Author Topic: And here we go.... (Read 436 times)

MondeZA · « **on:** October 11, 2011, 11:37:16 AM »

Hi All,

OK a few years ago I decided to do move to New Zealand. Worked out my points and started looking for a job. At the time I was in IT but as a coordinator and hardware guy. After much research I was basically told New Zealand is not for you because you are a single guy and looking to further your career. I was also informed that New Zealand is for married couples and people who want a slower pace of life. So I went to Hong Kong, Iran and Uganda.

Well I am still single, older (35), still in IT but a Project Manager now and still want to come to New Zealand. I moved back to Cape Town a year ago and it is not what I want. So I have decided to sell up everything and come through. So my house is on the market my car is basically sold and since that is pretty much it I am done and ready to come (I have spent the last 6 years traveling for work). I have been using an agent and am getting close to a trip to see if I can get any interviews and to see what Auckland is like.

The agent has basically said you cannot get an interview until you come and so you have to take that chance. Hence I am coming. Was going to try for the first 2 weeks of November but am now not 100% sure. I have heard that it is 50/50 to come now and the end of Feb is better. Not sure I can stay here that long.

cyclewife · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2011, 04:19:54 PM »

Hi there & welcome to the forum

Quite the "travelling wilbury" - how adventurous to have worked in such unusual places
With regards to leaving now or next year - why not search the job sites - see what is available in your field & when the application dates close, then decide. IMHO if they're advertising & closing dates are Oct & Nov then it would be good to get there.
Perhaps even apply online & let them know in your covering letter when you plan on arriving & would be available for a personal interview.
Its easier for you to get up & go than if you were married with children & settled.
If you're financially in a position to look after yourself for 3 to 4 months - then what are you waiting for

BUT then again - if your house is on the market its not a good idea to leave it empty either - unless you have someone that can look after it for you. & perhaps give a family member in SA power of attorney to sign on your behalf.
Cause once you're there & get a job offer - your future employer might not be too pleased if you had to leave to come back to SA to first sell up & pack and and and...
Good luck with your plans - hope it all falls into place for you

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2011, 04:19:54 PM »

MondeZA · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2011, 04:32:36 PM »

Quote from: cyclewife on October 11, 2011, 04:19:54 PM

Quite the "travelling wilbury" - how adventurous to have worked in such unusual places

lol Not really just where I was needed and well I had never been there before so it was great to go. Lived for 2 years in each except for Iran which was a year so I am pretty used to traveling and expat lifestyle.

Quote from: cyclewife on October 11, 2011, 04:19:54 PM

With regards to leaving now or next year - why not search the job sites - see what is available in your field & when the application dates close, then decide. IMHO if they're advertising & closing dates are Oct & Nov then it would be good to get there.
Perhaps even apply online & let them know in your covering letter when you plan on arriving & would be available for a personal interview.

Thanks great idea.

Quote from: cyclewife on October 11, 2011, 04:19:54 PM

Its easier for you to get up & go than if you were married with children & settled.
If you're financially in a position to look after yourself for 3 to 4 months - then what are you waiting for
BUT then again - if your house is on the market its not a good idea to leave it empty either - unless you have someone that can look after it for you. & perhaps give a family member in SA power of attorney to sign on your behalf.
Cause once you're there & get a job offer - your future employer might not be too pleased if you had to leave to come back to SA to first sell up & pack and and and...
Good luck with your plans - hope it all falls into place for you

The parental unit has signing power for me due to the fact that I was away so much. I have a pretty good agent and really the only reason I haven't just left is i need to keep paying the bond. The car will get it down enough that I can cover it if I was working in NZ (although it would hurt a LOT) until it is sold.

Thanks so much for the wishes. Here's hoping it falls in place.

Chan in Wellington · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2011, 05:03:44 PM »

for the forum and I'm sure you'll not regret the move to NZ.

Savayla · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2011, 08:09:50 PM »

If you really can't stand hanging around Cape Town while you wait, do what we did, and go and sit in Thailand for a few months, while the cogs are turning. Quick and easy flight from there, and much much cheaper to live than either Cape Town or NZ.

Why not ? Is my motto in life.

