Moving...costs and expectations

jenswaters · #1 (**permalink**) 8th July 2009, 05:34 PM

Hi

I am at the beginning of trying to move to NZ. My partner and I have been selected from the EOI pool (I am the principal applicant as a secondary teacher), and we are trying to move to NZ with our 2 children - a boy of 3 and a baby girl of 5 months.

We are both English, but have lived in various places around the globe (Canada, Cayman Islands, and currently Trinidad). I have learned through these experiences that there are plus' and minus' to EVERY country, and while some things are great, other things can be really grating. For example, yes, the Caribbean is VERY laid back and relaxing, but for getting things done it can be very trying (seriously, just getting household fixings sorted is a major mission)!! I have no fear about the cost of living (living in the Caribbean is VERY expensive, and the selection of things is unbelievably limited...you may even have to drive to different areas of the country to get the things you need, as different stores within the same chain have different stock!!!!). For us, moving to NZ is about providing the right work-life balance in a safe and beautiful setting, whilst both enjoying family life and progressing our careers (my partner is an international rugby coach, so you can imagine the appeal)!!!

We are used to moving globally, but really want to go with a clear idea of OUTLAY costs (shipping, setting up home, buying a car, medication fees, monthly budgets, unexpected costs, school fees etc). We are hoping to move to Bay of Plenty area (Mount Maunganui area is ideal for us in terms of location, setting, facilities etc), so any advice or insight regarding this would be PERFECT!!!! I am going without a job as yet (although have teacher registration being processed etc) so if anyone knows of any work in secondary PE that would be great also!!!!!!

ANY advice in general is appreciated

Martin Tuhill · #2 (**permalink**) 10th July 2009, 08:04 PM

Hi, I am also going through the application process and thought I could offer some answers to your questions, I went to NZ last year for a holiday/reccy. I have also done a lot of research. As for costs, you need to provision for these kind of figures: -

- Medicals £760 family of 2 adults to 2 young children
- EOI £155
- Application for residence £650
- Police Certificates £35 per adult
- Migrant levy £685 (family of 4 again)
- Container £3500
- One way flights £2100 from UK that is

At least that gives you a feel for the costs involved. I found an excellent website for cost of living comparisons for NZ, it is: -

Cost of living in New Zealand

While visiting NZ last year we went to south and north islands and stayed in Tauranga, we spent a day at Mt Maunganui, a fantastic place. We walked up the mount, I took my 3 year old boy but carried him up most of the way, dont under estimate the climb!!!! It did feel a bit like a tourist location though - but very nice all the same, the beaches were great and people friendly

Hope this helps. Good luck

jenswaters · #3 (**permalink**) 10th July 2009, 08:27 PM

Thank you so much!! Yes, these prices are pretty much what I figured. I am prepping well ahead and have a removal company coming to quote for a full packing and shipping service. I have been through overseas moves too many times to do it myself again!!! I am lucky that I already have up-to-date police checks from everywhere too, so only residency, medical and levy costs are immediate costs for us, as we wouldn't move for about 9 months to give us a chance to save.
Really appreciate the insight into Touranga. Based on the various places we have lived in the world, it ticks all the right boxes in terms of climate, facilities, location and activities. Just thinking about a new and settled life there gets me so excited!!!

What stage are you at, and where are you planning on living???

Martin Tuhill · #4 (**permalink**) 10th July 2009, 08:49 PM

We had our EOI selected, then it was vetted and accepted, now we have been invited to apply for residence. I am going for the skilled migrant category. I am putting the application together now and it is pretty intense.

I expect to send off the application at the beginning of August, so all being well we also expect to be moving in about 6-9 months. My brother lives in Christchurch region, that is where we are heading. I also have a young family, girl aged 7 and boy aged 4, they loved it there when we visited.

We are also really excited and cannot wait to live in this fantastic environment and setting. It has everything all in one country!

topcat83 · #5 (**permalink**) 11th July 2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Tuhill

While visiting NZ last year we went to south and north islands and stayed in Tauranga, we spent a day at Mt Maunganui, a fantastic place. We walked up the mount, I took my 3 year old boy but carried him up most of the way, dont under estimate the climb!!!! It did feel a bit like a tourist location though - but very nice all the same, the beaches were great and people friendly

I think Martins line here is very true.

Mount Maunganui is very touristy - I remember visiting it about 15 years ago, and it was full of motels then. Too many for me!

But Tauranga and the area round it is definitely a growing city, and worth looking at. We have friends in Katikati, which is reasonably close, and a lovely little town.

jenswaters · #6 (**permalink**) 14th July 2009, 07:54 AM

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, these were the rough prices we had imagined, but coming directly from Trinidad will make a difference. We have a LOT of money to save!!!

I think my main worry is the amount of money required for setting up. You know, rental (deposit and first payments), buying a car, setting up utilities, and obviously the extra money needed for those things that you just dont think about!!! Everytime we have moved we have spent money, just in varying amounts!!! Anyone any idea on start-up costs in NZ$???

Thanks for the info on Tauranga too. We need the right climate and beaches nearby so for this it is great. Not sure that 'touristy' is what I had in mind, but having lived in the Cayman Islands for a while (cruise ships ALWAYS in the tiny island...tourists EVERYWHERE), I am a bit better prepared than some maybe. Hopefully it wont be too much of an issue if I am getting all other 'boxes ticked'!!!

Anyone have any idea how ling the preliminary checks take after your EOI is selected??

Martin Tuhill · #7 (**permalink**) 16th July 2009, 08:49 PM

Our EOI was selected on 6th May and was vetted and cleared by 25th June, that is when we received we invitation to apply for residence...so 7 weeks for us.

jenswaters · #8 (**permalink**) 16th July 2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Tuhill

Our EOI was selected on 6th May and was vetted and cleared by 25th June, that is when we received we invitation to apply for residence...so 7 weeks for us.

Thanks Martin for letting me know. I am not good at being patient!!! I am afraid that as we have been selected, I just want to get on with it now!!! Did you get notified by post, email, telephone??? I keep logging onto the Immigration website just to re-check that we have been selected!!! It's now my homepage!!!!

How are you getting on with the process of getting all paperwork together and backing everything up???

topcat83 · #9 (**permalink**) 17th July 2009, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenswaters

.... I keep logging onto the Immigration website just to re-check that we have been selected!!! It's now my homepage!!!!

LOL! That brings back memories - I did exactly the same!!

I kept on checking it to make sure I wasn't dreaming and that my status hadn't gone backwards!!

Martin Tuhill · #10 (**permalink**) 18th July 2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenswaters

Thanks Martin for letting me know. I am not good at being patient!!! I am afraid that as we have been selected, I just want to get on with it now!!! Did you get notified by post, email, telephone??? I keep logging onto the Immigration website just to re-check that we have been selected!!! It's now my homepage!!!!

How are you getting on with the process of getting all paperwork together and backing everything up???

We were notified by Post, I lovely big envelope appeared with all of our application forms. Innitially I was a bit overcome with the amount of information to read and prepare. But you have to break it all down and just write down all the the information you need and start ticking them all off. Our police checks are in the process, our medicals are next week, I have received birth certificates from my borther in NZ, got official letters from my current employer, we are just putting together evidence of our relationship, i.e. marriage certificate, photos, friends letters, I have also got all of my master qualifications. As I say, it looks a big deal at first, just take the time reading it through a couple of times.

We were the same, kept of logging on and checking. I am not patient either, however, we know that if this is meant to be for us that everything will work out - and it is at the moment. Good luck.