonkeys]

We hired some furniture from a place called DTR. We had beds, sofa, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer and table & chairs. We bought some cheap cooking knives and a couple of baking trays from The Warehouse, and OH boss lent us some cutlery and crockery etc.

[lockstock]

We ordered the telephone and internet connection via Telecom because it was the most straightforward. Tell them what you want and why and they'll arrange it all. You can change to something else later if you want a more specific service (cheaper/faster/all-singing all-dancing).

Roughing it with a 3 year old may be a bit more complicated. It's easy with the dogs, we just put them outside. I don't suppose that's allowed with children these days is it?

We never actually got around to renting furniture - it seemed like too much hassle just for a couple of weeks. But now we are heading for our 4th week it may have been an option. Probably a very sensible option if you are organised and plan ahead, especially with the little one.

[denisesykes]

We brought blow up beds , cheap mattresses , duvets and pillows which have come in very useful for kids sleepovers since.We brought a 2nd hand dining room table and chairs, and wicker furniture from the local Op shop.
We also brought basic cutlery, plates, cups etc which have all proved useful since.We also brought a 2nd hand fridge from Newbolds and the guy threw in a 2nd hand tv from another $50!.Both are still going strong 2 years later!
So just pay your local Warehouse and Op shop a visit and you will be sweet.We probably spent about $500 but as I say we are still using all the stuff now.We brought our laptop over with us as I couldn't have coped without that!
Best of luck
Denise

[Moorf]

Make use of the toy libraries for your littlies :nice1 - they have them in Chch and I know lots of new immigrants who have used them while their kids stuff is still in storage.

http://toylibrary.co.nz/centsila.htm

You can log on at the libraries, I find them a better/nicer location than net cafes.

We managed to get on a good dial-up service in our rental, can't for the life of me remember who it was though.. Lynx?

Plus, we rented an unfurnished place and when we mentioned renting furniture the landlord suddenly magicked furniture for us from his bach!! Always worth asking....

[shakyle2906]

Hi

We sold everything except for 12 boxes we shipped over, so had to start from scratch.

When we got here we were in a Motel for 2.5wks then moved into a rental that was fully furnished for nearly 3 mths. By the time we had come out of that, we had bought everything we needed to replace and our boxes had arrived.

Being without internet for the first few days/week was like having our right hand cut off, we felt it more than we thought we would. Once we got it sorted, we felt much better and had our lifeline back so to speak.

As regards to our son, he bought a carry on suitcase with toys and books and i managed to pack some toys and jigsaws in the case. The first few weeks/months were especially tough on him as regards toys, but we managed to pacify him with a few trips to the $2 shop and treated him from time to time, as well as my sister posting some of his prized toys out by post, which cost a fortune but worth it to see the smile on his little face.

As Moorf says, you can take advantage of the toy libraries and can visit an internet cafe if need be.

Still buying now though, always something you need!

Sharon
x

[Angelonthemove]

We on this forum of the been there done that, must all have 2 sets of cutlery etc we should start a lending service. I have a perfect set of saucepans basic but used for 6 weeks, cutlery, crockery, glasses. Pillows, duvets. I have enough towels to have a shop.

If anyone is due in Welly they are welcome to some of my duplicated stuff to lend. Just PM me. Got 145 steps to house, keep you fit while you carry them out to your car:laugh

We bought bean bags for seats, garden table and chairs.

[tigerlily]

I found most things for the kitchen (except pots and pans) for next to nothing at the Salvation Army shop in Newtown. I spent $11 and got the cups, bowls, plates and silverwear for a family of 4. Other things were generously lent to us.

You may decide to get a place short term that is furnished, there are plenty of those around. This would give you plenty of time to find a neighborhood you like before signing a lease.

[thezorbster]

We indoor camped for 6 weeks using borrowed airbeds, table & saucepans. Our then 4 yr old thought it was an adventure. We brought a few small toys with us and borrowed some others. Bought some very cheap duvets from the Warehouse.
Depends how happy you are roughing it really. We just didn't want to spend any money buying stuff we already had coming and the furniture rental place had recently closed down.

[Pip]

we rented fully furnished holiday home for four weeks - towels, linen, washing powder etc..and took a laptop with us and arranged dial up access when we got there. As we had shipped everything out, it suited us to do that.. probably cost a little more than a normal rental but we had everything we needed and made out first few weeks very easy.

we planned to look for a six month rental during which we would suss out the areas and work out where to buy, but when our holiday home was free for another six weeks after our four weeks due to a cancellation, we decided we liked the whole area we were staying so much, we decided to buy. sadly timings were slightly off, container arrived a week before we completed on the house (which was 9 weeks after we arrived in NZ!), so had to go into storage for a week - but did mean we packed our suitcases & cat from the holiday home and picked up the keys in the morning and had our container delivered in the afternoon. by the evening we were in our own home with all our stuff around us.. and a very confused cat - but it was a terrific feeling!