gshennen

Hi All

I have not been on the site for ages, but thought I'd have a read and catch up with how everyone is going.

Sounds like on the whole everyone is making great progress.

It is hard to believe that we have now been in the US for 8 months. We are well and truly settled into life in Sacramento. I'm working as a Project Management consultant for a consulting firm. I am on a huge long term project for the Californian Government. I am enjoying it a lot.

It seemed to take forever to find a job, but the hardship of it all is starting to all seem worthwhile now.

Brook and the kids are doing well. Brook is enjoying being a stay-at-home mother, but is keeping an eye out for the perfect job. The boys are doing well, our oldest is going a million miles an hour, and our youngest has now spent more of his life in the US than in NZ.

I am enjoying the Californian lifestyle a lot, and loving the weather. I am also enjoying Sacramento, I think that, overall, it is a very nice city.

Overall, the administrative parts of getting established here all went well, my SS card, and Green card arrived quickly, I got my drivers licence as soon as I could. We got my name added to Brooks existing bank accounts and credit card. We put all the bills that we could under my name. That has meant that in the 8 months we have been here, I have already got a good credit score (to go along with Brook's).

Anyway, great to see how everyone is going.

Take care and I hope progress continues to made by you all,

Grant

Kiwiana

We were allowed 2 suitcases for the kids each as well, so even though we were over the weight limit, I managed to convince them that we didn't need to be charged anything extra. I was quite happy to pay the extra, so it was all good.

I have spent a fair proportion of today talking to recruiting agents, according to them, there is plenty of work in the fields that I am looking, so it sounds promising. I have meetings with two of them next week, and should have another couple confirmed tomorrow.

Cheers

Grant

Hello All

Just wanting everyone to know that we made it. I have been without internet access for a few days, but have that sorted now.

We had the flight from hell, our 21 month old refused to sleep on the plane, and cried and screamed the entire flight (we weren't very popular amongst the other passengers). But we made it eventually. Customs was a breeze (we flew to San Francisco). I was the only person in the New Immigrant line, and I told the guy that the screaming kids at the other end of the arrivals hall were mine, he took pity on me, and I was processed very quickly and welcomed to the USA. The fact that I also was covered in baby food from head to foot probably helped me get more pity as well.

As we had so many bags (we had 8 large over sized and weight bags...which were all accepted by Air NZ), a SF airport official arranged a porter to take all of our bags for us - this was a lifesaver. We seemed to bypass everything and next thing we were through and on the road south. We stayed in a town called Gilroy for a night, and then travelled to Brook's parents the next day.

We are currently in Coarsegold, CA, where Brook's parents retired to. It is in the foothills of the Yosemite Mountains, about 40 minutes NE of Fresno. It is quite remote, and their place has wild deer and quails wandering through the yard. The weather is magic, and after 5 days we are all pretty well aclimatised (it was hard to get the kids aclimatised and back onto schedule - however today went like clockwork).

However tomorrow, I have to start the job hunting proper. We are still looking at either the Bay Area or Sacramento.

Hope everyone else is doing well, and making progress.

Cheers

Grant

Hi All

Been a while since I have posted, so I thought i'd catch everyone up with our progress.

Firstly congratulations to Kim and Russ.

I also hope that everyone else is making progress as well.

Today we moved out of our house and into a hotel for the last few days. We have now sold all the bits and pieces that we wanted to sell on trademe (the remaining bits will be picked up in the next day or so). We have 80% packed anything we wanted to keep into storage, with the remainder to go in tomorrow and tuesday.

I am also unemployed for the first time in my life (I finished up my last two projects on Friday) - although have a bit of freelance stuff I can carry on with for a couple of clients here, once I am in the US.

It is hard to believe that we are only three days away from leaving. Brook's father has come over to give us a hand for the last few days and will head back with us, makes it easier with the two kids.

It is has not been all that easy getting prepared. Last weekend the remaining car we kept hold of broke down in the middle of nowhere up the Coromandel with us all in, and in the end had to get back to Auckland on a tow truck (also with the auction on trade me closing for it last Tuesday). But got it fixed and sold without too much drame.

