Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. There's only me and my brother so the centre of gravity isn't a problem, so one tick there. Good idea about coming over on a visitors visa and looking for work. I broached this idea with them a few days ago and they're keen but I don't think they quite understood that if they didn't find work and then go on to get work permit (which I could certainly help them with as I had to get 2 work permits for 2 different jobs before our residency finally got sorted!!), they would have to go back to the UK after 6 months and spread their time like you mentioned MB. Ideally they'd like to come over and run a b&b in Nelson, but I need to bring them round to the idea of getting out here however they can (like we did with our WHV's) so that would be Dad getting a job and then going through the SMC when the points are at the right level, or waiting for another 2 years until I can sponsor them It's all such a huge process eh!

So thanks for the ideas and reminders about how the processes work. (Don't know how much it's changed in the last 18 months since we were going through it all so it's like starting all over again!!) Fingers crossed Dad can come over and get a job and they can start the process of becoming NZ residents like all of the rest of us here :)

Hatter - I can give you a bit of advice about J'Ville no problem :)

We've bought a house here now in Paparangi which is a tiny suburb sandwiched between Johnsonville and Newlands. (Even a lot of the locals I work with don't know where it is!!) Sounds like you've got the right idea - khandallah is a really nice area but quite pricey because of that. We've always been happy here in Johnsonville - everything you need at your fingertips. I don't know how old your son is, but catching the train to school in Khandallah could be an option if you weren't keen on driving him every day. (You'll prob come back and say he's only 4 or 5 now - yep - off you go son - find you way to Khandallah on the train to school why don't you... :) hehehe). Anyway, it's only about a 5 minute drive to Khandallah so certainly no trouble.

As for rentals here in J'Ville, you can get a decent 2 or 3 bed house here for between $270 - $330 per week, depending on the size, section and location. The drive to the city from here is only 10 mins outside rush hour. Unfortunately it can take up to 45 mins between 7:15am - 8:45am, but the train runs pretty regularly and only takes 20 mins. But we drive in cos I work across the other side of town from the station so I'd have to then catch a bus across town and to be honest, I'm a grump in the morning anyway so I'll do anything for an easy life! :)

There are a couple of real estate agents in J'Ville - Harcourts, Professionals, Guardian First National, Leaders and LJ Hooker. I'm not sure if they all deal with rentals, but you might as well look into them and see. Although my advice by far would be to pick up the Dominion Post first thing on a Saturday morning (and I mean first thing because anything decent goes by about 11am!!) and set up some apponitments for rentals advertised. (Then you won't pay one week's rent in fees to the agent). You need to be prepared to say that you want one straight away if you find something nice, because like I said, anything decent goes straight away. Make sure you get somewhere up on the hill rather than down in the valley around Middleton Road. We used to rent a place just off Middleton Road and it was ok (only $230 per week for a 2 bed house so can't really complain!) but because we were down in the valley slightly, we only got sun from around 11am - 4pm or 5pm in the summer, and it was quite damp. OK you might be a bit exposed to the wind up in the main Johnsonville town or up on the hill (like we are), but at least you get the sun too. Also - make sure it's north facing cos you really don't want to be buffeted by the cold Southerly's that lash Welly in the winter.

Anyway, I've probably waffled on for long enough for now. :) If you need any more info just shout. When are you miving over? I don't know what the Glen Alton is like (we look at a rental in the same road actually when we first got here!), but it's only about a 10 minute walk from the centre where all the buses/train/shops/supermarket etc are so pretty handy. If you're going to be without wheels for a while, you might want to consider the Johnsonville Motor Lodge - again I've never been inside but it's right in the centre of J'Ville so dead handy for public transport.

Anyway, like I said, give me shout if you need any more info. I'll check back again here in a few days so you know I'm not gonna miss it! (I saw your email today - sorry I didn' reply! Must have turned off my notification thing!)

Speak to you all later (and sorry for the HUMONGOUS post!)

Cheers,
Jod