prairie girl musings

Tag: moving

  • We’re Moving!

    We’re Moving!

    It’s official, we’re moving. After four and a half years, the time has come for Nick and I to say goodbye to Christchurch.

    While we’re both delighted about the move, it wasn’t an easy decision to make. Life in Christchurch has been incredible. We’ve made amazing, lifelong friends, grown immensely in our careers, and achieved a few personal milestones along the way. We bought a house! We got married! And we managed to fit in some travel and higher education. New Zealand has been good to us and we know it’ll always be here. It’s Nick’s home and my adopted home. It’s a place that feels familiar and easy, but we’ve realised that we need to move on to keep growing and challenging ourselves.

    We initially moved to Christchurch because we felt stuck professionally and set some lofty career goals for ourselves. I’m ridiculously proud of Nick and everything he has accomplished for the city, procuring electric scooters, developing accessible transport and resilience strategies that continue to draw people to the city centre. This city still has a long way to go, but we both feel grateful for the opportunities we’ve had during its revitalisation thus far. Reflecting on what I wrote prior to our move even makes me slightly emotional (or maybe it’s just the weight of moving across the world for the fourth time):

    “Nick’s new job will allow him to influence Christchurch’s rebirth through public transport and accessibility. Having the foresight to envision a lively, vibrant community, Christchurch is projected to be a cycling city where people gather in the town centre.”

    I am super close to my family and living on a different continent than them has always been challenging. I started feeling the pull of home as soon as I turned thirty and Nick’s been very supportive of that.

    So, when are we leaving?

    We’re leaving this April. I know, so soon…

    What about work?

    We’re both going to be freelancing to start. A lot of my work is done remotely and I have a few projects that will take me through to May or June. Nick has been asked to continue contracting as well, so we’ll continue contracting and our consulting work until we settle somewhere more permanently.

    Where are we moving? 

    We haven’t settled on a specific destination yet. My family’s in Saskatchewan, so living in the prairies would mean being that much closer to home. We LOVED living in Toronto during our early twenties. It’s such a vibrant, dynamic city and the financial centre of Canada. It’s where most people in my industry like to base themselves. There’s a certain level of hustle that keeps you on your toes and makes life exciting. Plus, Nick has lots of friends who work in Transport and Urban Planning, so it’s an obvious choice. Vancouver is also appealing for the lifestyle it offers. Living near the sea is something we truly cherish and it’s a direct flight to New Zealand. Vancouver’s a lot more laidback than Toronto, so the transition from life in Christchurch would definitely be more seamless in that sense! Not to mention, the weather’s more mild and winter is more bearable.

    If you have any suggestions on where we should base ourselves, we’d love to hear them! And as always, thanks for your support!

    Photo by Ana Galloway

  • 6 Tips For Moving To Another Country

    6 Tips For Moving To Another Country

    Living overseas has been one of the most rewarding (and challenging) experiences of my life so far. It’s helped me understand different cultures, people, and places and has shifted my perspective about home and relationships. Had I not moved to New Zealand seven years ago, I’m not sure I would have had the courage to change my career path or seriously pursue writing and journalism. Though painful at times, these life changing experiences have imparted many lessons.

    design sponge
    Image via Pinterest

    There are many factors to consider when deciding whether moving overseas is right for you. You’ll likely need to factor in your family, your health, your finances, your friends, maybe even a partner or a pet. While motivations for moving can range from personal to professional, the experience will teach you more than you could ever imagine. It’s been awhile since 19-year-old me decided to apply for a study abroad program in New Zealand, so I wanted to share some tips I’ve learnt along the way:

    1. Save money. Whether you’re moving for a job or to study, make sure you save as much as you can. It could take you several months to find work, (or in my case, to sort out my visa!) so cutting back on everyday indulgences prior to departure is one of the most important steps you can take. Plus, when you arrive, you’ll want to explore and experience everything, so it helps to have a little extra cash in your savings.
    2. Decide where you want to go. This can be one of the trickiest decisions, and it helps to consider your contacts, the economy, the climate, your background, etc. Did you study Japanese at school? If so, maybe consider a move to Kyoto. What’s the medical system like? How affordable is health coverage? Some countries are easier to navigate than others and some systems are easier on foreigners.
    3. Sort out your visa. Like I mentioned above, obtaining a work or study visa can be a tedious process. Despite having dealt with immigration both in the United States and New Zealand for the past nine years, I still haven’t figured it out entirely. That being said, sorting it out in advance is a lot less stressful than arriving on a three-month visitor visa and crossing your fingers that something works out.
    4. Research. Once you’ve decided on a country and secured your visa, it’s time to learn as much as you can about your new home. What are the local customs and laws? What languages are spoken in your new country? After deciding on a city, look at neighbourhoods to determine where specifically you’d like to live.
    5. Apply for jobs. This is easier said than done (and I’m speaking from experience). Unless you’re highly sought after in your field, securing a job before arrival is very difficult. I mean, 11pm Skype interviews are only fun for so long. In the very least, do your research and figure out where you’d like to work and keep an eye out for job postings.
    6. Network. Before setting foot on New Zealand soil, I didn’t know a soul in the entire country. While my first few days were rather lonely, I felt like I could be whoever I wanted to be, reinventing myself. I was in a university setting, so making friends was inevitable. However, if you’re moving for work, networking is even more important. Ask a colleague out for coffee or join an expat group to commiserate with whenever you feel a twinge of homesickness.

