[Paul and Linda]

Hi All,
Last year, we checked for employment prospects (naturally) and found lots of positions in Auckland and Wellington. We decided upon Wellinton region because a lot of different sources were saying that in general that Auckland was highly and densely populated, more expensive to live, and I guess we filled in the blanks to make it sound like London I guess.

I had checked every so often that jobs were still on the go in Welly and saw a few. Anyway, after getting the jitters big time last night (we have accepted an offer and are awaiting the whole house sale thing) I decided to check up on the job scene. One of the reasons that I had stopped looking was that some of the jobs sounded that great, it was annoying me that our plans would not allow me to apply for them.

Guess what, not a single job in my field (chemistry) for the last month. What's worse is that there are some cracking jobs (forensic investigator/ lab manager) coming up in Auckland.

We know absolutely nothing about Auckland (having spent our whole ti
me learning everything about welly, down to all the areas and even lots of the streets in the wellington region!).

Haven't got a clue as to where to live, or where to start!

Help!

[wayne]

Auckland is fine we are moving just out of Auckland , it is very bustling and busy (for NZ) and to drive into Akl can be a nightmare just about any time during working hours, housing is some of the dearest in NZ but there are plenty of beaches to explore, wages are slightly higher in Auckland but so is everything else in Auckland.
I guess if you want real NZ then steer clear of Auckland, boy does it rain though. I like Auckland and will be there in exactly 1 month today :clap

[Paul and Linda]

Guess I'm in a bit of a panic at the moment. It was always going to be a bit of a leap coming without a job, but there were so many in both Welly and Auckland last year that it seemed a no brainer to go somewhere a bit quieter.

There's nothing saying that it won't pick up again in Wellington, but it has made me think about the longer term job availability issues.

stress levels starting to rise!

[kiwidebs]

I've lived in Auckland for a fair chunk of my life (16 years of my 34 years :oops: on the planet ). It's definately NOT London. It is a city but it is alot less densely populated than London. My parents live 20 minutes or so from the CBD (they live in West Auckland), they are also 30 minutes from some fantastic West Coast (ie Surf) beaches and some beautiful forest walks. The safer East Coast beaches are slightly further but not much.
Rush hour traffic is a nightmare especially as there is no decent integrated public transport system - although my parents tell me the train is getting better and the buses are ok.
If I can answer any questions I will - bearing in mind I've lived in London for eight years. We're planing on settling in Stanmore Bay north of Auckland. If you can get hold of it there is a book called 'where to live in Auckland' which sums up all the areas and might give you a better idea.

HTH
Debs

[Paul and Linda]

That book sounds excellent, and as a northerner please excuse my comparison to London.

We wanted to move to NZ for our kids and the life we could have with them in Wellington (specificallly Upper Hutt, bit middle of nowhere-ish, cheaper houses, space, etc, but 20 mins away from a few chemical firms) seemed spot on.

I just feel at the moment that I know nothing (true) about Auckland, it's so late in the day (wrt to the move) and it's a bit of the "what have I done's" before we even get there. :wah :wah :wah :wah

I hope everyone will bear with me as I go schizo/develop multiple personalities :wah :mrgreen: :cool :oops: :P :uhoh /panic uncontrollably over the next couple of weeks.

We need to confirm where we are going to be quite soon, to get the shippers on board (still managed a very poor joke) and let them know where they will be sending our stuff.

Does anyone know if jobs drop off at all during the winter, or is there just a drop off at summertime due to holidays and such?

Paul

[Paul and Linda]

good grief this place is huge, just looking at a scaleable street map of Auckland and it goes on forever!

[captainxmas]

Get White and Co to quote for your shipping and they will send you that book with all their stuff.
;)

[jubjub]

http://www.wheretoliveinauckland.co.nz/

or you can buy it from the website, issue 3 is just out in the last few weeks.

We had it and it was full of good info, it was hubbys bed time reading for months!

[Lisa T]

Well I will be really honest here (and possibly controversial!) and say that we were offered jobs in both Wellington and Auckland and after extensive research and a couple of visits we turned down the one in Wellington. I simply didn't have a good feeling about Wellington and despite what most people think, we as a family really liked Auckland. Lovely suburbs, great facilities, super beaches/coastline, handy for everywhere (Coromandal, Bay of Islands, Taupo etc), good schooling, theatres etc etc. Driving into the city was tiresome but you can get the ferry from various points outside Auckland and it takes about 20-ish minutes to get right to the heart of the city.

We are due to arrive there in September and are really looking forward to it - even thought the stress is hugh!

Good luck in what ever you decide - but be assured Auckland is a great place.........

[Jodie]

It might be worth emailing some of the companies that you noticed the jobs with last year - sometimes if they can't fill the positions, they stop paying for the advertising and just hope that someone will walk through their door (ie, you! :nice1 ). We've found that a lot of jobs aren't actually advertised - just word of mouth and I emailed a whole bunch of web design companies when I first got here (OK, different industry but same concept), and had some good responses, many of them not advertising that they needed someone, but just waiting for someone to turn up. Also, I found out that a few companies were planning to hire in the coming few months, and was told to call back then to get an application form/find out more closer to the time.

When we first arrived in Welly, Daz went to see a recruitment company who hooked him up with a company in his field, and they were impressed and tried to create a job for him. So this is another possibility. OK, it didn't work out for Daz this time, but a similar situation happened with me - I went for a design job and the company created a project manager position for me as I fitted what they were looking for alongside the advertised positions. So thats always another one to think about.

Maybe try that to put your mind at rest before trying to rearrange all your best laid plans at this late stage... Just a thought. Everyone's opinion is different, but if you prefer the Welly way of life than Auckland, go with it or you could regret making the move if you're not happy in AKL and wish you'd gone to Welly. After all, you're moving so far and taking this huge step, theres no point in settling for your second choice.

HTH.

Jod

[Paul and Linda]

Thanks, for your suggestions. We're 99.9% into Auckland now. Found some houses to look at on open 2 view and trying to find how rurla i can get whilst still being able to commute within 1/2 hours. Pretty difficult when you don't have a job location. i guess we'll just have to rent somewhere on month by month basis until I get a job and a better idea of where to live.

Anyone know of good internet sites for rentals?

Paul

[wayne]

Kiwidebs pleased to hear you are going to Stanmore Bay as thats where we are heading in August , now will you please stop spouting off how lovely Auckland is or they will all want to go there and push the bloomin house prices up :uhoh

[kiwidebs]

now will you please stop spouting off how lovely Auckland is or they will all want to go there and push the bloomin house prices up

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh