[tigerlily]

Just curious- a quick yes or no- to find out how many people did a visit (reccie trip or tourist) before moving out.

[jamie7121]

Yes, i came out for 7 weeks approx 2 years before i emigrated to Welly last year.

[Ojai]

No, we closed our eyes and took the plunge.

[Moorf]

No, we jumped in with no previous visits...

[peebles16]

Jumped and so far (few hiccups) so good :)

Karenx

[Potato]

Spent 8 months here (backpacker) before emigration.

[shakyle2906]

We just went for it too!

A few people thought we were mad just upping sticks and going for it, but we have never looked back!

Parents in law felt we should have come without our son for 6mths to see if we settle, but there was no way we would have done that, its all of us or nothing!

Sharon
x

[jackie m]

We too never visited did have some friends move out 4 months before we arrived but had already made up our minds to go for it.

Best thing we ever did:D

Jackie

[Nienke]

Nope!

[migratory birds]

Had intended to move sight unseen but Air NZ had a great special that we couldn't pass up.

I'm glad I went as I wasn't as smitten by NZ as I thought I would be.

Our trip focused on Welly, Kapiti Coast, Nelson/Golden Bay/Dunedin - all of which were lovely, none of which felt like home.

If we return I have a better idea that the northern part of the N Island may be a better fit for us.

But as the months have gone by since we've been home (and we had the snowiest, coldest winter on record in our region), and with employment prospects looking better in NZ than here...I'm looking at taking the plunge and putting the house on the market beginning of June so we can be out of here by the next snowfall.

[Jo Jo]

Yes, I came twice: once so I could check whether I thought I'd be happy to live in the area we're now in, and then again to have a look at our house and decide what to buy in the UK to bring with me.

[dilanium]

Nope, we're just diving right in.

[Georgebulldog]

nope just visited Expo got a job & moved ovber within 3 months :D

[benandclare]

Came on Honeymoon 2006 and fell in love with this fantastic country so moved here :D :D :D :D

[Gemini]

No, didn't come before moving here :)

[overscan]

Visited twice: once to meet my girlfriend's family, once to get married. About 8 weeks altogether.

[Familyofmonkeys]

nope just visited Expo got a job & moved ovber within 3 months :D

Same here......although we waited slightly longer to move as I was heavily pregnant at the time of job offer etc.

[Pip]

we came on honeymoon in 2005 and fell in love with it!. didn't go back to the UK with any intention of moving here though.. just started casually toying with it after seeing some ads on the tube one day. Saw an ad for an expo and went along out of curiousity... one thing led to another and here we are :D

[nippa&pippa]

We visited few months earlier before we moved, to attend interviews and most important for me was my then-9weeks old daughter to meet her auntie for first time :nice1

[stevied20]

Nope, head first, raises a few eyebrows, but adds to the fun

[timeanzbound]

I have not immigrated to NZ yet, but I plan to without visiting it. Its a little scary and pretty daring but I like excitement. Many of my friends think I'm mad too, but I rather save my money for the move then spend a chunk of it on visiting. And the way things are looking here in the US, I definitely do not want to live here for more than a year. So I will just go for it and accept the good and the bad (if there will be any).

[Rusty]

Visited my OH's sister 3 years ago, were undecided on a move for a few months (+ we had a baby in the following year) and have now spent 2 years finding a way to go and stay.

[DMcG]

I'm an unusual case :D

First trip was a couple of weeks around Fiordland doing some tramping and sightseeing. Second trip a couple of years later was with my partner to visit her family in Auckland - spent more time touring the South Island.
Third trip was for about 2 months - toured around the North Island.

I'd already seen a good chunk of NZ before I applied for residency, so I had a reasonable idea to what I was coming to :laugh

Dougie

[StevieD]

Nope!!!

[granger]

No we just came and we're glad we did.

[Justine+Ben]

Yes and no...

One of us, my husband, had a job interview in Auckland so he visited for literally four days to meet his future employers etc...but he didn't have time to actually see any of New Zealand really apart from downtown Auckland. I have never been to New Zealand so its a big jump in at the deep-end for me!

[Steve_B]

I'm visiting in October, doing the first week myself and then being joined by the OH and kids for another 2 weeks. The first week should hopefully allow me to check out all the locations to take everyone else when they arrive and thereby avoid anywhere not fulfilling the criteria.....can't wait!

[daygloweyes]

I'm just going to dive in :) More than likely my EOI will be turned down without a job offer...so I figured I'd search while I'm there and apply for a work visa directly with the NZ Embassy in DC - no fees required and one of my friends said it was easier and faster :)

[chocolate cake]

I visited once before moving last month, but that was 10 years ago, so doesn't really count.