Hi, all...
Thought I had better introduce myself rather than lurk!
I am looking to moving to NZ in approx 2 years. As a secondary science teacher so shouldn't have too much of a problem getting in (unless there is a major influx in the intervening period!).
I have always wanted to emigrate somewhere (my parents always wanted to go to OZ but stopped short of going) and when at Uni in the late 80's I decided I wanted to go there. I got married, lived in Scotland doing my PhD and then ended up teaching. Over the past few years my wife and I chatted about moving to NZ and put it off. Last year, however, a general feeling that something had 'gone wrong' in the UK precipitated us deciding that we would go ahead and start making preparations.
Now- we would never be in a position to move immediately. Due to a mixture of students loans, home improvement loans and a big mistake of a 'consolidation loan' we haven't any savings. So- last April we decided that we would sell our house - use the proceeds to repay all debts leaving us free to save for a few years.
We put the house on the market just before everything went pear shaped. We had 2 sales fall through and are now so close to finally selling (touch wood). Once we exchange we are going to rent and put money into savings. This sounds a little mad but- I have read that it is bad to leave it too late to sell and this way if we did want to go early we could. Plus- our mortgage is interest only and the way the market looks I think the money I could save is more than the equity would go up by anyhow- if it goes up at all!
Earlier in the week I went to a meet at NZ House in London (I couldn't believe how high that building is- there can't be as many that are as high or with such a good view) and clarified a few aspects. I am going to send my qualifications of soon for verification. As I intend on starting work in NZ at the beginning of the school year in 20011 there is no point yet in lodging an EOI...
Regarding where we will go- I don't yet know. We like the South Island best and I quite like Christchurch or Timaru. We hope to visit in (our) Summer on a fact finding mission (the only problem- our next baby arrives in 12 days- in the summer will be only a few months old- is that too young for such a long journey?).
Anyhow- I'm looking forward to visiting the forum and chatting to you all!
Cheers,
Deornorth
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