Congrats! :clap2::clap2:
ITA is in hand!
Hi there,
I've been lurking in and out of here for a while and finally had some news worth posting - my wife has accepted a LTSSL-applicable job offer in Hamilton, and as of two days ago we've been invited to apply!
The required documents and medicals are on thier way and/or scheduled, so we should be able to submit within 3 weeks - hope to be there some time in June.
Now to sell the house and most of its contents, the cars, arrange shipping, etc, etc, etc.
Our family of four (two girls under 10 yrs old) is really looking forward to making the most of this opportunity!
See ya when we see ya!
PS. Will have to update the 'expat living in...' country as I selected 'poorly' when I first created the profile a year ago.
I've been lurking in and out of here for a while and finally had some news worth posting - my wife has accepted a LTSSL-applicable job offer in Hamilton, and as of two days ago we've been invited to apply!
The required documents and medicals are on thier way and/or scheduled, so we should be able to submit within 3 weeks - hope to be there some time in June.
Now to sell the house and most of its contents, the cars, arrange shipping, etc, etc, etc.
Our family of four (two girls under 10 yrs old) is really looking forward to making the most of this opportunity!
See ya when we see ya!
PS. Will have to update the 'expat living in...' country as I selected 'poorly' when I first created the profile a year ago.
1 - 20 of 44 Posts
Thanks TC! Glad to be here! I lived in Sydney for 3 years so I've travelled between Canada and Australia or New Zealand every which way except South America! I try to avoid US "transit' nonsense so the non-stop flight is great.
Living in Oz changed my idea of a "long flight": less than 8 hours I'm good with some music and a few magazines. For this one I've it down to a science: board, eat, take sleeping tablet, wash face and clean teeth, earplugs, noise cancelling headphones, eye shades and blanket. I get 5-7 hours of good rest before the start of The Day That Will Never End at 05h00 in Auckland.
Living in Oz changed my idea of a "long flight": less than 8 hours I'm good with some music and a few magazines.
For this one I've it down to a science: board, eat, take sleeping tablet, wash face and clean teeth, earplugs, noise cancelling headphones, eye shades and blanket. I get 5-7 hours of good rest before the start of The Day That Will Never End at 05h00 in Auckland.Vancouver's awesome--love it--but it's changing, slowly but surely. And very expensive. I could stay here and be very happy regardless: we're well positioned economically as two men with no kids and good professional incomes. Hateful mortgage, but apparently that won't change in Auckland...
Why NZ? Excellent climate, people with some manners, still a social safety net (though not as strong as Canada's) for people. Kiwis work hard and then dial it back. Very social. Independent foreign policy. Trying to find the elusive magic balance between social democracy and a strong economy. And a progressive electoral system that doesn't give any ONE party control of government with less than 50% of the popular vote.
It's also BEAUTIFUL, with pretty much anything but tropics on offer. Everything beautiful about BC is in NZ, but in a smaller land area. I will miss, however, going skiing/snowboarding after work. And the long summer evenings--but not the long winter nights.
We have family and friends there. The job offer pays me slightly more than what I earn in Vancouver and the income tax is lower because there's no provincial income tax. GST is what I'm used for HST so that's fine.
Overall: great standard of living, great people, great opportunity. All my friends who've been to NZ are jealous. That's always a good sign! How about you? What's prompted your move?
Why NZ? Excellent climate, people with some manners, still a social safety net (though not as strong as Canada's) for people. Kiwis work hard and then dial it back. Very social. Independent foreign policy. Trying to find the elusive magic balance between social democracy and a strong economy. And a progressive electoral system that doesn't give any ONE party control of government with less than 50% of the popular vote.
It's also BEAUTIFUL, with pretty much anything but tropics on offer. Everything beautiful about BC is in NZ, but in a smaller land area. I will miss, however, going skiing/snowboarding after work. And the long summer evenings--but not the long winter nights.
We have family and friends there. The job offer pays me slightly more than what I earn in Vancouver and the income tax is lower because there's no provincial income tax. GST is what I'm used for HST so that's fine.
Overall: great standard of living, great people, great opportunity. All my friends who've been to NZ are jealous. That's always a good sign! How about you? What's prompted your move?
