Hello,
I am new to this site but I have used other forums in the past. I adopted a baby boy last year from Guatemala (as a single mom) and was part of an adoption forum for almost a year. The forum kept me going through the biggest emotional, stressful event of my life - but he was definitely worth it! He is 1 1/2 years old now. The fact that I am in my early 40's makes me question my sanity sometimes but so far I am keeping up!
Now, because I am a sucker for punishment, I am working towards moving to New Zealand in July 2008. I know that this is going to be another stressful event in my life and I hope you don't mind my using this forum to help me.
I have lived in Bermuda all of my life. I have a well paying job, a new apartment and live a comfortable life but....I have had enough. I feel like the island is closing in on me and I am starting to suffocate. It is extremely expensive to live here but the salaries generally balance things out. There are many reasons for my desire to move, to many to list here but know this, this is not a decision I am taking lightly. This move is mainly to provide a good life for my son, and I don't mean monetarily. Of course, if I happen to meet a good looking, strapping, muscular rugby player - then who am I to complain?
My best friend Jill, also a single mother, and I are planning to try to move to New Zealand in 2008. We have already started reviewing all of our options with Immigration and had a preliminary consultation with a company in New Zealand about our options.
We have a few old friends who live in Auckland and Palmerston North. Palmerston North is where we intend to live assuming we can find employment and so forth. We are actually planning on purchasing a newly built home and renting it until such time as we can afford to live in it ourselves.
Does anyone have anything to say about Palmerston North, good or bad? Jill has been there but I have not - although we are planning on visiting in July of this year.
I wasn't sure which forum to use for this message so bear with me until I get back into the "groove".
Thanks and all the best,
Shell