12,000 miles and 24 hours from home

11:55am Wednesday 13th February 2008

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For the Bell family living in London was tough and dangerous. DAVID MILLS finds out why they emigrated to New Zealand.

MOVING house can be a traumatic experience for some, especially if you are moving 12,000 miles to the other side of the world.

Eight years ago, that is exactly what the Bell family did, upping sticks in Petts Wood and making a life-changing move to Christchurch in New Zealand.

Mike and Tammy Bell and their three daughters, Emma and Natalie, aged 15 and Rebekah, 13, took a huge gamble in September 2000 when they left friends and relatives behind in England to start a new life abroad.

But it has paid off and now the Bells have set up an online community group at move2nz.com with offices in Christchurch, that offers information and advice to people who have emigrated to New Zealand or who are thinking of moving there.

Tammy, aged 36, grew up in Nelgarde Road in Catford and went to Crofton School in Manwood Road, Lewisham.

Her husband Mike, aged 38, lived in Longdown Road in Bellingham and attended Sedgehill School in Sedgehill Road, also in Lewisham.

The family of five lived in Catford, Bell Green and Petts Wood before moving away.

Tammy said: "We had never visited New Zealand before we emigrated, so took a huge leap of faith that it would turn out OK, and it has.

"We were looking for a better lifestyle for ourselves and our children.

"After researching a number of countries New Zealand proved to be the only one that fitted with our way of thinking."

Tammy said Christchurch and London were worlds apart.

She said: "In New Zealand rather than renting a small home and having to walk or bus everywhere we have a house, a car and a massive amount of freedom.

"In the UK we lived in a tiny terrace house, couldn't afford to buy or run a car and lived very frugally.

"Our opportunities for recreation with the children were very limited and London was becoming increasingly a dangerous place to bring up children.

"We hoped to give them a longer and happier childhood and as many choices as possible."

She added: "It has changed our lives completely.

"We are far more happy and relaxed here."

The Bells miss their friends and family, especially on birthdays.

But Tammy said: "On our recent trip back Mike said that not long after he arrived in the UK he started to feel very homesick for New Zealand, so I don't think he misses it that much!"

When asked if they would do anything differently had they been given the chance, Tammy said: "Come sooner, definitely."

FACTFILE - CHRISTCHURCH

• Christchurch is located on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island with a population of 360,000.

• It is known as the Garden City, with daffodils everywhere.

• Christchurch weather is very distinct with four seasons - with an average summer temperature of 25 degrees and winter temperature of 11.

• The city centre offers a wide range of restaurants, theatre, cinemas, leisure centres and parks.

• Beaches are just 30 minutes away where you can go surfing and sailing, or on the flipside skiing is an hour and a half away.

• And dear old Blighty is a mere 24 hours away.