On the Fence

[ZANZ Richard]

Hi All

It really is fantastic to share all the experiences that are made available on this site - a big thanks to all contributors. This is my first post, but I have been reading the posts with great interest for a while.

So, on to my dilemma - how long is a piece of string? 

We are a family of 4 with a 7 year old daughter and a 2 year old son, living in Cape Town. We have PR and need to land in NZ in the first half of 2012, BUT and this is where I welcome the opinions of those that have been there, done that and are wearing the T-Shirt; we are considering staying in SA for another 4 years, then coming over cowboy style.

Our reasons are that my wife runs her successful business from home - which gives her the flexibility of  spending quality time with our kids in the afternoons. Our concern is that moving to NZ now will require both of us working full days to make ends meet and our kids (the reason we are considering the big move) will not have the family quality time that they so desperately need in these formative years.
I am also nervous at making the move in current economic climate - harder to sell the house, find a job etc, etc.

What are the options for full day care for 2 year olds? We will be heading for Auckland, when we come, and rather like Titirangi as a neighborhood.

Also, would our chances of PR later be prejudiced by not taking up residence first time round?

I look forward to hearing all your viewpoints

Cheers
Richard

[SaKiwiBoer]

Hi Richard,  to the forum 

To answer the first of your questions... "how long is a piece of string?  "
Depends on where you cut it... 

"We have PR and need to land in NZ in the first half of 2012, BUT and this is where I welcome the opinions of those that have been there, done that and are wearing the T-Shirt; we are considering staying in SA for another 4 years, then coming over cowboy style."

Only problem I see with that is you won't be having PR in 4 years time. Everything you did now was for nothing, mahala, for money and effort down the drain. If you don't "take up" your PR you'll loose it.
You could play for time if you wanted to...  but not much, not 4 years if I'm correct ... 
If I remember correctly you have to come before a certain date in 2012. Even if it's only for a holiday. Then all 4 of you could go back to SA for another (and this is what I'm not 100% certain of...  ) + - 18 months but then you have to clock back into NZ permanently otherwise you'll "loose" your PR permanently.
Maybe some of the  will be able to give you more exact info. Haven't needed to deal with these things for to long now. A little out of the loop if you understand what I mean old chap??
 
SAKB

[Savayla]

   I can't answer your questions, but let me tell you that there are a lot of people on this site who say that their quality time with their kids has actually been better here in NZ.   What does your wife do from home ?  If it is a good idea, then can she not just start it here ? 

Personally, I would rather go now and start all over then four years down the line we are sitting pretty, than sit pretty in CT and four years down the line have to start all over again. 

Good luck in your decision.  This is a wonderful place to raise your kids.  We are previously from Hout Bay. 

[ZANZ Richard]

Hi SAKB

Thanks for the warm and speedy welcome

You are absolutely right - specific date in 2012 otherwise we lose the PR (RRV expires). We have already maxed out the window - came over in 2010 to activate the PR we had been awarded in 2009. The suprise was that my wife was pregnant at the time with our son , which kinda slowed the whole migration process. Its now time to make the call (ps nothing like watching Carte Blanche to get motivated  )

Thanks again
Richard

[ZANZ Richard]

Hi Savayla

Thanks for the welcome. We are in Noordhoek - my wife is a graphic designer. I would think that she is going to need that all too important Kiwi experience to get into the market there and unfortunately wont be able to get that from home .

Thanks for your input - its so good to hear firsthand that NZ is a great place to raise kids.

cheers
Richard

[till23]

Just a couple of observations:

Immigration requirements have changed quite drastically over the last 7 years or so. Bottom line it is getting harder to qualify for PR not easier. What would the situation be in 4 yrs? No one can tell, but the trend is in the harder direction. At best it may be the same as now.

