[Janey]

Ok so how many of you did a recce or had visited NZ before you moved? Are there lots of you that made the jump and all the research paid off?

OH has persuaded me to do a recce in May so we are going out for 10 days to Wellington where we wish to relocate not long I know :uhoh but bad time of the year at work to go and not much annual leave left (need tocover summer hols somehow):uhoh

[janmommy]

we went for a two week hol in january this year. (leaving UK for good in 28 days). i think that reccie trip just made us love nz even more. we didn't want to leave, but we have to pack up the house.

[JandM]

In our case we've been to NZ, me twice, M once, not thinking that we were doing a recce to relocate but because we were visiting our son and his family. Now we've made the decision that we will migrate, it's great that we both have the experience of spending time in the area we'll be looking to live in. When someone mentions certain places, or we see a house is for sale in such and such an district, we know what it looks like, what else is in the area, what the roads are like, and how you get to town from there - there's some experience to hang our plans and wondering on.

Janey, you don't sound very glad about the trip at the moment, but I think you'll be glad you went.

[themilkybarkid]

I think a reckie makes good sense if you can do one

Me and my OH where thinking of doing a reckie to have a great holiday and to see if it's for us.

The earliest we could go for would be 2-3 weeks in April next year or 5 weeks in end of July all of August

:clapCan you help us out with thinking here.:clap


April = nice weather but sadly we wont have long to get around and will be in busy busy stress mode

August = cool weather but time for a good wander in relaxed mode

We are leaning towards August - are we daft? - are we gonna be put off NZ by coming in the midst of winter -but I'm thinking nah it'll still be good cos we know it's winter and don't expect anything different and you still get a reasonable bit of bright sunshine in winter?? (it's the dull dark cloudy wet weather that makes everywhere seem so grim and we wouldn't want all the time)

Advice appreciated

thanks
MBK

[JandM]

We had a great time going in August/September last year. But we knew we would spend most of our time on North Island, so that was okay. We had wanted to have a short trip to South Island as well, only there was a LOT of snow in the area where we'd been going to go at that time - avalanches, even. So, knowing we hadn't the clothes for it with us, and that we wouldn't easily be able to access what we'd intended to see, we didn't go in the end.

[Belmont Babes]

Well just to change the trend we haven't visited and leave for good? in 12 days time!
We were going to visit but in the end with the house taking longer to sell and the job offer waiting we ran out of time. Some people think we are pure MAD and others have said "nah, don't worry about it you are sure to love it as we all love anywhere when you are in holiday mode".

Time will tell :nice1

[themilkybarkid]

BB 'She'll be alright!':cheers


sure you'll be great -as people have said there is no right or wrong way
we are all different and have diiferent needs wants expectations tolerance etc.

All I'd say it's probablya bit less stress when you are there if you do lots of research before you go (whether you visit or not)

Good luck and well done - I admire the courage and decisiveness!:clap
MBK

[dusk]

Well just to change the trend we haven't visited and leave for good? in 12 days time!
We were going to visit but in the end with the house taking longer to sell and the job offer waiting we ran out of time. Some people think we are pure MAD and others have said "nah, don't worry about it you are sure to love it as we all love anywhere when you are in holiday mode".

Time will tell :nice1
yeah people keep asking us if we've been to New Zealand, we just smile and shrug, it's more of an adventure this way :D

[napiers]

I'd been several times with my husband (he's a Kiwi) to visit his family before we even thought seriously about moving - it was always just out there somewhere. We've been since we decided and I did look at it differently - it's such a beautiful country and has so much going for it I can't see how you could possibly not love it! I'm sure your recce will just reinforce the reasons for moving. Those of you who move without visiting I have total respect for you and your attitude! :nice1

[Kerry and David]

We have visited NZ before and love it but we are still going to do a reccie trip to check out different areas and research more. I think it depends alot on individual needs - we are a big family and with lots of children, we want to know where we are heading and intending to settle, have info on schools etc, really to make our lives easier when we move for good in September.

Kerry

[buzztalks]

"Time spent in recconnaisance is never wasted"

Field Marshall Montgomery

[caz]

We had never been to NZ before, did a lot of research on the internet and moved here December 07. For us it is brilliant, the research paid of especially when buying a house, we do not miss a thing about the UK and having a brilliant time so far. We just jumped. :raebanana

[peebles16]

Yep us too never been to NZ just not an option for us with two wee ones and the finances. But did loads of research and also we had good friends who made the move about 2 years ago so they could share their experiences :yes

When we were leaving the UK some (ok most) folks thought we were a bit loopy as we hadn't visited NZ before but as has been said before that was part of the adventure :D That said everyone's circumstances are different and I think if you are job hunting it can be very useful.

All the best with planning your trip
Karenx

[Georgebulldog]

We had never been either.
When someone asks why NZ I never know what to say as the story is too silly. A woman I worked with & I were talking one day & I said we wanted out of the UK, she said you would love NZ (she had lived here) I told OH & he said OK & here we are, no visits, a bit of internet research but loving it so far & can't see that changing.
I think a trip out is great if you have the money & you know what to look for when you arrive but I know I would of needed a month to see everywhere, I think I just act a lot on impulse & what feels right at the time, that's why we bought a car within a week & house within 4-5 weeks, if I had the time I would spend forever
Good luck in your trip & I hope you love Wellington as much aas we do

[dilanium]

Never been, but most people don't blink an eye when I tell them because they all assume I'm coming back after I finish school. :)

[Janey]

Thanks everyone, yes I am a little unhappy about doing a recce as we can only afford a week in time and it does seem a lot of money for this especially as we now have had to drop the price even more on our house. I know I will like it can not wait to escape the UK but if we still have not sold when we go I will feel even more frustrated upon returning! both of us are fed up with our jobs in the uk feel very under valued so as time goes on we get more and more down!

[dusk]

poor you. I know how frustrating this process can be, but there's plenty of sympathetic ears around here if you need to vent :D

[Janey]

Thanks Dusk,

[Alan]

Yeah I can understand that it would be like teasing yourself with something that at the moment you don't feel you can have. Hope it comes good quickly!

[stevied20]

Problem with a recce, although the sensible thing to do, is it is a short trip/holiday and living there is a totally different experience.