Yup
You, my friend, are a smart man. And not only because we're like-minded.
I was offered a job at U of A in Edmonton several years ago. It was in many respects a good role...but of all the people I asked who lived there from outside Alberta, the best (and most common) response was "Edmonton's not so bad." A few also said things like "I get a lot of work done" or "every summer I move out to BC/ON/CA". At 40 I was too old to relocate to a place that's "not so bad." Factor in snow fall in late September that year and final thaw in May.
Rather than be presumptuous and say "don't offer me the job" I demurred...and was offered it. With a LOT of $ attached to it. But I had just moved back to Vancouver from Oz and my anglo-Australian husband (Brits move to Australia for 10 months of summer and 2 months of spring climate per year) was struggling with Vancouver's climate. So I waited an appropriate number of days and committed academic hari-kari and declined the offer. Some folks in that department still blank me, but whatever.
Life's too short. Your kids will know the world is available for adventure. Being responsible is important...so is not looking back at your life at 70 and wonder "why didn't I have those adventures in _____?" When I was in my 20s and 30s my family thought I was a selfish eejit. Years later they think I'm the smart one. Well...on this question, anyway.
Having moved across the world a couple of times I've learned:
You, my friend, are a smart man. And not only because we're like-minded.
I was offered a job at U of A in Edmonton several years ago. It was in many respects a good role...but of all the people I asked who lived there from outside Alberta, the best (and most common) response was "Edmonton's not so bad." A few also said things like "I get a lot of work done" or "every summer I move out to BC/ON/CA". At 40 I was too old to relocate to a place that's "not so bad." Factor in snow fall in late September that year and final thaw in May.
Rather than be presumptuous and say "don't offer me the job" I demurred...and was offered it. With a LOT of $ attached to it. But I had just moved back to Vancouver from Oz and my anglo-Australian husband (Brits move to Australia for 10 months of summer and 2 months of spring climate per year) was struggling with Vancouver's climate. So I waited an appropriate number of days and committed academic hari-kari and declined the offer. Some folks in that department still blank me, but whatever.
Life's too short. Your kids will know the world is available for adventure. Being responsible is important...so is not looking back at your life at 70 and wonder "why didn't I have those adventures in _____?" When I was in my 20s and 30s my family thought I was a selfish eejit. Years later they think I'm the smart one. Well...on this question, anyway.
Having moved across the world a couple of times I've learned:
- It's doable (moving around the world): no mystery after the first move
- You figure out what you need, want, and don't need or want
- How awesome Canada is, regardless of where I live
Great place for diving - not too much tropical but plenty of sea life. Head for Tutukaka (Poor Knights) or Bay of Islands (look for Northland Dive - Welcome - a great dive company). In Auckland by far the best dive shop is Global Dive - scuba diving training and travel - Auckland, New Zealand (but I'm a tad biased because my son works there
)Well I might be visiting your son once I arrive in NZ--now that I need to buy a gazillion $ worth of scuba gear! At least I know what Santa will be bringing me for Christmas!topcat83 said:Great place for diving - not too much tropical but plenty of sea life. Head for Tutukaka (Poor Knights) or Bay of Islands (look for Northland Dive - Welcome - a great dive company). In Auckland by far the best dive shop is Global Dive - scuba diving training and travel - Auckland, New Zealand (but I'm a tad biased because my son works there
Thanks!
G
So should I be applying for positions when I don't have a work visa yet & hope the employer will sponsor or wait for me? I wouldn't be in a critical occupation.:confused2:Hi there,
I've been lurking in and out of here for a while and finally had some news worth posting - my wife has accepted a LTSSL-applicable job offer in Hamilton, and as of two days ago we've been invited to apply!
The required documents and medicals are on thier way and/or scheduled, so we should be able to submit within 3 weeks - hope to be there some time in June.
Now to sell the house and most of its contents, the cars, arrange shipping, etc, etc, etc.
Our family of four (two girls under 10 yrs old) is really looking forward to making the most of this opportunity!
See ya when we see ya!
PS. Will have to update the 'expat living in...' country as I selected 'poorly' when I first created the profile a year ago.
1 - 20 of 44 Posts