The most important ( nothing personal ) - the fact that you are looking long term i.e. 4yrs. is an indication that there are no serious push factors (not serious enough to make the move now anyway) - you have a comfortable situation at the moment and no pressing need or motivation to do the move now. That is an indication that you are squarely on the fence as your topic suggest. That being the case I do not think you should make any rash decisions now. Rather wait till you ( and your OH ) are sure - and start the process again. The fact that you let your current PR lapse will not count against you re your next application. As SAKB mentioned on another thread - immigration is big business for the government and your dollars will be welcomed and received with open arms (hands?)

[Tui]

Welcome to the family! Yes, the folk and advice on this forum is mind blowing..... with all your applications and decisions! NZ is one beautiful Country indeed.


x

[SA3001]

This is a difficult one     You don't say what you do for a living, so difficult to guess how long you'd take to find employment or what your salary could be.  Maybe you'd be able to get by on one salary for a while?  Have you looked at what you expect your monthly budget to be and maybe where you could make some sacrifices in order to achieve this?  All I know is that a friend of a friend was in a similar boat, didn't take up their PR and now can't get PR because their job is no longer on any of the shortage lists and therefore they don't get enough points anymore.  So they'll have to come over cowboy, but are too scared to. 

Our DD is 4 and I decided to work again after 6 months.  Was hoping for a part time position, but then got a full-time offer I couldn't refuse.  I don't regret it as she has a wonderful full-time caregiver through PORSE and also attends Kindergarten 3 days a week.  I also feel that because kids start school here as soon as they turn 5 that it's better for her to be socialising and learning other skills.  I am a firm believer that it's the quality of time spent together that matters and not the quantity.    with making this decision.

[Savayla]

As a Graphic Designer who works from home, could she not ask her clients if they don't mind her doing their work from New Zealand ?  My hubby worked for his client for 2 years after we had left SA, and before we arrived in NZ.   Graphic Design is digital . 

[ZANZ Richard]

Thanks for all the replies - much appreciated. Its great to get other opinions - as mentioned many times on this forum, its a roller coaster ride - feel one way today only to change direction totally the next.

I must admit that I was severely discouraged about making the move to NZ by reading another website forum which I wont mention here. Having read a bit of this forum, and I am just scratching the surface here, I am encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive stories of South Africans successfully making their way to NZ. Keep them coming.

Its time to have a serious family chat.

[Chan in Wellington]

  Yes, I have chosen to ignore 'the other forum' as well!!  Apart from this forum, we have various sets of friends in Auckland and Wellington who love it there and would never return to SA.  Encouragement enough for us.

[Mosescapetown]

Welcome Richard!!

I am sure you will get the needed nudge in the right direction... but from what I have learned in past few weeks I also think the PR will expire on you...

need to have the family chat soon... 

[Savayla]

I must admit that I was severely discouraged about making the move to NZ by reading another website forum which I wont mention here. Having read a bit of this forum, and I am just scratching the surface here, I am encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive stories of South Africans successfully making their way to NZ. Keep them coming.

Hey, Life is what you choose to make it.  It is all about attitude (something I am desperately trying to teach my daughter ) and unfortunately you get some people who will hate anywhere they live, and are very bitter about having to leave SA, and love to grumble. 

We have made a fantastic life for ourselves.  Now, I didn't say we have all our finances sorted.  We don't !!  But, we are having an amazing time and absolutely love this place we call home.  Don't miss Cape Town at all.  AT ALL !!!  And we lived a good life there, living on a yacht. 

[ZANZ Richard]

Big thanks to Nolan for sorting out my forum access - I had somehow managed to mess up my settings 

Thanks to all for the warm welcomes & positive feedback - Moses, wish you all the best in your quest for PR.

I had one of those moments of extreme clarity about an hour ago while trawling NZ sites - ended up on the Takapuna Boating Club's website with awesome pic of lasers sailing & I thought this is where I want to be  (I have tried to attach the picture from their site)

Might as well learn to sail if I'm going to reinvent my life!

[Savayla]

Now that is what I call a good attitude .