[snowy747]

Well hi there, dunno where to start really! Currently OH and I look after my parents who are not in good health, if it wasn't for them we would not be in the UK that's for sure!

OH is a senior software programmer/developer with 10 years experience and I am an Independent Financial Adviser.

Once my parents are dead, they are 82 and 73 and not in good health so who knows when that will be, but whenever it is we intend to travel for a year or so to suss out some countries, NZ being high on the list of want to see places.

Now I like to be prepared, so having read lots in recent days on this board and similar I have several questions to ask. I know the score may have changed by the time we get to emigrate but here goes -

OH doesn't have a degree or A levels but is a very talented programmer with 10 years plus experience, will this count for anything or must he do an OU degree in the meantime?

I am a financial adviser and hold the Financial Planning Certificates over here which are a recognised UK qualification. Do they carry any points in NZ? If not, how do I find out what I would need in order to continue my job in NZ?

We would be coming over with at least 300,000 NZ Dollars in cash. I am quite concerned about the comments on here that seem to imply it is virtually impossible to exist on NZ incomes! Is it really that bad? We don't want Mercs and Beemers or a mansion, just a decent standard of living and less cars, less people and the great wild outdoors to explore.

It has been very interesting reading all your posts and at least it gives lots of different view points and good and bad points to consider!

I also have a weight problem but don't have any health issues at all but it seems as if I am going to have to do some serious dieting to get through a medical. Reading the threads about this, it seems they ask you to go for additional tests if you have a high BMI. Can they just refuse you for being obese or if you pass the blood tests and don't have diabetes or high blood pressure are they ok about you coming over?

Thank you in anticipation of some answers to the above and well done to all of you that have made this big leap across the pond! I envy you!

Ali xx :)

[Smiler]

Hi Ali

Welcome to the forum :cheers:cheers

Firstly well done you on looking after your parents. It's something that does affect peoples decision's to emmigrate and is also a worry when you're here too.

Have a read through this very good thread http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6142 and also have a forum search for your occupations. That may answer some questions for you. I've no knowledge of FA stuff sorry.

The rest of the info really depends on where you'll settle and what you'll be earning. The money you have is going to help and will be a big chunk when buying a house and you'll hopefully have more by the time you come over. You'll still need a mortgage though of sorts, although some houses can be purchased outright for that, IF you could find work in those area's which is unlikely?

I had no probs with the medical and I'm overweight but my BMI was within limits and nothing else was wrong with bloods etc. I'd do all you can now to start lowering your bmi as the stress of emmigrating sure isn't gonna help your blood pressure. ;)

HTH some and again welcome to the forum.

[snowy747]

Thanks for the reply Smiler. It is hard work looking after the oldies and working but I actually for the most part enjoy my parents' company, although mum has limited speech due to a series of strokes and has epilepsy too. How much is an average sort of property in NZ? We currently have a 4 double bedroom detached house in a nice part of town which we share with the olds but wouldn't need anything this big for just the two of us. Would like an acre or two of land though.

I am above the 35 BMI point so I know I would immediately attract their attention at a medical so I will be working on my weight asap. I don't have any blood pressure probs or any obesity related probs currently and long may it remain that way!

Ali

[Trigirl]

hi Ali - welcome to the forums.

www.trademe.co.nz and www.open2view.com are good websites for getting an idea of how much properties cost.

on the weight thing - yes they will want to do extra tests if you are over 35 BMI and provided those tests are clear there is no problem. but these tests do seem to throw up previously unknown issues for a lot of people that can then take a long time to get sorted out to the immigration service's liking.

so if you have an indefinite amount of time before applying why not try and lose a bit of weight prior to having to do the medicals. it will probably make the whole thing a lot easier. also as smiler says it can be a fairly stressful process. there's lots of others on here who have done that - you would get a lot of support.

anyway - welcome and good luck with finding out all the info you need.

[marcia]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

House prices vary greatly depending where in NZ you plan to buy! So like Trigirl said having a look at the house web sites will give you an idea of the prices.

Do you have any children to take into account, if you do there are loads of good threads about the education system - some heated discussions, but loads of information for you.

We're a friendly bunch on here aso any questions you can't seem to find the answers to - ask away and someone will usually be ableto answer them!

Marcia

[Diny]

Hi there - welcome to the forum.

Just to pick up on one of your questions. If you arrive here with a min of $300k and aren't particularly looking for a top notch show home, I can't imagine you'll have too many problems. You'll probably find yourself with either no mortgage at all or just a small one. You'll be fine, and like many many people on this forum, you'll find that living within your means isn't as difficult as it sounds - in fact it's quite refreshing.

Hope all goes well.

Diny

[snowy747]

Hello everybody and thanks for your quick replies. Tim has 3 children but they live with his ex wife, will this count against us at all? They will all be 16 within 7 years so the clock is ticking quickly on that front anyway.

Does anybody know the answer to whether or not we need degrees or does work experience count in our favour? Thanks once again.

Ali

[able]

welcome snowy, I must say I'm full of admiration for your ability to plan ahead.

[snowy747]

Thank you Able! Well we are so fed up with life in the UK that we know for sure we don't want to stay here. As it looks like we will have at least a couple of years to wait before we can do anything I thought we might as well find out if we do need degrees etc in order to be prepared once the time comes!

The last straw was our dear old CSA deciding to reassess my partner last week......... he might as well resign and go on the dole now because his payments are equivalent to a mortgage at £100 a week! We are so very fed up.

I feel like a caged animal, stuck somewhere I don't want to be with mounting frustration with each passing day so I decided I might as well try and be constructive and make plans!

Ali