[Leanne]

Hey there!

Just wanted to introduce myself...thought it was about time since I am regularly checking out the forum. My name is Leanne and I'm from Winnipeg, Canada. Or Winterpeg as we'll often joke, because winter seems to take forever to end! Yup, it's snowing...again. :wah

I have sent in my registration application (I'm a radiographer) and I am sitting on pins and needles with my fingers crossed that it goes through without any problems. And then it's on to immigration which seems like a nightmare. I'm sure I'll have many questions to ask at that point.

I was initially a little concerned about the financial aspect when I started looking at NZ (it was actually my only concern). I think it's gonna be a big pay cut. Started worrying I would never have any money for activities and would have to live on Kraft Dinner! But I think I've gotten over that. I've lived on a tight budget before...I can do it again if I have to. I think it'll be well worth it in the end.

I'm just looking forward to having all of the paperwork done...selling the house...getting rid of all the "stuff" that apparently I "had" to have. I'm ready to pack my bags...today!

I can hardly wait to head to NZ for a new adventure! :raebanana

Leanne

[marcia]

Welcome to the forum - Leanne and good luck on your rollercoaster ride called the emmigration process!!! As I'm sure you're aware (since you've been 'lurking') the members are a friendly bunch always willing to go the extra mile to get answers for people.

We've just had the best summer for about 50 years (apparently) its been hot and very little rain here since the end of October - no snow to be seen overthe winter and here in the manawatu we had about 6 very mild frosts overthe winter, but they cleared by ten in morning so more than copeable! :laugh

[dusk]

Hello there. Best of luck with your plans :D

[Pedro]

I've been to Toronto for four months and loved the city and its people (Canadians are the nicest people in the world), but It'd be really hard for me to live in such a cold place and I didn't want to deal with snow. That's why I chose NZ instead of Canada.

Welcome and good luck.

[Familyofmonkeys]

Welcome to the forum! I have travelled through a lot of Canada and have family there....wonderful country! But I can see why you would want to come to NZ from your Avatar....you won't be disappointed and it is another wonderful country too :)

[benandclare]

Welcome aboard :clap :clap

[jackie m]

Welcome to the forum Leanne,

I hope NZ is everything you wish it to be:yes

Jackie x

[mgf]

Welcome aboard and good luck!

[tea drinker]

Hi Leanne
Welcome:)

[Howie]

I miss the snow. But NZ is wonderful. Yes things are expensive in NZ, but I've discovered the best place to buy some things, and that I can do without some things, and some things are worth buying in Canada and having shipped over.

Sometimes I worry that I may never be able to afford to buy a house in NZ. But with prices dropping now, who knows....

And immigration's not too bad. Much better than some other countries.

Welcome!!

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hello and welcome.

[suebeenz]

Hi Leanne, welcome! You might want to bring some of that KD down with ya - not sure if they have it here!
:p

Just to reassure you a bit, the process really isn't so bad, and this forum will definitely help you through it.

[Caniwi]

Hi Leanne and welcome from an ex-pat Kiwi, living in Vancouver, heading back to NZ at the end of the year. Where are you planning on landing yourself?? Oh, and yes,you may want to hit Costco for a couple of boxes of KD before you leave :laugh

[kanatakiwi]

Kia Ora Leanne

Welcome to the forum

Not too many Canucks on this forum, but lots of good advice from everyone no matter where they hail from.

As to the money, its amazing what you don't really need and can do without. Being a westcoaster I miss wild salmon, as you only get farmed salmon here. I can get most things I need here although I do recommend stocking up at London Drugs or Costco for lots of basic toiletries and pharmacy stuff, definitely much more expensive here and you can chuck a lot of it in your suitcase or shipping container as it doesnt take up much room. What I miss more than anything is being able to slip out for an excellent meal and not have it break the bank. We don't do that much anymore whereas in Canada we used to eat out at least a couple of times a week for a very reasonable price. Here you will pay an enormous price for what is often very mediocre food.

The beaches, hiking, parks and great weather more than makes up for it though. Winter in Auckland is a bit of a joke....it rains and the wind blows. Most days you could still wear your shorts or sandals. The inside of the house is often colder than the outside weather, but that's another story.

Good luck with your paperwork. its not so hard when you get into it, it seems a bit daunting at first but if you attack it piece by piece you will find it is not that difficult and the NZIS is helpful, their website is useful, and this forum is a godsend for everything else!
G

[Leanne]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Where are you planning on landing yourself??

Hope I did the quote thing right...I'm not so good with the computer stuff. Auckland is where I'm planning on heading. I'm sure it'll be real rough going from -40 winters to some rain and wind. I suppose I'll just have to learn to deal with it. :laugh

And I just realized last night that I messed up on one of the pages of my registration application form. Ugh! I hope they won't think I'm too much of a dummy and will still let me in the country! :eek: