Anyone out there live in Nelson, or been to Nelson?

[MrsRose]

I must admit though, that I am started to feel a bit concerned regarding our chances of integrating smoothly into NZ society. The vibe I'm getting from some threads/posts is that Americans are not as welcome as other immigrants, and that it's difficult for immigrants to find their place among the tight-knit community that exists among kiwis.

Am I just reading too much into certain posts/threads, or is this a fair concern?

[topcat83]

Originally Posted by MrsRose

I must admit though, that I am started to feel a bit concerned regarding our chances of integrating smoothly into NZ society. The vibe I'm getting from some threads/posts is that Americans are not as welcome as other immigrants, and that it's difficult for immigrants to find their place among the tight-knit community that exists among kiwis.

Am I just reading too much into certain posts/threads, or is this a fair concern?

Please don't feel that. Just bear in mind that there is 'another forum' out there that goes out of its way to 'infiltrate' ours. This is made up of a load of sad people who obviously didn't make a go of it over here and are bitter enough about it that they try and put everyone off.
They reckon we delete everything they write. Well we don't - because the whole point of this forum is to try and give a balanced view. Unfortunately when they're on a roll, then the balance gets skewed. And I will have no qualms about deleting what they say if they become personal or offensive.

The vast majority of Americans (and other nationalities) do not have a problem. It's the ones that come over expecting 'little America' and then get bitter when they can't get their usual brand of convenience food for the same price.

[MrsRose]

Originally Posted by topcat83

Please don't feel that. Just bear in mind that there is 'another forum' out there that goes out of its way to 'infiltrate' ours. This is made up of a load of sad people who obviously didn't make a go of it over here and are bitter enough about it that they try and put everyone off.
They reckon we delete everything they write. Well we don't - because the whole point of this forum is to try and give a balanced view. Unfortunately when they're on a roll, then the balance gets skewed. And I will have no qualms about deleting what they say if they become personal or offensive.

The vast majority of Americans (and other nationalities) do not have a problem. It's the ones that come over expecting 'little America' and then get bitter when they can't get their usual brand of convenience food for the same price.

That makes sense I guess.

It's unfortunate too.
I wish our family could afford to spend a few weeks there just to travel around and see the different cities, etc...

[dodgerodger]

Originally Posted by MrsRose

That makes sense I guess.

It's unfortunate too.
I wish our family could afford to spend a few weeks there just to travel around and see the different cities, etc...

Yeah should we have done that but didnt but that is in the past.

Anywho; construction clothes like work pants cost around $80 for ones that will last around 2-3 months.
I brought a 2 pairs of Carhartt pants from USA that lasted over a year but cost around $130 in NZ for one pair where as in USA you can buy several pairs for that price.
You can get them from amazon shipped to NZ for around $80 a pair though which is not too bad considering it is the same price as the crap they sell in NZ.

Please don't feel that. Just bear in mind that there is 'another forum' out there that goes out of its way to 'infiltrate' ours. This is made up of a load of sad people who obviously didn't make a go of it over here and are bitter enough about it that they try and put everyone off.
They reckon we delete everything they write. Well we don't - because the whole point of this forum is to try and give a balanced view. Unfortunately when they're on a roll, then the balance gets skewed. And I will have no qualms about deleting what they say if they become personal or offensive.

The vast majority of Americans (and other nationalities) do not have a problem. It's the ones that come over expecting 'little America' and then get bitter when they can't get their usual brand of convenience food for the same price.

I know what forum you are talking about and 99% of the members did make a go of New Zealand in fact for several years and there are even other kiwi's on that site disenfranchised with their own country.
The fact of the matter is New Zealand IS a small country and yes Americans and other nationals come to NZ and even though they do not expect a 'small america' what greets them is something they were not expecting because it is not in the tourism brochures that New Zealand is highly racist towards foreigners, its not mentioned by your immigration consultant that all kiwi's want to talk about is rugby, drink beer till they are passed out and are lazy workers.
This the new arrival has to find out by themselves.

I must admit though, that I am started to feel a bit concerned regarding our chances of integrating smoothly into NZ society. The vibe I'm getting from some threads/posts is that Americans are not as welcome as other immigrants, and that it's difficult for immigrants to find their place among the tight-knit community that exists among kiwis.

Am I just reading too much into certain posts/threads, or is this a fair concern?

I would seriously come to NZ for a few weeks to a month before immigrating after selling everything and severing your ties; then you can see if NZ is for your family.
I was kicking myself for the years I was here that I didn't just come to visit first.

[topcat83]

I think dodgeroo has just proven my point
Just bear in mind that 'that other forum' was set up solely for the purpose of slagging New Zealand down.

Now - which forum is likely to be more balanced?

[MrsRose]

The US of A is a great country in many, many ways, and I'm sure there will be many things I would miss if we moved out of the country. But having said that, I'm sure I could also create a whole forum solely devoted to all the reasons why the US is NOT the best country in the world either.

Living in New Zealand isn't like what they present in the promotional videos and brochures? Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, if a family spent all of their time swimming with dolphins off shore, kayaking, hiking, surfing, skiing, and enjoying fine wine, they'd quickly find that they have no money left to live on. But that's true of any country.
I've seen promo videos and brochures for the US and it's the same way. They're PROMOTING it. They're not gonna show the rougher, tougher parts of living here. Having lived in Las Vegas Nevada for about 6 years now, I can attest to the unrealistic expectations people can have when they base their desire to live somewhere off of a tourist promotion, or a vacation they spent there. Ever thinks Las Vegas is this magical place of bright lights, shows, and 24/7 nightlife. On Las Vegas Boulevard...that may be true. But that's ONE street in Las Vegas. And to be honest, I can count on two hands the amount of times in 6 years of living here that I've been to the glittering, hotel/casino part of Las Vegas Boulevard. The rest of Las Vegas is like any other old city. Except hotter, and drier, and there nothing to see but dirt, dirt, dirt.

Anyway, my point is...We know that moving to NZ doesn't mean every day will be vacation for the rest of our lives. It's just gonna be a different way of living. maybe not better. maybe not worse. just different.

Everyone keeps trying to tell me the grass isn't greener on the other side. But coming from Las Vegas, it wouldn't matter where in New Zealand we choose, the grass WILL be greener...literally.

And the air will be cleaner. And the water will be bluer. and there's not a city in all of NZ that has even close to as high of a crime rate as Las Vegas.

[Song_Si]

if a family spent all of their time swimming with dolphins off shore, kayaking, hiking, surfing, skiing, and enjoying fine wine,

not entirely impossible depending on location; eg my last home in Wellington's south coast - Owhiro Bay. Walk to the beach under 10min, close enough to take a 5m kayak on a 2-wheel trundler, head out into Cook Strait. Dolphins on occasion, orcas too but I never timed it right and it was always 'you should have been here yesterday'

South of the beach, the coast walk to Red Rocks - mountainbiking. A round of the world downhill mountainbiking champs held here a few years ago. A huge area of conservation land, also hosts a round of the annual trail running series; stunning views from Hawkins Hill about 500m above sea level. All free.

Surfing - not for me, but Lyall Bay 10km away adjoining the airport for Wellington's best surf beach, good swimming too. Not a skier but have worked with plenty of people who'd take Friday as annual leave and head 4hrs north to the central mountains for the weekend. Fine wine - I prefer a good whisky.

Our house - built around 2000 to a high standard; wool rather than synthetic insulation in walls and ceiling; quality joinery, built for the sun. Never isolated to one room, warm! and (bear in mind I left 2009) never reached $200 a month electricity bill, plus about $40 a month for natural gas (cooking and water heating).

I worked in international recruitment for most of my last 10 yrs there, primarily recruiting from UK, maybe only 3-5% USA, 10-15% Asia. I could be at my office in The Terrace (central Wgtn) in under 20min. I think 12 was a personal best. Public transport was poor at that time, unreliable as well as slow, and bus was anything from 40-60min, though I see the2012 timetable runs a direct link, maybe 30 now.

Some complete success stories, and some 'fails' as well. Incidences of company cars being abandoned at Auckland airport and a message left on voicemail "I've gone home". Often I'd put it down to something as simple as homesickness - a relationship breakdown, lack of family support. Unrealistic expectations, poorly researched - people wanting to 'get away from the city' then disappointed their town of 5000 does not have five supermarkets and a mega-mall.

And there are no hobbits!

[MrsRose]

Originally Posted by Song_Si

not entirely impossible depending on location; eg my last home in Wellington's south coast - Owhiro Bay. Walk to the beach under 10min, close enough to take a 5m kayak on a 2-wheel trundler, head out into Cook Strait. Dolphins on occasion, orcas too but I never timed it right and it was always 'you should have been here yesterday'

South of the beach, the coast walk to Red Rocks - mountainbiking. A round of the world downhill mountainbiking champs held here a few years ago. A huge area of conservation land, also hosts a round of the annual trail running series; stunning views from Hawkins Hill about 500m above sea level. All free.

Surfing - not for me, but Lyall Bay 10km away adjoining the airport for Wellington's best surf beach, good swimming too. Not a skier but have worked with plenty of people who'd take Friday as annual leave and head 4hrs north to the central mountains for the weekend. Fine wine - I prefer a good whisky.

Our house - built around 2000 to a high standard; wool rather than synthetic insulation in walls and ceiling; quality joinery, built for the sun. Never isolated to one room, warm! and (bear in mind I left 2009) never reached $200 a month electricity bill, plus about $40 a month for natural gas (cooking and water heating).

I worked in international recruitment for most of my last 10 yrs there, primarily recruiting from UK, maybe only 3-5% USA, 10-15% Asia. I could be at my office in The Terrace (central Wgtn) in under 20min. I think 12 was a personal best. Public transport was poor at that time, unreliable as well as slow, and bus was anything from 40-60min, though I see the2012 timetable runs a direct link, maybe 30 now.

Some complete success stories, and some 'fails' as well. Incidences of company cars being abandoned at Auckland airport and a message left on voicemail "I've gone home". Often I'd put it down to something as simple as homesickness - a relationship breakdown, lack of family support. Unrealistic expectations, poorly researched - people wanting to 'get away from the city' then disappointed their town of 5000 does not have five supermarkets and a mega-mall.

And there are no hobbits!

Well that settles it. If there are no hobbits, I'm staying in the US.

[Song_Si]

back to Nelson - the town itself has only about 50,000 population I think, by virtue of that small number there can only be fewer jobs than Wellington etc. Places that size, New Plymouth, Napier etc have remained static population-wise with a drift to bigger cities; no population increase, little need for new homes/jobs.
I used to look for jobs in the area but there were only two suitable employers for me, needed someone to die! and then be one of a hundred or more applicants.

we need some pretty pictures


1 Nelson 2 Nelson Hobbit film location

more here, (but still, no Hobbit)

[anski]

Originally Posted by dodgerodger

Getting a job as a sparky is also very difficult in New Zealand coming from America because of the voltage difference and training qualification differences most companies will not even look at your resume if they know you are an American.
I had to get a job as a low voltage tech if I wanted to stay in the electrical field earning $15 an hour which is hardly enough to live on when you have a small family.

:-)

Not sure when you lived & worked in New Zealand for $15 an hour & wish you were still around because my local electrician charges me $75 an hour plus travelling of $35 even though he works from home & lives 2 streets away.

These are the current pay rates

Project Cost Estimator - Hourly Rates for Electricians @ Tradebox