First Impressions of NZ - an Auckland view

[topcat83]

Originally Posted by mattpenaflorida

...the thing that gives us hope though is that my younger brother moved to Taumarunui 2 years ago and never wants to see the UK again - and my Best Man's sister went there to Foxton about 6 years ago and feels the same way!...

Hi Matt.

Taumarunui is an unusual place for an expat to move to. I love the area round there (we have friends with a farm in Ongarue, just down the road) but it is very, very different to Auckland and the other places that expats favour. Houses are very cheap there - it's probably one of the cheapest places in the country - but the cost of living there (e.g. in the local New World' supermarket) is not. And there ain't a lot of work (well, not that pays...) There's a great Maori culture in the area too - but unlike the Maori around Rotorua they haven't taken on the tourist market yet. So go see your brother and enjoy thus beautiful off-the-tourist-track area of NZ - but keep an open mind about where gives you the best choice for your life in NZ.

[Gimme5]

Originally Posted by mattpenaflorida

Hi

Great to catch someone who's just arrived there - we would dearly love to know the ups and downs - we're considering a move there with our 1 Year Old in the New Year - but sorting the wheat from the chaff on this site to get a real unbiased picture seems a bit difficult - especially with the French guy giving it a broadside..... - didn't expect that at all.....

What we'd really like to know are the warts and all impressions as you go along compared to the UK - almost every international survey puts NZ in the top 10 - but either a lot of really demanding people have moved there recently and found it a second class experience with a first class price tag - or the people writing up the surveys have never been there!

It would be great to know if an ordinary bloke from the UK could give his familya decent existance there, and more especially his baby the kind of childhood that seems to have gone forever here.

I haven't seen much middle ground in the comments on this forum so far - but my brother emigrated there and adores the place so it can't be that bad......hopefully!

Thanks

Matt

"...or the people writing up the surveys have never been there!". Interestingly, it was reported on today's 6pm news that the methodology used by Lonely Planet to rank Wellington in the top 5 city to visit was from summarizing comments made on travel blogs and forums. Hardly scientific and makes you wonder doesn't it?

[alansheffield]

Originally Posted by mattpenaflorida

Thanks Alan

The positives are great - but every time the wife and I discuss she thinks I have rose tinted specs on - so actually for us the real picture with emphasis on the more difficult aspects would be greatly appreciated - from what I've seen and heard at seminars the cost of western goods is expensive as are larger items for the house and cars - which is why they all use Trademe, and we're told to expect damp chilly accomadation and the odd landlord who thinks Europeans have guilt-edged wallets to pay for them..... on the salary front the wife and I expect to generate between 90 and 120K NZ combined - she's a nurse and I work in IT projects - and on the exchange rate that would be about 80% of our earning potential here in the UK - the thing that gives us hope though is that my younger brother moved to Taumarunui 2 years ago and never wants to see the UK again - and my Best Man's sister went there to Foxton about 6 years ago and feels the same way!

The website notifies me by email when you've replied by the way - so I sould see your posts.

Good Luck on your first day at work - hope it goes as well as you'd anticipated!

Matt

Thanks Matt

I understand about wanting to understand the 'real' costs - and the challenges - I'll try and do my best - its important in making decisions. Yes many things are more expensive. Buying cars for one (something I am trying to do as we speak!) - its a complicated market place - with imports impacting on choice and price. Yes Trademe is an important site...and a good indication of what people pay for things. What I make of it at present is that if you want a cheap runaround car you'll need to pay about $6,000 - this will be a 1990 car with loads of Kilometres - if you want something a bit newer and better quality you have to pay between $7 - $13,000 - these will be about 2002 - 4 after that its any price.... they also have two MOT's (called WOF's here) a year for cars over 6 years old...insurance is about the same price (although house insurance seems more) Some electrical goods seem more expensive - we have to buy a fridge freezer for the new house... and I guess the choice at the low price range is very limited...although the quality seems good - starting price for a stand up fridge / freezer is about $900 (again have to shop around - and my partner assures me this is probably what I might pay for a fridge/freezer in the UK ! can't remember last time |I bought one). TV's and computers are not far off the UK price - again the bottom price range is a bit limited but good choice if you want to pay a bit more....None of this is helped at the moment by the poor exchange rate with the UK.

Accommodation - I can't help you on this - we have got a lovely place in Auckland and I think the quality of houses are better (big rental market) - but I have seen the posts on damp houses - I guess the trick is to be aware of it as a problem when you come.

Your combined income should be fine 9others I am sure can comment) - just don't come for a cheaper lifestle - come because you want something different...

