[colindp]

Well we gave it a go but it wasn't for us...But no, we are not returning to the UK we are going to California. After spending some time there between 2001-2003 we miss the place so much that we decided that we would prefer to go back, I have landed a job with my former employers and this time we intend to stick it out. So come October we will be off to live with Uncle Sam…. Those of you new to NZ hope you find what you’re looking for, for those of you thinking about it…don’t think do it…. you may regret it if you don’t at least give it a try, Those of you that have done it and have been here a while long may the dream continue…

[colindp]

By the way I should have added that by going to the USA I cannot take any Electrical Items therefore I have a Washing Machine, Two TV's, Fridge, Freezer, Microwave, X Box, Mini Stereo system, Panasonic Home Cinema System, Kenwood Smoothie Maker, Food Mixer, Breville Kettle, Kenwood Electric Grill, Toaster if anybody is interested the items are located in Dunedin but will not be available until late September all of the above are less that 3 yrs old some less than a year.......and all in excellent condition...

[Moorf]

Hope California works out better than NZ did - happy travels :nice1 and all the best for the future. :cheers

[leigh31]

Wish I could hop on that flight to CA with you! NZ isn't working out for me either, but it's working out for the bf. Also, my brother is on his way over here. So with that being said, I'll be here another year.

Good luck to you & I will be following in your footsteps in a year! :)

[bob_the_engineer]

Hi Colindp,

Cool, off to live in the US of A eh.

I hope it all goes well, and I’d love to hear about your travels. I think that you have a great attitude, if it isn’t working out then work a little harder, if that means a big change and a new country then go for it.

I guess it’s the same attitude that brings many of us to NZ too. You seem to know what life is like in the UK, the USA and NZ and you can make an informed decision about which suits you sir (sorry cant say suits you without sticking sir on the end :laugh )

Personally I like the expression

“a coward dies a thousand deaths, the brave man dies but once” and I think there are a lot of brave folk on this forum.

Go for it, good luck and a safe trip, Bob :nice1

[Smiler]

Sorry to hear NZ didn't work out for you. Interesting to see you miss Cali more than the Uk though.


Safe travels :cheersand good luck with your new plans. :nice1

[westies]

Good luck to you!!

[Diny]

NZ isn't for everybody - but at least you found out for yourself - and obviously have no regrets. It's all character building.


California !!!!! Lucky you. Sadly the USA has enough of it's own oilmen so they don't need my hubby (he works on their overseas rigs)....... if they did we'd be over there like a shot !!!!!

All the best ...... X-Box ?????? Hhmmmm - how much? How many games? PM me the info, I may be interested.

Diny

[zardell]

Good luck Colin on your new venture.

I wish you and yours a safe journey and all the best for the future.

Julie

xx

[marcia]

Good for you at least you won't be looking back and saying 'what if we had done xyz' seems like you are grasping life by both hands and living it instead of letting it pass you by!

Good luck and much happiness wherever your dreams may take you! :)

[pinkpiggy]

I'm sorry to hear it hasn't worked out for you in NZ and wish you all the very best in your new adventures. Sunny California.... here you come.

[spudulike]

Good luck with the move! Where in CA are you heading?

I agree with the sentiments that it's better to give the move a try. NZ is not for us long term either but I'm pleased we're here for now. :yes

Hope your dreams come true in the US. :cheers

Louise :)

PS I'd be interested in the smoothie maker. Could you PM me with a price please :uhoh

[banjan2]

colindp, sorry to hear that. could it be that it is just dunedin? we are here in dunedin and are just trying to complete the nzis requirements after which we will definitely move away from it.
we are not outgoing folks but we simply find dunedin too cold and too boring.

[katandbob]

By the way I should have added that by going to the USA I cannot take any Electrical Items therefore I have a Washing Machine, Two TV's, Fridge, Freezer, Microwave, X Box, Mini Stereo system, Panasonic Home Cinema System, Kenwood Smoothie Maker, Food Mixer, Breville Kettle, Kenwood Electric Grill, Toaster if anybody is interested the items are located in Dunedin but will not be available until late September all of the above are less that 3 yrs old some less than a year.......and all in excellent condition...

mmmmm, now that mini stereo and the food mixer and of course the xbox sound tempting....we have our boys arriving in September!

