[jo lois]

I'm new to the forum and just wanted to see if any folk from Devon have made the move or are thinking about it. Hubby and I are at the 'medicals' stage (which is proving a real headache but that's another story!)
I just wanted to know how people from Devon perceive NZ. I consider that we have a very relaxed lifestyle here in the UK as things are a lot slower than the SE and the scenary is pretty good (when it isn't raining). Many friends have commented that NZ has similarities with Devon (perhaps NZ scenary has the edge though!!!!) We've never been to NZ but have read a lot and feel that it's the right step for us, I just want to know if any Devon folk feel the same.

Thanks
Jo Lois

[Bean]

Hi Jo
Don't know if this will help, but I grew up in Deepest Devon and lived there for twenty years before moving to Edinburgh. I still go down fairly often to see the old folks. My partner and I are in the process of trying to move to NZ. We are gathering our stuff together prior to submitting our ITA.
Anyhow we went to NZ for six months to look around at the end of 2004 start of 2005 and I spent large amounts of time saying "This is a bit like Devon"....
The landscape particularly in North Island is rolling and green. Strangely considering the name, around New Plymouth (if you ignore the large snow topped volcano) the landscape seems quite similar, with hedges and even a few more Devonian names.
South Island landscapes seemed quite different, the scale is bigger.... mountains and lots of bush (woodland).
The beaches are great, huge and no where near as busy as Devon. The Nelson area felt a bit like Devon with its relaxed atmosphere and alternative lifestylers (Totnes).
You won't find any cute villages with old pubs but the cafes and winerys are amazing. Actually come to think about it there was one we went to around Nelson 'The Mussell Inn' amazing home brewed beers.
The thing you will notice about NZ will be the lack of an additional 7 million grockles decending every summer unable to find reverse gear and crowding out the beaches.....
Not sure if all that is any use at all
Cheers
Bean

:cheers

[Karen]

Hi Jo

You are not alone, my partner Joolz and l are planning to move out to Tauranga (BOP) next July. We are currently living in Plymouth and yes, l agree, we do enjoy a relaxed and very socialable life here.

Our reasons for leaving are mostly down to wanting an even better quality of life. ( I know, some people are never happy!!) We both currently work as mental health nurses (Joolz in a secure setting and l'm in an acute setting) and what we both want is a more laid back and easy going lifestyle where we can reach a local beach on foot or via a short drive and not have to be surrounded by hundreds of others just to get a glimpse of the sea.

The weather is also a huge factor, l grew up in Zimbabwe and Malawi and although l've been back in the UK for 15yrs, l still miss swimming on xmas day, walking around bare foot and braai's (BBQ'S) on a Sunday.

The house has been on the market for about 3 months and yesterday we accepted an offer for the price we were hoping for. We are not planning to apply for PR right away, we are going out on a 2yr visa with the view to applying if/when we settle. If we don't settle, our plan is simple, we'll either try somewhere else or come back (as a nurse it's pretty easy to find work). Like yourselves we've never been but the way we see it, the worst that can happen is we lose a bit of money, put it down to life experiance and try somewhere else! Both our parents have spent the past 6 months trying to convince us to go to Oz but as a country it just doesn't have the same 'feel' as NZ (in the humble opinions of 2 folks who have never been to either place!!!).

Anyway, whereabouts in Devon are you and where are you hoping to move to in NZ?

Karen

[Smiler]

Hi Jo

Welcome to the forum.

I'll agree with Bean, a distinct lack of grockles. :clap

I'm not from anywhere near devon but spent a lot of time down on the devon/cornwall border and it is similar here in laidback unhurriedness.


Deborah

[jo lois]

Thanks all,

sounds like we will either settle in really well or wonder why we have uprooted to somewhere so similar!!!

Karen - am just outside Plymouth! and have a 'top 3' areas in NZ we'd like to check out.

1- Christchurch
2- Bay of Plenty
3 - New Plymouth (no I'm not joking!!) Met the Mayor at the Expo and he did an excellent selling job, also he was off to Plymouth UK to meet the Mayor and have 'Mayor chats'

How about you? Where are you looking to go?

[Karen]

Hi Jo

Sorry for the delays in replying to your posts, l'm using the computer at work and am on a run of night shifts at the moment!! Joolz and l are hoping to end up in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty but really it all depends on where the work is. We've looked at most places on the North Island but as it's so similar to Devon (being on the coast and scenery wise) we really fancy the BOP area. At the end of the day though we'd be happy anywhere as long as we're within a short walk/drive to a decent beach and able to go kayaking. We don't want to leave our life by the sea in the UK and end up inland in NZ!!

We haven't really considered the South Island mostly as the weather there isn't as good and also, we have friends living in Auckland who are doing a good job of selling BOP to us!!!

Have you organised shippers/storage yet? That's my job for tomorrow as our house buyers have said they want to be in asap? Any cheap but reliable recommendations? Although we'll be moving just after Xmas, we don't actually plan to move out to NZ until July next year (as Joolz is waiting for an operation) so we're after a company able to pack and store all our stuff for about 6 months.

When are you guys looking to move out?

Cheers

Karen

[GeorgeM]

We haven't really considered the South Island mostly as the weather there isn't as good

... so you prefer your weather warm and wet, do you :laugh :laugh :laugh .

For proper winters and long hot summers Central Otago has to be one of the best places in NZ. And Nelson/Marlborough are amongst the sunniest.

Don't be taken in by the 'bad weather in the South' myth - it may get a bit chilly in the worst of the winter but the east coast of the SI is very dry and warm for much of the year.

[jo lois]

Hi Karen

sounds like you're further ahead than us - we still have to get to the bottom of our medicals (no pun there honest!!) We're having issues with the new blood tests introduced in August - I might check on the forum if others are having the same problem.

Regarding shipping - we've heard Pickfords are pretty good - no idea about cost though although I have seen others post info on this site regarding prices. I know that there is a storage site at Lee Mill but again don't know prices. We daren't put our house on the market until we're a bit further down the road with our application - don't want to tempt fate etc!
Let me know how things progress for you.
Cheers
Jo

[nicquie]

Hi jo louis
Well we live in cornwall and have done so for the last 20 years. We have a full PR granted and plan to move to christchurch next august. We have done a lot of reading on this forum, and lots of peple say they miss the buzz and people etc of city life. But for us I think it will be pretty much the same as living here just a lot nicer, cornwall is not exactly know for the high life which suits us just fine. Lots of space, nice sandy beaches and overall a better way of life hopefully. Only time will tell.
Welcome to the forum and good luck to the future.
Nicquie

[GeorgeM]

Regarding shipping - we've heard Pickfords are pretty good
:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

That's really very very funny...

[Karen]

GeorgeM

Nelson???!!!......want to move out to enjoy the good life not double my mortgage!!!!