I'll post some more next month but if you have any other questions just fire away (work was good by the way - people very nice and laid back)

Alan

[mattpenaflorida]

Thanks for that - he went there with St John's - he was an ambulance driver here in the UK and got fed up scraping drunks off the pavement and getting abused for it - so he went there as a paramedic - I've seen it on Google Earth and it's very much out of the way - and he's mentioned in passing that it's a bit Wild West (tumble weed included) but he's renting and says that it's perfectly possible to survive on one person's salary with enough left over for some fun - here in London we struggle with two incomes and we haven't got anywhere near laying out childcare costs yet....and we both earn wel over the national average. As for our most likely destination it would have to be Auckland/ Wellington for my work, the wife can work anywhere but mine's limited to town sadly....though it would be good to know what commuting in either location is like - mind, nowhere can be as bad as London where the equivalent of the whole NZ population commute in and out every day......but we're realistic we know it's not all milk and honey - but it'll be nice to get a feel for how much rough we have to endure for the smooth that everyone else seems to rave about - I haven't met anyone who went there that wants to come back and of the Kiwis I know here all desire to make their fortune and return........ eventually..........

Ta!

Matt

Hi Matt.

Taumarunui is an unusual place for an expat to move to. I love the area round there (we have friends with a farm in Ongarue, just down the road) but it is very, very different to Auckland and the other places that expats favour. Houses are very cheap there - it's probably one of the cheapest places in the country - but the cost of living there (e.g. in the local New World' supermarket) is not. And there ain't a lot of work (well, not that pays...) There's a great Maori culture in the area too - but unlike the Maori around Rotorua they haven't taken on the tourist market yet. So go see your brother and enjoy thus beautiful off-the-tourist-track area of NZ - but keep an open mind about where gives you the best choice for your life in NZ.[/QUOTE]

[topcat83]

Originally Posted by alansheffield

Thanks Matt

I understand about wanting to understand the 'real' costs - and the challenges - I'll try and do my best - its important in making decisions. Yes many things are more expensive. Buying cars for one (something I am trying to do as we speak!) - its a complicated market place - with imports impacting on choice and price. Yes Trademe is an important site...and a good indication of what people pay for things. What I make of it at present is that if you want a cheap runaround car you'll need to pay about $6,000 - this will be a 1990 car with loads of Kilometres - if you want something a bit newer and better quality you have to pay between $7 - $13,000 - these will be about 2002 - 4 after that its any price.... they also have two MOT's (called WOF's here) a year for cars over 6 years old...insurance is about the same price (although house insurance seems more) Some electrical goods seem more expensive - we have to buy a fridge freezer for the new house... and I guess the choice at the low price range is very limited...although the quality seems good - starting price for a stand up fridge / freezer is about $900 (again have to shop around - and my partner assures me this is probably what I might pay for a fridge/freezer in the UK ! can't remember last time |I bought one). TV's and computers are not far off the UK price - again the bottom price range is a bit limited but good choice if you want to pay a bit more....None of this is helped at the moment by the poor exchange rate with the UK.

Accommodation - I can't help you on this - we have got a lovely place in Auckland and I think the quality of houses are better (big rental market) - but I have seen the posts on damp houses - I guess the trick is to be aware of it as a problem when you come.

Your combined income should be fine 9others I am sure can comment) - just don't come for a cheaper lifestle - come because you want something different...

I'll post some more next month but if you have any other questions just fire away (work was good by the way - people very nice and laid back)

Alan

I must say i struggle when i see these kind of figures for cars. We have found cars to be really reasonably priced!!

To give you an idea -

4 years ago we bought a 1 year old Honda Jazz for $16,000 NZD.

2.5 years ago my son bought a 1997 Mitsubishi Legnum Stationwagon for $3000 NZD

18 months ago we bought a 1998 MGF sports car for $5,800 NZD.

Last week we bought a 1996 Mitsubishi Pajero (2.8L Diesel) for $9,000 NZD.

And in each case the insurance we're paying (especially for my son, who was 18 when he bought the Legnum) is much, much cheaper than the UK.

[mattpenaflorida]

Thanks for the heads up - maybe those more settled there are in the know about where to go and buy - I'm told that's one of the hazards of renting for new arrivals too - the addition of "the cost of ignorance" - a factor that hopefully I hope to mitigate via this forum.

I've seen others who've mentioned the cost of second hand cars - but to be honest we'd probably ship ours there anyway - it's likely to be a better option for us since ours is only 18 months old and we'd lose far more selling it and buying there than it would cost to ship it.

