Moving to Christchurch

Hey everyone, I know this is terrible timing and my heart goes out to everyone currently in Chch esp those with missing friends/family members.

However, the day before the quake my husband accepted a job in chch and he starts work on the 4th April. This is a few weeks off obviously but I am a little unsure as to whether we should
a. put the company off a couple of weeks for starting date (it sounds like they have lost their building so they will probably be ok with this)
b. have hubby go down and me and DS stay out of the area for a bit say wait an extra month and then move down.

I guess I am asking any of the chch people who can access the web (or others who are 'in the know') if they would think people should stay out for a bit (like more than a month) because while we see all these terrible pictures of the city centre I have no idea what state the suburbs are in. How long did it take the city to get back on it's feet last time? The last thing I want to do is be a further drain on resources down there...ie we would need to find a house and perhaps it might be better if homeless people get first dibs?

Hmm, I hope I don't seem insensitive posting this because honestly the complete opposite is the truth, we want to do right by chch people....

Good Luck with your decision.. it wont be easy

I think I would put off for a bit longer because having limited water pretty hard (particulary with a child).

I live two hours away from Chch. My sister lives there and visited today to use shower and do 7 loads of washing, she is lucky has power and water but they are being told even if you have water to use sparingly and not use toilet... the water and sewerage system pretty bad apparently and will take some time to fix I don't think they know just how long yet but much longer than last time

Good luck with whatever you decide.

It sure is really sad. Blimmin heartbreaking not being able to do anything to help.

DH has talked to company, it is up to us to decide...think we might discuss tonight what we should do.
Maybe the best option is for DH to go down and me and DS to stay away for a bit...his services might actually be useful as he is a hydrologist.

Thanks Peanut, I was wondering if there would be a housing shortage. I see on stuff they say it might be weeks before things get sorted.

I guess in the worst case, DH can live in a hostel or something. If there are any spaces..

Seriously do what someone else said and look at the outer suburbs like Rangiora. Everything is normal out here, theres houses etc. Its only 30 mins to town from here :)

I have heard nice things about Rangiora, maybe we should look into that. Another option would be to live in Timaru and DH work at the office there but I think that is quite a drive should he be needed in Chch.

Saw some pics of the suburbs on the news tonight and how much silt was covering one street was amazing. It must be the weirdest thing to see happen.

If I was in your position I put it on hold until things have calmed down and everything is up and running again.

I'd be hesitant to come to ChCh at the moment too, unless you are absolutely depending on DH's new job.

ChCh is a disaster zone - things aren't going to be "normal" around here for a very long time. We are largely (and very luckily) unaffected where we are, but the aftershocks and knowing what it is like only 5km away is very stressful, upsetting and scary.

Edited by Mrs_R

I would be staying well clear. There have been six months of continuous earthquakes and aftershocks. What makes you think this is the end of it? And do you want to put your family though months or even years of aftershocks and earthquakes.

Christchurch is not going to be back up and running in six weeks time. They are still recovering bodies and restoring basic services like power, water and sewerage. Only 7 of the 14 or so Progressive supermarkets are open and they are not restored into the nice looking shops they once were. They are open with power, water, toilets and essential stock.

On a practical side, there will be a housing shortage so getting accommodation will be tough. And on an emotional side, you would be living in a city with devasted people that have lost loved ones, their homes and irreplaceable items of sentimental nature.