[gpbenton]

Although I have been lurking for a while, I've managed to get through the immigration process very smoothly (via the Skilled Migrant Category) so I have never posted. I now have a valid residence visa and I'm planning to travel to Auckland to find a software engineering job in the new year.

I had been working in Florida for a while, and returned to England last year but very quickly decided that I either England or I had changed, and really it isn't a very good place to live. After living through 4 hurricanes in 2 years, Florida didn't seem so attractive, so I decided to try something completely different.

I've never actually been to New Zealand, I'm going purely on the recommendation of a number of friends, who said they would live there if they didn't have other commitments, and a number of Kiwis that I've met through the years. So I'm sure I will have some questions about the local customs. :)

Graham

[The Hodges]

Hi gpbenton

Welcome to the forum and may I offer the first congratulations to you being accepted to NZ. :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

You will find a whole load of advice on this forum, all impartial and fair, and gives a true reflection on how the forum's members feel etc. about living in NZ.

Good luck with your move and we may meet up with you at one of Auck's meets. :nice1

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi Graham,
Welcome to the forum. You are not alone as we have never been to NZ either and have no regrets in what we are doing. Hope it all goes o.k for you

All the best

Dave and Caroline

[Jenny & Mark]

Welcome to the forum, Graham. Congrats on residence.
Your friends are right - NZ is an absolutely great place to want to live. It's also a good idea to start to figure out differences in customs, etc. - helps to reduce the culture shock.

Mark.

[Nienke]

Welcome to the forum!

[Singel]

Hello Graham

We have no relatives and friends in NZ when we arrived here as tourists. OH is in software engineering and he got a job offer on the 3rd week after our arrival. We are soooooooo happy with our decision to move here (seem risky at that time) :raebanana

Good Luck with your move and your job searching :nice1

[pinkpiggy]

Hi Graham, Welcome to the forum. We've just submitted our ITA so are some way off booking our flights but congratulations on getting your PR.

[willsken]

Hi Graham welcome to the forum. We are arriving in the New Year. Good luck with the job search. :nice1