We’re coming home!
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16367
Printed Date: 02 October 2025 at 10:16am
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Topic: We’re coming home!
Posted By: Jennz
Subject: We’re coming home!
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 8:02am
We had decided a while ago that when we came back to the Southern Hemisphere we would go to Melbourne. Not only could DH earn significantly more, we could buy a better house, afford to send the girls to private school and it was a healthy distance from the in laws  Plus we have some really good friends who are either there now or moving there soon.
We stopped off there for 5 days during our whirlwind trip last month and although I liked the place- there were more than a few concerns. I didn't realise how much the thought of spiders and snakes would affect me, it really took me over. I know that would get better but it was just so overwhelming for me the whole time we were there it made me permanently nervous/paranoid! We did a tour of the 2 best private schools in the area we would want to move and they were really disappointing. For me, good schools for the girls is imperative and if we're going to be paying through the nose then I expect far more than they had to offer. I had alot of doubts after seeing the schools as that was a real deal breaker for me. Then we came back to NZ for 2 weeks. I forgot what a beautiful country it is  Charlotte pretty much spent the entire time barefoot outside- either playing with my Mums dog, or her cousins, or down at the beach. She climbed trees and made friends at the playgrounds we went to. I LOVED being around close friends and family, and I especially loved seeing how much my girls thrived having so many people who care about them around.
Sooooo, its decided- we're coming home We both feel so good about the decision. I know NZ isn't perfect, but its home and it just doesn't seem right raising our girls anywhere else. Its still 2 years away but I can't wait now- better get saving!
------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Replies:
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 8:15am
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Wow, thats exciting! Do you have a city/region in mind?
I know what you mean about finding the right place for your family too. DH and I have recently moved to a biggish lifestyle block in an old-style rural area and all of a sudden I'm soo much cluckier, because it has just the right feel for how I want to bring up my kids. I can see it being such a fun place to play! And I hear you about the snakes/spiders etc. They totally creep me out! Plus I'm so naive around that sort of thing - when I was in Canada I wandered off into the grass to find out what was making that funny rattling sound... fortunately one of the locals collected me pretty quick and explained that rattle snakes make rattling sounds! Duh! |
Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 8:17am
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Woohoo congratulation Jennz!!! 2 years will fly by. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 8:23am
Lol rhick- lucky save! Eeeek 
We're thinking either Wellington or Auckland. Whitby or West harbour depending on which one we decide. DH has waaay better work opportunities in Akl so that may sway it, but we'll see ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3
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Posted By: BellaBoo
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 8:38am
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I am pretty sure you wont regret your decision. I lived in Australia for a couple of years and although there are its good points, it would never be a place I would want to bring up children.
Although NZ pay rates etc are not as good the lifestyle here definitely makes up for it. Oh by the way, snakes and spiders are not the only worry in Australia- cockroaches (huge flying ones!) in summer are gross  , biting ants and other unidentified bugs are just as horrible.------------- http://lilypie.com">   http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: newmum
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 8:56am
Yay Jenna!!! We miss you guys!!  Blenheim is quite nice btw....  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Parki
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 9:20am
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How exciting Jennz!
From a fellow West Aucklander, I say move to West Harbour, its fabulous
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 9:35am
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Yay Jen that is so cool. That 2 years will fly past quickly. And if Nigel gets posted to England next year I will so be making sure we see you before we leave. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 9:59am
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Yeah, go Auckland! Very good private schools here (Dio and St Cuthberts are two that spring to mind) and of course the weather is far better that down country (most of the time.... )
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 10:03am
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Yay!!!!
Whitby is awesome. My BIL lived there for years. It's such a nice spot! |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 10:49am
 I couldve had a friend in Melbourne
LOL YAY for going back to NZ, to be honest we have seen NO snakes, but the redbacks are making me think I miss NZ more and more, at least in NZ they know to hide over here they are everywhere we have now found a total of 10 7 living in our garage at this very moment and we're not going to even set foot in there in fear of them dropping on us lol ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 12:23pm
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Oh how exciting!! Good choice I say!
I would get way better pay in OZ too but I love it here, and all our family is here....and I think above and beyound this is a good place to bring up kids! As for Private schools, I have been thinking abt sending Zaara there too but I havnt done much research to see where, which one and how much yet. But my SIL has a friend daughter who goes to a al girls Private school in Weelington and I hear it is a damn good school!! Any ways you still have time to decide! Good news tho! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 3:52pm
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Thats really cool for you and your family Jennz, it will make you more settled for the rest of time you are in the Uk. If you don't mind me asking what job is your partner in? ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 8:05pm
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yay for making decisions ------------- 
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Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 9:07pm
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Sorry Monique! It would have been nice ay? Your tales of the red backs certainly help me feel better about our decision though
Becks- we'll definitely have to catch up if you guys come over 
I think we will probably go state school in NZ for primary and then look at Private for their secondary- the areas we are looking at have good state schools (Marina View in West Harbour and Discovery School in Whitby) for primary anyway. That was the first thing I looked in to when we looked at places we could move We may change our minds though!
Ann- DH is an accountant Hes hoping to get an FC role when we get back but wants to steer clear of the banking/financial sector (which makes the pickings slim if we go to Wellington). Plus hes worked for 2 big4 firms and doesn't want to go back to that either.------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 10:20pm
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Yay
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Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 17 April 2008 at 10:28am
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Ohh there are many many jobs here for Accountants, I dont have a bad job, and I am an accountant (not as experienced nor as educated as your hubby tho). So yah Akl is a good place to find a good Accountant role specially FC and specially ppl with O/Sea experience!
Yay we might have close by!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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