PM me how much you wanted

Kat :)

enjoy the CA beach life!

[colindp]

Hi all,
Many thanks to you all and your good wishes with our further adventures, for those of you that asked where in California we are headed it is a little town called Bishop and is located high up in the Sierra Nevada region just a hour or two away from Yosemite National Park...Apparently summers anre dry and hot 100+ whilst winters are cold with lots of snow (quite similar to winter in Dunedin but with more snow)!!
Those of you that have expressed interest in the many and varried electrical Items I'll be in touch...Once again thanks to you all and best of luck with your own adventures...

[StevieD]

Good luck Colin, just caught this thread - at least you are grasping life with both hands and not allowing the grass to grow under your feet.

Steve

[Mexican in NZ]

Just want to wish you the best my husband and i are also planing to go to california in october and then mexico but not to live just to solve some health problems cos here i have not had any good luck with my ACC case i am getting worse by the minute and i have family in mexico and california that can help me so we are going to be there for at least a couple of months and yes we are also selling almost everything as when we come back to new zealand we are planing to move to welly or the wairarapa, here in the north shore the prices are way high for the income we have so i guess new year new life hopefully i will be healthy by that time.
Good luck for u and God bless,
Adriana

[tiefchord]

Bishop gets HOT HOT in the summer. Definitely over a 100F. I have to ask why you intend to move there? Without trying to be overly negative about it - Bishop has so very little to offer, atleast in typical city life. If you're planning on a town-like life and your employeer is there, then that's understandable. Personally I would choose another city in CA, however. Of course, with that, comes extreme housing prices. Which is one of the small reasons I've wanted to move to NZ for years - CA home prices are a joke.

[clg]

I have bit my tounge on Bishop but one thing it will probably be fair to say is that housing will be cheap there! It is a small town quite removed from many things but it is very close to the sierras so if you are looking for a lot of outdoor opportunities you will have that within an hour or two. When I was a kid we used to drive up to Lone Pine (near Bishop) and get on a small plane to fly up to a fairly remote area of the Sierras, I have some amazing memories of that. You can't fly up there any more and have to take a horse to where we used to go and that takes a few days! Still, some amazing back country up there once you get there. When we visit over the years we will be making some trips up there on occasion.

[jodieinchch]

good luck with the move. hope you find your dreams there...

[colindp]

Bishop gets HOT HOT in the summer. Definitely over a 100F. I have to ask why you intend to move there? Without trying to be overly negative about it - Bishop has so very little to offer, atleast in typical city life. If you're planning on a town-like life and your employeer is there, then that's understandable. Personally I would choose another city in CA, however. Of course, with that, comes extreme housing prices. Which is one of the small reasons I've wanted to move to NZ for years - CA home prices are a joke.

Hi tiefchord
I agree with you on some points however I will be working for Caltrans and based in Bishop; I realise that there is not much to do and that the town is small it may not have all the big stores that the ladies love to visit but then I believe that a few hours drive in any direction can solve that one.
As for the weather, I spent just over a year in Redding so I fully appreciate how hot summers can get in CA.

[colindp]

jodieinchch

Thank you....

[barryp]

I went to school near Bishop for a summer term (Deep Springs College) and, though the town itself isn't much IMO, there's some awfully beautiful country up there.

And you'll be able to visit one of the USA's best bakeries - Erik Schat's - as often as you wish!

All best on the move.

[colindp]

Thanks for the tip Barry....I also hear that there is a place that does a fantastic breakfast....Jack's Restaurant & Bakery???? and I have been advised to check out Meadow Farms Country Smokehouse...It may be a small place but loads to look forward to!!!

[clg]

There are at least two awesome breakfast places up there, I know them by site but not by name. Schat's I know A+++