Age a barrier

fiona · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 2:03 am Post subject: Age a barrier

Hi, is there anyone out there like me an 'elderly'applicant (over forty) who
is in the process of making the move/has moved who would like to share experiences. Look forward to hearing from you!

michelle · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 5:01 am Post subject:

Oh dear, when I saw your post I thought it was going to be about elderly relatives but horror of horrors I saw you wanted to hear from people over 40 and unfortunately I fit into that category although only just I have to add !

We are going for it because I hit 40 last year, and started to see how my life was going until I reached retirement and didn't particularly like what I was seeing. So, and how many times do you hear this, it really is now or never. The worse thing is giving up security and taking a leap into the unknown but it has to be better than life in England. All I can say to you is that we have lived in NZ before and absolutely loved it and it really does offer a better life. Yes there are downsides although if you read some posts on some forums some people definitely have rose tinted glasses in place.

I dont know what you do or what your situation is, mine is happily married to solicitor husband and no kids. He is determined to give it a go and thinks that giving up a good career with a good firm to start again is worthwhile, I have the sleepless nights ! I am a nurse so we are hoping to get in with that.

I wish you well and all I can say is read the forums, pick up as much as you can and if I can help at all e mail me.

michelle

Bill B · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 6:06 am Post subject: Re: Age a barrier

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 11:17 am Post subject:

Old!!!!

Dave is 60 and I am 50. We had made up our minds that we wanted to go to New Zealand as it seemed to be just about the safest place on the planet and one of the most beautiful and welcoming. We will go mad if we have to stay in the UK 'til the end of our days.

We did a round the world trip in 18 days!!! Stopped of in NZ for 6 days for job interviews. Dave got 3 job offers and leaves Thursday morning to take up his new job on a visit visa. Will apply for work permit/visa next Monday fingers crossed

We then have to try and start a business that will be successful after 2 years and go for LTBV in the hope that they will let us stay. Please, please.

You're never too old.

Sandra

Bill B · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 6:12 am Post subject:

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 7:37 am Post subject:

Hi Bill

Dave is a Structural Engineer and he has got a job in Palmerston North. His job is on the OSL for Wellington, but unfortunately not for PN. His company are willing to provide proof that they can't employ a local, for which they say they have plenty of proof. They are not an accredited employer, by the way. There's no 55 age limit for Work Visas/Permits and you can keep renewing them, so hopefully we could get a business up and running within two years. He has run his own business before, but not for over 20 years, so he does have previous experience.

I don't know if you have read my post about Shawn Gilhooley but she has given us a bit of hope by saying that she managed to get PR for somebody over 55, although it involved a lot of commitment from his employers and had to be signed off by the immigration minister Eek

and he was in IT. Unfortunately, she can only help if we were settling in Wellington. She doesn't charge any fees by the way, as she is employed by the Government. I think if you are on the OSL list in an area and settle there then you have a very good chance. She is more than happy to give advice if you e-mail her. At least you have had a positive response to your CV's - that's how Dave started.

The only alternative really, as I said, is the LTBV. Dave is hoping that he will be able to get something going in the draughting side of engineering.

I'll let you know how he gets on with the Work Visa/Permit application. Hopefully, he will call into the NZIS office in PN on Monday with all of his paperwork and we'll see how it goes fingers crossed

. Wish him luck.

Good luck to you too

Sandra

Bill B · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 8:26 am Post subject:

fiona · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 2:47 am Post subject: Age a barrier

Hi, Michelle, Bill, Dave and Sandra......Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only one. I had found this 'forum' -thanks for the welcome Bill- quite by mistake and though finding it very interesting became acutely aware that I had probably joined a very large conversation taking place between a lot of younger people! At the risk of 'exposing' myself I thought I must be brave and find out if there was any body else out there..thanks!After reading your 'posts' I felt greatly encouraged. I do agree with you Michelle.....after reading alot of the comments....I feel there are a lot of rose tinted spectacle wearers out there!! A person still has to ensure the bills are paid and there is food on the table and you cannot always do that from the top of stunning mountain or beside aqaumarine sea...perhaps it my age. I would like to know more about the cost of living. I have recently read in some recent official literature that you can buy for nz$1 what you can buy for a £1 here. Can this be right? I too am happily married and would be taking 2 children. Although my husband has run a successful business - but as with a lot of manufacturing the business went east and we decided to move on- we would be hoping to go on my application I am working as a college lecturer. Michelle I would love to hear more about your experiences about living in nz and in particular where you are planning to return to and hope you are not having too many sleepless nights! Fiona

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 10:38 am Post subject:

Hi Bill

Dave should have landed in Singapore just about now. Thanks for your good wishes.

At least we are lucky in so far as we don't have any children or family ties to worry about. If things don't work out and we can't get residency in NZ then we will find somewhere else to live (anywhere but the UK), where we can survive on what little savings and pension we have.

Maybe we'll run a bar in Thailand or Fiji or anywhere. We've experienced living in Hong Kong Yes

and Saudi

we just have to try this because it's what we really want to do. If it doesn't work out, so be it. But at least we will have tried and gained a new experience, sometimes you have to follow your heart and not listen to your head. I must admit that Dave is the heart person and I am the head person, but he always manages to persuade me, so we are going for it. fingers crossed

Sandra

michelle · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 8:07 pm Post subject:

Hi Dave, Sandra, Fiona.

Sandra when I read your post this morning it gave me a real lift, your attitude is great and I will look forward to reading how things go and keep my fingers crossed for you both.

Hi Fiona.

We lived in Auckland previously and loved it but came home for a number of reasons but always planned to return. Although I am a nurse I also work as Cabin Crew and teach cabin crew courses at a college in Leeds. What do you teach ? I only have a city and guilds teaching qualification and 2 years teaching which will not give me the points we need.

