Moving to Christchurch
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Category: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38146
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Topic: Moving to Christchurch
Posted By: Nutella
Subject: Moving to Christchurch
Date Posted: 24 February 2011 at 8:25pm
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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.... ------------- 
 Oct 11
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Replies:
Posted By: Mucky_Tiger
Date Posted: 24 February 2011 at 8:39pm
| april 4th should be ok to move, most services would have resumed (unless severly damaged) but it depends on how bad his new work is damaged and to whether they shut fully if they arent able to reopen |
Posted By: bun_in_the_oven
Date Posted: 24 February 2011 at 8:45pm
| Good Luck with your decision.. it wont be easy |
Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 24 February 2011 at 9:06pm
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Perhaps get a place just out of the city, like Rangiora or Kaiapoi. Still easy commuting distance (half an hour drive) but you will be out of the action a bit.
I am not sure about though about what they are planning to do with the homeless though. This is WAY worse than last time, so no-one knows when things will be back up and running. But it will be long time I think. |
Posted By: UpsyDaisy
Date Posted: 24 February 2011 at 9:09pm
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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. |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 24 February 2011 at 9:10pm
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Has DH been in contact with the company to see if the job is still available & to check the start date is the same.
Also if they have lost the building are they moving to somewhere else. If they need to rebuild will he be paid while they get up & running again? I would have all this checked before you make decisions. You will need to check out what area you will be living in will to see if you will have basic amenities. Places could be hard to fine. The next thing you have to look at is are you prepared to live where you will feel after shocks for what could be quite a long time & very strong ones. Not trying to put you off but you need to look at everything...it is just so horribly sad there at the moment. |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 24 February 2011 at 9:25pm
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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. -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 25 February 2011 at 9:39am
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Nutella, I personally wouldn't be coming donw here with a baby until there is a much clearer picture. There is now a shortage of housing as well as other issues. Iw ould be playing it by ear. -------------  
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 25 February 2011 at 2:10pm
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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.. -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 25 February 2011 at 2:32pm
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Lots of the hostels are in the city centre. He may just have to go into a flatting situation for a wee bit and get himself sorted a wee bit and then start looking for a house for all of you. I would be surprised if services are up and running by April obviously somew ill be but lots will not and "normal" life won't have resumed for alot of the city. -------------
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Posted By: MissAngel
Date Posted: 25 February 2011 at 5:29pm
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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 :) ------------- Alex, Thomas and Lily http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 25 February 2011 at 10:05pm
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I would stay away as long as you can. We are trying to get to Wellington for a couple of weeks but all the cheap flights are gone. If you don't have to be here right away don't. It will calm down but your much safer holding off for awhile. -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 26 February 2011 at 12:51am
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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. -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 26 February 2011 at 7:04am
I think the cheep flights are on till Sunday night & then reduced fairs next week. Hope you can get one. |
lisa85 wrote:Posted By: kiwigal
Date Posted: 26 February 2011 at 1:40pm
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If I was in your position I put it on hold until things have calmed down and everything is up and running again. |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 26 February 2011 at 1:50pm
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I wouldn't come down either. You will struggle to get a house, and has your DH had it confirmed they have a new location? Mum is looking and everything is being taken up quickly, some having to sign up for 12 year leases just to be considered.
Things won't be anywhere near normal for months, especially not by April. They are looking at closely a lot of the CBD for a couple of years. |
Posted By: Mrs_R
Date Posted: 26 February 2011 at 8:02pm
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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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 26 February 2011 at 8:09pm
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Timaru isnt that far away from chch, if he were to need to head up to the office there it is easily done as part of a working day, its less then 2hrs drive and straight open roads the whole way.
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Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 27 February 2011 at 10:11am
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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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 27 February 2011 at 10:27am
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I agree with jaz, & I would not move a family there for the reasons jaz has stated.
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Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 27 February 2011 at 4:36pm
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If you do decide to move anyway, here are some towns that are all close by (North side of Chch) that are easy commuting distance: Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Waikuku, Oxford, Cust.
