[GinnyHanley]

After gaining quite a bit of knowledge reading this forum, I am excited to be able to get involved! My husband and I are in Atlanta, GA with 5 and 3 year old boys. In our research, Christchuch really seems like a fabulous place, offering the lifestyle we are looking for. I am a high school math teacher and my husband is in the IT field (network engineering with the ability to teach, as well). Is Christchurch an area that we will be able to find employment and what are the nicer suburbs of Christchurch?

[Richard_from_Long Beach]

I can confirm your hunch about Christchurch. The nicer suburbs in my opinion are Ilam/Fendalton/Merivale, Redcliffs/Sumner, and Cashmere up into the Port Hills.

[Smiler]

Hi Ginny
Welcome to the forum. :clap:clap

I've only been to CC once but am going again soon. ;) I don't think that you will have any problems getting employment at all.

Theres are loads of people on here who can help though, so for the moment I'll just say welcome.

[Junnifer USA]

Hello,
We moved from the Hilton Head, SC area a year ago to Chch...and love it. Wait till you enjoy a moderate summer here! No sweltering Georgia, SC temps an humidity.
We don't live in one of those posh neighborhoods listed above. We chose to be in Kaiapoi (on the northern rim of the city.) We are 2 min from the motorway and 12-15 from downtown. We selected this area because the sports and rec offerings are fantastic. Every possible sport, plus on the ocean and with a river too. This is much more a village style of living. The suburbs listed above are really city living by our standards. Little kids can be on bikes into ur town. Int he city one would not do that. Just an alternative way to live. (we were leving the rate race, not relocating to a new one)
Anyhow, I have many teacher friends. ANd jobs are available, On the IT front, it is not as plentiful as the North Island, so you should really check your specialty and learn what is available before you decide.
We love all of Chch, and you can't go wrong with any of the beautiful suburbs listed above too.
Kaiapoi is part of the Waimakariri district which includes the tons of Rangiora, which has had trememdous growth and is very popular among brits and young immeigrant families.
You should look into schools too. We have been overall disappointed in the public schools (just my opinion) Also, we have seen a lot of bullying. My son left grade 5 and was jumped up to grade 8 upon arriving here. He tested at year 16 here. In the US, in our town, grade 5 was very challenging and he only tested to year 12 (not 16!) He is a bright boy...but not that bright!!!

Anyhow, we have switched to private schools. He has been in Cathedral Grammar for year 7 and 8. Yes, we found a school that actually put him in the year he belonged and offered appropriate work. It is an excellent school.

My comments about public schools are based on our experience, not a criticism, and certainly not everyones experience. However, to let you know, many Americans transfering kids to NZ are in the same private school, as well as very well represented in St ANdrew's, St. Margarets, Christ's College. COnsidering we average only 4% of the monthly immigration, we certainly support the private system by our show of numbers. That must mean something.
Yours,
J

[GinnyHanley]

J,

Thanks so much for the reply. Hearing from a fellow southerner is really helpful! I totally understand the feeling of not wanting to go from one rat race to another! That is exactly what we feel like, as well!
Thanks for the info on the schools. From my research, I kind of got the impression that standards were a bit different.
Overall...are you happy you made the move? Do you think you'll stay long term?

Thanks

[montana]

Hi Ginny-Welcome to the forum. My husband and I recently made the move from Califoria to Christchurch. He is a kiwi so he knew he loved it but so far I love it too. People are about 10 times friendlier, more polite and the general feel of the place is just nice.
The nicer suburbs I think are Fendalton, Merivale, Northwood and I have heard St. Albans is up and coming. Because ChCh is relatively small (300 and some thousand)- to me it doesn't seem like a rat race at all. I drive to work at 8:30 and there is virtually no traffic. Both places I lived before it took me 45 minutes to go 10 or 12 miles. I guess it is all relative as to what you are used to. I'm sure you would find it very refreshing compared to Atlanta.
As for jobs- it depends on your specialty. I have been having sort of a hard time finding something but I haven't as yet sent out that many resumes.
Good luck!