In the emigration seminars here at NZ House the wisdom of those presenting is that it's not just cars but also household goods ( furniture and white goods ) and so far to a man everyone has said ship as much with you as possible because to sell and replace almost anything is a false economy

I'm told that Trademe is the best place for stuff that you have to get there though.

Thanks for you wisdom!

Matt

Originally Posted by topcat83

I must say i struggle when i see these kind of figures for cars. We have found cars to be really reasonably priced!!

To give you an idea -

4 years ago we bought a 1 year old Honda Jazz for $16,000 NZD.

2.5 years ago my son bought a 1997 Mitsubishi Legnum Stationwagon for $3000 NZD

18 months ago we bought a 1998 MGF sports car for $5,800 NZD.

Last week we bought a 1996 Mitsubishi Pajero (2.8L Diesel) for $9,000 NZD.

And in each case the insurance we're paying (especially for my son, who was 18 when he bought the Legnum) is much, much cheaper than the UK.

[alansheffield]

Originally Posted by mattpenaflorida

Thanks Alan

The positives are great - but every time the wife and I discuss she thinks I have rose tinted specs on - so actually for us the real picture with emphasis on the more difficult aspects would be greatly appreciated - from what I've seen and heard at seminars the cost of western goods is expensive as are larger items for the house and cars - which is why they all use Trademe, and we're told to expect damp chilly accomadation and the odd landlord who thinks Europeans have guilt-edged wallets to pay for them..... on the salary front the wife and I expect to generate between 90 and 120K NZ combined - she's a nurse and I work in IT projects - and on the exchange rate that would be about 80% of our earning potential here in the UK - the thing that gives us hope though is that my younger brother moved to Taumarunui 2 years ago and never wants to see the UK again - and my Best Man's sister went there to Foxton about 6 years ago and feels the same way!

The website notifies me by email when you've replied by the way - so I sould see your posts.

Good Luck on your first day at work - hope it goes as well as you'd anticipated!

Matt

Hi Matt

I understand that - I joined this forum to get a more balanced view of our move - wanted to avoid the 'rose coloured glasses' perspective too. There is no doubt that a number of key goods are more expensive. For example, we are of to look at cars today and while you can buy a car at almost any price - you don't seem to get as much for you money here as in the UK. For $6,000 - $9,000 you'll get a 15 to 20 year old car - that has a high mileage. For $10,000 - $13,000 you'll get a 10 to 8 year old car - in the UK I think this would be cheaper. There are also more driving costs (2 MOT's a year) - and insurance/ tax is about the same. Silmier with fridge/ freezers - you can get something for $800 - $900 but there is little choice and most cost well over $1000 - again I think this is higher than the UK. I think if you come here you need to be aware that getting set up will cost. Exchange rates are a real problem at the moment - and these make things more expensive. These things will differ across NZ (remember I am in central Auckland) but if people come her for a cheaper life style - then its the wrong reason to come.

As for accommodation - I can't really say...I have been lucky and got a nice 'newish' house near the beach - it has heating built in and north facing...so i think it will be dry and warm. I have read the comments about cold damp houses - I guess you just need to be aware of this when renting/ buying. Rents by the way are quite high (again that might be an Auckland thing..).

As for income I think you'll be fine. You'll just have to manage your finances carefully and bring some capital to set yourself up.... at the moment I don't regret our decision - in fact still feel very positive about it. People are good and friendly and the place is just great - we look forward to a good summer.

Work by the way was good - again people helpful and very laid back...been given tiome to sort out all those things I need to do...

Feel free to keep asking questions

all the best

Alan

[topcat83]

Originally Posted by mattpenaflorida

Thanks for the heads up - maybe those more settled there are in the know about where to go and buy - I'm told that's one of the hazards of renting for new arrivals too - the addition of "the cost of ignorance" - a factor that hopefully I hope to mitigate via this forum.

I've seen others who've mentioned the cost of second hand cars - but to be honest we'd probably ship ours there anyway - it's likely to be a better option for us since ours is only 18 months old and we'd lose far more selling it and buying there than it would cost to ship it.

In the emigration seminars here at NZ House the wisdom of those presenting is that it's not just cars but also household goods ( furniture and white goods ) and so far to a man everyone has said ship as much with you as possible because to sell and replace almost anything is a false economy

I'm told that Trademe is the best place for stuff that you have to get there though.

Thanks for you wisdom!

