Setting Up House

 We finally ended out nomadic ways this week and have settled into our new rental!

Ruby was not only the most expensive thing about moving but really put as at a disadvantage in the housing market. Despite the fact that dogs are welcome almost anywhere in New Zealand people really don't want pups in their rental homes so you have to get what you can. Good thing Ruby is the best dog in the universe and absolutely worth it. 

That's how we ended up snapping up my coworker Maddi's place since she was moving north to rekindle the geotech group in Gisborne. It is entirely too much house with its 3 bedrooms and an office but it's not a bad place to land. After our many years of bouncing around less than ideal rentals in Boulder, CO there's something to be said about moving into a shiny, almost new house with well thought out conveniences. I don't think I've ever lived in a place in Boulder with a two-car garage, or a sun room, or a big walk-in pantry. In other words, lots of room for visitors!

Bad news was we had to buy all our white ware- the NZ catchall phrase for biggish appliances- in our case a new fridge, washer and dryer. It was an unexpected expense but at least we got a fridge that satisfied our very American need for ice. We also got really energy efficient laundry machines. Dryers are a little different here and don't do the vented thing where you pop the excess moisture out of your house. Instead, excess water is collected in a little tank you have to empty out between loads- actually not that bad. 

Opening boxes after every move is always like a mini Christmas...like a fun surprise..oh I own this. This was especially the case finally getting all our luggage from the United States. We literally hadn't seen these items since July!  We had surprisingly minor casualties, one pint glass from one of Boulder's many expired breweries. It was also comforting to fill the vast spaces of house. 

One thing we had not thought out is the fact we live in the South Island. We had done extensive research if we could easily replace things at an affordable price like our worn furniture out here in New Zealand. The general internet consensus was yes, but most of the NZ population lives in the Auckland area which we did not consider...whoops. If you're thinking of a nice house warming gift, feel free to ship us a bookcase or two! The South Island is really lacking in that regard unless you want to pay hundreds and we'll be damned if we get more shoddy furniture from the New Zealand version of Target or their K-Mart. We've moved enough to know those get immediately shattered once put in a truck. 

Other fun tidbits about moving to a Kiwi house: water is free here (so weird coming from the land of constant drought restrictions), trash is free, everyone has fiber internet, gas to heat up water comes from two very large propane tanks outside, and central heating and AC are not a thing- people compensate with heaters and towel racks that warm up. I need to remind myself to record which way the toilet water is swirling.

Anywho, it's been a busy weekend collecting household items like spatualas, cutting boards, the very necessary electric kettle for your tea, etc. I've had a great time putting up the essential artwork of a Shamie house that has followed us through our various abodes. It's amazing what actually makes things feel like home and we're finally getting there. 

Some snaps from the new place. The views could be worse!