Also Brook got hospitalised in the early hours of this morning with severe food poisoning. They kept her till about lunchtime pumped her with fluids and she seems to be on the mend. Made for an interesting and stressful morning, as the house was getting emptied (my mates were brilliant and took care of it all for me without me lifting a finger in the end, and left me to look after Ash and Clay). So again, very stressful all round, and the last thing we needed, but we have come through the other side.

Anyway, it must be my bed time, again hope everyone is well, and making progress.

I may not post again before we arrive in CA, but will update everyone then.

Cheers

Grant

I received my package 3 from the consulate on Friday just gone , just wanted to know about the photos you need to have taken. I see they ask for 50x50mm pics. Are our standard passport photo's acceptable or do i need to get someone else to take them?

Any info would be helpful..

Cheers

Kim

Kim - You are right, NZ Standard size passports photos are not the right size, however when we had ours done, the photo place knew the US Visa sized photos and provided the photos in that size.

Cheers

Grant

Also Grant - I emailed Allied Movers about these boxes but so far have received no reply, I'll persue it further but just wondered if you checked out a few places and found Allied to be the best.

Any info would be helpful..

Cheers

Kim

Hi Kim

Sorry, my post may have been a mid-misleading. I am only using the Allied Movers boxes (not actually them to do the shipping). I am shipping through NZ Post, at the Post Office. I put a lot of work Allied Movers way, so got a heap of boxes, packing tape, packing paper etc from them.

Cheers

Grant

Hi All

I'm sorry to hear that some of you are stuck in limbo at the moment, and that progress is pretty slow. You have my sympathy.

Also great that Kim and Russ have finally reached a very happy conclusion!

We are just counting down now, I am trying to wrap up a couple of bits of work. We have shipped all of the stuff we wanted to ship. We have ordered a lot of stuff on line in the US, and it is starting to show up at Brook's parents. It is hard to believe that in less than 3 weeks we will be living the other side of the world!

We have got short term health insurance for all of us (wow that is expensive!!).

I am still job hunting, but am starting to make appointments with recruitment agencies for after we arrive.

We are also the kings of selling stuff on Trade Me. Poor Ash is having his toys sold out from under him. We currently have 17 auctions running, with more to start next week.

Anyway - here's hoping lots of progress starts to get made for those waiting.

Cheers

Grant

I didn't even think about dress code at the consulate. I think I wore jeans and a T shirt. I think Brook would have worn about the same.

I don't think it is an issue, or that they look or care what you wear.

Cheers

Grant

Grant: Hows everything going?

We are going well thanks, just slowly packing up stuff, sending boxes like mad to the US, selling stuff etc.

We were thrown into a mild panic, as we own a townhouse rental in Newton, and our tenants gave notice the other day, so we now have to find new tenants. However we have had lots of interest, so hopefuly can get this sorted in the next few days, but it is one hassle we could do without.

But besides that, all is going well, I am winding up my last couple of projects, and are getting more ready every day. Only less than a month for us now.

No luck on the job front yet, but one that I am perfect for got advertised last night, so hopefully something will come of that.

Glad to see that others are making great progress, and excellent to here that Kim and Russ' very long journey is now at an end.

A big welcome also to Lisa and Tim

Cheers

Grant

Awesome - very well done.

Its a great feeling isn't it!!

Cheers

Grant

Cool - I know Russ will have no problems at all. Your knowledge and experience of the whole process, along with being well organised will mean he will blitz it.

Not long for you guys now.

Cheers

Grant

Kiwiana - as far as parking is concerned, the Downtown Shopping Centre carpark is one and a 1/2 blocks away, easy to find, easy to get into and out of and probably the most convenient.

Also, we have started to send some boxes of staff (important documents, clothes, kids books etc) to the US. To give you an idea, we are using Allied Movers packing boxes, these are 45cm long, x 35cm high, x 30cm wide. They weigh between about 8kg and 12 kg when full, and is costing between $60 and $100 to post over using international economy (which takes 2 - 3 weeks).

