Moving back to Wellington after 10 years in London

Forums › Introductions › Moving back to Wellington after 10 years in London - all advice welcome!

sparky1685

82 posts

Master Geek

#93988 3-Dec-2011 03:57

We're heading back to Wellington in January, after 10 years living in central London. I'm going to be taking some time off working as a musician and teacher to look after our baby son, since my wife is starting her new job full-time in February.

When I was last living in Wellington, I think I was dialing up to check email on a black and white Mac using Pine, so I'm guessing the market has moved on a bit since then...

I've just been looking at mobile phone prices in NZ, and it seems as if we might be in for a bit of price shock after life the UK! I'd love to hear any recommendations for:

Broadband (currently on 9 pounds/month unlimited 8 meg ADSL, so in for a price rise there)

Pay as You Go mobile plans (2 Degrees seem the best prices, but have I missed something?)

Tech stores (scan.co.uk and amazon.co.uk have both been excellent for service and prices - are there any NZ equivalents to know about?)

Mobile broadband dongles to use until we can buy our own place (or is it better just to stick to public wi-fi?)

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Mark

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#552942 3-Dec-2011 06:50

First of all get someone to change your title for you :)

Welcome home !

sparky1685

82 posts

Master Geek

#552944 3-Dec-2011 06:59

kiwitrc: First of all get someone to change your title for you :)

Welcome home !

Doh! This is exactly why I shouldn't type things with a grumpy baby in one arm.

If any mods are able to change the title to something slightly more coherent, that would be wonderful

Mark

jonherries

1395 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#552959 3-Dec-2011 08:49

Ascent.co.nz
Aquilatech.co.nz
Pricespy.co.nz
Fishpond.co.nz
Mightyape.co.nz
Trademe.co.nz

If you are coming to Wellington, consider Telstraclear cable.

My experience is that 2 degrees is cheaper but the data speed isn't as good, if you travel out of the city you also lose the mobile broadband zone and end up on their national data packs. I have recently moved to telecom mobile and have been happy.

We go to the Uk semi regularly, buy your phones there as you will probably get them cheaper.

Clothes and furnishings are still very expensive here relatively, so stock up on those too.

Happy to help with any other q's.

Welcome home.

Jon

Finch

2851 posts

Uber Geek

#552995 3-Dec-2011 10:32

Heres a bit of advice: Be prepared to get blown away by the wind! Im sure you remember it

sparky1685

82 posts

Master Geek

#553982 5-Dec-2011 12:30

jonherries: Ascent.co.nz
Aquilatech.co.nz
Pricespy.co.nz
Fishpond.co.nz
Mightyape.co.nz
Trademe.co.nz

If you are coming to Wellington, consider Telstraclear cable.

My experience is that 2 degrees is cheaper but the data speed isn't as good, if you travel out of the city you also lose the mobile broadband zone and end up on their national data packs. I have recently moved to telecom mobile and have been happy.

We go to the Uk semi regularly, buy your phones there as you will probably get them cheaper.

Clothes and furnishings are still very expensive here relatively, so stock up on those too.

Happy to help with any other q's.

Welcome home.

Jon

Thanks, that's just the sort of info I was hoping for. Everyone we know who has moved back to NZ has told us to stock up on furniture and clothing, so our shipping container will be as full as we can make it.

We were both students in Wellington, so the wind won't be too much of a shock to the system. We're a bit more worried about explaining earthquakes to our 4-year-old...

Mark

old3eyes

9119 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#553992 5-Dec-2011 12:44

M_I_C_H_A_E_L: Heres a bit of advice: Be prepared to get blown away by the wind! Im sure you remember it

And shaken around a bit and remember those as well..

Regards,

Old3eyes