[smitjo]

:wah Well I had finally got through my panic attack (thanks to all you great guys on this forum) and then we had to sit down and seriously access our situation.

My OH has struggled to find a job that he enjoyed and the promotion that he was offered the other day got us thinking. :confused: Our dream is still NZ and we WILL be going there but have postponed the move for another 12 months. We are still both young (26 & 27) and decided that the experience that my OH will learn in his new job and the training that he will receive will hopefully benefit him in the long run and enable him to find a good job in IT when we move to NZ.

This had been a VERY difficult decision to make as we were both so excited for our move but we are thinking about our future (and our future family!) and hopefully this will set us up for a 'better' life in NZ in 12 months time!

I have cried so much this weekend :wah but I think this is for the best. We will now be going out to Welly in Oct for a recce trip (and to activate our visas) and still dreaming about our life in NZ................. This is not the end of our NZ life, just a slight blip in getting there but hopefully it will be even sweeter when we finally arrive.

Do you guys think we are stupid??? :o

Glad I got all that off my chest!
Jo

[K&CS]

I don't think you're stupid at all - you've got to do what's best for you. Also if waiting another year means you can save more money, then I would definitely say that it's more likely to work out for you when you get there. After homesickess, I would say that money is the major thing that sends people home again.

Good luck with your recce trip in October (not long to go now!) and good luck to your OH with his new job - 12 months will go very quickly!!

Kate x

[Debbie P.]

Hi Jo,

I think it's a wise decision. We've done exactly the same - now going in autumn 2007, which gives us time to sort out a few financial matters and hopefully save a bit more money. And it's nice to be able to plan a recce too - I'd love to go back before moving just to spend some time checking out areas to live etc.

Good luck with your plans!

[Diny]

Not stupid at all - what's 12 months? It'll shoot by - and you will have lots more experience and another 12months worth of dosh - sounds like a perfect idea to me.

As you say - you are still both young. When I was your age I was newly married and living in Australia. I knew I wasn't in the country I wanted to stay in but I made the most of it - I enjoyed every moment. I suggest that is what you do. We left Oz older, wiser, richer and well prepared for the next step - I'm pretty sure the same will apply to you.

Good luck - and rest assured - you'll be OK.

Diny

[Cardiff Irons]

We are still both young (26 & 27)Blimey, you ARE young! You can forget any more sympathy from old codgers like me ;).

Seriously, it sounds like you've thought this through properly and come up with the right decision for you. As you say, this is a postponement rather than an abandonment of your dream. If I were in your shoes (or your hubby's, as I'm sure yours wouldn't fit me and would probably look silly on me) I dare say I'd have done the same.

I would imagine that after your weekend of crying you're probably feeling a lot more peaceful inside. I certainly hope so.

Good luck with the trip to NZ and don't be a stranger on the forum.

Take care, wishing you all the best.


Steve :nice1

[kiwidebs]

Def not stupid - sounds sensible to me. I'm sitting here trying to work out where to cut corners on our budget and wondering why we didn't make more effort to save when we had the chance in the UK. And as you say, you are both still young! When I was your age I was organising my 2 year working holiday to the UK! 9 years later I've finally arrived back home.
You don't know what life is going to offer you/throw at you, so make the most of opportunities when you get them.

It must be late I'm babbling. Stay in touch and let us know how your recce goes later this year.

Debs

[Smiler]

Jo
Not stupid at all, infact very sensible although it must have been difficult and I can appreciate how torn you both must have been.

But you are doing the right thing for now, experience and some $$ saved will certainly be adding to the foundations for building your New Zealand life.

The year will pass quickly and think of all the planning you'll be able to do between now and then, especially after your reccie. :clap Almost a year ago we had just completed our ITA and we were ready to hand it in. The 12 months has flown by and we have achieved and learnt so much.

And stick around here because we will be following your reccie trip and expecting pictures. :laugh

However I now have this picture of Steve in 6 inch red stiletto's that I can't seem to wipe from my brain. :exit

[Cardiff Irons]

I now have this picture of Steve in 6 inch red stiletto's that I can't seem to wipe from my brain. :exitRather worryingly, so have I. :uhoh

[smitjo]

Ahhhhhhh thanks guys for all your support - it really does help to make everything seem so much easier! Sometimes we just need to hear a few wise words to confirm things in our head! We won't be strangers - still got loads of investigating to do and I really enjoy following the stories of others!

I will keep you all posted on plans and bore you with our recce to Welly!

Steve - surely you aren't that old! :laugh

[jodieinchch]

you're being realistic. thats the way to go. UK money and experience will always bring benefits over here. but make sure you live your dreams!! good luck!

[mossum]

Hi Jo

I have to say that I personally think you've done the best thing - as you say you're only young . This is not a a change of plan as much as a restructure .

Enjoy your trip to activate your visas .

vic x

[Avalon]

Wow - well - not only do I NOT think you are daft - but actually I think you have made a very wise decision given your age (you make me feel old - I'd never have had the guts at that age to do this!)

One thing we did in the last year of trying to get out here was really get a grip on our finances. If this is something that is new to you - it may be an idea you start looking at it now. Many people do find it hard to cope on the often lower wages here, so if you coudl spend the next year getting used to such horrors as budgeting and cashflow, not only will it make it easier when you get here - but you could have an extra stash of money to bring out.

I know its probably the last thing you would choose to hear - but in hindsight - getting this bit sorted has made a huge difference in our lives here.

Even if you totally ignore that bit :) I think its a great desision. And if you do nothing else in the next year - you can come on here and listen to us lot whine (or otherwise) about life in NZ.

Hugs

[Crunchmonkey]

Sounds like a wise idea to me. Sometimes dreams are the best part and now you have 12 more months of them ..... Fantastic !

[StevieD]

It is only a postponement - nothing to be ashamed of. You are merely gaining experience along the way.

Good luck, sure you will be fine.

And thanks for that image Carol - Steve a la Rocky Horror show!! All together now - let's do the time warp...... :laugh

[terbo]

Jo Po!!!

I just cannot believe that you figured out who my OH was just from a simple email.

Well, I hope you feel more at peace with the decision to postpone your move. I suppose there are pro's and cons to both views. At least you will come over here more financially stable, but I suppose it feels like you are putting your life on hold for another year.

Dave and I have discussed this move extensively and as much as I love it here and am very close to my family I just cant argue the point of the crime and safety issue here and why we should stay. We are looking at trying to get there by Jan 2008. However we have no idea on where to begin. Please could you explain the steps that should be taken (from the very beginning) I know that I sound ignorant but I also dont know what all the code words are: eoi etc.
We looked at an emigration agency, but it was (including moving furniture etc) R30 000.00! So I advised Dave to investigate doing it alone. I am devastated that we wont be taking our dogs - and have to find homes for them.
I also want to know: I have kind of set up home with electrical appliances etc. is it worth our while taking them over? Its also killing me to wait on buying furniture etc. Its so horrible when you see something that is perfect for your house and then having to realise that you have to put that on hold until you have settled in nz.

ok so I am going on a bit, but we are like sponges at the moment with advice.

what field is your oh in and you? My marketing diploma is recognised in Australia so hopefully it will be recognised in nz.

Speak soon
Michelle

[smitjo]

Hey Michelle,

Just call me a genius!!!!!
I will PM you this evening or tomorrow morning with answers to your questions. I know it sounds daunting but keep thinking positive. Can't beleive you guys are thinking of going too - so exciting!

Cheers,
Jo Po

[sizzlingbadger]

Wow big decision and it sounds like you're making the right one for yourselves.

If you've got a house to sell I'd get that sold move into rental so when you're ready you can go without the stress of getting a house sale sorted as well.

Love to hear what your thoughts are on Welly, hope you have a good trip :D

[David with a dream]

Hey guys we had a 'blip' and when the dust settles we will all be better for it. NZ will be waiting for you when you are ready and in the mean time look forward and enjoy your trip to Wellington..... :nice1 David

[katandbob]

yes I am in agreement with the rest... its a very sensible idea, as you will definately have a better start if you have money to support it, it costs a lot to just live, so SAVE save save, enjoy your year, and take the chance to visit some of the UKs tourist spots! and view them as a tourist ;-)

good luck your spring chickens with plenty of time!!

kat ..and yep feeling old too!

[pleccy2000]

smitjo - we are both 26 years old too. We made the same decision as you to wait a year last year. We are heading to Welly soon! I'm glad that there is someone our age goign to Wellington! Hope we can meet up for a few bevvy's one day!

[diforsyth]

Hi Jo,

I was in exactly the same situation when our Visas were issued in May 2005. If it's any consolation for your current disappointment, I think our decision to delay for 15 months has put us in a far better position to make the move now. We have had more time to 'really' save, to pack up properly, to tie up all the loose ends up here & to make arrival arrangements (Hmm - only 4 weeks left for the last one :uhoh ).

The whole emigration ride is full of so many ups and downs but just persevere and go with the flow. I am a very firm believer that everything happens for reason, mostly unknown to ourselves, and things will just fall into place when you least expect it.

Good luck & keep the dream alive.

David.

[ChrisK]

I totally understand how you are feeling. It is hard to put off something you really want to do but in the end it is probably the best choice. I would like to be in Welly NZ right now but I have decided to give myself a year to finish paying off debt student loans, etc, start saving and then decide if I still want to go to NZ(Turning 30 this year and am going to have to decide if I should follow my dream and move to NZ or buy a house etc, I have a really good job in IT here in Canada so can't complain), then save up for a year more and head there around Sept. 2008.
When I think about it 2 years is a long time but I will be going alone and don't have a house to sell or anything like that, well I will sell my car, so I will need to save up for a bit. If I do go I will be going the quit your job, come out on visitors visa, try and find a job, get work permit etc. So the time I am giving myself will let me figure out for sure what I want to do and let me save the money up to do it.

I don't think you will regret your decision but I do understand how frusterating it is to wait.