[L00pback]

Hi Everyone

We need to make a decision on a date for coming over to NZ.

We've sold our house (well exchanging contracts next week) and need to set a date for moving to NZ.

We were planning to move in January 09 on a vistors visa and turning this into a work visa and PR with a job offer (we've got a consultancy firm dealing with all the paperwork). I believe this is what some people do so I guess we need rasurrance that this is doable. Any advise from those who've got the T-shirt?

However, we don't think we'll be able to rent somewhere for just two months so we are thinking of coming over in December (:clap) and trying to delay the completion date until we go. So things have just got even more real than they were before.

We've got two small children (5 months and 2 years) if this maked any difference.

We will be having a container shipped over but can we do this on a vistors visa (I think we'll pay tax if it arrives before we get PR)? Do shipping companies need a final address which we won't have until we get there?

Speaking of kids, what do people do regarding child seats for cars? Do you take them with you as hand luggage or buy over there?

I get the feeling that I've missed something and the dreams about to go pop! Any thoughts or guidance about what we are doing in general?

Cheers

Alan & Emma

[Tui2too]

Sorry I have no advice but wanted to CONGRATULATE you on getting your house sold and being ready to go!! It sounds like you're on the right path! (we did everything backwards by getting the job offer first so I'm a bit green with envy!) ;-)
/heidi

[L00pback]

Hi

Getting a job offer before you go means you have more certainty once you are there so I'm actually envious of you Heidi as not getting a job is the one thing that worries me because it means I'm taking my family half way round the world for nothing (well it would be a great 6 month holiday!).

In an ideal world we would have sold the house earlier and moved into rented accommodation for 6 months (the min rental term) before heading out but due to delays (we actually agreed to sell at the beginning of August) its meant that we've run out of time and won't be able to just rent for a couple of months.

So it's either go now or wait 6 months and find somewhere to live over here first which would mean missing the NZ summer (and living in the UK we've not had one of those for 2 years now :laugh).

Alan & Emma

[kanatakiwi]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You don't say what area of work you are in, but that's the only snag I see with your plan, your job offer which you hope to get while in NZ on visitor's permit should be on the skill shortage list, otherwise you can get into the question about whether you are taking work away from a Kiwi. But I am sure your consultancy has advised you of that. Other than that you are doing what others have done successfully so good luck.

[Tui2too]

you could always come to canada and live in our house and take care of our dogs so we can go (LOL) just kidding! we may have to let our job offer go because we probably won't be ready in time. I think selling the house first is probably the best route. I say head to nz and enjoy! I hope this post bumps this back up to the top so someone 'with the t-shirt' can reply more sensibly for you! :-) Good luck!

[Flutterby]

you could possibly find a "holiday rental" here in the UK for the short term rental, i know there are some cottages nearby me available for 1 or 2 month rentals, or a static caravan at a holiday park (just a few more options)

In terms of carseat, i will not be taking mine for several reasons....
1. i don't want to carry it!
2. its horrid and i want a replacement
3. i was concerned that it would not meet the NZ safety standards (i doubt they are much different to the UK ones but it might be a hassle to sort out)

having said that, you can usually take them on plane for free and it doesn't effect your baggage allowance, so its probably worth taking them and if carrying is an issue you can get a little strap setup that attaches to your wheeled bag from amazon

[L00pback]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I work in IT as a Systems Administrator/IT Manager with far too many years experience. I've been told by a few agencies that I shouldn't have any problems finding work in Wellington or Auckland so fingers crossed.

Not so sure our 2 cats would handle the flight to Canada only to be introduced to dogs but it would be a laugh finding out - thanks for the offer:laugh.

Thanks for the bump too. Hope that things get sorted for you soon and you don't have to let the job offer go.

Alan & Emma

[Scotty69]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
My OH leaves for NZ on the 11th November no job (YET:wah) visitors visa so fingers crossed and myself and our son follow about the 9th December hopefully OH will at least get us a rental by then so we are doing the same as yourself. So congratulationa and good luck.

Natasha

[mgbridges]

The only flaw I can see is the arriving in January bit. We've only had one NZ summer here but from our limited experience things start slowing down in the run up to Christmas and most places 'shut down' until early February. Little recruiting gets done as people who need to make decisions are away enjoying their summer holidays.

Given that you're in IT this might be different as I know IT personnel are in demand but given the current economic climate arriving in Jan might not be a good idea. Sorry to 'rain on your parade' as it were but I wanted to sound a word of caution.

In terms of the house I'd say get the contracts exchanged as soon as you can and then delay completion. Thats what we did and it worked fine as our purchaser knew right from the start that that is what we wanted to do. Maybe if you delayed until early February you could find a short term rental in the UK as then you'd need it for a longer period of time. I'm sure you'd find somebody with a holiday home who'd be delighted to have some income over the winter months!

Car seats you can bring as luggage and some airlines don't count them towards your total luggage weight allowance but if you do decide to bring them make sure you check this out. Some car hire companies in NZ will also hire you a car seat which is something to consider if you are going to pick up a hire car at the airport when you arrive. Equally car seats/booster seats can be purchased quite easily here. I actually find it quite shocking how laid back folks seem to be about having their children correctly restrained - loads of our DS's school mates ride in the front seat with just the adult seat belt. :uhoh

I'm not 100% certain but I do think you'd get taxed on your belongings when they arrive if you don't have PR. However I can't remember if you'd still get taxed if they left the UK before but arrive after you get PR. Lots of discussions on the Forum elsewhere about this subject.

HTH, wishing you the very best of luck with it all,
Anneliese

[willsken]

However, we don't think we'll be able to rent somewhere for just two months so we are thinking of coming over in December (:clap) and trying to delay the completion date until we go. So things have just got even more real than they were before.


Sorry to give opinion with out being asked but in the current market, is trying to delay a good option? A bird in the hand and all that. Unless of course they will exchange and then delay completion? I just remember what a worrying time selling my house was and it sent a shiver through me when I read what you'd said! :D:o

[L00pback]

Hi

I think we'll be able to delay as we've waited for the buyer since August. We sold our house in 2.5 weeks at the beginning of August and were expecting to complete by September because there was no chain (she's separated from her husband and isn't keeping the marital home). However, after a protracted issue with some financial small print between her and her husband (ex?) we are only now able to exchange. If we'd of done it as planned then we could have found a 6 month contract with little problems so a 3 week delay won't hurt - but we'll have to see and take into effect that the current market is horrible.

Interesting about January being quiet. I'll have to speak to the job agency to see if they think it would be an issue but big thanks for the heads up Anneliese. Guess we'll speak to the airlines to see if they charge for car seats but interesting about peoples relaxed attitude towards their kids safety over there.

Good luck Natasha I hope everything works out great for you all. Keep us informed as to how things go please. Are you sending a container out there? Have you done your medicals or are you waiting for the job offer first? Where are you heading?

Cheers

Alan & Emma