Tui · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2011, 08:20:59 PM »

Hope and

it all works out for you!

Keep us posted to all new developments, and we will all be holding thumbs!

x

SusanJ · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2011, 10:03:06 PM »

Hi MondeZA,

Sounds like you got all the thinking done and are ready for action.

Good luck!

If you can't come over before mid November, I'd suggest you only come in Feb when the pace picks up again. Although, as an IT PM you really shouldn't struggle much, depending on where your experience lies. I know of a few people who got jobs by Skype interviews (recently too) so I'd just suggest you start applying anyway. I'll PM you with contact details of a friend of mine who is in IT recruitment and might be able to get Skype interviews set up for you.

Cheers
Susan

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2011, 10:03:06 PM »

frodo/maya · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2011, 10:11:59 PM »

to the fam

People tend to say that life in NZ is slower than in SA, I disagree with this and it has not been our experience. My husband works way harder than he has ever worked in his life and he is away from home 5 days a week. The same with me, at both my previous employers I have worked very very hard and the pace was much faster than in SA.

Just my 2c warning, don't always believe what you hear, it all depends on who you work for.

Gypsymom · « **Reply #8 on:** October 11, 2011, 10:14:33 PM »

Welcome to the forum and the best of luck with all your plans. With your adventurous spirit I am sure you will land on your feet.

MondeZA · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2011, 10:44:39 AM »

Quote from: Savayla on October 11, 2011, 08:09:50 PM

If you really can't stand hanging around Cape Town while you wait, do what we did, and go and sit in Thailand for a few months, while the cogs are turning. Quick and easy flight from there, and much much cheaper to live than either Cape Town or NZ.

Why not ? Is my motto in life.

Sorry if it came across badly. I don't mind Cape Town as much as the current Project I am working on. I love Thailand and if I can sell my house I will be there in a heart beat. Good thinking.

Actually I am one of those people that really likes my country. There are issues here, serious issues, but I still love SA. I want to move because I want a family but do not feel this is currently a safe place to raise children added to that I have just come back and need to recreate a social circle etc. If I have to start again why not somewhere I can raise a family in safety?

demagini · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2011, 02:14:11 PM »

I totally agree on the raising a family fact. That's the reason we moving back to NZ. For the kids!

Goto · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:12:47 PM »

Hi MondeSA - I was like you when I was 33ish and decided to move to Australia (I have the luxury of being an NZ cit by descent) - this was from Jhb where i was working at the time - did it for the same reasons you are thinking of now. I sold what I had, put everything else in storage ready to send for it once settled then after 2 months I had to return home to Zimbabwe as my father was ill, he died a week after I got home and then I never got around to going back to Australia. Fast fwd 10 years and I am in CT, a single mum with one young child and we hope to be in NZ by winter of next year - NZ just seems to make more sense when is comes to raising a child - or maybe it just feels safer (smaller) and easier to be a single parent there. So my 5 cents worth - go now if you can and enjoy all the benefits of life without vey young children while you can - biking, kayaking, tramping/hiking, skiing - all do-able with children but harder with babies - good luck!

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:12:47 PM »

Savayla · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2011, 07:06:11 PM »

Quote from: MondeZA on October 12, 2011, 10:44:39 AM

Sorry if it came across badly. I don't mind Cape Town as much as the current Project I am working on. I love Thailand and if I can sell my house I will be there in a heart beat. Good thinking.

Didn't come out that way at all !!

We lived in Hout Bay, loved it , but got very frustrated with all the crime. Left because we were fed up, spent 18 months in Asia, and now the past 18 months in NZ where we now have PR. Dont' miss Cape Town as Nelson is so wonderful and loving every moment of it still. You are definately making the right decision.

MondeZA · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2011, 01:04:57 PM »

Well the good news is that my agent is positive I should come now. So within 2 days I should have leave booked and a plane ticket.

Looking to arrive 7th November for 2 weeks on a LSD and do any interviews I can.

Now to find a place to stay in Auckland and figure out where to go for a beer and a meal.

cyclewife · « **Reply #14 on:** October 19, 2011, 08:46:27 AM »

have an awesome trip. Wishing you the best of luck in getting some interviews

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