Kerry and David
16th March 2009, 02:14 PM
We landed six months ago. Time really has gone quickly. We are really pleased that we settled in the Red Beach area, the Summer has been fantastic, spent loads of time at the beach - full days in the holidays and after school once the kids went back. I think having a Pre- schooler has helped me mix with other people and because of this we have met some great people both expat and kiwi.
Overall I have experienced no homesickness, just a twinge on my birthday and when watching the New Years Eve celebrations in London on the TV - funny how small things catch you out.
I love the simple life that NZ offers us. We spend more time together as a family and we socialise as a family - lots of BBQ's, fish and chip suppers and a regular Friday night wine! There are loads of free events on in and around Auckland - something most weekends if you want it!
I find the people less judgemental here, people are not concerned what we drive, where we live or if we work for a high flying company - I have found that people just accept us for who we are. I like this enviroment for bringing up my kids.
4 & 12 year olds have settled well in to pre-school/Playcentre/ School. Sadly my 17 year old step - son has decided that NZ is not for him and is returning to the UK on the 27th of this month. We hope that when he gets back to the UK he will miss NZ and return!
David misses his children in the UK and communication is tough, probably harder than we imagined it would be. Before we came here I had reservations about the move, David was 100%, since we have been, overall I have settled much quicker.
Davids job is going well and he has already taken on an new role.
The biggest downside to NZ for us has been the poor Customer Service especially from the Real Estate folks. We have had problems with our rental which has not been corrected so we will be moving in 4 weeks time to a much more up together house. We have had to really spend time looking as we have had problems finding a place which will take a dog.
The house that we own in the UK is still a worry to us. Although we have people renting we don't like having the tie and are keen to sell it, even if we take a massive cut.
I think we are here to stay, if we could get all the kids out to NZ that would be perfect :)
Overall I have experienced no homesickness, just a twinge on my birthday and when watching the New Years Eve celebrations in London on the TV - funny how small things catch you out.
I love the simple life that NZ offers us. We spend more time together as a family and we socialise as a family - lots of BBQ's, fish and chip suppers and a regular Friday night wine! There are loads of free events on in and around Auckland - something most weekends if you want it!
I find the people less judgemental here, people are not concerned what we drive, where we live or if we work for a high flying company - I have found that people just accept us for who we are. I like this enviroment for bringing up my kids.
4 & 12 year olds have settled well in to pre-school/Playcentre/ School. Sadly my 17 year old step - son has decided that NZ is not for him and is returning to the UK on the 27th of this month. We hope that when he gets back to the UK he will miss NZ and return!
David misses his children in the UK and communication is tough, probably harder than we imagined it would be. Before we came here I had reservations about the move, David was 100%, since we have been, overall I have settled much quicker.
Davids job is going well and he has already taken on an new role.
The biggest downside to NZ for us has been the poor Customer Service especially from the Real Estate folks. We have had problems with our rental which has not been corrected so we will be moving in 4 weeks time to a much more up together house. We have had to really spend time looking as we have had problems finding a place which will take a dog.
The house that we own in the UK is still a worry to us. Although we have people renting we don't like having the tie and are keen to sell it, even if we take a massive cut.
I think we are here to stay, if we could get all the kids out to NZ that would be perfect :)