Matt

We bought our cars at a number of places - the Honda at the Honda dealership, the Pajero at a second hand dealer (there are a couple of streets full of them in Auckland - our nearest one is at Panmure), the MGF was an impulse buy while on holiday in Napier (saw it advertised in a driveway) and our sons car was from the Sunday Morning car market at Ellerslie Racecourse.

Ellerslie Racecourse on a Sunday morning is a good place to go if you want a cheap car- they set the car park up in price ranges, and anyone can go along and put their car there for sale. It's a mixture of traders and private vendors (a bit like a car boot sale for cars, really!) The AA will do an inspection of any car there (for a fee - I think it's about $120 NZD), and anything you buy should have a recent WOF by law. You generally won't get any kind of vehicle warranty though. It's worth considering buying an engine warranty - see Home - www.swanninsurance.co.nz.

'Grey imports' are cheaper - and generally are absolutely fine! Many come from Japan, and are in very good condition, often with below-average mileage for their age. Our Pajero is a grey import - 150k kilometers on a 14 year old car - that's just over 10k km per year.

Shop around first, and I think you'll find you will get a vehicle for a reasonable price.

[alansheffield]

Originally Posted by alansheffield

Hi Matt

I understand that - I joined this forum to get a more balanced view of our move - wanted to avoid the 'rose coloured glasses' perspective too. There is no doubt that a number of key goods are more expensive. For example, we are of to look at cars today and while you can buy a car at almost any price - you don't seem to get as much for you money here as in the UK. For $6,000 - $9,000 you'll get a 15 to 20 year old car - that has a high mileage. For $10,000 - $13,000 you'll get a 10 to 8 year old car - in the UK I think this would be cheaper. There are also more driving costs (2 MOT's a year) - and insurance/ tax is about the same. Silmier with fridge/ freezers - you can get something for $800 - $900 but there is little choice and most cost well over $1000 - again I think this is higher than the UK. I think if you come here you need to be aware that getting set up will cost. Exchange rates are a real problem at the moment - and these make things more expensive. These things will differ across NZ (remember I am in central Auckland) but if people come her for a cheaper life style - then its the wrong reason to come.

As for accommodation - I can't really say...I have been lucky and got a nice 'newish' house near the beach - it has heating built in and north facing...so i think it will be dry and warm. I have read the comments about cold damp houses - I guess you just need to be aware of this when renting/ buying. Rents by the way are quite high (again that might be an Auckland thing..).

As for income I think you'll be fine. You'll just have to manage your finances carefully and bring some capital to set yourself up.... at the moment I don't regret our decision - in fact still feel very positive about it. People are good and friendly and the place is just great - we look forward to a good summer.

Work by the way was good - again people helpful and very laid back...been given tiome to sort out all those things I need to do...

Feel free to keep asking questions

all the best

Alan

seems I have done this twice - sorry - my last post didn't show up....but it has now...so if I repeated nyself sorry...

[alansheffield]

Originally Posted by topcat83

We bought our cars at a number of places - the Honda at the Honda dealership, the Pajero at a second hand dealer (there are a couple of streets full of them in Auckland - our nearest one is at Panmure), the MGF was an impulse buy while on holiday in Napier (saw it advertised in a driveway) and our sons car was from the Sunday Morning car market at Ellerslie Racecourse.

Ellerslie Racecourse on a Sunday morning is a good place to go if you want a cheap car- they set the car park up in price ranges, and anyone can go along and put their car there for sale. It's a mixture of traders and private vendors (a bit like a car boot sale for cars, really!) The AA will do an inspection of any car there (for a fee - I think it's about $120 NZD), and anything you buy should have a recent WOF by law. You generally won't get any kind of vehicle warranty though. It's worth considering buying an engine warranty - see Home - www.swanninsurance.co.nz.

'Grey imports' are cheaper - and generally are absolutely fine! Many come from Japan, and are in very good condition, often with below-average mileage for their age. Our Pajero is a grey import - 150k kilometers on a 14 year old car - that's just over 10k km per year.

Shop around first, and I think you'll find you will get a vehicle for a reasonable price.

Thanks Top Cat - i realise that there are a wide range of options - but its a bit about risk and not knowing what you are buying especially when you have just arrived...maybe in a year or so i'll feel OK about going to the carfair but at the moment I need some guarantees about what I am buying...and I'll only get this through a more formal system...prices do feel higher for what you get.. I had a really nice car in the Uk that i paid less than $5,000 and was good mileage - with protection of a three month warranty when I bought it....

As I said though only been here 2 weeks - off to look at cars today (down Great South Road) - so might get a better sense of what is available...

all the best

Alan