[lidax]

Hello all

My hubby was just wondering whether it is typical to get a relocation deal, does IT (network management). This would really help us... In UK got very little this way .:typing

Also, the bagpipes which he has been playing since he was 11 .... told the kiwis like the bagpipes... is this a myth... or would he actually have a use for this skill apart from weddings???? :raebanana

Love to hear from you

Thanks

Never say never!

[Diny]

Hi there.

I reckon it'd be great to take your bagpipes - especially if hubby has been playing them for years.

As for Kiwis loving bagpipes. I'm sure there's some who do .... as for all of them? Well ...... I bet there's some who don't.

Where are you in the midlands? We're in Staffordshire but smack bang on the Staffordshire/Shropshire/Midlands border.

Speak soon.

Diny

[lidax]

Hi Diny

We are in Leicestershire, which doesn't have much call for "Scotland the Brave"....

See you are off soon...best of luck

[Moorf]

Where are you heading - as I know that Dunedin has an official "Scottish" week and also lots of pipe band events :nice1

[lidax]

Hi Moorf

Have to sell the house been on market for 10 months then the job will dictate where we go. We were thinking of Christchurch and have been told it is like Cambridge so we went to Cambridge to see what that was like.

He has been a Teacher for 12 years and a Director Of ICT (nothing to do with teaching) for 8 years we can't make up our minds which would give the best quality of life. Are IT people paid less in Christchurch compared to Auckland?

Fraser and Lida

[Douglas]

Hi lidax,

As far as I know it's not a myth. I've read there are more bagpipe bands here per head of population here than anywhere else in the world, including Scotland. I'm sure NZ bands have won the World Bagpipe Championships from time to time. The Edinburgh Tatoo is shown here each year on TV1. Your hubby shouldn't have a problem finding fellow players. :nice1

[Moorf]

Hi Lidax.

Hmm, Chch like Oxford, sorry but I can't see that myself. Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely city, and yes, there is punting on the River Avon but, in my opinion, that's pretty much where the similarity ends! I know Oxford fairly well as friend was a Uni there - lovely place.

You'll find that, on the whole (and I do hate to generalise), that salaries are lower in Chch, but then the cost of living/property is lower too.

I haven't been to Auckland except to change planes so I can't comment on the difference, but from seeing it on the news and progs on telly I personally wouldn't want to live there, too much like a big city for me(although I understand the suburbs can be very village like). It's personal preference really, that's all. I believe Welly is very nice and would be our second choice if Woz hadn't found work here - certainly looks nice from the telly and brochures and friends there are VERY happy with their choice. They are also in IT and I believe there's a thriving IT employment scene there.

Here in Chch we still have good malls, good restaurants, good transport etc - but such an easy place to get around - won't say there are NO traffic probs but when I see the motorways backed up in Auckland and talks of by-passes I am glad we're here. In fact, apart from when we visit Tara and Dan in Rangiora I haven't actually seen a motorway since we've been here!! And as far as a motorway goes that one is always empty!!

IT jobs aren't as readily available here as they are in Welly/Auckland - more development work in Chch in our experience (which suits Woz as he's in s/ware dev) - the big company HQ's are in Auckland / Welly so more chance of higher salary/network/support etc work there.

Please feel free to PM me if you want any specifics re Chch or IT work :nice1

Moorf

[lidax]

Hi Douglas,

Thanks for your reply.

Fraser will be pleased to know that they have pipe bands, since he did that when he was a kid.

Looks like it is worth shipping the drones afterall :clap .

thanks

Lida

[lidax]

Hi Moorf

Thanks for your reply,

will get Fraser to PM you with specifics, he knows what he's really wanting to ask, ie techy stuff.

Agree about Auckland, don't fancy big city living and costs. Maybe CHCH or Wellington will suit us, though don't fancy the idea of the 'windy city', lived in Portsmouth for a while, and always seemed to be blowing in a wind tunnel, which in comparison is probably tame.

Any info on relocations expenses anyone?

thanks
Lida

[Moorf]

Lidax

Check out the Making the Move section re costs etc :nice1

Moorf

[Mildred]

Hey Diny would like to learn to play the bagpipes wouldn't you Diny :P :P :P

She's only ever played a cat before :laugh :laugh :laugh

[lidax]

Hey Frances

I hope you're not trying to imply that the pipes and a cat sound in any way similar ;) ;) ;)

Well you either love 'em or hate 'em...good job for my hubby that I fall into the love em category :nice1

regards
Lida