Glad progress is going well for most of you.

We are just plodding along, as I am a project manager, I have created a complete project plan for our move (it seems so complicated with very young kids), so we have it all planned out - which makes it seem a lot less daunting.

Cheers

Grant

Whoops - Kel beat me to the parking thing.

Cheers

Grant

Here is what I have been looking at insurance wise:

http://www.visitorscoverage.com/immigrant/plans/

I spent a good few hours researching this, and this company/plan seemed to me to be the best combination of cost and coverage.

I am planning on buying 6 months worth, as a starter.

Cheers

Grant

Great news Kim, how awesome for you guys.

Bobsagetti is absolutely right, We have bought a car. Brook's parents went to insure it, and they can only get it insured for Brook. They won't inusre me until I have a Californian drivers licence.

Also, it is not worth me getting a letter from the NZ Transport Registry either, as I don't have the cleanest of driving records. However I have a perfectly clean Insurance record, so will get a letter from my insurance co before going.

I will just have to hold out till I get my CA drivers licence.

As far as progress for us goes, we are planning/ getting ready, and I am still hunting like mad for a job (which is interesting as I have never had any problem in NZ). Everyone keeps saying that it will be much easier once I am over there. The good thing is that their seems to be plenty of jobs around.

Hope everyone else is making good progress.

Cheers

Grant

Cheers

Whoops meant to add this...as far as California is concerned, you can drive there on your NZ licence for 1 year. I am planning on getting my Californian licence asap though once I get there (Brook's expires at the end of the year, so she has to go in anyway when we first get there).

Cheers

Grant

Kiwiana - I have used three different NZ bought laptops in the US, with just the cheap plug adapter from ####### Smith electronics, they all worked fine.

I am pretty sure as long as the cord has an adapter box somewhere between the device and the power socket that you should be fine. This handles the voltage change for you (I just had a close look at the adapter on my laptop, and on the adapter box, it says what voltage range it can handle - in my case 100v - 240v). I just looked at Brook's (different brand of laptop, and hers also has the same range).

However as Kim has suggested, I would definately get a proper US supply asap to make double sure you are ok.

Cheers

Grant

We have made some significant progress today.

We have booked out flights, and are heading to San Francisco on the 22nd of October. Because this will be stressful enough for the kids, we have forked out and are flying Premium Economy with Air NZ. Therefore we can take advantage of the Koru Lounge before leaving, get bigger seats/room (we have reserved front seats, to get more room, and also get a bassinet), and have an easier check in. They will also provide the baby essentials should we need them.

We also bought a car today, a Subaru Outback station wagon. Brook's father found it (it ticked all of our boxes), and we bought it. Therefore we can really hit the ground running.

We also have a list of essential bits and pieces we want for when we arrive (car seats, high chairs, cots etc) and we are going to order these on line and get them delivered to Brook's parents.

Brook also spoke to her bank in the US (she is so glad she kept an account) and has organised credit cards etc, and these are being sent out here.

We are also starting to sell our stuff on Trade Me.

It is all go!!

Hope everyone else is making progress as well.

Cheers

Grant

We send money from Nics bank to mine. You need to have the routing number and a few other details for the account the money is going into. Both banks will take a bit of a fee but it is safe and relatively easy. When you do send money try and send a larger sum so that the fees don't feel as bad. Good luck! I know that from BNZ and Kiwibank you and do international transfers online and there is no need to go to a bank.

Cool - thanks for that, will look into that, as the two banks we use are BNZ and Kiwibank!!

Cheers

Grant

Welcome to the new guys in here. Put your feet up, we are a good friendly bunch.

I have a question...

What experience has anyone had with transferring money to the US from NZ? I want to transfer some oney to Brook's parents to buy a car for us, but not sure of the best or most cost effective and safe way of doing this?

They don't have the internet, so using Paypal (which I have heard of being used a lot) is not an option. Basically it has to go straight into their bank account.

Thanks in advance,

Cheers

Grant

Another really interesting thing that happened ar the Consulate, was the interviewing officer, really (and I mean really) ecouraged me to get naturalized after being in the US for 3 years. It wasn't just a passing piece of advice, he really laboured the point.

Cheers

Grant

Grant: how cool to have the magic 'foil' in passport. Are you ever tempted to open the 'secret envelope'? jk

Oh yes...I sure am. It is a bit like a wet paint sign..

They make it pretty damned hard to tamper with, it is sealed (like a normal envelope), then has the consulate stamp over the seal, then someone's signature, and then the whole flap is taped shut.

We have put it out of sight (after we kept picking it up and staring at it).

Our plans are (at this moment). Brook's mother will fly out here on about the 15th of Oct (to be chief baby sitter while we wrap our NZ stuff up). Brook, the kids and her will fly to the US on the 22nd(ish). I can sell/put into storage the remainder of our stuff, get rid of the cars etc, and I'll fly over on about the 29th of Oct.

In the meantime, so that we are prepared for the kids arrival, we will arrange cots, car seats etc online and get them shipped to her parents, and we will send over some money so that Brook's Dad can buy a car for us so we can hit the ground running upon our arrival.

Tiara - do you get the envelope etc now, or do you wait until you resubmit Chris' passport? Did they say you were approved on the spot on Tuesday? With us the guy didn't actually say so, but he certainly left us with no doubt that it was all approved. Even so, it was still a nervous wait until the courier pack arrived (especially seeing I was putting the track and trace number into the website of the completely wrong courier company, and always getting an error message!!).

Cheers

Grant

Woohoo - I have my passport back with the magic "foil" in it, and my secret envelope.

Now the real planning can begin!! My grandmother turns 80 in October and we are having a big family get together, so we will look at going over shortly after that.

I still have not advanced any further on the job finding front, but have applied for a few in the last couple of days.

Hope everyone else is progressing well as well - seems like it is all go for us Kiwi's.

Cheers

Grant

Hi All

Firstly good to meet you Tiara and Chris, best of luck moving forward for you guys, seemed like it was all under control.

Secondly - Our interview (will add to the Consulate review as well later).

Bit of a frantic start, where I normally park was closed off, so I parked in the Foodtown carpark and hoped that I wouldn't get towed.

Brook, Clay and I went through security (they seem very nice if you show up with a baby!!) and went straight to the window. The lady came and we progressed our paperwork bit by bit. One thing they asked for that I didn't have was a copy of my CV/Resume. I did however have a copy of my university degree, and my Project Management qualification, so that seemed to suffice. This was all very smooth and easy enough (except for the poor lady and I trying to complete some maths sums without a calculator). The lady was very pleasent and talkative and made me feel at ease. After the paperwork she ran through the process of the POE.

We then sat down and waited to see the Comsulate officer. This was a bit of a long wait (but seemed a lot longer as I was worried my csr would be towed!!). Was great to chat to Tiara and Chris during the wait. Was a bit of a worry when Tiara and Chris were called up before us, but within a couple of minutes of them being called to a window we were ushed into a separate meeting room (also a bit of a worry).

The Consulate officer was very nice, and all he wanted to know was how (logistically) we planned to get over there (as we have two young kids). We are planning on having Brook go first, me wrapping up the house, and following a week or two later. This is what he wanted to here rather than me go across with them and then come back to wrap everything up. He then ran though the paperwork and signed off everything as he went (a good sign I am thinking), chatted away about bits and pieces, took another fingerprint and sent us on our way saying that the passport with the "foil" attached, as well as the envelope inside would be back to us within a few days.

All in all it was pretty painless, and the whole process was over in an hour and a half (with an hour of this at least just waiting between the paperwork section and the Consulate officer).

Oh yeah, my car wasn't towed, so that was good.

Cheers

Grant

We're all ready too, will see you tomorrow!!

I got the cash out today to pay the fees tomorrow (the last job on the list).

P.S. I just got an A4 Track and Trace Courier Envelope from the postshop. surely it is the right size.

Cheers

Grant