    I hope these tips proved helpful! If you’re considering a move overseas, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

  • Goodbye Toronto!

    Goodbye Toronto!

    From the moment I stepped off the subway at Osgoode Station, leisurely rolling my suitcase across the streetcar tracks, I knew I’d love living in Toronto. It was a place I had visited as a child, and then again in my late adolescent years. When I graduated university, I applied to every editorial internship I could find in Toronto because “if I could make it in Toronto, I could make it anywhere,” or so was my mantra. Over the past two and a half years, Toronto has continued to surprise and enchant me. City life is less overwhelming than when I first arrived, but no less impressive. And it is with both excitement and apprehension that I say goodbye to this wonderful city.

    Nick has accepted a job as a policy planner in his hometown of Christchurch, New Zealand. Yes, that Christchurch. The one that was ravaged by two earthquakes, devastating the downtown core, claiming the lives of 185 people, and displacing thousands more from their homes and jobs. Even thinking about the move overseas has been emotional, and we haven’t started packing up our apartment. Not only is Christchurch so far from home, it will differ from what I’ve known in countless ways. Having lived and studied in Auckland, all of my friends are there. So yes, I’ll be closer to them, but still so far.


    I recall my first visit to the Garden City in 2009, pre-earthquake. Almost immediately, I remarked how I could see myself living here, even settling down in this stunning city surrounded by ocean and mountains. Nick has often spoken about how he’d like to return, to help rebuild his parents’ home; a beautiful Victorian that will soon be torn down. His new job will allow him to influence Christchurch’s rebirth through public transport and accessibility. Having the foresight to envision a lively, vibrant community, Christchurch is projected to be a cycling city where people gather in the town centre. The New York Times even published an article about the many reasons to visit Christchurch, post-quake. I have no doubt that Christchurch will rise above the rubble like many great cities struck before it. Just look at San Francisco and New Orleans, both experienced revitalization and surges in tourism following devastating natural disasters.


    There have been many incredible initiatives taking place in Christchurch, demonstrating the compassion and strength of its residents. In a world of war and turmoil, it’s important to acknowledge the small victories of a city’s rebirth and the humanity of its people. It invigorates my spirit to know that in times of need, communities step up in order to help one another heal and get back on their feet.

  • Aotearoa

    Aotearoa

    It appears I have the attention span of a goldfish.

    After starting a travel blog at the end of 2010, following my first semester at the University of Auckland, I discarded la vie en tie-dye after two pitiful posts. Two posts. It’s not that I haven’t had a lot to write about. In fact, even I can barely keep up! This is probably what I have desperately needed over the past two years while living in New Zealand and travelling the world. I have had multiple requests from friends living overseas who wanted to stay in touch. So, here goes attempt no. 2 (or fourteen, but who’s counting?)

    Upon departing the ivory towers of university (albeit temporarily) last month, I’m ready to set foot in the real world. At least this is what I am perpetually telling myself. Self-doubt somehow always seems to cloud my thoughts, rendering me insecure and fearful. How will I ever fill the three-inch Louboutins of a big, working girl? Moving to Auckland was a challenge in itself due to both the distance and unfamiliarity. However, having already completed a semester abroad in 2009 – the leap felt natural. I told myself I would thrive in a big(ish) city and Auckland’s  1.5 million seemed like the perfect fit for my small-town, prairie girl troubles. Indeed it was, and my two years as an English major (after transferring from MSU) flew by. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts, and a eclectic bunch of amazing friends who intrigue, inspire and perplex me, it is now time for life’s next big challenge. I rather rapidly decided this meant leaving New Zealand for the more abundant job market of North America. Clearly, I’m still deciding whether this was the right decision for me.

    While I ruminate this decision, I’ll leave you with a few of my favourite Auckland memories and things. As any Kiwi-implant can tell you, New Zealand has a FANTASTIC and refreshing design scene. Wellington, the arty capital of cool, features amazing cafes and boutiques frequented by the country’s best artists. Auckland (despite its sprawl and public transport issues) possesses some the most diverse, well-heeled suburbs I have ever encountered. Obviously, I have developed a fascination with New Zealand’s small, but incredibly distinct fashion scene. Oh, if I could but spend another semester in Auckland, I would have my Nikon permanently strapped to my shoulder in order to capture some of the looks of the moment. Kiwis are a daring bunch, and university life in Auckland provided me with some of the best style moments in my twenty-three years.

    Here are some of my favourite local looks: (courtesy of Auckland Street Style)

    I’m in love with these Ruby stretch cords, she pulls them off on fashionable High Street in Auckland.

    Karen Walker is a hit for all ages, especially when paired down with Converse sneakers.

    Aucklanders are known for wearing lots of black, especially in the cold, rainy months of June, July and August. I love the billowy long skirt with the casual jumper on top.

    It is true, nobody does knitwear like Ruby and nobody looks as fabulous in Ruby as Nicole Warner from Gary Pepper Vintage.

    More to come on Saskatchewan summers.

    V.