I notice you have 2 children, I cannot imagine a better place to bring them up. I dont know how the education system works but I'm sure if you put a post on you will get lots of replies.

Cost of living. Well its not as cheap as some would have you believe and you have to consider that wages are lower. Wages can be a third lower but the cost of living matches this. Some things are considerably cheaper, whilst others are more expensive. New cars seem similar but second hand ones hold their value and appear expensive. Petrol is very cheap as is insurance. Groceries probably even out you just have to change your shopping, fruit and veg were cheap but seasonal whilst a box of kellogs was outrageous. If M and S ever opened a food hall in NZ they would do fantastic business as there is nothing similar. Going to the cinema was much cheaper as was the cost of eating out, greatly helped by BYO's The variety of restaurants is fantastic.

Annual leave can be as little as 3 weeks but I think that is coming up to 4, there is a post somewhere about it. I found it noticeable that people really do make the most of the time off. You are so right that you cannot live of views alone and you do need money to get you there to admire the view! I do think that some people are a little unrealistic although maybe I am too sensible and could do with a little of their unbounded optimism.

Ths cost of housing does vary considerably, I only know about Auckland and Wellington. Prices have risen sharply and I think that many people will be suprised at just how expensive it is. It all depends on where you want to live and how much of a commute you are prepared to consider. Where are you heading for?

NZ is a lifestyle change and a change of priorities, and as I said there are downsides. To me its being so far away from my Mum and Dad but they are being incredibly supportive and we wouldn't have come this far without their encouragement. I think they now want us to go so they can join us as soon as possible.

We felt it was worthwhile going out to make the necessary contacts and also to see if it was where we really wanted to be. Over the last 8 years I have built up NZ in my mind to be utopia and needed to come back down to earth. The trip was worthwhile and we both quickly decided we did still love the place and very much want to make it home again. If you have the time I would very much recommend making a research trip.

We had a phone call a couple of hours ago to say that Richard has been shortlisted for a job in Wellington and now have a nervous wait to find out if he has been successful. It will come down to who else has applied its not a priority occupation but he does work in quite a specialised area but at the end of the day they have to recruit locally first.

This post is far too long so must finish, let me know your plans, destination etc and I will help all I can.

Good luck

Michelle

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 6:24 am Post subject:

Hi to anybody who wants to know the latest instalment and is interested in Dave's experience for getting a work permit from within NZ.

Dave went to NZIS today with his work permit application form, photos, qualification certificates and job offer. No mention was made of the fact that he had arrived on a visit visa. Clapping

He was sent off to have photocopies of his qualifications certified by a lawyer. Cost: Zero (as a gesture of goodwill - they know we will want to buy a house Wink

) - oh - they charged 33c for each photocopy.

As the job offer was made for Palmerston North it was re-typed by his office to show he could also be working in the Wellington office. (His job is on the OSL in Wellington Wink

). Police record and medical not required. He has been told the process will take 2-3 weeks.

He's also opened a bank account and was signing up for renting an apartment this evening. Clapping

Will keep you posted.

Sandra

Bill B · Posted: Thu May 20, 2004 5:07 am Post subject:

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Thu May 20, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:

Hi all

There is actually a slight revision on yesterday's post. Dave e-mailed originally to say 2-3 weeks for processing.

He went back today(yesterday)- time difference gets very confusing - Nutcase

with the photocopies of his qualifications and 10 minutes later came out WITH his Work Permit stamped in his passport

So from e-mailing his CV from the UK on 14th March to having interviews in the week we visited at the end of March beginning of April, he has got his Work Permit. Just 2 months from beginning to end.

He did say that the immigration guy at NZIS was extremely helpful and friendly and that the process was not at all intimidating. Now it's my turn - after I've sold the house of course Rolling Eyes

Thanks very much for everybody's good wishes.

Sandra

fiona · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 3:52 am Post subject:

[color=blue][/color]

Sandra, I have been reading your posts and have been most impressed with the progress you and Dave have made. As I did not catch the beginning of your story please could you confirm that Dave did not put in an application in the EOI pool. May I ask how you will be applying for residency.....was that the business route? I hope you are not too busy packing to answer my query !! Fiona

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 6:35 am Post subject:

Hi Fiona

Unfortunately, as Dave is now 60, we are barred from applying for residency under any of the normal routes Sad

, maximum age being 55, and although I'm only Laughing

50, I don't have a qualification or occupation that would get us in for PR. I can really sympathise with 'Meddle' actually 'cos I would be in the same situation as he is. No degree but plenty of experience in a successful office career.

Shawn Gilhooley, who I've mentioned in previous posts gave us some hope by telling us that she did manage to help get residency for somebody aged 56, so we will make some attempts in that direction once we have been there a while. fingers crossed

Our only option is to go for the LTBV. Dave has run a business successfully, but many years ago, and I don't know what proof they require for that. We have something in mind in his line of work, which he obviously has experience of and if we can put together a decent business plan and show that we have some capital to put into it then maybe we can get the visa. I'm pretty good on the office admin side so I could look after that aspect, while he does the important stuff. We then have to run it profitably for (I've forgotten whilst typing this if it's 2 or 3 years) and then we can get residency - there's no age limit Clapping

So we're still not home and dry yet but at least we've now got a foot in the door and a work visa is renewable. We were very fortunate really that Dave was offered a job by a company who were willing to help him get his work permit and didn't insist that he had one before they would offer him a job. The company have been brilliant. The hard part is going to be trying to start the business while he is still working full time. We'll see what happens.

If you want to read my other posts - they were a bit angst ridden to start with - if you click on profile in this message and then read all posts by Dave & Sandra you will get the full story.

Sandra