Honestly, it is business as usual out here pretty much (on the practical side of things), besides bread, milk and petrol shortages. But yes, there will be aftershocks (although we don't really feel them out here as much), and there are a lot of very sad and traumatised people. |
Posted By: JsMamma
Date Posted: 27 February 2011 at 8:53pm
Jaz, I think I can take it from your post that you are NOT from ChCh? I think maybe before you quote "facts" about the city, you should check them first. There are actually 23 supermarkets open across the city, and I have been in 2 since the quake. Both were fully restore to "nice looking shops" and were fully stocked with all food and grocery items. There may be some more obvious reasons not to move to ChCh at this time, but we don't need misinformation thrown around. |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 28 February 2011 at 2:45am
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I can't say that the idea of aftershocks thrills me but in actual fact, almost anywhere you live in NZ something could happen, so we are not going to let the prospect of another quake put us off.
We are more concerned with not creating a strain on the resources in the city. Might suggest to DH that we look into living in one of the surrounding towns or even Timaru for a start...perhaps that might be the go. Thanks everyone for your input  -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 28 February 2011 at 8:30pm
All 23 are not owned by Progressive supermarkets. I saw photos today and over the last few days of the Progressive ones that are being worked on to be opened. They aren't pretty inside and there were gaping holes in the concrete outside on the ones that were open. And when I checked their website on Sunday right before posting they said 7 of the 14 were open. I am just relying on the photo's that I have seen. There will be places that have not been affected, and places where the damage was minimal and clean ups are complete. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Pinkygirl
Date Posted: 04 March 2011 at 8:09pm
| Another option is the Selwyn District, You will want to live where the ground is hard and believe me it is hard as rocks in Rolleston. It is only 30 minutes communite to the CBD to give you can idea even though it will not be operating for months. I think you need to just take a look at the areas where the land was affected in both quakes to gain an idea of where to live. We have "shaking damage" to our house and the majority of huses do, however it is what type of land the house is built on that is more important. |
Posted By: Carnelian
Date Posted: 04 March 2011 at 9:06pm
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Is your DH work looking into accommodation for you or do you have to do that yourselves?
Also, you said the building is damaged that they are working from, do they know where the new one might be yet? Just wondering as there are MANY suburbs that are basically untouched from the earthquake. Yes, the East side is a real mess but the west side is basically untouched. My DH is working in Hornby at the moment and basically that side is normal. I drove around town today because I'm working with Cat Rescue and needed my rescued kittens micro-chipped and yes, some of the town is a wreck (I didn't go near the CBD as it's still off limits) but others was just normal. I think definitely look at the outer suburbs or Rangiora, Woodend, etc.... On the plus side, Chch has a real community spirit about it now, it's not all doom and gloom. We are all survivors and there's more of a family feel. I had about 3 people just smile at me at the lights today and it felt good. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 04 March 2011 at 10:00pm
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its a hard one..personally i wouldnt.. hopefully by then the crazy traffic etc ill have calmed down ..but several suburbs still have no water power or loos..and everyone still has to boil there's..and while some places such as kaipoi and rangiora are 'more normal' i would stay away as long as i could before trying to settle here.. as the others say accomodation is in short supply and some @#$#@$ landlords are raising the rent crazy :(
in short by april we will all have power water and not have to boil it lol..but accomdation will still be an issue .. realistically timaru is 2 hours in no traffic away...far too far for a daily commute(that's 4 hours !!!) and if i had a baby i would hate that..that's say leaving at 5am and getting home 7-8pm..no good really!:) re the aftershocks they are way better this time they went on for freaking months last time.. schools havent even gone back yet but hopefully they will soon..and hopefully they dont extend the state of emergency:(! Mostly at the mo its just freaked out people who have little security and many who have dead friends and relatives so it's not a very nice place to live atm:( I would talk to your husband and see what you decide to do and if you do move have somewhere well sorted before you come etc..it is kind of you to think of all this before you come:) ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |